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What Causes Azalea Leaves To Fall Off

azaleasAsk the Expert: Leaves falling off established azaleas
the azaleas in the front yard that have been in place for many years are suddenly losing their green leaves. any ideas.i am attaching two pics. Tim

Plant Expert Reply:

It is hard to tell from the picture. If the leaves are dropping from the bottom of the azalea, you have a pruning issue.  See how the top of your azalea is shading the bottom. The top should not be wider than the bottom. When the top of the azalea is wider than the bottom, the lower leaves will become too shaded and drop off. That is why proper pruning is important. Most plants do better if trimmed like a pear shape – fuller at the bottom and gradually narrower at the top. This will allow sunlight exposure to all the leaves.

Other issue that cause azalea leaves to fall off are: too much water, insect damage, chemical damage.

If your area has been experiencing usually heavy rain fall, the azalea will start to drop leaves. Azaleas become stressed in soggy soil. When in stress they will drop their leaves. Correction for this problem is a well-drained soil or enough time for the area to dry before another rain or watering.

There are a few insects that will attack azalea and can cause the leaves to fall off. Lace bugs will give the azalea leaves a lacy pattern and can cause some of the leaves to drop off. Correction for this problem is to use the appropriate insecticide and a treatment of fertilizer.

Some insecticides and pesticides if not used properly can cause azaleas to drop their leaves.

In your case, I believe you have a water issue or a pruning issue.

This plant problem question was brought to you by Shreveport Florists.

 

Does My Plant Have Stem Gall?

Ask the Expert: what are stem galls?
I have tiny “cobwebs” at the stem end of my croton and I notice no new leaf growth and many leaves falling off. Could these be stem galls? Or what else could these cobwebs be and how do I get rid of them and ensure they don’t come back? Madelon

Plant Expert Reply:

Stem gall is an abnormal growth on the stem of a plant. It can be cause by various parasites: fungus, bacteria, insects, mites.

However, you probably have cottony scale. It is an insect. You will need an insecticide for houseplants. Your local garden center should carry one.

This plant problem question was brought to you by Duluth MN Florists

4 NEW Creative & Unique Vase Ideas

Are you one of the many florists who gets stuck in the hum-drum of day-to-day floral design? Do you need a little push to look outside the box for new, inspirational ideas to get their creative juices flowing! In this article, we look at quick and easy ways to give your vases a little more ‘oomph’ while rediscovering your muse and encouraging new business. (Who wouldn’t want that!?)

Creative, Recycled Vase

Decorative Box Vase

This really cool idea, submitted on our Facebook by Paula from Buds ‘n Bows Flower Shop, uses a decorative box to ‘dress up’ your boring, everyday vases. She used a decorative package one of her coffee mug gifts came in to really dress up this flower arrangement. She just slipped a regular, plain vase inside and glued a blue ribbon to the bottom.

Great job thinking out of the box inside the box, Paula! Using your imagination, how can you make this work in your shop? Keep an eye out for vase inspiration everywhere! Kleenex boxes are usually very decorative. Slip a tissue box over your vase and use the box’s color palette to inspire your floral design.

Buds ‘n Bows does a great job of matching flowers to this box!

Natural Vases

Natural VasesFloral designers everywhere are using nature-inspired elements to bring out the best in their arrangements. One great new trend is stuffing little cubes of floral foam into seashells to create unique arrangements inspired by the sea — great for centerpieces at a nautical themed party.

Wood is also an incredibly hot trend right now! Floral designers are gluing bark and cork sheets to vases (and even plain cups) to create a look that is rustic and inspiring. One cool vase design technique I saw at the AIFDSC involved using highly textured cork bark wired to the outside of beautiful glass.

Other natural vase ideas: slipping a smaller vase into a hollowed log, covering your vase in moss or lichen, gluing or weaving twigs along the outside of your container… the possibilities are endless!

Upcycled Thrift Store Vases

Take a quick field trip to your local thrift store with new vases/containers in mind — you’d be surprised what sorts of inspirational things you will find for next to nothing!

Thrift stores generally have a large selection of unique glass in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Buy a box full of cute, summer teacups for your spring wedding centerpieces. Find an old Victorian lamp with no shade and pull the wires out for a huge, uniquely shaped vase.

