Dear NW for L&S,
Ah, love in the time of eco-consciousness. You’d think that flowers, being of the earth and all, might be a great thing to give an “eco-chick,” but there are some problems with your typical cut flowers. I tell you this not to douse your enjoyment of the holiday, but to help you win the game of eco-love. (Though the fact that I may be a bitter, valentine-free eco-chick should probably be taken into consideration.)
Here’s the challenge with “saying it with flowers”: The majority of flowers we buy here in the U.S. are imported and they are not regulated or inspected for pesticide residues because they are not edible. However, since they’re an agricultural product, they’re required to be pest-free upon importation, which encourages heavy pesticide use and makes it possible for U.S.-banned chemicals such as DDT to cross our borders.
In 2000, the Center for Atmospheric Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico conducted a study and found that flower greenhouses in parts of Mexico were using 36 different chemicals, including the persistent organochlorines DDT, aldrin, and dieldrin. In an unpublished study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, a dozen different pesticides were detected on sampled roses, including two that are listed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as probable carcinogens.
While it’s possible that your eco-honey will be exposed to pesticide residue on the blooms, there are two larger issues with this type and level of pesticide use. The first is the resulting pollution from the chemical runoff into soils and waterways and the second is the impact upon the floral industry workers, whose concentrated exposure to these chemicals may result in health problems.
It is possible to have flowers for V-Day AND wow your earth-lovin’ woman (or man) at the same time. Organic and pesticide-free options are available here in Boulder County , though choices are limited at this time of year. In the summertime, you’ll find organic blossoms at the Farmers’ Market, as well as at many health food stores in the area, including the Boulder Co-op Market, Whole Foods and Wild Oats, who do offer pesticide-free flowers when they’re in season.
In these colder months, Whole Foods offers organic roses and eucalyptus. In fact, their floral department buyer tells me they’ve just made it a staple to always have regular shipments of organic roses. Local florist Bloemenhaus offers a limited selection of fungicide-free roses grown using integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, but they are not labeled as such (they do cost the same as their pesticide-sprayed counterparts). The store’s advice is to call and specifically request the pesticide and fungicide-free roses, which come from California-based Eufloria. Another option is to forgo the roses and choose a less traditional but equally beautiful “Spring” bouquet. Bloemenhaus offers organic mixed bouquets of tulips, irises, daffodils, etc., greenhouse-grown by local farmers.
You can also send organic flowers from Organic Bouquet by visiting www.organicbouquet.com, or calling 888-899-2468 (order by Saturday morning!).
Say it with organic flowers and she’ll love you…and you’ll be really happy…and I’ll be really happy for you…really. Enjoy.
