Celebrate Canada Blooms With Toronto Florists!

This year's Canada Blooms celebration is being hosted March 18-22 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Florists, floral designers, gardeners, horticulturalists and others will love this show. It's  Canada's largest gardening show. How can that be anything less than entertaining?

13 years of hosting Canada Blooms proves that there is something to love in the flowers blossoming in Canadian soil. At the show are six acres–SIX…full…acres–of gardens in full bloom. Don't just try to imagine the sweet smell that this produces. Enjoy it by joining Toronto florists and gardening enthusiasts at this year's show!

Want to learn more about gardening? Get excited about four non-stop stages hosting over 200 hours of seminars, workshops and demonstrations. Visitors to Canada Blooms can't help but learn something interesting while attending these shows.

It's easy to register and make plans to attend Canada Blooms. Simply visit the Canada Blooms website and you'll find all of the information that you need!

Why Resist The South Dakota Florists Association Convention?

Mark your calendars for March 20-22, 2009 as the South Dakota Florists Association Convention kicks off this Friday at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Pierre, South Dakota. This will definitely be an event to remember for South Dakota florists.

Are you a member of the South Dakota Florists Association? If so, make plans to attend this year's SDFA Convention in Pierre. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are encouraged to attend what will be a fabulous time of networking, learning and entertainment.

For more information, visit the South Dakota Florists Association online.

Oh what fun there will be at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show of 2009! This event is set to be a great time for San Francisco florists, gardening lovers, floral designers and others who would like to enjoy a lovely natural display in San Francisco. Ever wanted to visit California? This event makes it easy to want to pack a bag and go. Here are a few reasons why the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show is a must-attend event for local florists:

Excellent Timing
The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show is taking place March 18-22, 2009. This is a great time for local florists to pack up shop for a quick day trip or a long weekend. It's right after the St. Patrick's Day holiday and before any other major floral holiday.

Much Deserved Vacation
You've worked tediously through Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day and many other recent holidays. You've created a gaggle of birthday arrangements, sympathy flowers, anniversary bouquets and romantic gifts. Now it's your time to take a breather and do something fun for yourself.

Interesting & Entertaining
The San Francisco Flower Show is hosting some of the most incredible floral displays of the season. Many beautiful designer gardens will be displayed for everyone to enjoy. Photography is encouraged so feel free to take snapshots or videos of the beautiful sights.

If you love flowers you will adore the flower show. Every step is surrounded by something natural and beautiful. Plus, children are welcome to attend! This is a great idea for a family vacation, a day trip away from home, or a parent-child bonding experience.

Why wait? Learn more about the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show and register to attend today.

This is our fourth year to participate in the Northeast Floral Expo. Pictured below you can see myself, my wife Loranne and Leslie Cox.

It's like going to a reunion and seeing family you haven't seen in a long time. It is something we look forward to every year. Some of the florists attending are from Connecticut.  Others are from surrounding states like Massachusetts, New York and Vermont.  The convention gives us a chance to talk to florists in person.  We gain a better perspective of what is happening in their region.  We often come back with great ideas on how we can better serve the floral industry.

Many of the florists I spoke to were reflecting on their past Valentine's Day business. Although this year's Valentine's Day business wasn't the best in recent history, the general consensus was it was better than expected.  Many florists shared their business philosophies with us.  Some were altering the way they do business. Others were investigating new ways to promote their business both online  and off.

In fact, Leslie had a great conversation with a new member, MariEllen owner of A Dykstra Florist in Spring Valley New York. They discussed several ways that MariEllen could promote her FSN Custom eCommerce Website. Among other things, they discussed how MariEllen should claim her Google Local Listing to make sure that her correct website address was displayed.

Loranne spoke to several florists who were combining their online marketing efforts with their offline marketing strategies.  Several florists who are using FSN's Holiday email campaigns were also sending direct mail to customers.   They use the emails and direct mailers to remind customers about upcoming holidays and to direct them to the florist's web site to make their purchases.  Many of these florists were happy to hear about the direct marketing templates (formerly direct mail templates) Flower Shop Network will offer to members starting next month.

Florists weren't the only ones we had a chance to speak to at the Expo. We spoke to vendors as well. At the beginning of the Expo, many vendors were concerned about how the economy would affect attendance. When it was all said and done everyone agreed attendance was good and the show was a success.

