Bloomin' Blog

Put A Bow On It: Wrapping Up The 2009 ASFA Convention

August 27, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

Flower Shop Network’s Joe Hays and Leslie Cox attended the 2009 Arkansas State Florists Association Convention that took place August 14-16 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. True to the norm, they returned with a ton of fun stories and pictures about the things that were going on and the wonderful people they met at this year’s show.

I see this every time. The favorite thing for all of our Network Coordinators to do at these shows is to speak with florists about their shop, their designs and anything else about the industry that interests them. They love the chance to talk about how Flower Shop Network is helping/can help florists really stand out among the competition. Mostly though, FSN’s network coordinators are “people persons”. They love making people smile and meeting people that make them smile. They always return with great stories about these people and how they turned a workday into a vacation.

One of the florists that stood out to both Joe and Leslie was Terry at The Arrangement in Hot Springs Arkansas. Terry created the beautiful flower arrangement displayed inside FSN’s booth during the convention. Joe and Leslie kept raving about how beautiful Terry’s arrangement was and how many compliments it received. So, a special thanks goes to Terry for a fantastic job! (To view the arrangement, see photos below.)

They also bragged about two of FSN’s florists who won awards during the design competition. Mick Koch of Clarksville Florist & Gifts Inc. in Clarksville Arkansas received first place in the Sympathy & Wedding division. Kay Schaefli at Expressions Flowers LLC in Fort Smith Arkansas won the coveted Designer Of The Year title and won the Arkansas Cup (1st Place). Both of these achievements are SO impressive! They take time, preparation, talent and support. We are very happy for all of the competitors this year, but a big pat on the back goes to Kay and Mike. Congratulations! (View pictures of Kay’s award-winning arrangements below.)

There were several other stories of great people and funny moments at this year’s ASFA Convention, but those stories would fill a novella. Instead of reading the rest of the stories, feel like you were there by viewing the pictures below. Don’t forget that you can also share your comments and stories below! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: Clarksville Arkansas, Clarksville Florist & Gifts Inc, Expressions Flowers LLC, Flower Shop Network, Fort Smith Arkansas, Hot Springs Arkansas, The Arrangement

Is This Plant A Pumpkin?

August 27, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: Pumpkin?

Young Pumpkin Plant

Last year I threw old pumpkins that were not cut open in my back yard. I think they were just the small kind you use to cook with and they are hard to cut. Anyways now this year there is a big mysterious plant growing close to where the old pumpkins were. In the background you cant see it very well but the pumpkin is still there and has seed there still too.

Pumpkin With Bloom Pods

Also on the other picture it looks like more leaves or maybe those yellow flowers are growing that grow on pumpkin plants. I was just wondering if this is a pumpkin plant and if so what can i do to keep it growing to grow pumpkins for this year? Amanda

Plant Expert Reply:

Yes, it seems to be a pumpkin plant. However, your pumpkins may be slightly different than the orginal plant depending on the cross pollination that occurred last year.

Your plant looks healthy and should produce pumpkins without any problems. Basically water and fertilizer it the plant. When you water try not to wet the foliage. Instead apply water at the ground level. You can use a water soluble fertilize or a granular fertilizer. On pumpkins I like to use a granular slow-release fertilizer. I have been using milogranite on my squash, cucumbers and the like. So you might try it.

You should see pumpkins start to form as soon as the blooms open up.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification, Pumpkins

Smile A Little Over The Pure Meaning of Sunflowers

August 27, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

Send "Hello Sunshine" To Your Pure Friend

It’s easy to get lost for a while in thoughts about the underlying meaning of thoughts, actions and words. It is for me at least. Lately I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about flower meanings because finding an inventive way to say something normal or usual is very important to me.

Think for a moment about the most special gift you’ve received lately. What was it that made it so important? Most people truly do place stock in the adage, “It’s the thought that counts.” This is especially true with women. We love to be pampered and spoiled but anyone can do that. What we want from our partner is more special, that above and beyond affection that secures their place in our hearts.

For this reason, my mind wandered back to the meaning of sunflowers. The simplest of these is “adoration” but sunflowers (Helianthus) also represent pure thoughts, pure love, longevity, pride, and sunshine. Oh to be the pure, sweet sunshine in the eyes of the person that I love! It’s that kind of desire to feel special that drives women inside and outside of relationships.

One way to let the pure woman in your life know that you find her gentle demeanor so endearing is by sending sunflowers. As always, create a lavish gift that will be remembered forever by including a sweet card detailing the meaning of sunflowers and how your woman is all of those things to you.

I wonder which flower means “incredibly desirable, more beautiful than the rest, and who my heart melts for”??

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: Flower Meanings, Gift Ideas, Sunflower

See You At The Southern Retail Florist Association Convention in Charlotte!

