Archives for March 2012

Easter Flowers For Kids

March 22, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Let’s face it, little kids LOVE Easter and for good reasons: dying eggs and getting messy; hunting them outside in the sunshine; getting more candy than you know what to do with; AND there’s an Easter Bunny?? Sure, there’s more to Easter than that, but to a small kid, it’s all about the bunny!

This year, instead of a basket full of candy, why not fill it with other Easter and springtime favorites, such as flowers! I know what you’re thinking, “Flowers for kids? No way!” But really, flowers teach kids about spring and the changing seasons. Kids also learn about the different types of flowers and how to take delicate care of them.

It can’t be all flowers to excite kids though. Include little plastic eggs filled with candy, bunny stuffed animals and other kid favorites. Your child will grow up learning there is more to Easter than candy and hopefully be excited to learn more about the history of this significant holiday.

Check out these great Easter flower basket just for kids:

Easter is March 31st 2013. Don’t forget an Easter Card! Check out these great Easter Card Messages.

And remember, always always always use a real local florist when sending or ordering flowers. You’ll get the full value for your money and great results! Don’t know your local florist? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy florist finder.

Filed Under: Floral Design, Gift Ideas, Holiday Info Tagged With: Easter Baskets, Easter Flowers, Sending Easter Flowers

Where To Plant Cockscomb in Arizona

March 21, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell

Ask The Plant Expert:

I am so excited I got cockscombs from Baker Creek Heirloom on the Internet, but don’t know where to plant them in AZ. It gets very hot here, so should I plant them in the shade? Thank you, Linda.

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Cockscomb (aka Celosia) will benefit from some shade in your area. I suggest planting them in morning sun and afternoon shade. Good luck and let me know how they do.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Celosia

Just In Time For Prom: New Additions For MyFSN Websites

March 21, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Just in time for prom season,
3 NEW Prom Flower pages to all FSN member florists’ websites!

This FREE addition to your website will allow online customers to select from 3 different pages:

Corsages
Boutonnieres
Hairpieces & Handheld Bouquets

We know your customers will be so excited to see and shop for prom flower selections online!

Note: These items will not be priced (unless you have a website controls package). Instead, we encourage customers to call your shop for more details. For an example, click here.

If you have a website controls package, you can choose to price the items and enable E-commerce on the page(s) so customers can order online. To add website controls to your FSN membership, give your rep a call at 1-800-858-9925.

If you want to remove these pages from your website (without website controls) give us a call 877-376-7363 or email: support@flowershopnetwork.com

Filed Under: Florists Only, FSN Announcements Tagged With: Florists Only, Flower Shop Network, FSN Custom E-commerce Websites

BIG Congrats To Doug Bates, CF – MFA Designer of the Year

March 20, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

We are so excited that one of our great member florists, Doug Bates, CF of Designs by Vogts in Sturgis, MI won this year’s coveted Michigan Florist Association’s Designer of the Year Award at the Great Lakes Floral Expo.

“In order to attain “MFA Designer of the Year” status, Mr. Bates had to enter all three professional division categories of the MFA Annual Design Contest. The five individuals with the highest cumulative points from all three design categories were selected as finalists to earn the chance to compete in a Spontaneous Surprise Package Competition.

Mr. Bates […] received a $300.00 cash prize, recognition plaque and the coveted title of “MFA Designer of the Year.” His designs will also appear six times over the next year in the “Design Spotlight” section of the award wining MFA publication entitled “The Professional Florist.” He will also travel to the National Alliance of Floral Association’s (NAFA) annual convention this fall and represent the MFA in the NAFA National Design Competition. ” – From the GLFE’s Newsletter

All very exciting for Mr. Bates and all of the staff at Designs by Vogts! Doug is an excellent designer and full of talent. The first photo above is a gorgeous tulip and rose design enhanced with small loops of pink circles — so creative! It takes a lot of skill and experience to win these unique competitions. Once again, big congrats!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Floral Design, Floral Industry News Tagged With: Floral Design, Floral Design Competition, Floral Designer of the Year, Floral Industry News, Great Lakes Floral Expo

Help! My Moonflower Seedlings Are Wilting

March 19, 2012 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask The Plant Expert:

It’s only been about a week now since I transplanted 3 seedlings to a hanging basket (2 moonflowers and a morning glory; they had only first set of leaves.) Now they are withering and drooping. The soil in the basket is well drained and was able to make a morning glory thrive last year, until I killed it by just not paying attention to watering. I’m not sure, but need to ask did I do a bad thing when transplanting to have watered with B-1, to prevent transplant shock? What if i did not have it diluted enough? Bad idea all together?

