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Archives for September 2009

FSN’s Hope For Breast Cancer Awareness Month

September 30, 2009 by 1 Comment

It’s no secret that Flower Shop Network has been deeply and personally affected by breast cancer. Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’d like to give you our reasons why we hope this month will be a strong month for everyone who has been affected by the horrible disease.

"Think Pink" Flowers for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

"Think Pink" Flowers for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

  1. Recently each one of us was touched by the tragic loss of our dear friend, Jackie Marshall, who passed away earlier this year from complications of breast cancer. Having been in remission for many years, the cancer resurfaced later in another part of her body and took her much quicker than any of us had imagined possible.
  2. Our own Loranne Atwill suffered a loss long before selling her flower shop to pursue her dreams with Flower Shop Network, Wedding And Party Network, and FGmarket. One of the florists in her shop was diagnosed with breast cancer and was sadly lost to the illness.
  3. A very good friend of mine and a strong mentor lost her life battling the disease for only a few months. After a double mastectomy, the cancer was still not isolated and removed. My family, her family and many friends have never forgotten the sound of her voice or how happy it made us to hear her laugh. We just miss it.

It’s hard not to meet someone who has been affected by breast cancer. It is a prevalent, horrible disease that sneaks and attacks without warning, without repentance. It is very important that a cure is found and found FAST. Having known all but first hand the difficulties of the disease, it’s our sincerest hopes that people (including us) do everything we can this month and every one after to help find a way to end the suffering for our sisters.

Many florists give a portion of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or another respectable foundation involved in the fight against breast cancer. Contact your local flower shop today to see if they participate in any programs. If they don’t, request one!

Know someone battling breast cancer? Respectfully and gently show your respect by sending a Breast Cancer Awareness flower bouquet to your loved one.

Filed Under: FSN Announcements Tagged With: ,

Do You Suffer From Cedar Rash?

September 30, 2009 by 4 Comments

Ask The Expert:
Does anyone else suffer from what I call ‘Cedar rash’?
The minute we get close to fall and xmas season, and we start working with cedar I break out in an contact rash all over my hands and lower arms. It does not hurt but it does really burn and looks horrible…

Any suggestions on how to deal with this? And yes I know not to use cedar(but we all know that’s not possible for the whole season) and that rubber gloves don’t work…LOL  Corinne


Plant Expert Reply: Cedar isn’t a problem for me.  However, azaleas give me a rash. I usually apply benadryl gel to the areas after I have been exposed.  This keeps the itching from driving me crazy.  I have noticed that when I used Rumford Gardeners Hand Creme before exposure to the azaleas I don’t have as much of a problem.  So, I have been researching ways to combat the problem.  Several things I have read suggest using a barrier cream which is an ointment that you apply prior to exposure which creates a protective layer between the skin and the irritant.  This would explain why the RG hand creme works.  I personally haven’t tried any products specifically labeled barrier cream, but I read about a product called Kerodex.  It comes in 2 forms: one that works with dry irritants or oils and one that works with wet irritants.  The problem with cedar originates from the oils in the plant.  So you would need a barrier cream that protects against oils.

You might want to wear a mask when you initially prep the cedar especially when cutting it into more manageable piece.  Every time you cut the cedar, it releases oil.  Sometimes just breathing the oil can cause a reaction.  My mother-in-law has this problem with poison ivy.  Limiting your exposure to the oils should help.  If possible, it might help to prep the cedar outside.

I hope these suggestions help.  Maybe others will have suggestions that will help.


Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: ,

Congratulations To The First FSN Facebook Photo Contest Winner!

September 29, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Chuppah Flowers by A Fantasy In Flowers

Chuppah Flowers by A Fantasy In Flowers

Congratulations to A Fantasy In Flowers, a Jacksonville FL flower shop, for winning the first ever FSN Facebook Photo of the Week contest! The winning photo this week showcases a chuppah covered in flowers overlooking a lovely scene in Jacksonville.

The quality of these chuppah flowers is not surprising given the reputation of A Fantasy In Flowers. Let the story behind the photo speak for itself. Straight from the designer:

Thank you! This was actually daughter #4 of the Rabbi. We have now done the flowers for 4 out of 6 daughters with 2 more to go!!!! […] Actually 6 daughters and 2 sons. The youngest 2 daughters are still to be married!