August 26, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

We are SO excited about the 2009 Southern Retail Florist Association Convention coming up this weekend in Charlotte North Carolina. A weekend near the beach with great people? Wouldn’t miss it!

If you’re still trying to plan your weekend, consider the SRFA Convention from August 28-30, 2009. It’s a fun three day weekend or can be a good day trip if you want to stay for just one day’s activities. Either way, make your reservations now and don’t forget to stop by the Flower Shop Network booth! Many of our Network Coordinators will be on hand and are looking forward to talking with you!

Ah…a picturesque weekend in Charlotte, NC. Florists can catch a break after the “back to school” rush and spend a relaxing weekend learning about floral industry trends, talking with vendors who make life easier, and networking with other florists. Whether over a beverage at the hotel or over a table at the conference, it’s always fun to mingle with people who share the same passions. That’s exactly what’s happening at the 2009 SRFA Convention!

A trip through the mountains is worth it to see Charlotte florists and other members of the SRFA at this year’s convention. We’re very glad to have this opportunity to meet and greet. We look forward to meeting you this weekend! See you at the show!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: Charlotte NC Florists, Charlotte North Carolina, Floral & Flower Shows, Southern Retail Florist Association

Add Flower Power To Your Tailgate Party

August 25, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

It’s time to kick off the football season this year. Tailgating at football games is an ultimate American pastime. It’s something most Americans are born knowing how to do properly. What flower lovers want to know, though, is a great way to mix their favorite fresh decorations and football season hobby.

It may seem kind of anti-tailgating to bring along flowers. After all, it’s a male-dominated hobby where brewskies fly through the air and bratwurst is consumed by the yard. Don’t let that deter you, there are still ways to work tailgating and fresh flowers into one great afternoon.

Ask your local florist to create fresh flowers in the team colors then:

If you’re attending a high school football game, present flowers to the coach after an afternoon of tailgating. This is an especially good idea if the team wins (though you’ll have to wait a little longer for that answer).
If it’s just you and the girls (wives of players, mothers of players, fans), have each woman wear a lapel corsage or a wrist corsage in the team colors.
Go “Hawaiian” with the tailgate party theme. This way, you’ll have a reason to sport a lei in the team colors.
If you’re the only woman, don’t make the men forget that YOU are the coolest thing there, bar none. Overwhelming estrogen can be a downer, but a flower in your hair that happens to be the team’s main color is a way to maintain your femininity while acting like one of the guys.

Don’t forget to return to Flower Shop Network with pictures and stories of your fun tailgate parties!

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: Football Flowers, Fresh Flower Decorating, Tailgate Party, Tailgating

Forgot What The September Birth Month Flower Is?

August 24, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

Fret not, dear blog reader. I have your answer.

The September birth month flowers are the aster and the morning glory. Oh yeah, beautiful and meaningful. Good stuff. If you were a reader last year you may remember “Mark September With An Aster-isk”, our friendly reminder blog about the birth month flower of September. You may also remember that September can be quite a headache for my family! With three birthdays on the same day stuff gets really crazy toward the middle of the month.

Mom is great. She’s one of my favorite people in the whole world and I’d be lost without her. That’s a great (and true) sentiment for the card, but you can’t really package that. Oh wait, yes you can! It may not come in a box but a birthday bouquet with aster is a package that she’ll be happy to receive! I’m thinking that showing it off to her friends at work will be fun for her given the type of women she works with. If I can make her day better, why not? So this year I’m sending Mom the gift that she loved last year — asters.

Ask Your Florist About Aster This September

Now the other Virgo in my life is a bit harder. I tend to stop by game stores a lot when shopping for him but I’m pretty tired of staring at electronics. By the time I muster up the courage to go shopping, the last place I want to be is somewhere that will take a lot of time. Plus, I can never remember which games he has so I get a gift card. It’s a little impersonal (or so he said last year) so I don’t want to repeat that experience.

My Love may be brutally honest but he has a point so I’m sending him aster flowers instead. It’s kind of payback for the comment about the gift card. Plus, his daughter loves playing with flowers and dirt and bugs and grass so we’ll have a lot of fun planting morning glory in the backyard. This may not be the ideal way to send birth month flowers of September. Given that not everyone lives in a fairytale world of romance and lollipops, I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds this a funny alternative.

Regardless of your intent, you really can’t go wrong with birth month flowers. They’re just too cool! Plus they’re really unique so you don’t have to worry about someone copying your idea. It’s all yours. Be your own with aster and morning glory this September.

