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Revolution Is The Word At AIFD National Symposium

July 8, 2010 by Leave a Comment

If you have not heard, Flower Shop Network has just returned from an incredible floral show — the AIFD National Symposium in Boston MA. The theme this year was Revolution… not only Revolution because we were in New England for the 4th of July, but Revolution because florists need to revolutionize their craft. As Ann Jordan points out, florists can’t be average anymore, they need to up their business practices and their skills. AIFD’s Revolution is a way to not only network within the floral industry, but also spark an inspiration that will last for years to come. The techniques and ideas present at Revolution are on the cutting edge of your industry. If you want to take the lead and be the best designer you can be, show’s like the National Symposium are an absolute MUST! Next years event will be in San Fransisco, CA and everyone is encouraged to go!

Above is FSN’s interview with Ann Jordan and Janet Black, this year’s National Symposium event coordinators. They discuss the importance of AIFD and this flower show to the floral industry.

Filed Under: Floral Convention Videos, Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: , ,

What Keeps Red Hot Poker From Blooming?

July 8, 2010 by

Ask the Expert: Red Hot Pokers not blooming
My Red Hot Pokers have always bloomed by the end of June, but this year they don’t seemed to want to bloom. The foliage looks healthy and is growing very nicely. I live in Colorado and we’ve had more rain this year than in the past. Any ideas?
Thanks Cassie

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

A water issue can cause Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) to under perform. Lack of water when the bloom is forming is usually the culprit. However, it sounds as if you are getting enough water.

Temperature could be another factor. If your area is below normal temps or the temperatures got too high too soon, the blooming schedule would be thrown out of whack.

Lack of light can also cause insufficient or lack of blooms in Red Hot Poker. If your area has become shadier than it has been in the past, you will need to move your plants.

I’m not sure if Red Hot Poker behaves like iris, but it might. When Iris become buried too deep it will produce lovely foliage, but no blooms. So, you might check the kniphofia and see if the much and leaves have gotten to thick on top of the plant. If it has you need to lift the plant. The crown should never be planted deeper than 3 inches.

This plant blog question was brought to you by the local florists in Santa Clara.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , ,

What Is This Plant With Strange Claw-like Seed Pod

July 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: what is this plant?

I have a plant that came up beside my deck and I have asked several people and no one has been able to help me. I’ve attached several photos of the plant. I’d greatly appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks so much. T

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

What you have is Proboscidea louisianica. It is commonly called unicorn plant, common devil’s claw, ram’s horn. It is often found in the open plains of tropical North, Central and South America.

The Devil’s Claw produces funnel-shaped, creamy white-purplish flowers with reddish purple and marked yellow within the throats. After the plant blooms crested, boat-shaped fruit (seed pods) will follow. The fruit can be dried and used in winter arrangements.

This plant can be found in the following states: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WV, WY). It can be found in the following provinces of Canada: ON, SK

As with many plants – one man’s precious flower is another man’s noxious weed. In Indiana this plant is listed as a threatened and endangered plant. However, Washington would love to eradicate this noxious weed.

It isn’t a plant you would want to grow if you have small children or pets. The plant has a unpleasant smell and a resinous slime that you can’t easily wash off.  The seed pods as they dry become a problem. They will snag on to one’s skin or clothing and hang on.  Gnats, small flies and beetles are attracted to the plant, but much to their detriment.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: , ,

AIFD National Symposium Photos, Boston MA

July 7, 2010 by 2 Comments

Flower Shop Network is proud to show you photos from our latest adventure! AIFD’s National Symposium in Boston MA gave us the opportunity to photograph some of today’s greatest floral artist’s designs! Check them out and be sure to comment!
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: ,

Untapped Holidays Your Flower Shop Should Utilize!

July 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment

The need to send flowers doesn’t stop with the major holidays. Increase your sales by utilizing the untapped gift-giving holidays that occur through out the year.

With the rise of social media, it has never been easier to directly communication with all of your customers — present and future.