Word of mouth gets around when 1000 words just won’t cut it for a photo like this. If you need a fantastic florist in Jacksonville Florida, stop by and see the florists at A Fantasy In Flowers. You’ll be amazed!

Want to submit YOUR photos to the contest?Attach the photo in a comment below and include contact information OR visit the FSN Facebook page to submit your floral industry related photos.

Read the official FSN Facebook photo contest rules.

Filed Under: FSN Announcements Tagged With: , ,

Want To Be FSN’s Facebook Photo Of The Week?

September 29, 2009 by Leave a Comment

It’s easy to enter. Just submit your floral industry related photos (limit 5 per week) and check the Bloomin’ Blog on Monday to see if you won!

HOW TO ENTER:

  1. Leave your photos in a comment on the weekly Winner blog. Include name, florist/flower shop, city/st
  2. Post your photos as fan photos on the FSN Facebook page. Include the name of the person/florist/flower shop who receives credit for the photo.

OFFICIAL RULES:

  1. Flower Shop Network will pick a new winner every Monday from photos submitted the previous Monday through Sunday. eg. Photos submitted Monday Sept 28 – Sunday Oct 3 are eligible for the Photo of The Week on Monday, Oct 4th. So on, so forth.
  2. Only 5 photos may be submitted per person/page per week.
  3. Duplicate photos may not be submitted for reentry. HOWEVER, Wedding And Party Network is running a similar contest. You may submit the same photo to both sites, but no photo will be considered for the contest more than ONE week per page (FSN or WPN).
  4. Comments and likes on a photo will make up 50% of the vote for that photo.

I know, I know. That’s a lot of rules but we’re trying to have fun with it so submit away! Don’t forget to have your friends/fans check out and vote for your photos!

Happy viewing.

Flower Shop Network

Filed Under: FSN Announcements Tagged With: ,

Mystery Visitor Is A Weed Called Acalypha

September 29, 2009 by Leave a Comment

mystery-weedmystery-weed-from-moAsk the Expert: what might this plant be?
Foud it in my wildflower garden next to False Sunflowers and New England
Asters. Might be a weed, Earl

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe it is a Acalypha virginica (Virginia threeseed mercury).  It is considered a weed with mild allergen properties.  It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.

Just a side note:  This plant is a sister to a houseplant called Chenille plant (Acalypha hispida).  Which just goes to show you one man’s weed is another man’s treasure.

Filed Under: Weed Identification Tagged With: ,

Don’t Miss The Flower Shows In October!

September 29, 2009 by Leave a Comment

The season for flower shows wraps up in October so this is your last chance to attend a fun filled weekend of networking, learning and entertainment. If you like mingling with other people who love flowers, visit one of the flower shows below.

October 4-11, 2009: Maine State Florists & Growers Association Fryeburg Fair Show in Fryeburg Maine. For more information call 207-947-4521 or toll free at 800-879-5996.

October 10-11, 2009: South Dakota Florists Association Free Fall Seminar in Chamberlain South Dakota. For more information call 605-997-2751.

October 20-21, 2009: Garden & Florist Expo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For more information call 905-875-1805 or toll free at 800-265-5656.

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With:

Delicate Pink Flower Is A Hurricane Lily

September 28, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Hurricane Lily

Hurricane Lily

Ask the Expert: What flower is this?
I found this flower growing in some dense brush and though i want to trim the brush I wasnt sure if doing so would hurt the flowers as they seem to like the shade.. DJ Dicey

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe this delicate pink flower is a Hurricane Lily (lucoris radiata) also known as a red spider lily.  These beautiful flowers are perennial and will live in full sun or partial shade areas.  So you can cut back the brush and the lilies will be ok.  These lilies usually pop up right before hurricane season (late September – October).  The flowers usually last a week or two and then leaves will appear. By next summer the leaves will die back. Then the whole process begins again.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: , , ,

