This particular “dumb” decision is the smartest decision you’ll ever make. Not surprisingly, I have a dumb cane story (”dumb” story for short).

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia picta)

My grandma is all about houseplants. She’s 82 now and has been keeping houseplants growing in her home as long as I can remember. She’s pretty good at it but age is starting to creep up on her. That’s the nice way of saying that she’s bound to her motorized scooter and can’t really care for plants herself anymore. Since she’s only an hour away at any given time, my mother, sister and I usually rotate turns going over there to visit and to water her houseplants.

I was around 18 when she had hip replacement surgery and I stayed with her for a week to help out. She was so funny! All I remember was receiving instructions on how to do everything. If I decided to water the plants, I had to be shown how it was done 70 years ago. If I was dusting the furniture, I needed to know how it was done 50 years ago and why the 50 year old furniture still looks good. She’s a hoot and a headache all at the same time.

I’d never seen houseplant leaves polished the way Gram did it. A military spit shine would’ve left something to be desire compared to this woman’s plant care skills. She has Dieffenbachia all over her house so the first thing I remembered when I saw Dumb Cane plants in the photo gallery was the image of her bending over from her then hand-powered wheelchair to show me how experts care for Dumb Cane.

She gently rubbed the leaves of her dumb cane with the ease of a bomb deactivator but none of the steadiness. She mixed up some concoction of soap and water that I’m sure was repeated to me but it just seemed like soap and water. She washed the leaves and turned to me with a phrase I’m trying to forget but can’t. It was too funny. Her brow was furrowed and a bit sweaty. Her hair was mussed from the day’s chores. She looked at me with as deadpan an expression as she could’ve had and said “that’s why I’ve had this plant since 1991.” Knowing my grandmother, she was probably right. I still couldn’t stop laughing, probably to keep from crying.

I’ve loved Dumb Cane since that day. One look and I’ll always remember my Grammie.

What do you think of when you look at dumb cane houseplants? Did you receive one as a gift? Ever given one as a gift? Let us hear your Dumb Cane comments below!

Flower Shop Network representatives Amy Hall and Rebecca Speer recently attended the 2009 Texas State Florists Association Convention. I was amazed at all of the wonderful stories that they brought back! I felt like I was there laughing with all of the wonderful florists too when they showed me pictures of the convention at its peak. What a fun time for Texas florists!

Special thanks go to Judy at Loki Gardens in Houston Texas and Gail at G. Johnsons Floral Images in Houston. Amy and Rebecca couldn’t stop speaking pleasantries about the warm, friendly nature of these great women. Though Amy and Rebecca love speaking with florists and enjoyed the convention, Gail and Judy helped put an extra spring in their steps. Their “they can make you smile from across the room” personalities were very appreciated during the very busy but wonderful weekend!

Another story that Rebecca and Amy shared with me pertained to the beautiful floral displays at the convention. After reviewing photos with them, I’m amazed by some of the incredible designs that were featured at the show! It’s hard to choose a favorite! All of these photos have been included at the bottom of this post. Feel free to comment on your favorite.

Special thanks to florists from Designs By Gail in Justin Texas for posing with Rebecca Speer at this year’s TSFA convention (see picture #1).

Special thanks to Darla from Designs By Darla in Junction Texas for posing with Amy Hall at this year’s TSFA convention (see picture #2).

Special thanks to florists from Amarillo Rose Floral Extravaganza in Irving Texas for posing with Rebecca Speer at this year’s TSFA convention (see picture #3 & #4). Read the rest of this entry »

Ask the Expert: Artificial Fireweed
I am trying to buy artificial Fireweed.  I am visiting in Alaska and am captivated by the Fireweed.  I am visiting and living on Fireweed Street.  Thank you   LLM

Plant Expert Reply:

It is easy to see why you are attracted to Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium). When I was in Alaksa in 1998 the fields of fireweed were amazing.  However, I haven’t seen an artificial or dried version of fireweed.

Fireweed has many edible and medicial qualities. I do know that it is sold as an herbal tea in some areas.  You might try drying your own.  I found a website that talks about preserving fireweed.

You might check with a local Alaska florist, they may have artifical fireweed or know of a place that does.