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: Aster, Birth Month Flowers, Birthday Gift Ideas, Morning Glory, September Birth Month Flowers

Changing Lucky Bamboo Containers

August 23, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 2 Comments

Lucky Bamboo Pot Option

Ask the Expert: Re-plant my Lucky Bamboo
As you can see from the pictures my lucky bamboo plant has (I think) all but outgrown its original glass planter.
I would like to re-plant it in the new planter (see picture).
Will it look okay in this new planter?
Can I use rocks to fill it (along with the small pebbles it came with) and if so what kind of rocks I should use?
Clean and wash them?
What else do I need to be aware of?
Thanks
JD

Plant Expert Reply:

I think the lucky bamboo will look fine in the crytal shoe. You have two options: 1) You can place river rock pebbles in the container. You will need to wash the rock first with warm soapy water and then rinse them before placing them in the shoe. 2) Don’t place any pebbles in the container – I have had lucky bamboo in a vase without pebbles.

When you transfer the lucky bamboo use distilled water. You might lightly prine the roots at this time. The lucky bamboo may go into transplant shock for a couple of weeks. Don’t panic just let it be and it will come out of it.

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

Phalaeopsis Orchid Care

August 23, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 4 Comments

Ask the Expert: When will my Phalaenopsis Orchid Bloom? I bought a (indoor) Phalaenopsis Orchid plant that looked rather sad with its’ droopy leaves and no flowers on a Lowe’s discount table for a $1. Took it home and with some TLC it has perked up quite a bit. It has a long brown stem (like a skinny branch) growing out of the plant base. No blooms whatsoever, so do I cut the stem off and would another one grow in its’ place? When would I expect some flowers? Also, does this plant get root bound? I can see through the clear plastic (small) pot all these green thick “roots” seem crowded.

Never owned a Orchid before as I have heard they are hard plants to take care of. Thank you in advance for your help. Would a photo help? If so I can send one to you. Thanks – JD

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Phalaeopsis orchids are not too difficult to grow. In fact at the nursery, we basically ignore them.

However there are a few things you will want to do:

Proper Light: Phalaeopsis need bright indirect light. Directly across from a south facing window is the best. You can also exposed it to 12 hours of fluorescent light if natural light isn’t available. Your orchid will have bright green leaves if it is getting adequate light.

Adequate Water & Nutrients: As for water, you will need to let it dry almost completely before you water it. You will need to fertilize it once a month with a fertilizer specially blended for orchids.

Proper Orchid Maintainence: Bloom stalks are normally pruned. If the plant has healthy thick green leaves that are not wrinkled or drooping, you cut the bloom stalk just below the lowest bloom. The plant should then send out a new flowering branch. If you stalk is not healthy, cut the stalk all the way down and be sure to water and fertilize properly as the plant recovers. When an orchid is this damaged, it can take up to a year before it will bloom again.

Oh as for the roots – it is perfectly acceptable for the roots to show.

Hopefully this information will help you bring your Phalaeopsis orchid back to it’s glory.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Orchids, Phalaeopsis orchid, Plant Care Questions

White Night Bloomer Is Hymenocallis harrisiana

August 23, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

White Flower Hymenocallis harrisiana

Ask the Expert: identify night bloomer
the flower blooms randomly every few years & starts blooming @ dusk & completes a bloom cycle in ~5 minutes. i’d appreciate you identifying it & providing any online info that is available about it. thanks – ed johnston

Plant Expert Reply:

You have a type of Hymenocallis probably a Peruvian daffodil (Hymenocallis harrisiana) or a Spider lily (Hymenocallis acutifolia). The plants all in the Amaryllidacaea family. They are bulbous perennials.

Different species of this plant have different blooming cycles. The first hymenocallis will bloom in spring followed by summer blooming ones and finally autumn blooming ones. You can find them in a native habitat in United States from Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, south to the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas. They are also found in Mexico, Central America and South America.

You can find more information about hymenocallis at http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HYLI.

Filed Under: Flower Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Flower Identification, Hymenocallis, Hymenocallis acutifolia, Hymenocallis harrisiana, Perennials, White Flowers

Are Hydrangeas Available For Shipment To Arizonia In October?

August 21, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: Can we get hydrangeas shipped to AZ in Oct?
If so, guestimated cost & how can we get the color we want? S

Plant Expert Reply:

Hydrangea are available in October. If you are a florist or an event planner looking for a source of wholeale hydrangeas , FGmarket.com has several hydrangea suppliers who will ship hydrangeas July through December. I would contact one of them for pricing and color availability. Hydrangeas on the wholesale level will run around the $7.50 mark.

I don’t there will be any problem having hydrangeas shipped to Arizona in October. Be sure to properly hydrate the hydrangeas when your receive them.

If you need hydrangeas but don’t qualify to buy them wholesale, contact a local Arizona florist who can sell them to you by the stem. The price will be much higher at the retail level.

Filed Under: Floral Resources Tagged With: Seasonal Flowers, Wholesale Hydrangeas

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