Please Idenitify This Invasive Ground Cover

September 28, 2009 by 4 Comments

Ask the Expert: what kind of weed is this?
My dad has a garden that has been growing an invasive ground cover weed that has clover shaped leaves with tiny white “flowers”. He has sprayed with all sorts of weed killers and nothing seems to work. It seems to stay only in the garden and has not crept onto the grass. It’s very viney like.. grows like a carpet. Has been tilled repeatedly.. he left the garden area unplanted for a year to see if that would help get rid of it but it keeps coming back. They seem to grow from the root. When pulled from the garden they always seem wet even when there has been no moisture applied to the garden at all. He suspects that it started in a small area and was spread by use of the tiller. They grow very close to the ground only.. max of 2″ inches tall. He has tried to pull them many times and when he does the base of the weed (green) will pull off from a white, slippery, more solid structure. I do not have a photo available at this time but if you are not able to identify it I can post a picture soon for you to see. Any suggestions are welcome! Thank you for your time! Please let me know if a picutre is needed. My poor dad, an avid gardner, is completely stumped! I hope you can help! Thank you!  Misty McCollough

Plant Expert Reply:

It is difficult to make an identification just from the description you have given.  So I found some pictures of plants that could possibly be your dad’s problem.  Please take a look at them and let me know which you think look the most like his.  Once we idenitify the plant, I will help figure a way to get rid of the problem.

Filed Under: Weed Identification Tagged With: ,

Check Out The Birth Month Flower of October

September 28, 2009 by Leave a Comment

For someone with a birthday in October (like me) it’s important to feel special. I suppose that’s true of all birthday boys and girls but it’s especially true of Libras and as much so of Scorpios. Rather than focus on zodiac flowers–in case you did that last year–focus instead on the birth month flower of October when looking for a unique birthday gift.

The birth month flower of October is marigold (Calendula) which means that it’s super easy to find flowers to go with such a beautiful bloom. Fall flowers like chocolate cosmos, burgundy pincushion, dahlia, dark colored hydrangea, sunflowers, amaranthus and gloriosa are great with marigold. They give a festive feel to the arrangement and are a breath of fresh flowers…er…air.

If you haven’t already discovered the October birth month flower, talk with your local florist about how you can send arrangements containing marigold or inspired by the delightful colors and textures of it. This will be a unique birthday gift for a special someone and will give you a chance to flex your creative muscles. Go on! Be creative!

Just a side note, the flower meaning of marigold (Calendula) is “desire for riches” so you can also use this as part of the theme of your gift. It’s practically the same as wishing someone good fortune, plus you the golden opportunity to use the most beautiful brown, orange and yellow shades in your arrangement. If your birthday boy or girl isn’t a fan of these colors, play it down a little and add some of their favorites. Reds, greens, dark blues, purples and similar earth-toned hues are striking against other popular fall flowers.

Filed Under: Gift Ideas Tagged With: , , ,

Congratulations To The Newest AIFDs!

September 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment

And people assume florists just DO flowers.

American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)

American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)

That’s hardly the case for the 116 florists who took part in the Accreditation Evaluation Session (AES) of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) at the yearly Symposium held this year in Kansas City, Missouri. 46 of the 116 earned the AIFD accreditation and can now say that they are AIFD certified florists. Flower Shop Network would like to congratulate all of the new AIFDs, but 5 individuals have earned a special pat on the back.

Flower Shop Network is very proud of the following members who earned their AIFD accreditation at the 2009 AES:

The AES is not a contest and no winner is declared. However, it’s not easy either! Florists are judged on 10 points of professional floral design including mechanics, balance, color, theme, line and creativity. This is something that takes many hours of preparation (days, months even) and has earned its elite reputation partially due to the difficulty of the AES. When a florist earns his or her AIFD, they should be heartily congratulated at the least.

We at Flower Shop Network want to extend our congratulations to our good friends above and to the other florists who participated in the session. The 46 floral designers who earned their AIFD accreditation will be inducted officially at the 2010 AIFD Symposium in Boston, Massachusetts.

69 of the remaining 70 participants earned the Certified Floral Designer (CFD) accrediation which is the AIFD’s newest designation program. Among these were three Flower Shop Network members who deserve a feather in their cap:

Congratulations everyone!

Click the photo above to view the official AIFD press release and see a complete list of newly accredited participants.

Filed Under: Florist Spotlights Tagged With: ,
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