Ok, small or hybrid vehicles.

Thankfully, some very efficient florists have found a clever way to save money and go green at the same time. Many florists are turning lemons into lemonade by switching to smaller or hybrid delivery vehicles. These smaller vehicles save on fuel costs for day-to-day deliveries. This also makes it very cost effective to simply rent a large van for major events.

The ability to save money by lowering fuel costs is a huge advantage for any florist. Consider the amount of fuel used to power a large van during the course of a year. Even a five or ten mile-per-hour (mph) difference can add up to hundreds of dollars during the year! That's reason enough to switch to more fuel-efficient delivery vehicles.

Just as many local florists want to "green" their flower shops. The trend toward smaller delivery vehicles is one that can be adapted rather quickly and with little more hassle than any similar activity for the shop. With all that extra moolah at stake, switching to fuel-efficient delivery vehicles is well worth the consideration!

I recently spoke with David Strong of Piano's Flowers & Gifts in Memphis, Tennessee about his recent switch to a more eco-friendly delivery vehicle. According to Mr. Strong, his customers have only rave reviews about the new van, citing things like "Leave the van. Keep the flowers." Mr. Strong was very pleased to be getting 29 miles to the gallon for his in-town deliveries. Having spent a significant amount of time in Memphis traffic, I would be too!

What I found very interesting was that the design of Piano's new vehicle was actually a customer's idea. Knowing a little bit about your customers is what keeps them coming back, and apparently creating fantastic designs for each new delivery vehicle!

Have you already adopted these trends in your flower shop? Tell us some of the ways that you are reducing your fuel costs with "green" vehicles or send pictures of your hybrid delivery vehicle.

Ask the Expert: I have a dracaena sanderiana that was put in direct sunlight and the leaves went all yellow.  From reading on your site, i am guessing the leaves are burned.  I was wondering if there is anything to do, or it now going to die. Tanya

Reply:

Move the Draceana sanderiana (lucky bamboo) to an area with light but not direct sunlight beating down on it.  This will give the plant a chance to recover.  Although the damage leaves may not return to a full green color, the plant should not die.   Once the plant is established in its new home, the new leaves should be a healthly green color.  Good Luck and keep me posted.

Ask the Expert: Pre-flower identification and transplant
Indiana, moved in last Aug. Beginning of flowers coming up, no flowers yet.  Need to identify plant whose leaves look like a Daffodil but twice as big.  Also have crocus, daffodils, tulips growing in areas to be leveled.  Is it okay to transplant them now?   Andrea

Reply:

Without seeing the bloom it is hard to say.  It could be one of these early blooming spring flowers:

Glory Of the Snow (Chinondoxia sardensis)

Dwarf Iris (Iris danfordiea or Iris reticulata)

Snowdrops (Galanthus sp) ***this is what I think it is***

Star Flower (Ipheion uniflorium)

Striped Squill (Puschkinia scilloides)

It will be hard to tell until we see the bloom.

I normally transplant my existing bulbs after they have bloomed when the foliage starts to die back.  However if you need to moved them now, try to move the whole clump without disturbing the individual bulbs.  You can also move the individual bulbs; just be sure to plant them at the exact depth as they were.  You will need to fertilize them when you move them.  Good luck and keep me posted.  When they bloom upload a photo and we'll make a definitive identification.

Ask the Expert: A friend gave me two azalea plants but I do not know where to plant them or how to take care of them in the Florida sunshine.  Help! Jan

Reply:

In Florida, azaleas prefer a little shade from hot afternoon sun and can do well in dappled shade areas.  Keep in mind deep shade even in Florda will cause the azaleas to become thin.  Choose an area that contains moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil that is slightly acidic in ph.  You can create this type of soil by tilling humus into your existing soil and using an acidic fetilizer like miracid to correct any ph problems.  Plant your azalea shallow.  A good rule of thumb is to have the top of the root ball 1" to 2" above the soil line.  I also recommend muching your azleas.  Keep your area moist but not soogy during the growing season and a little drier during the dormant season.  Fetlizer your azaleas with a slow realease azlea fertilzer during the growing season.  I personally like to fertilze with Fertilome's azalea food with systemic insecidie.  It serves two purposes – nutritional content and insect protection.   Check with your local nursery & garden center for a similar product.  Good luck and keep me posted.

