Local

National flower shortage triggered by Hurricane Irma

TULSA — A little known fact about flowers sold across the United States is that a large majority of them come from other countries, and most of them pass through the Port of Miami, Florida.

Hurricane Irma disrupted operations at that port, and also caused problems with ground and air transportation.

That has led to a major shortage of fresh flowers across the country, including in Tulsa.

Nicki Argo owns Mary Murray’s Flowers, a locally-owned business that has operated for more than fifty years.

She’s never seen anything like the current shortage, she told KRMG Wednesday.

Since Irma, she said, “I have yet to get my first shipment.”

She was supposed to get one Wednesday morning, but the truck didn’t show.

California is the only real source of fresh flowers within the U.S., she said, but buying from California is not cheap.

“They’re beautiful flowers,” she said, “but because they pay American wages for their farmers and stuff, they’re incredibly expensive.”

And there are many types of flowers that aren’t grown in California.

She admits it’s been tough explaining the problem to customers, most of whom don’t realize that for instance nearly all roses sold in the U.S. are actually grown in Ecuador.

It’s one thing not to be able to buy flowers for an anniversary or to decorate the home, but imagine being a bride-to-be.

Argo says she’s gone out of her way to help.

“That’s one thing I have to do, is I have to have that bride’s flowers for her,” Argo said. “There are no do-overs. So even if it means not making a dime on the wedding, you just have to do what’s right.”

It will all get sorted out, she said, though she can’t predict how long it will take.

“This has never happened before, so I don’t even know what that outcome’s gonna be.”

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