How do I store and handle lilium stems after cutting to keep them fresh for sale?

Lilium is cut at the tight coloured bud stage, when the lowest one or two buds are showing colour but not yet open, because it continues to open after cutting and harvesting too open shortens its market life. Cut in the cool morning, strip the lower leaves, put stems straight into clean water, ideally with a flower preservative, and move them to a cool place quickly since heat makes buds open fast and brown. Keep them cool right through grading, bunching and transport, and avoid letting pollen stain the petals, many growers remove the anthers to prevent pollen marks. Transport in the cool hours. The browning you see usually means the stems got too warm or were cut too open. For the exact bud stage and any preservative to use, confirm with a floriculture specialist or your KVK, since it varies a little by variety.