Scoopable cat litter buckets- 22-26 lbs worth, work great. They are durable, easy to wash, have a strong handle. Find someone with cats, or the local animal shelter and offer to take them off their hands.

Cat litter buckets aren't tall enough I don't think. Customers want to buy the sunflowers and glads really tall -- even though in all liklihood they will be cutting them to fit their containers.

Wendy, we live in the Michigan fruitbelt. Growers purchase semi-trailer loads of the square plastic buckets. We bought ours from one of the growers. I'll email the source to you. They pay alot less than the prices on the website; however, these are nice heavy duty buckets. These buckets take a beating. The rectangular buckets are from a floral wholesale supply house. They always have surplus. I particularly like the pink and orange ones. I don't know why. Maybe it's because black is so common? And, yes, the round black ones are also surplus supply. They aren't UV rated. So, they crack and breakdown from being in the hot, hot sun and extensive wear and tear. We go through alot of those. I do have another source for heavier round buckets.

The source for the square buckets also has tall round ones in some nifty colors. This is a really good marketing strategy. Our sunflowers looked rather nice in a red bucket........

Poochella and Flowerfarmer - THANKS!
I have tried to find wholesale sources...but haven't been successful.

I try ice cream shops and delis, but mayo is tough to wash out... :) I really want some more of the rectangular buckets with handles...and look forward to your sources Flowerfarmer!
Thanks again,
Wendy

I'm new to cut flower marketing, and while I haven't posted here often I do read a lot. I also would appreciate knowing some sources not only for buckets but for other supplies. I've found one or two on-line, but always like to have more options.

Funny, it seems every article I read about cut flowers always mentions the line "easily available at a local florist supply store".... I have not been able to locate a "local floral supply store" to save my life, lol!

Thanks!
:)
Dee