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Setting Up Your New Google+ Business Page

Setting Up Google+ Plus for your Business

So, we all heard the buzz surrounding Google+ Plus when it came out a couple of months ago, however they weren’t allowing businesses to set up profiles back then. Well, as of this week, Google+ Business Pages can now be created. FSN is here to help you set up your own Google+ Business Page. Please read over this post carefully to make sure Google+ is right for you.

Advantages of Google+ (Plus) For Your Business

I know exactly what you’re thinking… “I have a Facebook Page, why on earth do I need a Google+ page too??”

To be honest… there aren’t a whole lot of reasons for florists to use this new social network, except for one big one: It’s Google. Google is by-far the main search engine people use when looking for something online. Listing your business information on Google+ very well could boost your rankings. There is currently no way to know for sure, but I could definitely see your Google profile and G+ Page being connected together in the future.

Remember: the key to social networking is being where your audience is; this is likely not Google+. While tons of people signed up for Google+ in the beginning, the activity level began sinking fast. With the addition of Business Pages, this may change, but for now Google+ is full of tumbleweeds.

Advice on Getting Started With Google+

  • My advice to you is to join Google+ as a user and see how many friends, family members and acquaintances add you to their circles. This will give you a good indication of how many people you know are using Google+.
  • Go ahead and set your business up on Google+ and see what sort of activity it generates.  This will also tell you how much time to invest in this new social network. That way if Google+ does end up taking off as a network, you’ve already got a jump start and claimed your business’ name. (And who knows, it just may help to elevate your rankings! *fingers crossed*)

Setting Up A Google+ (Plus) Business Page

Setting up your business page is actually pretty simple, just follow along with the images below. [Read more…]

This Flower Was Part Of My Bouquet – What Is It?

Ask The Plant Expert:

This flower was part of a bouquet and dropped a lot of very small round black seeds. What is the name of this plant? – Shirley

Burgundy Cockscomb

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Shirley, the name of flower is Celosia.

This interesting pink flower is commonly called cockscomb because it resembles the comb of a rooster. The genus name is Celosia. The perennial cockscomb is Celosia argentea and the annual types fall under Celosia spicata.

Celosia History

Celosia’s name is derived from the Greek word for “burning.” It grows widespread across Mexico, where it is known as “Velvet flower.” In northern South America, tropical Africa, the West Indies, South, East and Southeast Asia where it is grown as a native or naturalized wildflower, and is cultivated as a nutritious leafy green vegetable. It is traditional fare in the countries of Central and West Africa, and is one of the leading leafy green vegetables in Nigeria, where it is known as ‘soko yokoto’, meaning “make husbands fat and happy”.

Celosia Flower

An interesting addition to the garden, Celosia is also a versatile flower for decorating. Florists use it both as a cut flower in fresh arrangements and as a dried flower in permanent arrangements.  So enjoy this wonderful flower while you can – a killing frost will put them to rest for the winter.

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Celebrating Veterans Day

Veterans Day 2011

When we think November, giving thanks usually comes to mind. Sure, there’s Thanksgiving… but there is a holiday before then that deserves more ‘thanks’ than we can ever give — Veterans Day. (November 11, 2011)

Veterans Day is the official day set aside to thank and remember all of our selfless, heroic veterans for the sacrifices they made in their lives to protect our freedom. Unlike Memorial Day, where we remember our lost heros, Veteran’s Day is for us to thank and celebrate ALL veterans, living or dead, wartime and peacetime.

How To Celebrate Veterans Day

  • Attend a Veteran’s Day program, concert or parade.
  • Wear a red, white and blue corsage or boutonniere.
  • Take a moment of silence at noon, on November 11, to honorably remember those who served and died.
  • Place red flowers, such as roses or carnations, or a red, white and blue bouquet at your local military memorials and monuments.
  • Contribute to a Veteran’s Day ceremony in your community.
  • Place a Veteran’s Day ‘thank you’ ad in your local newspapers, community newsletters or church flyers. [Read more…]

Happy Birthday Girls!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GALS!

If you’ve been following us on the blog or Facebook for very long, you know we love any excuse to bring food to work and party! November is one of our favorite months for birthdays! It just so happens, all of our website admin’s birthdays fall in the first part of November! That’s right!

Jill & Brenda from Flower Shop Network, Judy from FGmarket, AND Lacey from Wedding And Party Network all have birthdays this month!

Each birthday girl got her own personalized cupcake, and there was a yummy snacks buffet with morning foods, like muffins! We have a ton of other birthdays this month, so it definitely called for a party!

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY from everyone here in the office and our friends online!

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The Time For Romance Is 11-11-11

11-11-11 Romance With Flowers

It’s the biggest wedding day of the year, November 11th, 2011 (11-11-11)!  But the romance doesn’t have to end at just weddings, why not make 11-11-11 your day of romance and send your sweetie 11 red roses!?

11-11-11 A Rare Date

11-11-11 only comes around once a century! The last time this date sequence occurred was in 1911, and won’t happen again until 2111! Chances are this is your last chance to celebrate, and what better way to celebrate than with romance? Your sweetheart won’t be expecting flowers, or anything on this rare date. Surprise them with a big bouquet of 11 roses.

