Jamie Jamison Adams

Is This A Woodland Plant Or An Invasive Weed?

August 2, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Oxalis regnelli

Ask the Expert: Plant name

This an outside plant. It is green with tin white flowers. During the day the e leaves are out straight. At dusk, they lay down like a tiny umbrella. Judy

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
The plant is most likely Oxalis regnelli. For some this is invasive weed. Others it is a beautiful woodland plant. It is one of 500 species of Oxalis which be found as fibrous-rooted, bulbous, rhizomatous, or tuberous annuals or perennials. They are progated from seed or by division. Some form of Oxalis are called Shamrocks and are given as gifts on St Patrick’s Day.

Cleveland florists are proud to bring you this plant identification question.

What Is This White Stuff On My Azalea?

July 30, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams 8 Comments

Ask the Expert: what would get the white fungus off azaleas , leaf the azalea has white on them , on the leafs is it a fungus , what can spray on them will mild soapy water work. Janet

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

First we need to determine if you really have a fungus. Is the white substance powdery and can you wipe it off. If so, you have a fungus called powdery mildew. Soapy water doesn’t work on fungus. You will need a fungicide. Your local garden center will have a general purpose fungicide that will work for well on powdery mildew.

If the white on the leaves is more of a lacy pattern on the leaf that can not be wiped away, your azalea has been attacked by an insect called lace bug. Soapy water doesn’t usually control this type of sucking insect. However, if a more organic approach is what you want – try it. If it doesn’t work, you will need an insecticide.

You have two choices when it comes to insecticide control for lace bug – topical or systemic. The topical insecticides work more quickly, but won’t protect as long. Systemic insecticides are slow acting, but longer lasting. Your local garden center will carry both of these products.

Keep in mind, the damage caused by the insects will not change. The plant will produce new leaves and they will eventually cover the damaged ones. So, it is important to keep the lace bugs from attacking these new leaves.

If you would like to read more about the lace bug on Azaleas, the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service has a great article: Azalea & Rhododendron Insect Pests

Charleston florists are proud sponsors of the Flower Shop Network blog.

Filed Under: Insect Identification Tagged With: Azalea, Fungus, Insects, Plant Diseases, Plants & Insects

Removing Spores From Leather Leaf Fern

July 29, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: I have problem with the Spores on Leather Leaf .
The spores are popping and leaving a mess in fresh flower arrangement’s, What can I do to stop this, The wholesaler says its normal for this time of year but I cant send out flowers with fern spores leaving a mess everywhere. Vonda

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
The wholesaler is correct about this being the time of year (June-July) that ferns release their spores. However, that knowledge doesn’t solve your problem. You may need to remove the spores just like you have to remove pollen in lilies.

I personally haven’t removed ferns spores before, but I researched spore removal. When fern growers need spores to create new plants, they take the fronds with ripe sori (the part of the leaf containing the spores) and fold a piece of paper over them. In a day or two, the spores drop on to the paper.

In the flower shop, I would recommend wiping the back side of the frond with a soft paper towel. Any ripe spores should detach from the leaf. If the spores won’t release, gently taps the frond.

Hopefully, this will be a solution to your problem. Please let us know if this solves your problem.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ferns, Flower Care Tips

What Is This Vine Coming Out Of My Croton?

July 21, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams 29 Comments

Ask The Expert: My croton has a long feathery vine growing out of it. There appears to be sap on these vines. he leaves have also gotten something on them that looks like a white hair. What is this? Do I cut the vine? Do I cut and plant the vine? Marsha

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
When I first received this question, I was a little puzzled. I asked Marsha to send a picture.

Although the picture is a little dark, I believe the vine is the flower stock of the croton.

I found the croton bloom picture on flickr. It was taken by CameliaTWU. As you can see the bloom has a long stalk that looks like a vine. The flowers are fuzzy and white.

Personally, I have never seen a croton bloom. I have a feeling that you need just the right plant and conditions for this to happen.

If you find the blooms unattractive, you can follow the stalk down to its base and cut it off. Or, you can let the plant flower and when the flowers are spent cut the stalk off. Either way, the plant will be happy.

Oklahoma City florists hope this flower identification question was helpful.

Sharon’s Photos

Filed Under: Flower Identification Tagged With: Croton, Flower Identification, Houseplants

Summer 2010 Networker: Fiscal Fitness

July 19, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Flower Shop Network’s Networker Summer 2010 will be hitting your door this week. Florists and Marketing is the theme of this edition of The Networker.

Can’t wait! Here’s a sneak peak of The Networker Summer: Fiscal Fitness Recommit To A Marketing Plan.

Are there topics you would like to see in The Networker? Email your suggestions to TheNetworker@FlowerShopNetwork.com and we’ll send you a Flower Shop Network bag.

Filed Under: The Networker Tagged With: Flower Shop Network

Anthurium Water & Fertilizer Requirements

July 19, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: How often should I water my pink Anthurium?
Should I water it every day or once a week ? should I add plant food or keep it in or out of the sun ? Donna Marie

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Anthurium do best in a humid environment. Therefore, you need to water evenly and spray with luke warm water. This will vary depending on your specific conditions. In an area that has a hot dry climate, you may need to mist your anthurium every day and water every couple of days. In a humid environment you may go a week or two without watering.

