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Archives for November 2010

What Is That Pink, Cactus-Like Flower Used By Florists?

November 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert: What is the name of a pink, cactus-like flower? This flower is used by florists.  One of the places this flower is grown is high up on Maui in a greenhouse.  It keeps it’s shape when dried. Also keeps its shape for lone periods of time when fresh in arrangements. -Malia

Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply: I have attached a picture of what I think the plant is. Does this look like the plant in question? If so it is a Protea.

Protea

From Malia: That is exactly what it is!! Thank you so much. It was driving us crazy.

How To Dry Protea

The protea looks amazing in fresh floral arrangements. However, as Malia mentioned, the protea keeps it’s shape when dried — this is true! The protea is a fantastic flower, both fresh and dried.

  1. Strip off any unwanted leaves.
  2. Hang them upside down. Make sure the flower heads hang straight down. (tip: If you have multiples, tie them together for a great-looking dried bouquet)
  3. Place the protea in a dark, dry and airy place for about 2 weeks!

Don’t forget to send us pictures of your beautiful, dried protea. We can’t wait to see how it turns out!

This post is brought to you by local, Kailua HI florists.
No where near Kailua? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of real, local florists to find a florist near you!

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Point The Way To Christmas With Beautiful Poinsettias!

November 29, 2010 by 2 Comments

christmas-poinsettiaIt’s THAT time of year again.. Hopefully the holidays didn’t sneak up on you too fast. If they did, the fastest way to get yourself into the Christmas spirit is to START DECORATING!

THE BEST Christmas Poinsettias

Poinsettias are hands-down THE Christmas houseplant. Point yourself towards your holiday florist to find the best selection AND the most varieties of Christmas poinsettias. Poinsettias that come from your local florist are often far better quality and come in a LOT more colors than you would normally find at a department store. Your local florist will know the correct poinsettia care and will be able to help you keep it looking healthy and festive throughout the holiday season.

Don’t forget Christmas at the office!

Easily add a dash of Christmas spirit to your office by bringing in a radiant Christmas poinsettia. Set it on your desk or in the office lobby. Brighten any mood with peeks away from the computer monitor and at your lush, Christmas plant. Poinsettias are great for the office, especially if you don’t have much room to put up traditional Christmas decorations. Who knows, maybe staring at your festive plant will bring on the holiday VACATION a little faster?!

Sending Poinsettias To Grandma

The poinsettia is a fantastic houseplant to send to Grandma, Aunt Lucy, Ex-Uncle Bob or whoever else you have on your extended family’s gift list. You can’t leave them out, but driving all the way to their house is just too much! That’s exactly why poinsettia’s are great gifts! Sending holiday flowers through real local florists is so easy! You can use the local florist directory (here at Flower Shop Network) to find a real florist in the area you wish to send a poinsettia. Then send and feel great knowing you’ve sent the freshest, most beautiful holiday flowers available.

The Poinsettia Is Poisonous Myth

Send Christmas Poinsettias From Your Local FloristThis is a very widespread myth: the poinsettia is poisonous and can harm your children or pets. Believe it or not, the poinsettia is actually quite harmless to both children and pets. No plant has been tested more than the poinsettia for toxicity, but all tests come up negative or very low. POISENDEX, the source of poison information for the majority of poison control centers, says: to get sick a 50-pound child would have to eat more than 1¼ POUNDS of poinsettia leaves… which would be 500 to 600 leaves.

Even so, you should never place a plant on the same level as small kids and pets. Although the plant might not hurt them; they can sure do a number on the plant! The ASPCA’s website does list the poinsettia as slightly toxic to dogs and cats, saying it can cause irritation in the stomach and mouth, but does point out it is generally over-rated in toxicity.However, The American Veterinary Medicine Association of America (AVMA), does not include poinsettias on it’s list of plants that are a threat to animals.

More About Poinsettias

Top Six Reasons To Decorate With Poinsettias This Winter
Christmas Flowers: Gifts, Tips And Decorations
20th Century Poinsettia Trends

This post is brought to you by Salt Lake City florists.
Not in Salt Lake City? No worries, Flower Shop Network makes it easy to find your local holiday florist online!

