Bloomin' Blog

Help Identify These House Plants From A Dish Garden

October 8, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Hi there. I received a variety of plants in a funeral arrangement. I re-potted them in the spring and now that it is getting colder at night, I need more help in determining how to care for them. I had them outside on my porch, since I was not sure as to the toxicity of them, as I do have 3 cats and a dog. Can you please identify. I believe that one of them is a dwarf umbrella plant, but not sure on the other. Thanks. – Jeanene

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
The first one is a Wareneki Draceana and the second one is a Schefflera. The first one should be okay for your pets to be around. However, the schefflera can be a problem for dogs or cats who are prone to chewing on plants. If you read our article 10 House Plants Poisonous to Dogs, Cats or Children, it will help you decide which plants you should keep with your pets. You may also refer to the House Plant Care & Information Page.
Hope this information was helpful.
Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Dracaena, Houseplants, Plant Identification, Schefflera

Are You A Sweetheart? You’ll Love Sweetest Day!

October 7, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Never heard of Sweetest Day?! Well, it is a relatively new holiday, but it’s a whole lot of fun! Much like Valentine’s Day where you give flowers and chocolates. Except instead of giving gifts only to your significant other, for Sweetest Day you do sweet things for those sweet people in your life. (More About Sweetest Day)

We all know people who go out of their way to do wonderful things for others and never expect anything in return. Sweetest Day is THE DAY to show them how much you appreciate them.

So remember, October 15th is Sweetest Day 2011! Nothing satisfies a sweet tooth like a gift basket full of yummy snacks.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Holiday Info Tagged With: Sweetest Day, Sweetest Day Gifts

October Newsletter: Holiday Happenings

October 6, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

October is Here!

There are so many great holidays this month, and the season is one of our favorites! This newsletter focuses on everything that’s happening in October!

Favorite Flower Arrangement For October

This month’s favorite flower arrangement is all about fall and harvest time. As we mentioned in the recent article, Feeling Fall-ish, this season was once mainly referred to as harvest. In this design, Harvest Moon, you see lots of great elements that remind us of harvest time: hypericum berries, mini cattails, fall leaves and lotus pods. The beautiful range of deep colors are also perfect for the season. You can’t go wrong with this beautiful autumn flower arrangement adorning your October decor!

Think Pink This October!

In 2010, there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone. This is a fact we should all be excited about. Cancer is an intimidating subject and hearing stories of survival are always encouraging! The battle with breast cancer is a fight we CAN and WILL win! With early detection, there is a 95% survival rate!All it takes is reminders, awareness and a little PINK!

If you know someone who has championed their fight with breast cancer, send them pink flowers this month to let them know how happy you are to have them in your life.

Read More About Think Pink For October…

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Newsletters Tagged With: Newsletters

2011 Fall Wedding Bouquet Trends

October 5, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Our florist friends on Facebook constantly keep us with our jaw on the ground. Each week they post some of the most amazing designs around! Because it’s wedding season, we’ve seen a lot of amazing fall bouquets! So let’s take a look at what trendy designs are popular for 2011 fall brides!

*The gorgeous bouquet in the photo above was created by C & C Sensations in Waynesboro, VA. It features deep red roses mixed with circus roses (orange with red tips) and hypericum berries. This florist also did an amazing job weaving in bright bits of green with bells of Ireland.

Help! Christmas Cactus Has Lost It’s Spirit

October 3, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Plant Expert:

I have a limp Christmas cactus. How large a container & what kind of soil mixture should I use? This is a cutting that is special. Also, there are bugs on the soil – not the plant – help, please!

I don’t have a photo, but the plant hasn’t bloomed since I planted the cuttings. The cactus has been in the house and I wonder if I should put it outside since I live in Palm Desert, CA.

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: You do need to re-pot your Christmas cactus. I like to use a potting soil specifically blended for Christmas cactus (for example Fafard Cactus and Succulent potting mix). I would transplant it into a pot that is 1½ times larger than the existing pot. If you have mealy bugs, try to remove all of them as your transplant the Christmas Cactus.

Christmas cactus can bloom up to two times a year inside. So moving it outside is not necessary. However, you may need to fertilize it or prune it.