Good Luck and keep me posted.

Ask the Expert: What kind of flowers for church baptism?
I am 60 years old and am getting baptized with my 9 year old granddaughter. We will be providing the alter flowers for the church on that day and would like some suggestions on what kind of flowers would be appropriate for this occassion? Lora

Plant Expert Reply:

It depends on your religious affilation.  The appropriate baptism flower color usually falls in line with the season’s liturgical color. If you belong to a church that has an alter guild, I would speak with them.  The alter guild usually knows which colors will be appropriate for the day.  However, the most used flower color for baptism is white.

When I was baptized several years ago, my local florist created arrangements with Casablanca lilies.  I wanted the Casablanca lilies because their flower meaning is Celebrate.  Baptisms are definitely a time to celebrate.

I have been to baptisms where white gladiolus were used.  I have also been to baptisms where the flower arrangements had multiple colors.  In my opinion the safest bet would be to use all white flowers in the baptisms arrangements.  White is universally accepted and this way you will make sure not to offend anyone.

Congratulations and may the Peace Be With You.

Ask the Expert: Best way to ensure hydrangeas in a wedding bouquet
I have a bride that wants to use hydrangeas in her bouquet and her bridesmaids.  I am really afraid of using fresh blooms as I know they wilt quickly.  Her wedding is in March. Can you tell me the secret to ensuring that the bouquets will hold up and not wilt.  Thank you so much.

Plant Expert Reply:
The first step to ensuring the hydrangeas don’t wilt is the care you give them when they hit your door. Proper hydration is the key. In Hydrating A Hydrangea Bouquet For A Wedding, the steps for hydrating hydrangeas are outlined.

The steps are as follows
1. Submerge heads for 2 to 4 minutes under tepid water.
2. Gently shake the bloom heads dry.
3. Recut the stems (preferably under water and at an angle).
4. Place in water.

These steps will ensure that the hydrangeas have been hydrated properly. Now you will need to keep them hydrated and how your store them is the key. Keep the hydrangeas in a high humid environment with very little air velocity. In other words, don’t put them near the cooler fan or door and keep the air around them moist (misting if necessary). Temperature is also a factor; 35 to 38 degrees is optimum. Don’t store near fruit, vegetables or other ethylene gas producers. It is best to create the bouquets the morning of the wedding. However, this isn’t always possible. When you create the hydrangea bouquets leave the stems long enough that the bouquets can be placed in water without getting the ribbon wet (if a hand tied bouquet). Leave the bouquets in water until an hour before the wedding. This process should keep the hydrangeas well hydrated for the wedding and alleviate any wilting issues.

Some designers use hydrangeas in floral foam when creating wedding flower arrangements or bouquets. Advanced preparation is still the key in this technique. You will want to cut the stems so that they look like an arrow rather than just a one sided angle cut. Some people recommend using a floral preservative or powdered alum when preparing the hydrangeas, other see no need.  You might want to experiment with a couple of stems before the wedding to see which works best for you.

Good luck and keep me posted.

Modern & Tropical Designs - Florist eCommerce Page

Tropical flowers and exotic flowers are being used more and more in arrangements from your local florist. Whether the customer is going for a modern look in their flower arrangements or consumers simply love the exotic look and fragrance that is present in many modern and tropical floral designs - these types of flowers are well in demand.

To cater to exotic and tropical flowers lovers, a new ecommerce page for Modern & Tropical Designs is now available to users of the Flower Shop Network ecommerce websites.

The new Modern & Tropical Flowers page is available immediately to FSN members using our florist ecommerce websites. FSN members that have purchased Advanced Website Controls can turn on and edit the page by accessing website controls inside FSNF2F.com.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Ask the Expert: Which flowers for my wedding?
Our colors are chocolate brown, baby blue, and ivory/creme. We are getting married outside in a beautiful almost garden type area towards the end of November, so I was wondering what baby blue or creme colored flowers would be best to use? Jordon

Plant Expert Blog:

Finding true blue flowers anytime of year can be a job.  Finding baby blue flowers can be even a little more difficult.  Don’t worry, I have a suggestion.  Try light blue delphinium. It is a gorgeous flower with multiple blooms per stem.  Delphinium is a flower that is at home in the garden as well as formal arrangements.  So, it will be a perfect choice for your fall wedding. I suggest pairing it with ivory Gerberas.  A bouquet with these flowers will give you a romantic garden feel.

