Ask the Expert: will you please identify this plant??
Plant was rescued from abandoned house. We cannot figure out what it is. Your help is appreciated. Gene

Acalypha hispaniolae

I received a preview of The Networker Vol 1 No 2 today. I found several interesting items including one about how having a Myspace page can help your business. This issue is full of helpful tips, snapshots from recent florists conventions, Boss day tips and an introduction to the new FSN Floral Selection Guide. As always this edition has information about floral trends, marketing insights, new features, new products, informational tidbits and how to market your business. Look for the latest issue of The Networker to hit your mailbox the first week of October.

Secrets are not my thing. My family and friends know that I can’t keep a secret unless someone says to me “you absolutely can’t tell anyone about this”. Then of course I do keep the secret, but it pains me to. I am also the person who will open my Christmas present early because the suspense drives me crazy. So naturally I can’t keep the latest edition of The Networker to myself. So if you are like me, you can have a sneak preview of The Networker Vol 1 No 2 online now - PDF download

Ask the Expert: Sources of wholesale evergreen christmas wreaths
I am looking for a source in the area since I am in New Jersey.  Any surrounding states would be okay.  Thank you.  Norma

Ask the Expert: Schefflera leaf curling
We have a large, old schefflera. It is so tall we have to cut the tops off. It site in front of a small, high round window. My problem is that the top leaves are curling, not just the tip but the whole leaf. Then  they die. Some of the leaves have little holes that look as if they may have been eaten by bugs.
Lilian

Ask The Expert:
i dont have a phone that works rite now. i live in the area, scottsburg, in, where we had the after effects from hurricane ike. and i had a very tall and leggy draceana plant. two stalks and a small baby growing about 1\’ tall. but during storm the plant was blown over and broke off the tops of the tall trunks. they were at least 5\’ tall. can i save them? and what should do with the part that is left? should cut off shorter. the tops that broke off were beautiful and healthy and i hate to throw away if i can save. can u help? my email is only way of contact. Andrea

Reply

Andrea,

First take the baby and separate it from the parent plant and pot it.  Then  Take the broken tops and remove leaves so that you have a bout 2″ of clear stem.  Now take a knife and re-cut the stem off at a 45 degree angle (cut about a 1/4″ off the bottom).  Now if you have some rooting hormone dip the cut stem in to the powder and then immediately place in moist soil.  (you can get rooting hormone at your local garden center and nursery — I use one by Greenlight called roottone –  always pour a little into a saucer so that the rest of the roottone doesn’e become contaminated).  Then turn to you stalks cut them at a 45degree angle. Twenty four hours later start misting the air around the plant.  In about two weeks you should start to see growth come on the side of the cut stalks.     Hope this helps.  I hhope that this is the only damage you received from Hurricane Ike.

I may discuss the fragrant bouquet of the wine with my sommelier, but the conversation rarely turns to the fragrant bouquet of flowers adorning the table. This is where I’ve missed the mark on the latest trend in gift giving. To keep you from making the same mistake, I’ve decided to pass on this interesting news to you.

Whether a pinot noir fan or a sauvignon connoisseur, there is a particular flower that enhances the sensual qualities enjoyed with a glass of wine. The characteristics of flowers such as the lily, bird of paradise, and orchid so naturally complement the characteristics of fine wines that it seems almost silly to have not made this comparison before. The Texas Department of Agriculture matched several popular flowers native to Texas with the 14 most popular types of wine. Known as the Two Texas Treasures campaign–the name boasting both products with their rich bouquets–members of the Texas State Florists Association were able to sample the pairings at a wine-tasting reception as part of the Texas State Florists Association Convention this year.

Whether you reside in the Lone Star state or elsewhere, pairing fragrant flowers with wine is a can’t-miss gift idea that everyone will love. Find your favorite wine or flower and its excellent partner below. Or if your favorite isn’t on the list, find a wine and flower pairing on the list below that is similar to your favorite and voila! The perfect personalized gift.

Wine and cheese or chocolate parties are always entertaining times for adults to gather. Bring something extra special this time by sending a gift of flowers to the host and hostess. Arriving with the wine that compliments these flowers allows each guest to tickle even more senses during the party.

Wine and flowers are a romantic gift that rarely miss during a special anniversary or birthday celebration. Show your connoisseur sweetheart that you are paying attention by preparing a special meal, presenting him or her with a special bottle of wine, and seating them at the table decorated with a floral centerpiece that brings the wine—and the romantic ambiance—to life.

• Champagne—Bubbles dance across your tongue while yellow roses add visual appeal.
• Syrah—The classic African violet dazzles traditionalists who enjoy a good Syrah.
• Sauvignon Blanc—Whites with whites. The lily beautifully meets this rule.
• Zinfandel—Azaleas are the understated but tasteful and sweet addition to Zinfandel.
• Blanc du Bois—The brilliance is at the end just as with the bird of paradise.
• Pinot Noir—Worth every bit of effort, cacti pair well with Pinot Noir.
• Chenin Blanc—The center of attention is both the Chenin Blanc and gerbera daisies.
• Orange Muscat—Orchids and Orange Muscat. Two bold looks, one great pair.
• Chardonnay—Light and vibrant chrysanthemums help Chardonnay shine.
• Merlot—Like Merlot wines, amaryllis finish well and excite the senses.
• Viognier—Bright and pleasing just like the sunflower.
• Gewurtztraminer—Try full-bodied hydrangeas for a full bodied wine.
• Cabernet—Red Texas roses stand out among the rest as does the popular Cabernet.
• Port—Poinsettias beautifully complement the deep red of this sturdy wine

Contact your local florist today for a bouquet of flowers to compliment the bouquet of your favorite wine.