  • Plan ahead for upcoming holidays. If the upcoming holiday’s main color is purple, be sure to have purple flowers, purple ribbon, or some sort of holiday accessory on hand.
  • Offer specials and promote these holidays as if they were the major floral holidays.
  • Show photos of holiday specific arrangements to spark your fans interest.
  • Suggest uses of holiday flowers on your social sites. “This beautiful purple, green, and yellow arrangement would be a perfect centerpiece for your Mardi Gras party!” The power of suggestion is a powerful thing!
  • Be versatile with your floral designs. Adjust the color pallet on your everyday designs to match the holiday. Add a ribbon or accessory to give it a more festive look!
  • Keep an eye out in your daily routines for unique containers, decorations, or other accessories you can use for designs.

Just because you don’t celebrate a specific holiday, doesn’t mean it isn’t very important to someone else. If you are unsure about a holiday, do a little research to find out what types of arrangements or other gifts are appropriate.

We have composed a list of holidays that might help:

HOLIDAYS

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only, Holiday Info Tagged With: , ,

Can You Make A Lucky Bamboo Stalk Branch?

July 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert: I have several tall Lucky Bamboo plants. Most only have 1 limb sprouted. How can I get more branches from these plants. Thank You, Chef Harry Grow

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert: The nature of lucky bamboo is to grow a single stalk. However, you can make al lucky bamboo stalk branch by cutting the top off. If you top the lucky bamboo stalk, two new branches will appear on the side of the stalk just below the cut. You can then root the top to start a new stalk. Read Turn Your Lucky Bamboo Top Into A New Plant post to learn how to root the top.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: ,

3 Great Ideas For Summer Entertaining

July 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Backyard BBQs, pool parties, picnics — you name it, it’s happening now! Summer’s here and EVERYONE’S outside enjoying the sun!

The Patriotic-Themed Summer Party

Just because the 4th will come and go, doesn’t mean you have to put away your patriotic decor! You’ve got the perfect party theme! Decorate your porch, yard or rented pavilion with everything red, white and blue. Find 4th of July themed party supplies like hats and glasses to force everyone into the festive spirit! (Once the 4th is over — think: clearance, clearance, clearance!)

For food, think traditional American — hamburgers, hot dogs, and anything else that cooks on a grill! Adorn your desserts with fresh strawberries, cherries and blueberries on top of white icing for a delicious red, white, and blue treat!

A party just isn’t a party without beautiful table decor. Ask your local florist to create a patriotic floral centerpiece for your guests to enjoy, just like this one by one of our great members, Hart Floral.

Summer Garden Party

Yellow Aglow - Garden Party CenterpieceGardening has quickly regained it’s status as a favorite pastime all over the world. Between you and your friends you are bound to have at least one garden, flowerbed, or … well, just a tree will do. Use a simple card table with a nice table cloth for your focal area, garden parties tend to be fairly small.

Pick a color palette to stick with when decorating for a more ‘designer’ look. It can be all one color or several. Also, it’s a good idea not to mix and match bright colors with pastels. For decoration ideas, browse through an aisle in your garden center. You could use terracotta pots, mason jars, or watering cans as containers for your party snacks and finger foods. Kid’s shovels could be used as serving utensils.

Your garden party menu should be light, finger food-type entrees. You could even do garden-themed foods, like mudslide pie or cupcakes with cookie crumb ‘dirt’ ontop. (Depending on the age of your guests, use gummy worms!)

Ask your local florist to create a garden themed centerpiece for your party. Be sure to tell her what your color scheme is! You just can’t have a garden party without FLOWERS! Your local florist can hook you up with all sorts of summer flowers to use in your garden party decor!

Transform your garden party into a grown-up tea party.. or invite the kids to join. Decorate your table in the girliest way possible — think: beads, feathers, pearls, jewels. Find inexpensive china or other dinnerware from your local thrift stores. Doesn’t match? Not a problem, just gives it character! The possibilities are endless!

