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Archives for May 2011

Could This Rare-Blooming Plant Be An Amaryllis? [solved!]

Ask the Plant Expert: What kind of flower is this? We’ve had this flower for 8 years, and it has only bloomed twice. What is it’s name?

Stunted Amaryllis Stunted Amaryllis

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: I really think this is an amaryllis. My only hesitation is that usually you see the top of the amaryllis bulb and the bloom are usually on a thick stock, also the blooms are usually much larger. This may be a case of plant abnormalities or genetic defects. We will continue to ask around to see if anyone else has any suggestions, but that’s our best guess! Thank you for your submission!

[edit – it’s a CLIVA] Upon further research, actually thanks to our florists on Facebook, we think this plant is actually a Cliva. This plant is very difficult to get to bloom, and can take 6 years or more to bloom for the first time. It requires a cold period to initiate blooming and regular watering during the summer months. However, don’t over water the plant this will cause root rot and the plant will decline instead of flourish. Here is an article from the Chicago Botanical Society on Cliva care.


 

FSN’s Favorite Flower Arrangement For June

June Flower Arrangement of the Month

June is a great month to be outdoors! That’s why this month’s favorite flower arrangement is Out of the Woods — the perfect choice for Father’s Day!

It’s rustic charm makes it ideal for Dad! I know what you’re thinking, flowers for dad? — yes! If your dad is anything like mine and loves the outdoors, Out of the Woods brings the beauty of nature inside to enjoy in his favorite place — the living room!

Any nature-lover would appreciate the unique style of the Out of the Woods arrangement. The dried lotus pods and twigs add so much character, which is brought out by the vivid flower colors.

If you are looking to send flowers this June, remember Out of the Woods — for Dad or anyone who enjoys summer fun outdoors!

**If you are sending flowers to dad, check out these Father’s Day card messages.**

Flowers used in this arrangement
Dark Brown Willow Basket With Handle And Liner, Foliage: Myrtle, Pittosporum, Stem Yellow Daisy Mums, Orange Carnations, Red Gerberas, Liatris, Stem Orange Spray Roses, Stem Purple Statice, Stem ‘Misty Blue’ Limonium, Lotus Pods, Twigs

Janet Frye of The Enchanted Florist

Flower Shop Network had a chance to find out what makes Janet Frye of Glendale Flowers & Gifts in Glendale AZ tick and why she feels the floral industry is a fun and exciting profession.

We asked her a few questions and found some very insightful information.

Asheville NC FloristFlower Shop Network: How long have you been a florist?
Florist: Since August 1975, started in Palm Springs, Ca where I trained on-the-job & practiced on celebrities!

Flower Shop Network: When did open your flower shop in Asheville?
Florist: January 18,1985

Flower Shop Network: What are your floral specialties?
Florist: Creative designs & weddings. “Reading” customers desires & get impressions of what they want even when they’re unable to express it themselves.

Flower Shop Network: What is your favorite flower?
Florist: The one in front of me at any moment! Love boronia heather, hyacinth…. that first dandelion in springtime is a thing of beauty.

Flower Shop Network: What is your favorite wedding bouquet?
Florist: One in which the Bride gives us lots of input and allows us creative license to express her personality with flowers!

Flower Shop Network: What would you say are the top flower trends in Asheville NC?
Florist: Customers are becoming more floral-savvy; requiring & asking for more unusual flowers & designs. An interesting note is that a few are beginning to ask FOR carnations be included in designs, just used in more unusual ways. Our customers love curly willow and geometric, clear-glass vases (cylinder, square, rectangle).  They want their designs to have some element of “special flair,” be it botanical, style, container or accent.

Flower Shop Network: How have you used the North Carolina state flower in your designs?
Florist: Dogwood, not unless I have too. Looks more beautiful on the tree.

Flower Shop Network: What has been the best part of being a florist in North Carolina?
Florist: NC is almost like 2 states: Eastern & Western. Being a florist in ASHEVILLE NC is like being a florist in heaven! Western NC is one of the most bio-diverse spots in the world! The biodiversity and natural beauty of this area gives us some many “toys” to play with…florally speaking. Each season has it’s own offerings. There are pussy willow branches, forsythia, bulbs, lily of the valley, viburnum, camellia, spirea, curly willow, peony, glorious locally grown dahlia, celosia, sunflowers, privet and many more. We have branches, mosses, foliages and flowers easily available. Asheville being such a wonderful jewel in the mountains attracts many destination brides so we get to share the area’s abundance of flora with many who’d not experience it otherwise.