Buy a bag or jar of vintage buttons or marbles to use as vase filler. You can find small ceramics or other interesting treasures to use inside your design itself.

A little creative thinking and thrift store items will become your new best friend!

Recycled Vase Project

One cool way to promote recycling in your city is by starting a recycled vase project. (This is another great idea we heard about at the AIFDSC.) Offer a $15 coupon of store credit to anyone who brings you an old glass vase from home and it is usable. Give them a $10 coupon if it needs cleaning/fixing in any way, and a $5 coupon for something brought in that is unusable. For the unusable glass, carry it to your local recycling center.

This is a great way to promote recycling in your city and make it easier for those who may not have the opportunity to go to a recycling center. The coupons are also a great incentive to your patrons return business with your flower shop. Send a little note with your orders about the recycling program and start seeing your vases come back for fresh flowers!

What new vase techniques are you trying in your shop?

We would love to hear what new things you are trying in your shop to give your designs a little more character. Leave us a comment below!

This article is brought to you by Crawford, GA Florists

Can You Get Spring Flowers For A Fall Wedding?

Ask the Expert: I need some spring flowers for a fall wedding.
My best friend is getting married Oct 10 2010.  She wants black callas, solid white daffodils, and red sweet peas in her bouquet.  The daffodils is her dads birth month flower and the sweet peas are her grooms sisters birth month flower both who passed away 2 years ago.  So she wants to represent them in her bouquet.  We are trying for real flowers first and foremost so I was wondering is it impossible to get the spring flowers for an Oct wedding in South Carolina? Shanna

Plant Expert Reply:

The answer is maybe. The black callas and the sweet pea should not be a problem. These flowers are available during the fall, but they maybe a little more expensive.  Normally daffodils are only available in the spring. Don’t give up hope. When you meet with your wedding florist discuss the possibility of shipping in these spring flowers in for a fall wedding. Your local florist may have a supplier who can provide these flowers. After all the floral industry is global and what we once thought of as seasonal flowers are now available year round.

If you are a florist needing seasonal availabilities of flowers check out the California Cut Flower Association Seasonal Flowers. You can find flower availability based on the month or months you need the flowers.

This wedding flower question was brought to you by Flower Shop Network

TSFA Members Work Together to Raise Awareness at ICCFA Funeral Convention

funeral-flower-awareness

It’s an ages-old tradition to send flowers and plants to honor a loved one after they’ve passed. In our faced-paced world of running and doing, traditions tend to get lost in the hustle. For the Texas State Floral Association (TSFA), this is one tradition they intend to keep!

Recently, the TSFA participated in the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Directors Association Convention (ICCFA) in San Antonio, Texas to promote awareness on the importance and value of flowers in funeral and memorial service settings.

Ms. Dianna Nordman, Executive Director of TSFA, turned to Clay Atchison, TSFA member and Webmaster of www.inlieuofflowers.info, to secure a booth, without cost to TSFA, in the registration area for the event. Their booth neighbors were representatives of the Texas Funeral Directors Association.

Both as a florist, and as Webmaster for Inlieuofflowers.info, Clay is committed to educating funeral service professionals, and the general public, on the true value of flowers in comforting the bereaved and bringing color, life and beauty to the funeral setting.

Funeral directors who attended the ICCFA convention were drawn to the TSFA booth, which was almost the first thing they saw after registration. “Many really enjoyed speaking with us, and quite a few were struck by the visual impact of the center display,” commented Dianna.

“It was a lovely cremation-based presentation, and many directors remarked that it gave them ideas on how to use flowers to highlight the cremation urn. In fact, quite a few said they had never thought of doing it that way – and they took photos to take home to share with their staff members.”
Despite the brevity of the event, everyone involved felt it was quite a success. “I’m pleased TSFA was there, and I want to thank all who helped to make this event come together so smoothly. I’m also pleased that TSFA, through the focused efforts of our members, is reaching beyond the borders of Texas to get the in lieu of flowers message out to funeral service professionals, and the general public. I’m so very proud to be a part of that combined effort.”

FSN May Featured Flower Arrangement – Cherish Spring

Cherish Spring Flower Arrangement

April’s showers bring May flowers.. This May, choose the beautiful Cherish Spring flower arrangement to send to someone you care about. The wonderful mix of gorgeous, warm pinks: hot pinks, corals, peaches, is enough to bring a smile to even the most statuesque faces.