Some of my best memories of my school days were the times when my father would send flowers to the school as a surprise for his two little girls. Our friends would “ooo” and “aah” until we felt like the center of attention. We felt like the queens of the school for the rest of the day. When the day was over, we’d rush home and wait rather impatiently until Dad came home for his huge hugs and big kisses. Every child wants to be the center of attention and a bouquet of flowers for your little girl or a cool gift basket for your little boy is a great way to make your child feel like the most important person of the day.

There are a few things that you need to know before you contact your local florist for flowers or a gift basket. Some schools do not allow delivery people to make deliveries on campus. Many schools will allow deliveries but only during certain hours, will keep the gift until a certain hour, or only authorize deliveries from certain groups. The best way to find out what your child’s school allows is to call the principal’s office. The receptionist will typically be familiar with the policies regarding delivery. Even if not, he or she should be able to quickly refer you to someone who knows the policy for having flowers and gifts delivered.

Did you find out that the school does not accept deliveries? It’s ok. Simply make arrangements to have your local florist deliver the flowers or gift basket to your child’s home. Make sure that an adult is present during delivery as unsupervised children may not wish or be able to answer the door to strangers—even florists carrying a large flower arrangement. If you must send the flowers to the child’s home do not fret. The amazing feeling of receiving an unexpected gift is the same regardless of the location. Your child will still be able to brag the next day about the awesome gift that he or she received the evening before.

Sending flowers or a gift basket to your child’s school is a great way to make your child feel incredibly special. I’m so glad that my Dad made the phone call to my school and then to our local florist, June. So much of the reason that I adore flowers started in those simple moments. It’s never too late to shape your child’s memories until their heart can’t hold the joy.

Ask the Expert: What kind of plant is this?

I have this plant out of a live arrangement, but it didn’t have any information on what kind of plant it was, which makes it difficult to find information on care. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Tricia

Red Margined Dracaena

Avoiding fraudulent orders is not always as easy as it seems. Just ask Lorie at My Flower Shop in Cambridge, Ontario who recently had an encounter with a fraudulent order. Thanks to her diligence and attention to detail, Lorie was able to abate the results of her experience and walk away clean. To avoid fraudulent orders in your flower shop, use these tips from Flower Shop Network.

• Scrutinize unusually large or hurried orders. Almost all fraudulent orders tend to be larger than average. Though some instances call for large orders, note particularly large and hurried orders.
• Pay attention to the signature on the card. Make sure that the signature on the card matches the signature of the sender. Also, make sure that the signature is a real name and not an obvious nick name.
• Do not accept foreign (Non US or Canadian) credit card orders. Approximately 30% of all foreign orders are fraudulent.
• Note the email address and corresponding mail server. Take particular note if the account is a setup under a free server such as Yahoo! mail, Gmail, and others or a very strange server as these can be obtained by anyone anywhere.

If you have a reason to be suspicious, contact the sender for more information.
Keep detailed documentation (especially for phone orders). According to Lorie, “Make your notes very clear. Make sure you have documentation because that’s what saved me.”

It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the floral industry. However, follow these tips for avoiding fraudulent orders and the end results will be well worth the extra time and attention.

It’s already time for another anniversary with your sweetheart? Congratulations! Whether interested in sending flowers from your local florist or delivering an anniversary arrangement in person under some clever guise, giving flowers warms the heart. It’s a fail safe way to say “I love you” this year and every year. However, sometimes you simply have to spice up the gift ideas so that your honey will feel special each time. Flower Shop Network has gone further than just delivering romantic anniversary flowers. To make your husband or wife feel special, we’re giving you another great gift idea for your anniversary this year!

Surprise your sweetie by presenting him or her with a romantic anniversary bouquet. This time instead of a traditional card or greeting card, fold up a treasure map that leads to a more special surprise. Try your hand at an authentic treasure map by drawing a dashed line from your starting point to a big “X” where the present will be. Be creative with the rest of the map by drawing pictures, lightly burning the edges of the paper or soaking it in tea, coffee, or soda for an aged finish that can still be read after drying.

The adventurous side in all of us comes out the moment we see a treasure map. Watch your love’s eyes light up as they spring to life in search of the prize at the end. The treasure can be something as simple as a sweetly decorated bathtub where a romantic bubble bath has been drawn next to a shimmering sparkle of candlelight and softly scented bath supplies. Hide smaller gifts in a drawer, cabinet, or place in a focal point in the room. Jewelry in small boxes are great for nestling among the flowers of an arrangement sitting on a simple table in the room. Another great way to hide a jewelry surprise is to fold an oversized piece of paper in half, draw an “X” on one side, then stand on the table so that it cleverly hides the ring or necklace box. My brother proposed to his wife this way so obviously this gift idea goes over well!

There are many more wonderful ways to tell your partner that you’re glad to have shared another year (or even months) with him or her. For the adventurous spirit, X marks the spot for a great anniversary! Love this idea? Used it before? Don’t forget to stop by and tell us how it worked for you.

Celebrate The Day with adventurous anniversary flowers!