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How To Prune A Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

November 29, 2010 by 26 Comments


Ask the Expert: How to Prune?

I have a large peace lily. Where the white flowers have bloomed, they have died and turned brown, but are still attached to a new, fresh, green, stem. I assume this is for the new flowers to bloom.

Can the brown, dead blooms be cut off to the green stem? Or should they stay on until they fall off?

It really takes away from the beauty of the plant itself to leave these on.

Please advise. Thank you. Janie

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Each bloom has it’s own stem, therefore the green stem will not produce a new bloom. So you will need to remove both the bloom and the green stem which will eventually turn brown. To remove the spent bloom, you will follow the bloom stem down to the base of the plant and cut the stem off as close to the base of the plant as possible. This will help make the plant more attractive and stimulate the plant to produce more blooms.

While we are talking about pruning peace lilies, we need to discuss pruning unsightly leaves off. You will follow the same procedure as de-head the blooms. Follow the leave stem to the base of the plant and cut it off. You can also prune the leaves themselves should they get brown tips. To do this make an angled cut below the brown tip. This angled cut should keep the new tip from turning brown.

This plant identification is brought to you by local Minot florists.
Not in Minot ND? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you!

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Get Well Soon! Love, Flower Shop Network

November 25, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Get Well Soon Flowers

Oh, it was all *soooo* good! The turkey, the dressing, the yams, grandma’s famous pecan pie… You’ve had your fill, and then seconds; maybe even thirds!? You can’t even sit up straight you’re so stuffed! Well…

This Thanksgiving, Flower Shop Network wants to say, GET WELL SOON!

and if you want to say it too…

Send Get Well Flowers From A Local Florist Send Get Well Flowers From A Local Florist Send Get Well Flowers From A Local Florist

Use Flower Shop Network’s handy, local florist directory to send flowers in your area!

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Where Can I Find Devil’s Trumpet Tree?

November 25, 2010 by 1 Comment

Ask the Expert: I can’t find where to order a Devil tree trumpet. It is a ruffled , purple & white plant Norma.

Angel's Trumpet Ballerina Purple Datura metel

Flower Shop Network

Plant Expert Reply:

Your description sounds similar to the plant in the picture, but I’m not familiar with a plant called Devil’s Trumpet Tree.

However, the plant in the picture is call Angel’s trumpet. One man’s angel trumpet maybe another man’s devil’s trumpet. To me devil’s trumpet fits this plant better since it can be poisonous.  The botanical name for this plant is Datura metel.

It loves full sun and blooms late summer. It is perennial in zone 9 -12. Above zone 9 it must be planted as an annual. It can be started from seed or by vegetative reproduction.  It is rather easy to grow.  You need a moist soil that can keep the roots from becoming soggy. The seeds need to be plant in the spring.  You can order seeds online or find potted Datura at your local garden centers.

This plant identification is brought to you by local Las Crues florists.
Not in Las Crues NM? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you!

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The Modern Flower Shop: Bay Bouquet

November 24, 2010 by 2 Comments

Last week, I was able to interview Tony Swick, from Bay Bouquet in Tampa, about their recent relocation to a larger, more urban-style store. The building boasts a beautiful color scheme: neutral grays and blues that complement Bay Bouquet’s company brand colors. “Inside the building is very urban,” Tony says, “Brand color is a feature of our building as well as our logo. We wanted to focus on our visibility in a clean, but also visually pleasing way.” The outside of the building is an eye-catching, vibrant blue — the same blue used in their logo. However, inside the shop is very warm and inviting; comfortable for all age groups. Tony says they, “Didn’t want to overwhelm our customers with anything, except with our logo and name.”

One step inside this store and you will notice it’s unlike any flower shop you’ve ever seen. There is a high level of comfort: couch, seating area, refreshments. The store has a very urban spa-like feeling. This definitely isn’t your grandma’s flower shop, and will give Bay Bouquet a big step ahead in attracting younger clients. The store features a nice, open work space for easy designing, as well as volume designing. There is a private area for bridal consultation, expanding their opportunity to work with brides in a more intimate setting.

