Ask The Expert: I am considering selling Lucky Bamboo Plants thru my decorating business. It seems they are easy to take care of however recently I received a quite lare plant with at least 25 stems in it but they were in soil. I have not been able to find any information about growing them in soil or how to transition them over to water. I was wondering if you have any information that could help me with this. Thank you Chris

Reply:

Although Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is often grown hydroponically, it is actually a soil plant. Most dracaenas prefer to live in soil, so it will be very happy in the soil. However if you are selling lucky bamboo to fill a customers needs for hydroponically grown lucky bamboo then you must acclimate it to water.

This can be done. It is easier to transition soil grown lucky bamboo to water than the other way around. Begin by gently removing the lucky bamboo from the soil. You will need to wash all the soil particles off of the lucky bamboo stalks. Once you have done this prepare your container. You need a clean chemical free container. If you are selling the stems individually, don't both with pebbles or rocks in the bottom of the container. Find a container that will support the lucky bamboo stalks without tipping over with only about two to three inches of water. If you need extra weight in the bottom of the vase add the pebbles or rocks but make sure the stems can easily be removed as you sell them. Place distilled water in the container or use tap water that has been exposed to air for at least 24 hours. Draceana sanderiana (lucky bamboo) is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine which as often found in tap water. Place your lucky bamboo in bright indirect light and do not fertilize.

I would not transfer all of the stalks at once. I would test trial about 3 or 4 for a couple of weeks to see how the transition goes. Remember lucky bamboo grown in soil likes a moist but not soggy condition. So make sure that the lucky bamboo potted in soil drains well.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Oasis Floral Wire

Take one look at the list of floral wire from Oasis® Floral Products and you'll instantly fall in love with its many features. For many years, floral wire has been used as part of the mechanics of the design; a stabilizer in most cases. While this serves as a very functional feature of floral wire (say that ten times fast), there are many other ways that floral wire benefits a design. Regina Berryman returned recently to show me some of these features.

In many of her most recent designs, Regina bends colored floral wire of various gauges to create a grid inside the vase. This grid holds the stems of the flowers in place while giving the design a very contemporary look. While many designs call for a grid of tape, floral wire grids are a bit more forgiving. One of the benefits of a floral wire grid is that it allows you the ability to remove flowers from a floral grid and place them back in the arrangement without damaging the Continue reading "Aspects of Design: Floral Wire As Mechanic & Design" »

Christmas is over and the new year has begun. The countdown to Valentine's Day can now begin. Cupid is gearing up for this loving holiday. But what cupid doesn't have in his handy little quiver is the most fantasmagorical (best of the best) Valentine's gift around. Love and affection you already have so now is the time to figure out what to give the object of your sweet emotions. If you need ideas, you've come to the right place!

Don't Know What to Give on Valentine's Day?  Your Florist Has the Answer!

Need a fantastic Valentine's Day gift idea? Drawing a blank on what to give? Be creative!  Don’t be cliché!  Be romantic!  Make it memorable!  Before you know it Valentine’s Day will be here.  With February 14th just around the corner, make sure you are prepared to give ultimate V-day gift.  Now is the time to call your local florist.

Romantic Valentines Gift Ideas

A florist can help you create a custom creation, inspire you with new Valentine’s Day gift ideas, or steer you toward the ideal, customized gift for your loved one!  Whether your special someone is eight or eighty, your local florist has the perfect gift!  For years florists have created the ultimate Valentines gift and they are always willing to share the fruits of their experience.  Try a few of these excellent V-day gift suggestions.

Dim the lights, light a few candles, and bring a dozen roses for the perfect romantic evening.  The rich, heavenly smell and the deep scarlet red ooze romance.  It’s nearly impossible to envision a traditional, romantic Valentine’s Day without presenting your loved one with a gift that has been a symbol of love throughout the ages.

Valentines Gifts Aren’t For Lovers Only

If your love for someone is more like Lucy and Ethel and less like Romeo and Juliet, yellow roses signify friendship.  Also, any cheery bouquet of a favorite flower will bring a smile to face of a dear friend. Daisies, tulips, and lilies are bright, sunny blooms that will show your best pal they are special to you. You and your florist can team up and bring a smile to the face of a friend who is always there to return the favor!