Our sister site, Wedding and Party Network, did a post all about garden parties not too long ago, check it out: Candle-lit Garden Party On A Budge

Hawaiian Luau Party

Aloha! Hawaiian Luau Parties are great for hosts with pools! Encourage everyone to don their grass skirts and coconuts! For luau decorations, think beach and tropical, tiki masks, torches and Hawaiian leis

Luau food is easy! Have a fruit tray with lots of tropical and citrus fruits. Set up a make-your-own-shish kabob table and let everyone customize their own kabob for grilling. If you’re really brave, go for a whole hog cooked in the ground.. (Hey, I said you had to be brave… I know I’m not brave enough!)

The key to a Hawaiian Luau Party is a good lei! Contact your local florist and ask about fresh flower leis, they look great, smell great and will be memory you will never forget!

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: , , ,

Increasing Business & Marketing To Generations X & Y

July 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Traditional marketing might have been fine for attracting baby boomers, but for florists looking to entice a younger crowd, this just isn’t enough! So what is the key to establishing a relationship with Generation X (30-49) and Generation Y(10-29)? The answer is— Networking!

Social Networking –  the obvious place to turn to attract a younger crowd.

  • Facebook – the 35-47 year-old age group is growing in leaps and bounds on Facebook. Simply having a Page on Facebook for your shop will attract loyal customers from your community.
  • City or Community Websites – Many cities offer some sort of community web page. This is a great place for local businesses to list their business, photos, as well as their upcoming events. Many are turning to these to sites to find real local businesses and fun events to support.
  • Wedding And Party Network – Freshly re-designed, WPN offers TONS of new features for attracting brides.

Hosting Events – Showing Gen X’rs your versatility is a great way to create loyal, lifetime customers.

  • Showers – If you do weddings, you probably already have the materials to throw a great-looking bridal shower! The same goes for baby showers. Offer your shop as a venue to host these types of events for your community.
  • Kids Parties – Host a flower-themed birthday party or a kids’ social club event, like a girl scout workshop, to spark their love of flowers! Adorn your shop in your cutesiest decor, and have the kids create their own small arrangements to take home. You could even have them paint their vase!
  • Community Projects – Networking with other businesses is a great way to create awareness for your shop. Get with the stores on your block or neighborhood and host an event, party, or even something fun, like a scavenger hunt!

Hands-on – Hosting hands-on events, especially kid-friendly ones, are sure to bring out Generation X.

  • DIY Workshops – Hosting Do-It-Yourself workshops will not only get crafty young people into your shop, it will re-establish their love of flowers. Host workshops where your attendants create their own beautiful arrangement for their homes. Wreath building workshops are also a big hit!
  • Flower Club – Generation X is known for being extremely family oriented. Start an after school Flower Club to meet once a month and and get kids (and parents!) interested in flowers!
Filed Under: Florists Only, Marketing Tips Tagged With: ,

Design Inspiration Challenge: Round 3

July 2, 2010 by Leave a Comment

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FSN is PROUD to bring you the NEXT Design Inspiration Challenge! Florists everywhere are buzzing about this new Challenge, we hope to see designs from each and every one!

BUT FIRST….

And now…
The WINNER of the Design Inspiration Challenge Round 2: Luna Moth —
FORGET ME NOT FLORIST!


Again, this was a very tough decision! Our design team studied and critiqued each of the finalists until we finally decided on a winner. This contest is all about inspiring the designer, and we felt Forget Me Not Florist‘s entry did the best job of interpreting the design. The design team scored this arrangement at 55 out of 60 points. The bright greens and vivid oranges really reflect the colors and energy from the original work of art. Forget Me Not Florist wins a beautiful award certificate, great FSN tote bag and is now a finalist for our grand prize! Congratulations!


