In support of the Society of American Florists Congressional Action Day, Brock and Loranne Atwill, owners of FlowerShopNetwork.com, went to Washington, DC.

Many political analysts and dignitaries were there to discuss legislative issues important to the floral industry. Topics covered were: Immigration Reform, Health Care and Funding for Floriculture Research. Attendees of Congressional Action Days spent most of the day Tuesday visiting with their respective congressmen and senators concerning legislative issues and initiatives. Brock and Loranne met with Congressman Marion Berry and legislative aides from Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s and Sen. Mark Pryor’s offices.

Many retail florists, growers, wholesalers and other service providers attended on behalf of the floral industry. Pictured with Brock and Loranne is FlowerShopNetwork.com member Jo Buttram of Shirley’s Flowers and Gifts in Rogers, Arkansas.

US Congressman, 1^st District Marion Berry, took a great deal of time to discuss industry and small business concerns. We thank him for his time and consideration.

I am an amateur potter that recently started making small pots for displaying Lucky Bamboo Plants. I am interested in learning how to grow my own plants. Do you have any suggestion for obtaining starter plants and how to grow them.

Thanks

A. W. Spicer

Ask the Expert: How do I care for my peace lily

My Peace Lily is always losing it’s leaves. They turn brown and crispy on the edges, then yellow and then die. What am I doing or not doing to this poor plant.
Can they be put outside?
Thanks

MJ

I have a plant that has recently bloomed. My friend gave me a couple, and told me that the flower was red. She did not know what it was. Mine has bloomed and it is purple and white. If someone could email me I could send them the pictures. It has narrow leaf blades and flowers like a Siberian Iris, but the flower only lasts for 24 hours. It has only 3 petals down and 3 up, that curl under. It has a very delicate scent, and seems tropical in its character. Can anyone help me out? MB Williams

I really like your site. I am having a problems with my Lucky Bamboo Plant. It is about 1 year old ,really tall and green. All of a sudden some of the stalks are yellow (2 of them) all the others remain green. It is in a vase that they came in. I keep it watered. What should I do. Can you please give me any advice? Thank You

Susan

The roots of my bamboo plants acquired fungus over the course of a 2 week trip out of town. I rinsed them thoroughly, but the plants are still declining in health. I was thinking of cutting off the root ball. Is this a fatal maneuver? How might I save them?

Cheers, Robert

At the Northeast Floral Expo in Hartford, Connecticut February 24-25, 2007, visitors to the Flower Shop Network booth registered for a drawing for a complimentary eCommerce website package. Visitors to the Flower Shop Network booth at the convention registered to win the Grand Prize or First Prize package by filling out a small registration card or leaving a business card at the booth. The drawing was open to both existing Flower Shop Network members as well as nonmembers that registered at the Flower Shop Network booth on either Saturday or Sunday of the convention. The drawing was held Tuesday morning after our staff returned to the office and the results are in! Here are the lucky winners:

Grand Prize - Florist Listing + eCommerce Website

Congratulations to McQuade’s Marketplace of Mystic, Connecticut as the grand prize winner! The grand prize consists of a premium florist listing in the Flower Shop Network online florists directory as well as one of our fully eCommerce enabled flower shop websites.

McQuade’s Marketplace
14 Clara Drive
Mystic, CT 06355

(860) 536-4633 - Local
(860) 572-0337 - Fax

The complimentary listing and website will run for a full year on Flower Shop Network. Located in Mystic, Connecticut, Mequade’s Marketplace also provides floral delivery service to the following areas:

Westerly, Rhode Island (RI)
Groton, Connecticut (CT)
Ledyard, Connecticut (CT)
Noank, Connecticut (CT)
Pawcatuck, Connecticut (CT)
Stonington, Connecticut (CT)
North Stonington, Connecticut (CT)
Ashaway, Rhode Island (RI)
Bradford, Rhode Island (RI)
Block Island, Rhode Island (RI)

Flower Shop Network welcomes you as a new member. Congratulations to Tracy and the rest of the staff at Mequade’s Marketplace, we hope to see you again at next year’s event.

First Prize - Florist Listing

Congratulations to Sunset Flowerland & Greenhouse as the winner of our first Prize package. The first prize package includes a premium florist listing in the Flower Shop Network online florist directory for one full year.

Sunset Flowerland & Greenhouse
491 Ridge Road
Fairfield, ME 04937

(207) 453-2357 - Local
(207) 453-7742 - Fax

Located in Fairfield, Maine, Sunset Flowerland & Greenhouse als provides floral delivery service to the following areas:

Waterville, Maine (ME)
Clinton, Maine (ME)
Oakland, Maine (ME)
Hinkley Hill, Maine (ME)

Flower Shop Network welcomes Sunset Flowerland & Greenhouse as a new member. Congratulations to Cathy, Harlan and the rest of the staff at Sunset Flowerland and Greenhouse, the Flower Shop Network staff looks forward to seeing you at the convention next year.

Congratulations to Jamie Symington of Glen Terrence in Hamden, Connecticut winner of a 19″ color TV. Flower Shop Network provided a 19″ Color TV for the Northeast Floral Expo’s Silent Auction.

Flower Shop Network would like to thank all of our members that stopped by our booth at the Northeast Floral Expo as well as the many new shops and non member florists that took the time to visit with us. Flower Shop Network would also like to send out special thanks to the Connecticut Florists Association for the invitation to the convention - the CFA staff and membership did a wonderful job in making all of the exhibitors and attendees feel welcome. We appreciate your support as we continue to provide affordable, quality products and services to the floral industry. Flower Shop Network has already committed to attending the 2008 Northeast Floral Expo and we hope to see you.

Pictured below are the officers of the Connecticut Florists Association.

Flower Shop Network staff attending the Northeast Floral Expo sponsored by the Connecticut Florists Association are pictured below from the left:

Joe Hays, Network Coordinator
Adrian Burks, Technology
Loranne Atwill, CFO/Owner
Brock Atwill, President/Owner