Elegant Wedding Consultation Room Modern Flower Shop Interior

Bay Bouquet’s modern look is not the only thing that sets them apart as a fresh alternative to clients seeking the best in floral design. Tony strongly believes that, “A focus on what you do best is the key to success.” Bay Bouquet is getting to the roots of the floral industry, “We want to do what we do best, and that’s flowers and floral designs.” Tony does not keep anything that has to be stocked and in rotation, and doesn’t focus on gift lines.

“We do quality, artful floral design, for every order. No matter what the order, or how much.” Tony and his team don’t believe in pre-making arrangements. Each design is made specifically for the client: their colors, styles, occasion and, of course, budget. Bay Bouquet’s focus is on quality and service. “No matter what your volume is, make every single design your most important.”

“When people go to a flower shop, they go for flowers, and that’s what we do — flowers.”

With his innovation, it’s no wonder Anthony Swick is being inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) in San Fransisco this March. It is a high honor for any florist. Congratulations Tony, from all of us at FSN!

Also! Bay Bouquet was one of the first to make the switch to our premium websites because they could brand it with their company’s colors. Check out their new website’s sleek new look here!

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Rescued This Plant, But Now… What Is It?

November 23, 2010 by 2 Comments

Ask The Expert: I saved this little plant from a school over the summer-it had apparently been an abandoned gift to a teacher.  It was about 3 inches high, brown and nearly dead.  Clearly it is happy and healthy now standing at about 12 or 14 inches high and with lots and lots of pretty, pink, 5 petaled blooms that just keep coming by the drove, and long thin, smooth waxy leaves.  It’s doing well, but I have no idea what it is.  Can someone help me identify my little orphaned plant? Thanks! -Jessica

Catharanthus Roseus Vinca

Catharanthus Roseus Vinca Flower

Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply: Jessica, what you’ve got there is a Catharanthus roseus, also known as Vinca. A favorite houseplant because of it’s long blooming season — early spring to fall.

Catharanthus roseus Care & Maintenance

This is a very hardy houseplant to maintain. (Although it looks like you’ve done a great job so far!) It’s best to keep the Catharanthus roseus in a warm, bright location, but not in full sun. Keep the plant watered; never let the root ball dry out. Invest in a spray bottle to keep it’s humidity up.  Prune in spring.

A Little extra: Extracts from the Catharanthus roseus have been used in the treatment of numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria, Hodgkin’s disease and leukemia.

This plant identification is brought to you by local San Diego florists.
Not in San Diego? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you!

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Help! What Is This Thorny Houseplant??

November 23, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert: I was given a very old plant i want to identify. It is very old I was told it is a type of Christmas cactus but I have never seen one before with thorns like a rose.  It is very pretty but driving me crazy to find out what it is and proper care for it to bloom. Thank you for your help in advance.


Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply: Not 100% certain, but I’m pretty sure this is a Euphorbia milii also known as a crown of thorns plant or Christ plant. (If anyone has a better ID, please leave a comment!)

E. milii is a succulent shrub and can grow to be about 6.5 ft. The plant produces beautiful flowers throughout the year that can be pink, red, yellow or white.

Euphorbia milii Care & Maintenance

Place your crown of thorns plant in a warm and sunny location all year. In the summer, it can be kept outdoors, but sheltered. Water your Euphorbia milii moderately. During peak growing season, spring to fall, feed it cactus food regularly. Use cactus soil with a clay additive when re-potting. You can prune at any time.

Because of it’s hardiness, the Euphorbia milii makes a great houseplant.

This post is brought to you by local Scottsdale florists.
Not in Scottsdale AZ? No worries, use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you!

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Our Get Well Flowers Have Healing Powers

November 22, 2010 by 1 Comment

For those of you who think there’s no point in sending Get Well flowers — think again! Their beauty alone can uplift us, but it’s the unique energy of each flower that holds the power to truly heal.

What exactly is this flower energy?

