Ask the Expert: Blue Orchid arrangements
My daughter is getting married May 7th, 2011. She wants to use Blue Orchids in her floral arrangements, her colors are Navy Blue, White and a touch of silver.(winter in May) What other flowers could you suggest for the bridal bouquet and brides maids bouquets? Thanks for your help! Shelly

Flower Shop Network Flower Expert Reply:

I personally don’t know of a naturally occurring blue orchid. The most commonly used ‘blue orchid’ is the blue Dendrobium, however it is actually a Purple Bombay Dendrobium dyed blue. This flower is more of a purplish-blue color rather than your desired navy. (See picture to the left.) I’ve also seen Misteen Dendrobium dyed blue. This flower is a white orchid with light-pink tipped petals; when dyed blue, it still has hints of purple.

Florists also have the option to use a special floral spray paint and can make your flowers the perfect color for you! This is definitely best left to the professionals as it is very hard to achieve a natural look.

Because blue orchids are dyed, achieving a navy blue orchid might be difficult. Another option would be to use white orchids and navy blue accent flowers.

Some great blue flowers include:

• Hydrangea
• Agapanthus
• Cornflowers or Bachelor Buttons
• Phlox
• Delphinium
• Forget-Me-Nots
• Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena)
• Dyed Daisies
• Dyed Roses
• Dyed Carnations
• Dyed Mums
• Blue Flag Iris
• Scabiosas
• Bluebell (Scilla)
• Grape Hyacinths

If you still aren’t able to find the navy you are looking for, you might consider using it in other ways, such as feathers, ribbon, wire or crystals. Get with your local florist about this and she will be able to design something fabulous!

For more great ideas, check out our sister site, Wedding And Party Network’s bridal bouquet gallery.

This post is brought to you by local Springfield IL florists.
Not in Springfield? Don’t worry, use Flower Shop Network’s directory of real local florists to find a florist near you!

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Ask the Expert: What is this “cactus”?
I purchased this plant at a flea market in SC and the seller called it a “Crooked Backed Cactus”. I haven’t been able to find this plant online under that name and would like to know what it is so that I can properly care for it. Melanie

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Although the plant looked familiar, I could not place it. So I passed it on to Rick Pudwell at the Memphis Botanical Garden. I knew he would know exactly what the plant is called.

According to Rick

The plant is commonly called Devil’s Backbone. Botanical name is Euphorbia tithymaloides variegatus. It is a true succulent not a cactus. Like all Euphorbias the milky sap can cause a rash or irritation to exposed skin, so be careful if using it for cut material.

So there you have it! It is a Euphorbia tithymaloide.

Thanks Rick! You always come to my rescue.

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With school back in session and college football season just beginning, its no wonder students are full of school spirit! One local Oxford OH flower shop couldn’t be happier! Oxford Flower & Sorority Gifts has done an excellent job of blending their shop with the crave of all-things sorority from their collegiate community.

Being located so close to campus, Oxford Flower shows it’s school spirit by offering a large variety of Greek gear. It’s easy to see why they have become the hub for sorority girls! With everything from Greek-lettered apparel to sorority gift packages — boyfriends, family or sorority sisters can easily find oh-so-perfect gifts for sorority girls

Let the floral designers at Oxford Flower & Sorority Gifts create an outstanding flower arrangement inside a sorority themed container (coffee cup, travel mug, etc.). Even the flowers and ribbon they choose will match your sorority colors. What a perfect gift for any sorority gal!?

MOMS! Don’t let your sorority girl waste away through college without the taste of home-style cooking! Oxford Flower offers a large variety of baked good just waiting to be delivered to your favorite college student. With their home-baked  brownies, deliciously flavored cookies, and the most popular at study hall — the “Most Favorite” iced brownie cake — Oxford Flowers is a collegiate winner!

It’s easy to see why Oxford Flowers & Sorority Gifts is a favorite among college students and parents alike! What better way for long distance family to say “We are proud of you” than sending sorority-themed flowers, gifts and sweets all in one?!

This post was brought to you by local Oxford OH florists.
Not in Oxford OH? Don’t worry, Flower Shop Network has you covered with their directory of real local florists!

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Ask the Expert: Yellowing Bamboo Stalk
Hello. About a week ago, I bought 3 stalks of Bamboo. At the time they were all green and healthy. I put them by the window and I think I gave them too much sun. A few days ago, 2 of the stalks were turning yellow. I moved the stalks out of the direct light. I did some research and it said to pull the yellow stalks out and place in a glass of fresh clean water. I put each yellow stalk in separate glasses. The one stalk left (still in the vase) is completley green and looking healthy. The other 2 have gotten considerably yellower as the days have gone on. I read that you can cut the bamboo at the \”knuckle\” to let it regrow….but what if there is no green left on the stalk to cut? Is there anything I can do? I am attaching a picture of all 3 of them. Thank you. Jill

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Once a stalk has gone completely yellow, it usually dies. However, I can’t see the very bottom of the yellow stalks. Since you have nothing to lose, I would try to start new growth from the roots. Make the cut above one of the nodes closest to the roots. Of course this will give you a very short stalk, but at least it might survive.