The best rule of thumb is to do the soil squeeze test. Stick your finger down in the soil up to your first joint. Pull a small amount of soil out. If you can roll the soil into a ball and squeeze out water or if the ball stays together, you don’t need to give the plant anymore water. If you can’t roll the soil into a ball and it is powdery, give it some water.

As for fertilizer, during the growing season you can give it a light water soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks. Don’t fertilize during the winter. The plant will tend to need more water during the spring and summer even if kept inside. During the fall and winter, you can reduce your watering depending on your specific environmental conditions.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Anthurium, Blooming Plants, Houseplants, Plant Care Instructions

Lucky Bamboo: Fungus & Mushy Stalks

July 19, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert: I have been reading about the bamboo plants, I had a coworker tell me to wash mine and rinse out the rocks, so I did. But after reading your info.. I am afraid mine is fungus!! That can’t be good to breathe in!! Most of the stalks around the outside are black and mushy.. the coworker thought if I cleaned them they would be OK.. now I am afraid I set mold up into the air!!! Deana

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert: I wouldn’t worry too much about the fungus going into the air. However, any lucky bamboo stalk that is mushy has a problem. I recommend topping the lucky bamboo and starting new plants. Then discard the black mushy part of the stalk. Wash the rock and container with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Then fill the container with distilled water and place the tops in the water. They should start to form new roots in a couple of weeks.

To learn how to root new lucky bamboo stalks read the following:
Turn Your Lucky Bamboo Top Into A New Plant
Topping Lucky Bamboo
What Is A Lucky Bamboo Node

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo, Lucky Bamboo Diseases

Florists & Fiscal Fitness – Recommit To A Marketing Plan!

July 18, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Marketing = Communication = Sales

Effective marketing is all about establishing a relationship with your customers. More so than money, time and planning are the crucial marketing components needed. Engaging your customer is the key. As a result, everything you say or do is a marketing tool and directly related to your sales.

Whether you engage your customers face to face, online or through written communication, it is imperative that you know your customers’ [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only Tagged With: Marketing, Marketing Tips, Tips For Florists

Yellow Lucky Bamboo Leaves Are A Sign Of Too Much Cold & Light

July 16, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams 5 Comments

Ask the Expert: I have some problem with my lucky bamboo.

Dear expert, I have some problem with my lucky bamboo. Leaves turn yellow. they are perfect three days ago. I have put them under the sun for 2-3 hours everyday for two days since this winter in Sydney is cold. It turns out like this. What can I do about it? is the problem assiciated with sun shine? please help me~ Ann

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert:

Winter sun can be very strong despite the cold. The combination of too much light and cold temperatures are causing the problem. The rapid changes in temperature can also be a problem for lucky bamboo. Instead of moving the plant in and out of the cold, find a place inside with a sufficient light source. Choose a room with some natural light. For a long time, I kept my lucky bamboo in a small bathroom with a little window. It received filtered light for about 4 hours a day and did very well.

The yellow leaves probably will stay yellow and may even fall off. Once your lucky bamboo has stabilized, it will produce new leaves. These leaves should be healthy and green.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Lucky Bamboo, Yellowing Lucky Bamboo

Going The Extra Mile On Floral Deliveries

July 14, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Did you know that floral deliveries can be an inexpensive marketing opportunity? Going the extra mile with your floral deliveries helps you build a stronger relationship with customers. Floral deliveries also provide ways to wow the sender and create a relationship with the recipient.

Think about it. You have a captive audience who already knows the value of sending flowers. By doing one or all of the following, you can make your floral deliveries an effective marketing tool and help ensure long-term success.

Email a delivery confirmation to the sender. Sending a confirmation that the order has been delivered lets the sender know that you value their business and reaffirms that using your shop was the right choice. To really WOW your customer email them a picture of the flower arrangement (with or without the recipient). This will not only WOW the customer, but will alleviate any questions they might have about the arrangement. (If you have a Flower Shop Network web site sending an order confirmation is easy. You can even upload pictures to send with the email.)
Promote your web site and your social media on enclosure cards. Since the recipient may or may not be a customer of your shop, giving them the url to your web site provides them with a handy reference for future orders. Letting customers know where your shop can be found in social media will encourage engagement. Did you know that you can go to FSNf2f.com to print out enclosure cards that include your web site url and where you can be found in social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter?
Include coupons with enclosure cards. It gives new customers an incentive to shop with you and gives long-time customers a reward for loyalty.
Ask customers for reviews and feedback. Encouraging customers to give feedback is the best way to learn more about your customers. Set up incentive program to encourage feedback. You can give $5 off the next purchase if the customer places a testimonial on Flower Shop Network, Facebook or Yelp.
Attach a coupon with delivery notice when recipients aren’t home. Since weather conditions are seldom the optimum conditions for flowers, leaving a flower arrangement on a doorstep is never a good idea. A good practice is to leave a delivery notice that includes your shop telephone number and instructions asking them to call to schedule a delivery time. This will keep you from making several delivery attempts. You can encourage recipients to call by attaching a coupon to the delivery notice.

Going the extra mile on floral deliveries will help your shop stand out from the rest.

Filed Under: Florists Only Tagged With: Marketing Tips

Marketing = Communication = Sales

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