Of course, there are other blue flower options available.  Agapanthus is a beautiful ball of blooms that is very versatile and can be used as a focal flower in your wedding bouquet and reception flowers.  Hydrangeas or light blue iris are fantastic choices.  In fact I have seen a beautiful bouquet that contained iris and white flowers.

You have a few blue accent flower choices as well - Asters, centaurea, campanula, limonium, forget-me-not, and scabiosa.

Cream or ivory flowers are easy to find.  My suggestions would be gerberas, roses, agapanthus, orchids, calla lily, alstroemeria, or snapdragons.

The best advise I can give you is to look through Wedding and Party Network’s photo galley under wedding flowers and wedding bouquets.  See what styles you like, then discuss with your local florist which of my  wedding flower suggestions will give you the look you desire.  The florist may have a few ideas of there own.

Good luck and keep me posted.  Maybe I’ll see your wedding flowers in the WPN photo gallery in November.

Ask the Expert: What is this flower?

ZInnia

Planted Butterfly Weed seeds (Asclepias tuberosa) from a seed packet and this plant seed was in this packet with them. I like the plant and don’t know if perennial or annual. It is close to 3 feet tall now with 1 to 2 and a half inch pink flowers with 12 to 15 petals. I would like to know it’s name in case it does not come back next spring. Thanks D Jackson

Plant Expert Reply:

From the look of the leaves and the blooms, it is a type of Zinnia.  It could be Zinnia elegans which is an annual and will not come back next year.  Or it could be a Zinnia angustifolia  which is also an annual.

Although they are not perennials, the seeds that have dropped may come up the next year. If you like the look of this flower, type profusion zinnias.  I have them in my garden and love them. We have been growing and selling them at our garden center for over 5 years.  They are easy to care for and perform very well under hot summer temperatures.  If you don’t like to deadhead, you’ll like the profusion.  Even when I forget to deadhead this plant it still goes like gangbusters.

Ask the Expert: Help identifying flower

Hymenocallis liriosme - Spider Lily

This one popped up in our pasture all by itself at the base of a shady hill. No others like it around. It’s about 18 inches high, with no leaves, just the hollow stalk.
Look familiar? David

Plant Expert Reply:

Do you come from a large family? Well this flower does (Amaryllidaceae).  As a result many of the members have the same common name or nickname.  For this plant the common name is Spider lily and is used in association with other plants in the family. Besides spider lily, the flower goes by spring spider lily.

With plants the advantage is every plant must have a botanical name that is associated with them only.  In this case, it is Hymenocallis liriosme.  It is a native plant in AR , LA , MS , OK,  and  TX; growing flood plains, bottomland, ditches, ravines, repressions, marshes, stream banks, prairie, plains, meadows, pastures, and savannahs.  They originate from bulbs and are aromatic with a lemony scent.

Ask the Expert: Is this an Orchid?

Oriental Lily

My neighbor has this plant with beautiful purple & white flowers.  I think it is an Orchid, but could not find any photos that looked like it.  I want to ID it, so I can buy some for my garden.  I hope that it is a perennial & can take full sun.

Do you know what it is?

Thanks, Rob

Plant Expert Reply:

Although the plant has an exotic presentation with it long stem and multiple blooms, it isn’t an orchid. What you neighbor has is a common Oriental lily. I’m not sure exactly which cultivar.   These beautiful blooms come from a bulb that is hardy in zones 3-8. Once planted they come back year after year and multiply.  Oriental lilies are planted in the spring.  However, in some zones they are planted in the fall as well.

Oriental lilies usually bloom in the summer and their cousin Asiatic liles bloom 4 to 5 weeks earlier with a similar form and bloom.  They prefer full sun to partial shade.  They need to be planted in an area that drains well all year long.  You can find Oriental lilies at your local garden center.  Be sure to ask them how to amend the soil specifically for oriental lilies in your area.

Oriental lilies can also be used as cut flowers in flower arrangements.