Anniversary coming up? Birthday? Sending flowers is always the best gift choice! This one has all the elements of a flower arrangement any girl would love: daisies, roses, tiny roses, delicate flowers, and PINK, PINK, PINK! Mother’s aren’t the only gals in your life that deserve flowers; send a bouquet to someone special today!

“Cherish Spring” Recipe for Florists:

Ginger Vase
Foliage: Leather Leaf
Coral Roses
Peach ‘Talisman’ Snapdragons
Bells Of Ireland
Coral Pink Gerberas
White Alstroemeria
Blush Pink ‘Ilsye’ Spray Roses
Coral Tulips

Can Lucky Bamboo Go From Yellow To Green?

Ask the Expert: About my lucky bamboo
If the thick stem of my lucky bamboo has turned yellow is there any way to get it green again?  The plant is about 2 1/2 feet in height.  Thanks you. Patsy

Plant Expert Reply:

Once a lucky bamboo stalk turns yellow it will not turn back to green. If the stalk is staying firm, you can leave it be.  However, I usually remove the yellowing stalks from a container holding healthy green stalks.  You can propagate new stalks from the yellow one if it still has green parts.  Our blog post We are not always lucky with lucky bamboo details the process of propagating lucky bamboo.

Summer Flowers Create Marvelous Memories

Some of our fondest memories of summer stem from our love of flowers. This month, we are taking a look at three summer flower favorites! Who can forget their childhood summers spent sipping tiny drops of nectar from honeysuckles? What about the colorful flowers that attracted the first hummingbird you saw? Or the moment your first real-flower lei was draped over your shoulders? Get into the spirit of summer early this year with this first look at sensational summer flowers.

It’s Not Summer Without Honeysuckle Flowers!

Who can forget the childhood wonder of their very first taste of honeysuckle nectar and the sensory abandonment that accompanied the moment when the sweet scent of this summer flower’s blossoms wafted over you and the sugary taste of the syrup as the first drop hit your tongue? Many children have undoubtedly spent hours of their summer vacations laboriously collecting teeny droplets into mason jars, believing themselves to be business savvy entrepreneurs who could “get rich” selling the sweet ambrosia.

While those dreams never came to fruition for most of us, the honeysuckle remains a great source of nostalgia and continues to bring joy to those who find pleasure in its many uses. Many people unfairly deem honeysuckle an invasive pest with a penchant for overtaking everything in its path. Because of the resilience of the honeysuckle vine, it remains an ideal candidate for creating borders in the yard or around garden areas. The honeysuckle vine will climb a trellis or a fence and create a beautiful natural perimeter when well pruned.

Outdoor dinner parties on the patio hosted near its fragrant blooms create an [Read more…]

Unknown Plant Looks Like A Type Of Rheum

rheumAsk the Expert: Unknown plant
I live in Maine and I am on a wooded lot, not much sun and lot of pine trees. I have pretty much given up trying to grow anything. This plant appeared this year. This is one of the only plants that are in my garden. It has square stocks and maple like leaves. Can you identify it?  Scott

Plant Expert Reply:

It looks like something from the Rheum genus – rhubarb.  However, at this point I can’t be sure. It could also be a type of Gunnera.  I’m not sure what part of Maine you live in but you the Maine Extension Service might be able to identify it  The extention service in Arkansas is very helpful with local plant identification. I’m sure the Maine Extension Service would be as well.  I will forward the picture to the extention to see what they think.  Maybe we will know something soon.

What Is This Flowering Plant With Coral-Pink Blooms

Christmas Pride Ruellia macranthia

Christmas Pride Ruellia macranthia

Ask the Expert: Could you please tell me the name of this flower

This plant was given to us by a friend who does not know the name of it. We think it may belong to the Begonia family, but are not quite sure. It was thought that perhaps its common name was African Rice plant but I don\’t think this is correct Can you help please.

Kind Regards
John

Plant Expert Reply:
I can’t see the flower detail exactly, but I believe what you have is a Ruellia macrantha commonly called Christmas Pride or Brazilian Rose. This erect soft stemmed shrub blooms fall and winter and occasionally. It is used as a container plant , although in California it is used as a garden plant. They like bright filtered light and high humidity.

This flower identifications was brought to you by the local florists in Elverta California.