Ask the Expert: Peach Lilly is droopy.
My husband received a peace lily as a gift.  It is in a basket type pot with no hole in the bottom.  The plant is very heavy and I am continuing to spray the leaves but it is drooping like it needs water.  It is extremely heavy so I don\'t think it needs water.  Should I repot it in a pot that has drainage or is this a typical way to plant these; in a pot that is plastic lined and not drainage in the pot?  Don\'t want to loose the plant. JoyLynn

Reply:

A peace lily will wilt when over watered as well as when it is under watered.  In your case, you are right in your assumption that the peace lily doesn't need more water.  Since your pot doesn't drain, the roots are probably way too wet.  You can do one of two things – repot it into a container that has drain holes or change the conditions in the existing pot.  If you like the pot it can in, simply take the plant out and place rocks in the bottom of the pot; then put the plant back in the pot.  You will still have to be careful not to over water the peace lily.  However, the rocks will help to keep the roots from drowning. Once you have correct the problem the peace lily such make a full recovery.

Send A Blooming Plant!

Oh yeah. That's right. I said BIG gift idea.

While the size of a blooming plant may be small, their stature and status in the gift world is nothing short of grandiose. They're awesome!

There are many occasions that require sending a gift. It's easy to get caught up in trying to find something perfect, unique, attractive, etc. When you find yourself staring into space thinking about your next big gift idea, consider these three reasons why you should send a blooming plant.

Blooming Plants Are Practical And Beautiful

Blooming plants are the best of both worlds. They are flowering plants that allow the recipient to enjoy the beauty of colorful blooms with the practicality of a plant. Flower lovers enjoy the mass of blooms that form on the plants while plant lovers enjoy a long-lasting gift.  Speaking of long-lasting…

Blooming Plants Are The Gift That Keeps Giving

Blooming plants bring together the attractive qualities of both flower bouquets and houseplants. Plants are well renowned for lasting quite a bit longer than a bouquet of flowers. While flowers are great gifts in their own right, plants tend to stick around to be enjoyed longer than flowers. Blooming plants offer the recipient a chance to enjoy the beauty of flowers and the durability of plants at the same time.

There Isn't A Bad Time To Send A Blooming Plant

The occasion is almost irrelevant when sending a flowering plant. Going to a housewarming party? Bring along a blooming housewarming plant. Know someone with a birthday coming up? Blooming plants are especially good for people who have had enough birthdays that now they're trying to count backwards. Flowering plants acknowledge every occasion with dignity and a splash of color.

Hip Hop Into Easter Because "Somebunny Loves You"

What gains a second look from me?? To be honest, I prefer edgy versions of an original product. Some prefer subdued versions and others delight in the raucous. Whatever it is, there is something to be said for floral industry creations that pique our interest.

Those of us who work in the floral industry take great pride in the trendy new creations that come out of it. The thing that caught my attention recently is a fabulous new trend. I absolutely love how many florists are forming animal shapes out of flowers and accessories. It's so cool!!

I've noticed this trend a lot lately. The Somebunny Loves You arrangement is a particular favorite of mine for this reason. Every chance I get to splash this Easter flower arrangement up is a chance that I take. However, we're not the only ones doing this. I was browsing the photos at Wedding and Party Network when I stumbled across a puppy formed of daisies. Props to The Garden Girls Flowers & Gifts for being so creative!

Enjoy Kisses & "Puppy Love"

For me it's very much the same as staring at the face of an innocent puppy. They are so cute and charming! How can you resist them? It's the same feeling when I see flowers arranged to look like a puppy or other cuddly animal. It's an irresistible appeal.

Animal flower arrangements are awesome gifts for kids. What kid wouldn't be entertained with a flower animal? Besides, parents love that there's less clean up! Anyway, check out these types of arrangements. I think you'll be impressed!

Piques My Interest is a new monthly blog featuring floral industry creations that, well, peak interest. Know of something that grabs your attention? Email me the what-where-why and it may make next month's feature! bjackson@flowershopnetwork.com