Light is a nutrient to living things, just like food. Our bodies need light (the sunshine vitamin), just like plants need sunshine to grow. Well, we all know light is energy, but did you know color is light? That’s right! Color is simply light vibrating at different frequencies. So, if light is energy, and color is light, than that means color = energy!

There is growing evidence that humans respond, both physiologically, mentally and emotionally to different colors. Simply seeing these different colors can be therapeutic, also known as chromotherapy.

Colorful Roses

Color & Energy

Red – feelings of energy and excitement. Raises blood pressure and heart rate, pumps up adrenaline, encourages action and gives a sense of protection. Send Classic Red Roses

Orange – feelings of energy, eagerness and happiness. Energizes nerves, stimulates appetite, and encourages socialization.

Yellow – feelings of warmth. Uplifting, re-activator, activates memory, purifies the body. Send Sunny Yellow Flowers

Green – feelings of harmony, self-control, and relaxation. Relieves tension, lowers blood pressure, helps with nervous conditions, helps alleviate depression.

Blue – feelings of security, calm, soothing. Relaxing, slows respiration and heart rate.

Purple – feelings of spirituality, luxury. Encourages creativity, uplifting, calms the mind and nerves.

Brown – feelings of wholesomeness, dependability. Earthy, invokes sense of order.

White – feelings of purity, peace. Encourages mental clarity and enables fresh beginnings. Send White Tulips

Black – feelings of power, elegance and mystery. Invokes a sense of potential.

Next time you’re sending Get Well flowers, or any kind of flowers, think about this interesting list before making your choice! And make sure you’re florist is a LOCAL florist!

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Making A Comeback: The Carnation

November 18, 2010 by 3 Comments

Carnation Comeback

Modern CarnationsDating all the way back to ancient Greece, the carnation was once a prized favorites amongst the elite of society. Even the name is from the Greek words dios (divine) and anthos (flower) — the Divine Flower. For centuries artists and writers used the carnation as a vibrant muse for their creations. Demand for the carnation practically ceased in the 17th century and the flower hasn’t seen much of a revival since — until now!

Trendsetters, fashionistas, high-end florists, and even the queen of decor, Martha Stewart, are turning to the carnation for use in their modern designs.

What Sparked This New Interest In Carnations?

The new interest in carnations was possibly sparked by the efforts of the Flower Council Holland in 2000. The council sponsored promotional events with the theme, “Looking Differently at Carnations.” These events promoted the new aspects of modern carnations.

Modern Carnations – The new varieties of carnations are not like what you’d see at the corner store.

  • Larger, more showier flowers
  • New editions of vibrant, trendy colors
  • New styles, such as the award winning, “Barbatus Green Ball”
  • Intense, clove-like aroma
  • Can last up to 4 weeks with proper care (flower food)

Growers have been focused on creating the best possible products in the most variety of colors. New carnations are available in FAR more than white, pink, red or dyed.

Slowly but surely, florists everywhere are picking up on the carnation comeback trend, although most are still unsure what to even do with them. Brides have even been reported to laugh at the idea of using carnations as a main wedding flower. Still, the market is always looking for something new, and these new, incredible carnations are getting hotter by the minute. Only time will tell if this trend continues, but as reported to the Wall Street Journal, high-style florist and current carnation enthusiast, Bronson Van Wyck, may have to switch allegiance from the flower he likens to a wildebeest. “If carnations get too popular, I’m going to have to find something else.”

Popular Modern Carnation Varieties

‘Barbatus Green Ball’ DianthusEverybody’s favorite carnation right now is, by far, the fuzzy ‘Barbatus Green Ball.’ This little guy doesn’t even look like his carnation cousins! In fact, many florists are calling modern carnations by their genus name, Dianthus, to make them sound a bit more chic to fashion-forward brides. This variety got a lot of attention at the during SAF’s Outstanding Varieties Competition in Orlando. Outstanding traits from the competition: Super long-lasting, furry flowers that add interesting texture and form to any floral arrangement. Ten-centimeter flower diameters make it the biggest dianthus in the market.

Contact your local florists and ask about modern carnations today!

This post is brought to you by local Tacoma florists.
Not in Tacoma WA? No worries, use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you.


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