Also, could me moving them around while planting maybe do this? Live in SoCal it’s been pleasantly warm since they have been out. They starting drooping about 3 days after transplant. I have some new seedlings now at a bit further stage in a south facing window inside. I don’t want to repeat this mistake with the new ones. I’m concerned , cause I want to put in that same basket if the ones now have any chance of being saved? Would I have to flush it out well? Is there a better time in growth stage to place out? I’m new to this and disappointed I did something too eager that did this to them. Please help.

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Most likely you transplanted the seedlings too early. At our garden center, we don’t transplant anything until it has an established root system and true leaves, not the very first set of leaves. The more established the root system before you transplant it, the less likely it will have issues.

If you are trying to place the seedlings in with established plants, that could be a problem since each will have different water requirements.

My recommendation is to let the seedlings form a couple sets of leaves and a good root system before your transplant them. I would not transplant them in to containers that do not already have established plants in them. If you must transplant them into a container with established pants make sure your seedling are fully rooted and have some size to them. Using B1 is fine, just be sure to dilute it properly for the size and age of the plants.

Good Luck and let me know how things turn out.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Moonflower, Plant Transplanting

Florist Friday Recap 3/10 – 3/16: Floral Diversity

March 16, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

We get so many wonderful pictures submitted on our Facebook page every day, yet all we do is use one for the favorite arrangement of the week. Well, this week we are going to start something NEW! (And let us know what you think about it in the comments!) I am going to feature all the pictures that I think you guys would enjoy every week in our new Florists On Facebook – Friday Recap!

So without further adieu…

Tropical Flower Centerpiece – shared by: First Class Flowers, Calgary, AB,CA

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All of the above designs were shared by the very talented, Platte Flower Shoppe in Platte SD.

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Filed Under: Floral Design Tagged With: Facebook Friday, Floral Design, Local Florists

Picture Perfect Floral Designs

March 16, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

FSN President Loranne Atwill and floral artist Robbin Yelverton, AIFD, AAF, CF, PFCI, led a hands-on workshop at the Great Lakes Floral Expo earlier this March. This workshop was a little different than the ones you usually see at state floral shows because it dealt more with photography than design. Attendees learned techniques they could use to take better photos of their floral designs.

Flower Photography Tips

Class Description:

You have a Website… now you want to put your own custom designs on it. The arrangements look wonderful, but the pictures just don’t do them justice – sound familiar? Learn great tips to making Web-worthy designs and photos in this session! You will make an arrangement in class, then learn how to photograph it for quality pictures for the Web.

No matter what skill level or type of camera, Robbin gives actionable ideas for getting the most out of your flower photography attempts.

Photos From The Great Lakes Floral Expo

March 15, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Rose & Tulip Arrangement - Great Lakes Floral Expo Photos

Recently, part of the FSN team visited Michigan for the 2012 Great Lakes Floral Expo! It is one of our favorite floral conventions and we look forward to going ever year. The over-all theme of the show this year was Sell-O-Bration and discussed how florists everywhere can rise to the top through Outperforming, Outmaneuvering, and Outselling their competition.

In the animal kingdom, survival of the fittest is the rule. Survival is good – no doubt about it – but thriving is better. The challenge for many floral professionals is going from surviving the current competitive business environment to thriving in it. – Dick Gleason, CF, Conference Vice Chairman.

There were several hands-on sessions, including presentations on wedding design, body flowers, flower photography and much more. Florists also attended presentations on marketing and online resources, and of course – everyone’s favorites – the floral competitions.

I could talk all day about the Great Lakes Floral Expo, but I know you’re here to see the pictures!! Without further adieu…

FSN Spring Celebration!

March 14, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

It’s feeling like SPRING here at Flower Shop Network headquarters! Today temperatures reached over 80° — the perfect weather to cook out! And that’s just what we did!

FSN President Brock Atwill broke out the grill and cooked us all delicious burgers, chicken burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs and bratwurst! OH YAH! The FSN crew also brought tons of sides and desserts that would make anyone’s mouth water! Well, it’s time for round 2! Enjoy these pictures:

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Filed Under: FSN Announcements Tagged With: Flower Shop Network, Office Parties

Add Fresh Spring Color With African Violets

March 14, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Looking for an easy way to add fresh color and interest to a room in your home? What better way to do that and bring spring indoors than with flowers?

You can’t go wrong with African Violets. Not only are they gorgeous, brightly colored and showy, they are safe around kids and pets! With an array of colors including violet, blue, red, white, pink, cream, soft yellow, and bi- or multicolored flowers, it’s easy to see why they are a favorite houseplant. Care of African violets is relatively easy and requires an environment of bright to moderate, but consistent light in an evenly moist and humid atmosphere. (Great for bathrooms and kitchens)

Where To Find African Violets

For the best selection of house plants, such as the African Violet, head on over to your local flower shop! You can rest assured they have had the best of care there. If you do not know your local florist, use FSN’s handy florist finder!

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions, Plants & Pets Tagged With: African Violets, Flower Color, Houseplants