To help you understand how to do this, read We are not always lucky with lucky bamboo. This post includes pictures and descriptions.

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You and your entourage have been cordially invited by the Iowa Florists Association to attend their 107th annual convention — Designing With The Stars! The event takes place September 17th, 18th & 19th at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA

Pamper yourselves with a weekend of opulence and beauty as you watch industry stars. Experience the latest in trends, colors, and styles for the new season as you stroll along Vendor Industry Boulevard. The top agents in the area all eager to help you achieve success and rise to the top with award winning products and services. Enhance your shop with fresh flowers and more at the IFA Scholarship Auction. Secure the industries future with your generous contributions to the Marcia Goodman Scholarship Fund.

There’s plenty of great things to do at the 2010 Iowa Florists Association Convention:

• Hands-on Floral Design Classes
• Presentations from top floral industry designers!
• The “Iowa Premier Cup” Competition
• A “Designing With The Stars” Floral Design Competition (Very interesting!)
• Trade Show Shopping
• Flower Auction – Proceeds going to the Marcia Goodman Scholarship Fund
• FOOD!
• Plus so much more!

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Ask the Expert: Are lily of the valley used in bridal bouquets. Back when I was married (in the 50s) lily of the valley and also stephanotis were often used in bridal bouquets and they are beautiful but I never see them anymore. Any reason? Carolyn

Flower Shop Network‘s Flower Expert Reply: Every generation has it’s favorite flowers. In the 50′s, it was most likely stephanotis and lily of the valley. ‘Casa Blanca’ lilies or callas are probably the flower of choice for today’s brides.

That doesn’t mean stephanotis and lily of the valley aren’t or can’t be used in wedding bouquets. The rose and stephanotis bridal bouquet in the picture was a recent creation by MaryJane’s Flowers for a wedding in Berlin NJ.

Now that wedding flower options are not necessarily contingent upon seasonal availability, brides have more choices. They are no longer bound by what is considered a “wedding flower”.  Today’s brides have the freedom to choose any flower (depending on their budget) for their bridal bouquets and wedding flowers. As a result, brides are interjecting their personalities into their wedding flower choices and designs.

So it just maybe that the brides whom weddings you are attending are choosing more trendy flowers. However, I am confident that stephanotis and lily of the valley are still being used in wedding bouquets. They really are beautiful flowers and should be considered a wedding flower option.

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Flower Shop Network has received several reports of a new twist to an old scam.

In the old scam, florists received a call through the hearing impaired service from a caller wanting to order several $200 wedding arrangements. The caller was willing to pay a large sum of money for the flowers using a credit card. The caller would have a courier service pick up the flowers. The catch – they wanted the florist to charge the credit card and give the courier service cash.

The new scam is basically the same scenario, but the contact is made through email.

All florists should be aware of this scam and be wary of any order that sounds to good to be true.

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Big Flower Trends For Your Fall Decor

NOW is the time to be thinking about fall decor! Whether you are planning a wedding, party, ladies-night-out or ladies-night-in, FALL is the best season for decorating! Fall flower trends are really unique this autumn. With unique color palettes, the increasingly-popular shabby chic style and a much-needed, closer look to nature for inspiration, this season is full of surprises!

We’ve covered a few trendy flower topics in this newsletter, and there’s tons more fall inspiration to come in the Bloomin’ Blog for September!

FSN Trend Alert: Sushi Flowers

Sushi lover or not, you have to appreciate the care, artistry and composition a sushi chef puts into their work. Sushi is quickly becoming one of the trendiest foods around! Even if you don’t like eating the raw-fish rolls, you can still get your hands on cute sushi swag —  sushi is invading pop culture! Don’t forget our favorite way to use sushi — in trendy floral designs! Check out these great sushi-themed flowers we saw at floral shows this summer:

Read More About Trendy Floral Designs: Sushi Edition…

New Fall Color Trends For Floral Design

Upcoming color trends for the 2010 fall season are all about using new and exciting colors. Now, I know what you’re thinking… fall colors have been the same forEVER! Reds, oranges, yellows, browns… Don’t get me wrong, those are very fun colors to use, but this year add in accent colors like lime green, magenta, or orange cream. Continue reading “FSN’s Bloomin’ Newsletter For September” »

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Ask the Expert: What is this purple flowering plant
I recently acquired this plant. A friend called it a “Purple Jasmine” and said that it takes full sun. In my internet searches I have not found a picture of a purple jasmine that looks like this plant. Melanie

Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply: What you have is a Pletranthus ciliatus – a plant with textured green leaves that are red/purple underneath. In late summer this very heat tolerant plant produces purple blooms.

This plant has interesting foliage with a mounding habit growing 10-12″ in height and width. It is an annual plant unless you live in zone 10-11. This low maintenance plant will take full to partial sun. It can be used in landscapes as well as containers.

It is also adaptable as a houseplant and does not need deadheading.

This plant identification question was brought to you by the local florists in St Petersburg FL.

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