Flower Shop Network: Do you have a floral design philosophy?
Florist: Yes, best expressed by a quote of Fredrich Law Olmstead, landscape architect of Biltmore Estate-AVL, NC and Central Park, NYC… “Doing by design what nature might by chance.”

Another favorite quote is “There are no common flowers, there are only common designers” heard at a show 20-some years ago, don’t remember speaker.

Flower Shop Network: What style do you specialize in — modern, traditional, romantic, etc.?
Florist: Being AIFD means I’m good enough to do any style our clients want. What I enjoy doing most is a more natural look: using branches, flowers, moss in a style invoking the spirit of nature.

Flower Shop Network: What makes your arrangements better or different than anybody else’s?
Florist: We strive to use local & natural elements and maintain the integrity & dignity of the flowers….and we’re damned good at what we do! Flowers for me are a passion! I love flowers, the beauty, color, diversity and smell…flowers feed my soul!

Flower Shop Network: Do you remember the first time you received flowers? Tell us about it.
Florist: Spring of 1969, cymbidium orchid wrist corsage at 16 for my first prom….I knew I was special & loved.
First floral memory: laying in a field of Queen Anne’s Lace (then known as chigger-weed) on a Summer day watching the puffy clouds drift by.
Most shudderingly memorable floral experience: testing for AIFD…stressful to the Nth degree!!!
Most recent pleasant experience: helping on crew/team of Bill Schaffer AIFD & Kris Kratt AIFD at the Philadelphia International Flower Show.

Flower Shop Network: How did you get started in the floral business?
Florist: Joined a community theater group (props, sets, bit part) where the director & set designer (who owned 2 flower shops) thought I was creative …..I needed a job & they needed help. Was a great experience, very creative guys with several celebrity clients so many opportunities to learn.

Flower Shop Network:
Favorite arrangements or other designs you’ve done?
Florist: Piece for opening reception, AIFD Southern Conference in Chattanooga, TN Mar. 2010. Large hand made “birdnest” basket of recycled holly stems & pussy-willow, with edging of 200 vibrant yellow callas, sitting on “perch” made of re-purposed cd racks woven with flax.

June is National Rose Month – How Will You Celebrate?

We couldn’t be more excited about National Rose Month coming up in June! If its been a while since you’ve sent or received flowers, next month is the perfect time!

Classy Coral RosesSending Yourself Flowers For National Rose Month

On your birthday, anniversary, and sometimes on Mother’s Day — this just isn’t enough!! There’s no denying, when we receive flowers our day does a 180°! You could be having the worst morning imaginable, but get flowers and BAM — it’s a good day!

Why not cut out the middle man and send YOURSELF flowers!? There is nothing that says your honey has to be the one to send you roses. This June, send yourself a big bouquet of beautiful roses in YOUR favorite color!

Send Roses To Your BFF!

Your friends need love too! Send your BFF some love, send roses! Say Congratulations, Thank You or send flowers Just Because — it will make your friend’s week to receive flowers! 

Yellow Roses – are the sign of friendship! Make it a tradition to send flowers to your friends every once in a while. Start this June, with ROSES!

Roses Around The House

If you’re more of a home-body, order flowers for your home! Decorate the dining room table, or the fireplace mantle with beautiful, fresh roses from your local florist! Either have them delivered to yourself (make it special!) or pick them up yourself, but you can never go wrong with flowers! Flowers make everyone happier, and add color and cheer to any room.

Just remember — Flowers enhance moods and lift spirits! If you’re down in the dumps, OR just need a quick boost, flowers are the way to go!

Help! What’s Wrong With My Sick Lobby Plant?

Ask The Plant Expert: [The sick] plant is in the lobby of my business. Gets new shoots, but they turn brown on the edges and get dried brown spots — enclosed picture. Pic has white on the base. Thanks

Sick Lobby Plant

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Nancy,

It looks like you have a water issue. Keep the soil for this plant moist, but not soggy. You need to saturate all the soil, not just the soil right beside the plant. Once all the soil is in a moist condition, check to see when it starts to become dry, and saturate the soil again. Soon the plant should put out new shoots.

Hope this information helps.

Upcoming June Florist Conventions

Attending a state florist convention is incredibly valuable for florists. You learn new tricks and trends, demo new products, learn new techniques from top designers and get business and marketing help from the pros. Why wouldn’t you want to attend!? Here are the shows coming up in June — convention season is just kicking off!

June 10-12, 2011: The Florida State Florists Association Convention will be hosted at the Marriott in Jacksonville, Florida. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are invited to attend.