We Would Also Like To Recognize:
2nd Place – MaryJane’s Flowers & Gifts (53/60 points)
3rd Place – Beautiful Blooms (48/60 points)
View all entries here…

We think everyone did a FANTASTIC job on their arrangements. It was so close, and a very tough decision!
FSN would like to thank everyone who was a part of this first contest!

NOW BACK TO…

THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATION CHALLENGE:


Again we picked an inspiration completely unlike anything we’ve done so far! These lovely contortionists create an incredible composition that is an inspiration to any artist! The red and blue is an interesting feature too, hot and cold, water and fire — what can you come up with?!

Study this photo carefully and use your imagination to interpret it into a floral design. This inspiration is a great exercise for your composition, balance and symmetry. We hope these challenges are helping you to learn to see design in your every day lives.

This contest is over, view entries here.

HOW TO ENTER:

Entering is EASY! Simply:

  • Go to our Facebook Page
  • Post a photo of your design on our wall or email it to mandy@flowershopnetwork.com
  • Be sure to include the name of your shop. (If your shop has a Facebook Page, link it by typing @ and your shop’s name)
  • Please specify it as being an entry to the contest. “My entry for the design contest.”
  • Include a brief description of your design and how it was inspired by that week’s challenge (Optional)

HOW TO WIN:

(This has changed a bit since the last contest)
You have one week to create and enter your challenge arrangement. Then, there will be two types of voting — think Idol. Round 1 is open public voting on our website for your top 5 finalists! Then those finalists move on to Round 2 where our FSN Design Team will judge them based on creativity, style and how well their design interprets that week’s inspiration.

How the judging works: Our design team will score each finalist on 3 categories: style, creativity, interpretation. Each category is worth 20 points for a total of 60 points. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at mandy@flowershopnetwork.com

Timeline:

  • Contest Begins (Friday)
  • One week to design (Friday-Thursday)
  • One week to vote (Friday-Thursday)
  • Winner Announced/New Challenge Begins (Friday)

Each winner will receive a great FSN tote bag and awards certificate, plus a special feature on our blog with their arrangement and a link to their shop’s website! They will also be promoted on our Twitter and Facebook for one week. After 6 challenge winners (August) we will have a Tournament of Inspiration and our top winning designers will compete for a grand prize! (More on this later)

You are allowed to enter the weekly contests more than once, but only entered as a Grand Prize Finalist once.

Filed Under: Floral Design Tagged With: ,

After 50 Years, Don St. Pierre Says Goodbye to the Flower Business

July 2, 2010 by Leave a Comment

After 50 years in the biz, Don St. Pierre — a designer from one of our favorite local flower shops, Heather’s Way Flowers & Plants — is retiring and finally finding time to stop and smell the roses.

Since 1959, St. Pierre has arranged and rearranged, twisted and tied, bundled and bucked thousands of bouquets, corsages and arrangements. He has created bridal bouquets for weddings spanning 3 generations!

In an interview with the Jonesboro Sun, St. Pierre explains: the tastes of customers have remained the same throughout the years, but other things have changed. “The prices are different, the sprays were $3.50 when I started. Now they are $55 to $75 to start.”

In items collected over the years in business, a note from 1963: “It says ‘minimum delivery is $1 and a minimum spray is $5,’” St. Pierre said. “Everyone used to close at noon on Thursday, and a boutonniere was 75 cents. They’re now about $6 a piece.”

Heather McMinn, owner of Heather’s Way Flowers in Jonesboro, AR says she likes to hear him talk about the differences between then and now. His 50 years of experience has helped her greatly with her flower business.

“When he started, they had greenhouses. Today you have to go online through wholesalers or through local growers,” McMinn said. “Today the roses come from Ecuador. It is definitely an honor for me to work with him. When I got started, I was scared, but his experience helped.”

When asked about what he plans to do after retirement, St. Pierre says he doesn’t know. He’s always worked.

—

You guys may remember Heather from our video interview about Prom Corsage Trends.

Article sponsored by local Jonesboro, AR Florists

Filed Under: Flower Memories Tagged With: ,
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