Sure a dozen roses is the standard, romantic gift, but on Friday, November 11th, it’s all about the number 11! Check with your local florist about the possibility of delivering this gift at 11 a.m. for even more 11 fun!

Add Romance With Personalized Flowers

If you know your sweetie’s favorite flower, order 11 of those for a personalized touch. Roses are typically associated with romance, but knowing her favorite flower wins you big points! Who wouldn’t want to be surprised on 11-11-11 with 11 of their favorite flowers — you just can’t go wrong with flowers just because!

Order your flowers now, Friday will be here before you know it!

[Read more…]

Why Are My Oxalis Plant Leggy

OxalisAsk The Plant Expert:

I have an purple oxalis plant that is growing very well, but leggy. Is that natural or do I have to trim?

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: You can prune the plant to encourage shorter new growth. I recommend selectively pruning, instead of a straight across the board pruning. This will leave some leaves in place while the plant produces new ones.

Hope this information helps.

Why Is My Ficus Dropping Leaves?

Ask The Plant Expert:

Me again. I also have a Ficus Benjamina which has shed most of its leaves since I bought it 4-5 months ago. It was in my porch which gets good light most of the day, but there is no new leaf growth. I’ve pruned the bare branches back some as I was advised by the garden center, but it remains bare, any suggestions to get it growing again, I realize it’s winter and its slowing down, but there should be some sign of growth. – Matthew

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Benjamin Fig - Ficus BenjaminaMatthew,

Ficus can be temperamental and will drop leaves for a variety of reasons.  I once had a Ficus I named Truman. I let it get too cold and it dropped all of its leaves. I up the heat, gave it the proper amount of water, (moist, but not soggy) and waited about 6 weeks. It finally put out new leaves.

So, it is important to know why the leaves dropped in the first place.

  • Loss of lower leaves is an indication that the plant needs to be pruned to allow light to reach the lower limbs.
  • Dry/shriveled leaves are a result of low relative humidity or too much sunlight.
  • Yellow leaves, or leaves that have red spot and drop off, are a result of too much water.
  • Green leaf drop can be a result of ethylene exposure or low light stress.

Correct the problem that caused the leaves to drop, and give it time to recover. To ensure that the plant energy is not wasted prune out any dead stems.

If you plant has been over watered, make sure the plant can drain off excess moisture.

  • If the air surrounding the plant has been too dry, misting the air every other day with lukewarm water.
  • If the plant is not receiving enough light move it into an area with more light.

Once you have corrected the problem, the plant should make a full recovery.

Hope This Helps.

November Newsletter – Say Thanks

November is Here!

Favorite Flower Arrangement For November

Favorite Flower Arrangement For November

This month’s favorite flower arrangement is all about the colors of fall and the spirit of thanks. As Thanksgiving approaches, we are all planning our big day of family, friends and food.  In this design, Thanksgiving Feast, we are reminded of fall by the warm colors: dusty reds, coppers, crisp yellows and more. You can’t go wrong with this beautiful autumn centerpiece adorning your Thanksgiving table!


Mumpkin Pumpkin Photo

Mumkin Pumpkin – Fall Decor!

While pumpkins are typically used for Halloween, they are also great for fall and Thanksgiving decor! (Just without the faces.)  We spotted this adorable pumpkin decor idea and had to share: Mumkins! You know we love it because it mixes chrysanthemums with this iconic Halloween/Fall/Thanksgiving symbol.

Read More About Mumkin Pumpkins…

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In Loving Memory of Amaryllis

Amaryllis | Hippeastrum

Today’s exceptional post was shared with us by Olivia Nicholas, a writer and a busy mom. She is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work.

I’ve never been sure what made me remember Grandmother’s amaryllis obsession when autumn first began to turn the leaves this year. It could have been a flash of scarlet fabric seen from the corner of my eye, or maybe a stately bell-shaped flower struggling to carry on its existence despite the slow creep of cold weather. Whatever the case, I found myself driving to the local greenhouse one day instead of going directly home as I usually did after work. The clerk was very helpful, directing me to the perennial bulb section and setting me up with flower pots, soil, and everything else necessary to cultivate and continue my grandmother’s flower legacy. Excited, I got to work as soon as I got home.

The feel of the amaryllis bulbs in my hand and the rich smell of potting soil evoked even more memories of planting flowers at my grandparents’ home. Like my grandmother herself, amaryllis is a winter beauty, as dainty and gorgeous as it is tough and hardy; both thrive in cold weather and wilt in the heat. In my mind, the two of them had always been synonymous, especially since my grandmother was also called Amaryllis.

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Fluoride In Tap Water Causing Leaf Browning

Ask The Plant Expert:

I have some spider plants which are brown at the tips of the leaves, I’m using tap water that has been standing open to the air for a few days, and have been trimming these bits off, will this help? – Mathew

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Matthew,

This is a problem I have seen first hand in our greenhouse. What you have is most likely fluoride damage.  These plants are very sensitive to fluoride. Unlike chlorine, fluoride doesn’t evaporate effectively from an open container. We had trouble in the greenhouse until we started using well-water instead of city water. I recommend catching rain water or use distilled water. Once you switch the browning should stop.

Hope this information was helpful.
Flower Shop Network

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