It's All About Your Lover

If a bouquet alone doesn’t seem like enough, then it’s time to get creative!  It’s as simple as taking your loved one’s interests and incorporating them into a spectacular personalized gift!  For example, if your other half is a foodie, ask your florist to incorporate gourmet treats, such as Valentine cookies or chocolates, into a flower arrangement. Or create a gift basket that is a treat for all of the senses like a basket full of spa products, rose petals and a cd of their favorite music!  The delightful smell of flowers, the dazzling arrangement, the mouth watering delicacies, and the proof that you took the time and effort to create something so unique will mean the world to your Valentine.

Florists, Your Valentine’s Day Super Store

Florists can incorporate almost any interest into a Valentine’s Day flower arrangement.  Most florists have standard V-day flower arrangements and gift baskets complete with stuffed animals, candy, and balloons. However, customized Valentine’s Day Gifts are their specialty. They can design a personalized flower arrangement by considering a favorite color or flower and incorporating those elements into a spectacular bouquet!  Remember, sometimes it takes going that extra mile for someone when you want to make a

Valentine’s Day Gifts Worth Remembering

Creating The Ultimate Valentines Day Gift Especially For Them

What if your Valentine is a movie buff?  Take their favorite movie, meet with your florist, and see if you can create a theme for your arrangement.   This is particularly handy when shopping for a husband or a boyfriend.  Guys are notoriously difficult to shop for on Valentine’s Day, and giving him a one-of-a-kind arrangement will show him how much you care!  Take, for example, The Godfather.  It’s a hit among many men, and your florist may be able to create a gift with the classic movie in mind. Red roses, black ribbon, hints of gold, and maybe a DVD gift set on the side will be perfect for your movie-loving man or woman!

Dating a musician?  There are numerous musical touches your florist can add to personalize your arrangement.  Sheet music, decorative music notes, and replicas of their preferred instrument are all available and easily incorporated to create a song in the heart of your most beloved musician!  It’s little touches such as these that transform the traditional into something truly extraordinary!

Your florist can also slip in a ring box, a special photo, a darling teddy bear, or whatever gift you have in mind.  Everything looks better surrounded by professionally arranged flowers! A teddy bear can hold tickets to a play, a love note, or a balloon.  Imagine your loved one sitting at work on the 14th and receiving an adorable bear holding two tickets to her favorite play!

Balloons are another great option to send to your partner at work, a child at school, or anyone else who you think deserves something fun and festive for their Valentine’s Day!  Young or old, a jolly balloon will make their day!  Your florist is stocked with balloons ranging in colors and messages.  Everything from the saccharine to the silly can be sent to your loved ones via your favorite florist!

Married or single, going out or dateless, young or old, Valentine’s Day can be wonderful for everyone!  No matter the budget or the message, your florist can create something truly exceptional for the people in your life you care about the most!  Send a little love to those who make your heart skip a beat everyday!

If you enjoyed this newsletter, you will also enjoy:

The Mystique of Chocolate & Flowers
Romantic Valentine Ideas For The Six Phases of Love
Roses and More Roses
St Valentines History
Valentine's Day Romance Ideas
Hearts and Flowers

Ask the Expert: Gardenia plant ( not  flowering)
wife bought me a plant a few years ago  it is growing very nicely  getting plenty of new leaves  but never get any buds or flowers keep plant in pot water as needed gets eastern sun lite what am i doing wrong  Rishard

Reply:

Rishard,

To determine what your gardenia needs inside, we must first determine what it needs in nature.  The normal Continue reading "Making An Indoor Gardenia Bloom" »

Ask the Expert: Trimming Dracaena
I have a small Dracaena plant that I have had for over a year.  It is growing too tall and spindly.  How do I trim it, so it doesn't grow so tall?  BTW, it is planted in dirt.  A

Reply:

A,

Trimming Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana):  You can trim lucky bamboo, whether planted in Continue reading "Can You Trim A Dracaena?" »

Ask the Expert: When does the Blooming "Lucky Bamboo" put on bloom
At what time of year can I expect this blooming lucky bamboo to bloom?  When I bought this one others were blooming and that was 11 months ago now.   Tippie

Reply:

Tippie,

I haven't seen lucky bamboo bloom.  Although all plants bloom at some point, the blooms may be small and Continue reading "Does Lucky Bamboo Bloom?" »