June 22-22, 2011: The Society of American Florist (SAF) Growth Solutions will be held at the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport Marriott South in Dallas, TX. Florists and flower shop owners are invited to attend.

June 25-26, 2011: The Utah Professional Florists Association Convention will be held at the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are invited to attend.

View More Florist Conventions & Flower Shows

If you know of a show we left out, let me know and I’ll add to the list! (Email me at social@flowershopnetwork.com)

Easy Twitter For Busy Florists

Facebook, Youtube, and TWITTER?! How can we keep up?

It’s true, social media is a big commitment, but the results are remarkable for social florists! Staying in close touch with your customer base is essential in our very visual business. Adding social media to your routine makes it much easier and faster to get things done. A smartphone is a good idea to add to your mix because it allows you to be social anywhere, anytime!

Twitter is a useful tool for your business, and I’m going to show you the easy ways to making it work for you!

Twitter + Facebook = Harmony

Combining Facebook and TwitterFirst DO THIS, make Twitter easy, make it automatic!

You update your Facebook often, why not have those feed into your Twitter? When you update a status, add photos or share a link, it will automatically send these updates to your Twitter followers — it’s that easy! This way, you have a presence on Twitter, but are not spending any more time than normal.
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Help! My Gardenia’s Buds Keep Falling Off

Ask The Expert: Indoor gardenia care to prevent buds from falling off? – Rose

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Rose,

There a few things that cause bud drop in gardenias: an insect problem, low humidity, root damage and rapid temperature change.

Insect problems – Your gardenia may have a insect called, thrips. This insect can be found in the bud itself. Take a fallen bud and open it up, do you see tiny, little crawling things? If so, you have thrips and will need a systemic insectide to get rid of them. Your local garden center will have this product.

Low humidity – Gardenias prefer a climate with moist air. If you live in a dry climate, or the air in your house is dry, you will nee to moisten the air by misting it with luke warm water every day or every other day. This doesn’t take the place of watering, this will be in addition to watering.

Root damage – This problem can occur if your have nematodes, or if you have recently transplanted the gardenia.

Rapid Temperature Change – Gardenias do not like rapid temperature changes. Make sure the plant is not in the direct path of a doorway or an air vent. These cause an air path that allows for rapid temperature changes. Also if you are delivering the gardenia, make sure the delivery van is as close to your shop temperature as possible.

Hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Show Your Patriotic Pride With Red, White & BLOOMS!

Over the years, Memorial Day has become synonymous with shopping, car races, trips to the lake/beach, family get-togethers, etc. It marks the start of the summer vacation period, and with the hustle and bustle of our day off work, it’s easy to overlook the true meaning of the holiday.

Memorial Day commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by:

  • Visiting cemeteries and memorials and placing patriotic flowers on our fallen veterans’ graves.
  • Observing a national moment of remembrance which takes place at 3 p.m. local time
  • Fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time.

Patriotic Memorial Funeral FlowersSo, how can you enjoy the best of both worlds?

Although it’s a significant US holiday, 3 day weekends are scarce in most working American’s routines. How can we enjoy our weekend, while keeping in mind the real reason for the extended time off?

First, start your weekend by ordering beautiful red, white and blue flowers to decorate your house. Especially if you are planning a Memorial Day BBQ or block-party. Use your patriotic florals as your table centerpiece or buffet table decoration.

During your celebration, have everyone take a few moments of silence to remember our fallen soldiers. Turn the music off, and make sure you have everyone, including the kid’s attention. Have each guest recall memories of fallen veteran family members and friends, such as a grandfather, aunt or uncle. It’s good for us to remember our past veterans and the contributions they have made for all of us. Children especially need to see respect and honor given to those who have given their lives to make our country safe for us to live.

After your celebration is over, take your patriotic flowers and flags to decorate the grave of a veteran friend or family member as a perfect ending to your Memorial Day celebration.

Make this a tradition in your family.

QUIZ: Think You Know The Elements & Principles of Floral Design?

Elements and Principles of Floral DesignHas it been a while since you’ve reviewed the good ole’ elements & principles of floral design? Take this quiz and see if you might need to hit the books for a refresher! No matter how traditional or far-out contemporary, good design makes use of all these principles. Grab some scratch paper and get started..

1. What is not a primary characteristic of floral design?

(a) Line
(b) Pattern
(c) Symmetry
(d) Texture

2. A design using flowers and foliages in all one color in various hues is

(a) Achromatic
(b) Monochromatic
(c) Complementary
(d) Tetradic

3. When you are trying to create emphasis in a particular area of a design, it is the

(a) Symmetrical
(b) Visual Flow
(c) Focal Point
(d) Harmony

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