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Archives for May 2012

Top 20 Creative Flower Shop Names

Here at FSN, we see a lot of great flower shop names, that got me making a list of my favorites. Combined with the ones you guys suggested on our Facebook page, I think we’ve got a great list!

  • Kabloom -  Creative Flower Shop Name1. Flowerworks
  • 2. Doris The Florist
  • 3. Dandelion Division
  • 4. Kabloom
  • 5. Floral N’ Hardy
  • 6. Back To The Fuchsia
  • 7. Posy Pusher
  • 8. Lily’s of the Valley (Owner’s name is Lily)
  • 9. The Enchanted Florist
  • 10. Petal Pushers [Read more…]

Help! What Is Causing My Azalea To Turn Yellow?

Ask The Plant Expert:

Help! My azalea blooms look rusty with a little white and pink mixed in, it. The leaves also look yellow. I really can’t tell you what kind they are, but they grow low to the ground not the tall bushy kind. – Marilyn

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Marilyn,

I assume you are wanting to know what is causing the yellowing in your azaleas.  It could be one of many things: water issue, insect issue or iron deficiency.

  • Azalea Insect Problems

Azaleas are susceptible to an insect called Lacebug. This winged insect basically suck the chlorophyll from the plant giving the leaves a lace white appearance.  If this is the case you will need to spray them with an insecticide. Your local nursery or garden center should have what you need.

  • Azalea Iron Deficiency

Hot Pink AzaleaAzaleas sometime develop an iron deficiency.  In this case, the younger leaves will turn yellow with green veins. If this is the case, you will need to apply an iron treatment to the azaleas.  Your local garden center or nursery will have iron that you can apply to your soil.  Be sure to apply the proper rate for azaleas.  You might also check the pH of the soil and make sure that it is acidic enough for azaleas.

  • Improper Watering

The one issue that most azaleas will have at some point is a water issue — either too much or too little.  Although azaleas like a moist soil, but do not like to have soggy roots. Root rot can occur if the azalea is to wet and thus the leaves will turn yellow and drop off.  However, keeping an azalea too dry will cause the leaves to first turn yellow then brown.  Check you soil moisture level and correct the situation.  Do not over compensate – instead make sure the soil is the proper moisture level — no more no less.  In a few weeks the plant should make a full recovery.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if I can help with any thing else.

National Rose Month Will Be Here Soon!

June is National Rose Month

Did you know June is National Rose Month? That’s right, and we couldn’t be more excited! Roses are one of our favorite flowers here at Flower Shop Network. They come in so many different colors, shapes and styles.

What is your favorite rose?

Do you know what type of rose is your favorite? Is it the romantic red or the friendly yellow rose? If you don’t know, check out these rose meanings by color to help you decide:

  • Lavender – Enchantment.
  • Orange – (Rosa) Fascination.     
  • Pale Pink – Modesty.     
  • Pink – Thankfulness.
  • Red – Love, I love you.     
  • Red and White Mixed – Unity     
  • White – Innocence and purity, secrecy and silence. I am worthy of you. You are heavenly.     
  • Yellow – Friendship.    
  • Rosebud – Beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love.     
  • Single Full Bloom – I love you. I still love you.     
  • Tea (Mini) – I will remember, always.

This June, whether you’re looking to spice up your romance, or show a friend you care, roses are the way to go!

Need more ideas for National Rose Month? Click Here!

Florists on Facebook – Friday Recap

Well, it’s Friday! The weekend we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Memorial Day Weekend is the time of year you will find most Americans enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. Through the pictures posted this week, florists across the nation are finishing up prom season with weddings on the horizon. Let’s take a look!

Devine Designs, Fulton NY

Mascot of Devine Designs, Fulton NY

“Khi (our shop mascot) is helping to get the Veteran’s Day order completed!!!! Happy Memorial Day!!!!! Khi says “Have you kissed a Vet today?””

[Read more…]

What is this Double Blooming Flower With Spiny Foliage

Ask The Plant Expert:

Hello, can you tell me what kind of flower this is? Opium Poppy, Papaver somniferumI live in Pendleton County KY and I recently moved in to a new house and last week. This flower popped up and no one can identify what it is so i was wondering if you could. Thanks Olivia

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Olivia, this flower looked very familiar to me, but I could quite identify it by name. Fortunately, Rick Pudwell at the Memphis Botanical Garden was able to identify it for me.

According to Rick, the flower is an “Opium Poppy, Papaver somniferum. This is a fancy, double-garden form, but is exactly the same species that is grown in Afghanistan.”

Know as the common garden poppy, the seeds of this plant produce poppy seed oil which is a very useful and healthy edible oil. The plant can also be used to produce opium.

This plant is considered a noxious weed in some states, particularly West Virginia. You might want to check with the Pendleton County Kentucky Extension Service to see if it is considered a noxious weed in your area.

