Ask the Expert: Hello! I received a peace lily approximately three wks ago. It sits in afternoon light, and I have watered it once a month. Almost overnight, the leaves drooped. Help sites have told me that wilting can be caused by too much OR too little water. I don’t know what to do! Another peace lily I got on the same day sits only two feet away, and is doing great. Please advise. Thank you kindly. Sharon

Sharon,

Wilting usually does occur because of a watering issue, however other environmental factors sometimes cause problems. Let’s address the most common environmental issue – exposure to extreme temperature changes. Is this peace lily exposed to breezes from an outside door or directly under an air vent? Temperature changes can cause issues like

Read the rest of Drooping Peace Lily - Mystery Illness or Environmental Woes »

Ask the Expert: can someone identify these?

i need to find information on these plants no one at the park could tell me so i thought you guys could! ive seen them around but people just identify them as tropicals Jess

Jess,

Just off the top of my head I would say:

plant 1 is some kind of Dieffenbachia

plant 2 is some kind of Dracaena

plant 3 is some kind of Rhapis - miniature fan plam

plant 4 is some kind of spathipyllum

Are these plants in an atrium setting - they don’t seem to be in a natural planting which is making the identification a little difficult.  Depending on the situation, my identification of each plant could change.

Ask the Expert: I tried to find information about my houseplant on your web site, but I didn’t find anything that matches. Could you identify the plant pictured in the attached photo? Thank you! Lance

Lance,

You have an Aglaonema, specifically an Aglaonema commutatum ‘Treubii’.

Chocolate that tasty little mood-lifting relaxing treat seems to be the focus of everyone’s attention at the moment. In fact, the latest issue of Fine Cooking has an interesting article featuring the pairing of wine and chocolate.

The combination of wine and chocolate creates a sensuous pleasure for our taste buds. A little port wine with a piece of dark chocolate is a culinary experience that shouldn’t be missed and one of my favorites. Fine Cooking pairs different kinds of chocolates with the appropriate wine to ensure a delicious experience. But, wine isn’t the only thing you can pair with chocolate to create a sensory delight. Pleasure is multiplied when you include more than one sense. Pairing flowers with chocolate involves our sense of smell, taste and sight – a triple indulgence.

The Flower Shop Network February newsletter, The Mystique of Chocolate & Flowers, describes the allure of pairing flowers with chocolate particularly for Valentine’s Day. Guys or gals looking for Valentine’s Day gift ideas will find a multitude in this newsletter. Creating the ultimate romance with chocolates and flowers is detailed in length; all you have to do is go for it.

With all this talk of pairing chocolate with flowers and wine, it occurred to me the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift lies somewhere between the Fine Cooking article and the FSN newsletter. Flowers, wine and chocolate - what more could your sweetheart ask for? You might ask, shouldn’t the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift appeal to all of the senses? With the right combination of wine, flowers and chocolate - bells will go off and hearts will be touched. So, here are three ways to combine wine, flowers and chocolate to achieve the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift this year:

The ultimate luxury Valentine’s Day gift idea – Send a dozen red roses and a large box of milk chocolates to your sweetheart; include a note suggesting an evening sharing the milk chocolates over a bottle of Pinot Noir.

The ultimate dreamy Valentine’s Day gift idea – Send a bouquet of ‘Stargazer’ Lilies to your sweetheart; include a note suggesting an evening viewing the stars while sharing a semi-sweet chocolate mousse and a bottle of Shiraz.

The ultimate romantic Valentine’s Day gift idea - Meet your sweetheart at the door with a silver tray containing a vase of tulips, two glasses of a fine ruby port and a bowl of gourmet bittersweet truffles. Be sure to whisper, “Just a little something for the finest two lips in the world”.

With these ultimate Valentine’s Day gift ideas, amore will definitely be in the air along with the aroma of fresh flowers, the taste of chocolate and wine, the expression of love and the warmth of the heart. The possibilities are endless and I’m sure everyone has their own ultimate combination. So with Valentine’s Day just around the corner – let your imagination go wild with flowers, chocolate and wine.

