Ask the Expert: Peace Lily wilting! Help

Hi,
We recently repotted a very special Peace Lily in our office and it has since been as wilty as could be. At first, I thought we were underwatering it but we’ve watered it each day for three days straight and it is not bouncing back. The leaves are dark green, and the blackened edges we were seeing have not worsened but the plant is in one heck of a temper tantrum. What do we do? Our office has been warmer than normal lately, and the plant does not receive direct sunlight. Help!

Ask the Expert: My co-worker celebrates Kwanzaa and I would like to send him a gift to show my respect for his culture. Would flowers be an appropriate gift for a Kwanzaa celebration?

Shelly,

Kwanzaa means “first fruits” and originates from the first harvest celebrations of Africa. Gifts are mainly given to children and include a book and a heritage symbol. Since Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday I would suggest sending a fruit gift basket since the fruit represents a valued part of their culture — the harvest and particularly the celebration of thanks and respect for the harvest.

Just a little extra Kwanzaa information:

Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days — beginning Dec 26th and celebrated until the end of Jan 1st.

Kwanzaa is a time to honor and respect one’s elders and heritage. Family and community play an important part in Kwanzaa. It is not a religious holiday.

Ask the Expert: One plant has multiple thin palm-like shoots that come up (they have sections like palm tree but are fairly smooth) and the leaves have pinnate veins and are palmate compound that have 7 or 8 on each apex. The shape of the leaves is are elliptical oblanceolate and the margins are entire. They are tough, dark and shiny green in color but not thick like a fig leaf.

The other plant has a thick green shiny stem with a petiole that is longer than the distance between each petiole. The leaves are about the same color as the stem (medium green) and are simple with pinnate veins and entire margins, but the younger leaves are ovate while the older leaves are elliptical with a cordate base. All the leaves have a tendancy to curl in towards the midrib a bit and the petioles are alternating up the stem.

I would love it if you could help me with this or even refer to someone else who might be able to…

Thanks,

Tami

Ask the Expert: Suggestions for flowers in Dec. for wedding

I am going to host a wedding at my home Dec 30. I plan to leaves some of my Christmas decoration out such as outside lighting, garland up the stairway, around the flowerplace on around the front door. There will be no Christmas tree and I plan to remove the red poinsettias.
The groom in military and will be wearing blue, the bridesmaids dresses are dark blue. The bride is questioning what flower would be appropriate this time of year. I wanted to steer her away from using any blue at Christmas time because she wants blue. Do you have any suggestions? The bride wants to use calla lily for herself what could be used and work with some Christmas decor still in use?

Ask the Expert: How do i cut a long lucky bamboo in water

I want to cut it in half and make two plants

In Flower Shop Network’s December Newsletter, Beth Roberts has a wonderful take on the perfect Christmas gift for someone who has everything. I hope my husband takes a hint from Beth’s suggestions. Do you have someone on your Christmas list that is hard to buy for? What Christmas gift suggestions do you have to make the season a little easier?

Take a look at an advance preview of Beth’s “Perfect Christmas Gift” suggestions and let me know your views on the subject.

The Flower Shop Network Newsletters are emailed to subscribers once a month. This one is scheduled for Tuesday December 11th, but, I thought you’d like a sneak peak.

Last Sunday was the first day of Advent. At church, I wove greenery through the circular base of our Advent candle stand to create the look of a wreath. Advent wreaths consisting of winter greenery and 4 candles are used to honor the advent season. Many of our parishioners use Advent wreaths in their homes, as well. After answering the question “how are Advent wreaths made?”, I decided to share my answer with all of you.

How to Make an Advent Wreath.

Keep in mind Advent wreaths are always horizontal. To make an Advent wreath you will need the following items:

• Fresh Christmas greenery – balsam fir, cedar, holly, juniper, noble fir or white pine.
• Wreath form containing oasis (floral foam).
• Bowl or Saucer big enough to hold wreath form (optional).
• Floral tape.
• Floral wire.
• 3 purple candles.
• 1 rose Candle.
• Pine cones (optional).
• Bows (optional).
• Red berries (optional).

Begin by soaking the oasis in warm water until fully saturated. Measure and mark the position for each candle. Place the candles in position (you may have to cut some of the oasis to stabilize the candles). Once the candles are in place, insert the greenery into the oasis; positioning the greenery until the entire oasis is covered. Once the greenery is in place you can attach the extra embellishments using the floral tape and wire to secure the items. Keep the oasis moist by adding a little water each day. Never leave the candles burning without supervision – if the candles burn too low the greenery might burn.A simpler way to make an Advent wreath is to purchase a greenery wreath (a pre-made wreath containing only greenery). Add the candles and any other embellishments to the wreath securing them with floral tape and wire.

Easier way to make an Advent wreath is to purchase a greenery wreath (a wreath that contains greenery only) and add the candles and other embellishments.

Simplest way to make an Advent Wreath contact your local florist and let them do all the work.

Ask the Expert: I know that Hanukkah begins at sundown today, but I don’t know the proper etiquette for gift giving during the holiday. I would like to send my friend a flower arrangement to acknowledge the importance of this holiday to their faith. Would it be appropriate?

Everyone is familiar with the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. In my quirky holiday way, I have my own take on this song. I call my song “The 12 Flower Arrangements of Christmas”. It doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but I like it. So you won’t have to go through the whole song, I am providing only the last verse but with pictures.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Twelve Ruby Reflections Christmas Flower Arrangements.

Eleven Berry Bedazzlings Christmas Flower Arrangements.

Ten Sugar Plum Dreams Christmas Flower Arrangements.

Nine Yuletide Baskets Flower arrangement for Christmas.
Eight Holly Jolly Holidays Christmas Arrangement.
Seven Home for the Holidays Flower Arrangement.

Six Peppermint Poises Christmas Flowers.
Five Razzle Dazzles Flowers.
Four Christmas Cupcakes Flower Arrangement.
Three Seasonal Wishes Flower Arrangement.
Two Radiant Poinsettias Plants for Christmas.
And a Peace on Earth Centerpiece Arrangement for Christmas.

Hope you like my version, as usual flowers are always on my mind. Just a little FYI — Number 8 and number 1 are my favorites.