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

****Again thanks to Rick Pudwell at the Memphis Botanical Garden. If anyone is in the Memphis area, stop by the Memphis Botanical Garden. It is a wonderful place to visit.****

Kids Are Customers Too! (Or Will Be Soon)

Young Girl Holding Flowers

This is a guest post written by Aut Fuller at Floral Expressions in Owings MD.

In my 35 years around this industry, it never ceases to amaze me how many business owners don’t like it when young kids visit. As a parent of 3 kids myself, there have been many times when visiting a store you get the evil eye for bringing the young ones.

Cater To The Kids

I  know, I know, all the breakable stuff, and the sticky fingers touching everything, but at our store we talk to the little ones and cater to them. We give them a flower (even when they say they don’t really like them, LOL) and tell them to just surprise someone with it. Once they see the joy of giving, they learn a valuable life lesson.

To keep their interest, we have a toy section to keep them busy while mom shops and we are constantly looking for cool, new things just for the kids.

Hard Work Pays Off

We have been located in the same store for 25 years now, and we are now doing proms, weddings and birthdays of the kids whose parents were kids 25 years ago. It is very exciting when the next generation of customers come in with Grandma to see their friend the florist. How cool is that?

What other business can say that anymore? I refuse to believe that customer service is dead. IT’S ALIVE AND WELL HERE!

 

Where To Plant Azaleas – Sun or Shade?

Ask the Plant Expert: Where can you plant azaleas?

Do azaleas need full sun when planted outdoors? John

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

John,

According to the Azalea Society of America, azaleas should be planted in partial shade. In fact, most people claim that azaleas do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. However, it really depends on the type of azalea and where you live. Most azaleas will take sun to partial shade exposure.

Deciduous Azalea 'Admiral Semmes"For example, I have an azalea called Sunglow that gets hot afternoon sun. These azaleas bloom beautifully every year and their dark rich foliage is always attractive. The deciduous azalea (Admiral Semmes) that I have in my perennial garden gets sun all day long and does very well. My neighbors have ‘Herbert’ Azaleas in a morning sun only exposure and they do fine.

The garden center where you purchased the azalea should know which exposure it will do best in your area.

The greater concern would be the soil type that you are planting the azalea in. Be sure to plant it in loose, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.

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

How Do You Celebrate Memorial Day?

Celebrating Memorial Day

Memorial Day is this weekend! You’ve probably already made plans for a trip to the lake or some other outing with the family. Sure, you’ve made your picnic list and checked it twice… but what ways are you truly celebrating Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is a day to honor soldiers who gave their lives in all wars. It is our time to honor the nation’s fallen military men and women. We all know someone who has given their time and even their life to this country, whether it be a grandpa, aunt, uncle or friend, they deserve to be remembered as heroes.

Ideas for Celebrating Memorial Day Heroes

  • Visit a Hero – If you have a family member or friend who has paid the ultimate hero’s price, honor them by visiting their graveside. Order patriotic flowers to celebrate their special day.
  • Red White & Blue Theme – If you’re Memorial Day weekend schedule is jam-packed with activities already, red, white and blue party decorations will help keep our heros in everyone’s thoughts.
  • Memorial Day Poppy – Teach your kids about the significance of the red poppy to our veterans and [Read more…]

Help! My Lucky Bamboo Is Infested With Red Spiders

Ask The Plant Expert:

Hello, my name is Ivy. I have a big problem on my lucky bamboo. [About a] month ago, it appeared to have a bug problem. Very small, red spiders and other insects that are so so small, they can hardly be noticed. They make the plant leaf turn lighter and slowly kill, and the leaf has sticky oil-like stuff coming out. Please help!!!

Red Spider MiteFlower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Ivy,

You probably have a red spider mite problem.  Your local garden center and nursery should have an insecticide that will take care of it, and still be safe for your lucky bamboo.  Fertilome has a red spider mite spray in a ready-to-use container.  One or two treatments with the insecticide should take care of the problem.

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

Have a plant question? Ask the expert now!

Florists On Facebook – Friday Recap

This week florists across the country have been recovering from one of the biggest Mother’s Day we’ve seen. Plus, prom season is just ending for some and graduation time is just beginning! Quite a busy time for florists. But now to what you’re all waiting for, the flower pictures!

Maryjane's Flowers & Gifts - Berlin NJ

By Maryjane’s Flowers & Gifts in Berlin NJ

“Just one of our more unusual pieces which went out of here this weekend for Mother’s Day…”

Event Designs by Crossroads Florist, Mahwah NJ

Orbital Bliss by Crossroads Florist, Mahwah NJ

Most people go to Home Depo for home improvements, I go there for inspiration! Large bubble bowls with beautiful cymbidium orchids are enhanced with plastic irrigation tubing, cardboard tubes used for deck footing molds and black contact paper all from Home Depo!”

[Read more…]