The Arkansas Green Industry Association (ARGIA – formally the Arkansas Nurserymen’s Assoc.) held their annual convention last week in Hot Springs Arkansas. This year the underlying theme was “getting involved” both, with the association and the community. In an effort to get involved, the association gave its support to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission and it’s environmentally friendly program. Going green and being pro-environment is not a new concept for ARGIA, so supporting the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission was a natural fit. As Anne Fuller, ARGIA director, put it “our industry was green when green wasn’t cool.” Nurseries and landscapers for many years have used organic and recycled products; created green-scapes that encourage the benefits of nature; promoted the benefits of gardening and giving back to the earth. In fact, the Read the rest of Flower Shop Network Salutes Arkansas Green Industry Association’s Support of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission »

Ask the Expert: What to do about browning leaves I have a Peace Lily plant, which is about 10 months old. I do have it sitting in front of a window in the center of my family room. The leaves are starting to droop and many of the leaves are turning brown. How do I revive this plant and should I cut off the leaves that are brown, and if so, where should I clip them? Sharon

Sharon,

First, we must determine the cause of the browning leaves. Light, water and fertilizer can all be a factor in the browning of peace lily leaves. Exposure to direct light can cause the Read the rest of Brown Is A Good Color for Chocolates But Not A Peace Lily »

Wedding & Party Network recently launched the website, www.WeddingandPartyNetwork.com, a comprehensive online resource to assist consumers in conveniently locating products and services associated with planning weddings, parties or other special events.

Wedding & Party Network site provides information for thousands of companies that specialize in providing products and services specific to weddings, parties and other special events. All Flower Shop Network florists enjoy membership privileges with Wedding and Party Network.

Ask the Expert: How do we heal Lucky bamboo from the freeze? We were moving and the Lucky Bamboo was left in the cold car over night. The stalks look like the celery when it gets refrigerator burn. How can we help it to heal? Thank you, Kathy Kastner

Kathy,

I am afraid there isn’t much you can do for lucky bamboo exposed to freezing conditions. The problem with freeze is effects the plant cell at the molecular level - meaning it can destroy the cells not just compromise them. It is all a wait and see process. Bring the lucky bamboo into an area that is not too hot, don’t fertilize or change the water (unless the water is frozen) for a week. In a few days you will see exactly how much damage has been done. Hopefully some part of the lucky bamboo will survive - you will need to cut off the dead or even root the surviving part. Good luck - I wish there was more that could be done.

FlowerShopNetwork.com recently announced recipients of sales achievement awards for 2007. Sales representatives, Cathy Condray and Rebecca Speer were the top two winners of the company’s annual sales contest, according to FSN president Brock Atwill. Presentations were made at the company’s annual sales meeting held earlier this month at the Paragould, Arkansas Community Center.

For their accomplishments, Condray received an all-expenses paid trip to San Antonio’s world-famous River Walk, and for her prize Speer chose a five day and night Walt Disney World vacation. In addition, fellow sales representative Amy Hall was bestowed the 2007 Salesperson of the Year award, a distinction she has earned a total of three times. Another noteworthy honoree from the 2007 sales team, Leslie Cox was named FSN Rookie of the Year.

Established in March 1999, FlowerShopNetwork.com is an online florists’ directory providing web hosting and internet advertising for over 6,000 member florists across the United States and Canada.

Amy Hall, Flower Shop Network Salesman of the Year 2007

Leslie Cox, Flower Shop Network Rookie of the Year

Cathy Condray & Rebecca Spears Winners of FSN Annual Sales Contest

Bottom Row L to R: Shelley Condray, Cathy Condray, Rebbecca Spears, Ann Stevens, Amy Hall & VP of Sales Cindy Prichard.

Top Row L to R: Joe Hays, Lynn Reavis, Leslie Cox, Nick Costner, President Brock Atwill & VP Loranne Atwill

Ask the Expert: HELLO, I AM LOOKING FOR A SUPPLIER OF WHOLESALE WREATHS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SELECTION. I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN SMALL SIZES RANGING FROM 6″D - 9″D. I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN SMALL SWAGS. CAN YOU HELP ME? LAUREN

Hi Lauren:
Here is where I would start: FGmarket is a directory for wholesalers who supply florists and gift retailers. They have a several natural, dried and preserved wreath suppliers and several garland suppliers as well as fresh wreath and swag wholesalers. From the FGmarket site you will be able to link to many of their sites and view their wholesale products. You will, also, be able to contact the suppliers directly to discuss pricing and to get their catalogs. Several of the wholesalers have specials and promotions shown only on FGmarket - an added benefit to using FGmarket. I know several people who have found Fgmarket to be extremely helpful in finding sources for the products they need. I have review many of the products carried by these wholesalers; finding interesting and quality products. I think you will be able to find just what you are needing. Good luck.