Please read Flower Shop Network’s article, The Unique Beauty of Christmas Cactus, it has very valuable information about Christmas cactus.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Cactus, Christmas Cactus, Repotting Plants, Succulent

Favorite Flower Arrangement For October

October 3, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: Fall Decorations, Fall Flowers, favorite flower, October Flowers

Lucky Bamboo Growing Extra Roots

September 30, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask The Plant Expert:

Hi, My lucky bamboo (dracaena sanderiana) stalks started growing roots in the middle of the stems (nodes) where leaves have grown. This is the first time I have encountered this. Would like to know why this happens, and what should I do. I suspect it’s not getting any water and thus the leaves are yellowing…

Thanks in advance for your help! – Meng
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo, Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo

Circle of Life For This Yellow Spiny Weed

September 29, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Ask The Plant Expert: Here we go again. You identified my crocus (which I suspected) and now I have another “just showed up” plant. She’s cute. She could be a weed. If she’s a plant or flower I will keep her, put her somewhere else. She is in the middle of a landscape project. If she’s a weed, no matter how cute she must go. The circle of life. –Rochelle

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: It is a Buffalo-Bur (Solanum rostratum). Depending on your thoughts on poisonous plants, you may want to get rid of it. This plant is in the nightshade family. The leaves and green fruits are poisonous and contain glycoalkaloid solanine.

If humans or animals come in contact with the burs (spines) intense lingering pain can occur. This is especially problematic for dogs who will chew and lick their feet if they step on this plant. It is sad that beautiful plants like these also come with dangers.

Hope this information helps!

Filed Under: Plant Identification, Weed Identification Tagged With: Buffalo Star, Weed Identification, Weeds

Hotel Lobby Decor Not What It Seems

September 29, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Rare Creature Spotted In Hotel Lobby

Scientific Name: Brontoterodactylsaurus
Common Name: Green Flying Dinosaur
Behavior: Non-aggressive toward humans
Food Requirements: Drinks water only
Natural Habitat: Hotel Lobbies
Life Span: 1 -2 weeks

SEPT 23 — The photo above is a rare glimpse at the elusive Brontoterodactylsaurus in their natural habitat. These two were spotted by expert florist and amateur dino-photographer, Tom Kenison of Crossroads Florist in Mahwah, New Jersey. Tom reports that these two creatures truly enjoyed the time they spent in this hotel’s lobby.

Because they only require water for sustenance, hotel workers greeted them with open arms. “They were very friendly to all guests. Normally they would just strike a pose and blend in as lobby decorations,” says Kendra, a desk-worker for the hotel. “We had people from all around the state coming to see these rare creatures as they passed through our lucky, hotel lobby.”

This pair of lobby decor dinos only stayed at the hotel for a couple of weeks and have moved on. Will we ever see these creatures again? Your guess is as good as mine, but keep your eyes peeled next time you’re in a hotel lobby. You never know what elusive creatures might be hiding in plain sight.

When Tom submitted this picture on our Facebook page, I knew I had to share it with all of our readers! It’s just way too cool and creative. This hotel lobby design was made by Tom and his staff at Crossroads Florist. They typically do a new floral design for this hotel’s lobby every couple of weeks. I always enjoy seeing them because Tom really find ways to be creative and think outside of the box. This is the type of floral design that really turns heads and gets noticed! It would also make a great design for event decor.

“Well sometimes you just have to have fun… I was hiking in the woods and came across a bamboo patch… I cut some down and started playing.. I made the bamboo stands and was just going to put an arrangement on top, when the vision of “legs” came to me… and it developed from there… “

Keep up the GREAT work, Tom, and we love seeing your pictures on our Page!

Filed Under: Floral Design Tagged With: design, Floral Art, Floral Design, New Jersey Florists

Think Pink This October

September 28, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the time the whole world turns PINK! Because about 1 in 8 women in the US will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, but this doesn’t have to be a death sentence. The good news is, with early detection, there is a 95% survival rate! So if you’re over 20, male or female, don’t forget to check yourself regularly!

In 2010, there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone. This is a fact we should all be excited about. Cancer is a scary subject and hearing stories of survival are always encouraging! The battle with breast cancer is a fight we CAN and WILL win! All it takes is reminders, awareness and a little PINK!

If you know someone who has championed their fight with breast cancer, send them Think Pink flowers this month to let them know how happy you are to have them in your life.

We have added a PDF download of the above flyer here: Breast Cancer Awareness Free Flyer

Filed Under: Seasonal Ideas Tagged With: Breast Cancer Awareness, Cancer Survivors, Pink Flowers

October is Here!

Favorite Flower Arrangement For October

Think Pink This October!

Rare Creature Spotted In Hotel Lobby

Follow Us