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Flowers & Bees Communicate In Electric New Ways

Bumblebee ElectricityWe all know how bees use flowers to collect pollen for food and sustenance. You might even be aware of how bees see ultraviolet light, color and shape to determine different types of flowers. But, there’s more to pollination than just sight and smell — according to a very new study conducted by the University of Bristol and published in the journal Science, flowers actually communicate with bees through electric fields!

“This is a big finding,” says Daniel Robert, who led the study. “Nobody had postulated the idea that bees could be sensitive to the electric field of a flower.”

Flowers and plants tend to possess negative charges and are electrically connected to the ground, allowing them to conduct electricity very slowly. Bees, on the other hand, have a positive electrical charge because they fly in air. When the two connect, sparks may not fly, but pollen sure does. “We found some videos showing that pollen literally jumps from the flower to the bee, as the bee approaches… even before it has landed,” says Robert.

Now the electric side of pollination isn’t exactly new, as far back as the 1970s, botanists suggested that electric forces enhance the attraction between pollen and pollinators. But it wasn’t until now that we started asking the right questions, “Does the bee know anything about this process?”

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Instagram & Florists

What is Instagram??

Instagram is a popular smartphone app and social tool that allows you to easily create beautiful photos and share them to many different social networks with just a few clicks.

IG Photo ExampleFrom florists:

“I like the fact I can push pictures right to FB in a hurry…since I have so little time to do anything anymore!!!!”MaryJane’s Flowers & Gifts, Berlin NJ

“We love Instagram! We use it to show off currents wedding samples. It’s great because it connects right to Facebook and allows us to show our work to our fans. An online portfolio, if you will”Perfect Rose Floral Design, East Islip NY

“I like using it to take quick little teasers of bouquets, centerpieces etc that I can post on Facebook and twitter to show my followers what I’m currently working on. Pictures always get me the most activity on my Facebook page, so using Instagram is a quick + easy way to keep my Facebook page interesting.”cattleya chic inc., Red Deer AB

Almost like Twitter, but with photos instead of messages, Instagram allows people everywhere to share their daily lives with the world. You can share these photos with most other social networks, but Instagram also creates a beautiful stream of your photos for others to follow. It’s sort of like a photo journal.

Why Instagram?

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Send Yellow Roses To Your BFF

Send Yellow Roses To Your Best Friend Forever!

Did you know yellow roses mean friendship? What better way to say “Congratulations,” “Thinking of you,” or “Feel better soon,” than by sending yellow roses to a friend?

Yellow is the color of summer, sunshine, and lemonade. It is a cheery color and has the power to lift us up on dreary days. Surprise your Best Friend Forever (BFF) today by sending a bouquet of yellow roses. It could be that they need a pick me up, or maybe just because they’re your friend, either way it’s a surprise sure to knock their socks off.

Friends are such important pieces in our life’s puzzle; what would you do without them by your side? They’ve been with you through thick and thin, isn’t it time you show how much you care?

Remember, always always always use a verified, local florist when sending flowers. If you don’t know yours, use FSN’s handy florist finder to find a local flower shop today.

What Is This Strange, Fragile Succulent?

Ask The Plant Expert:

What is the name of this succulent and is it normal to be so fragile?  Thanks, Jerry

Baby Toes Crassula

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What Is This Speckled Houseplant?

Ask The Plant Expert:

I received this plant from a friend. She has no idea what it is and I can’t seem to find it anywhere :(

Scilla Drimiopsis Maculata Scilla Drimiopsis Maculata

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

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Florist Friday Recap 2/16 – 2/22: Spring Is Coming

It’s Friday! Time for our favorite post of the week, the Friday Recap! We have some incredible flower arrangements in today’s lineup created by real local florists all across the country. You can tell florists are READY for SPRING!! We have lots of fun, spring colors in every design! So, let’s get on with the pictures!

Spring Every Day Flowers

Cute bubble bowl design by Paisley Floral Design, Manchester NH Mixed floral arrangement by Paisley Floral Design, Manchester NH

Mixed floral arrangements by Paisley Floral Design, Manchester NH

Daisy design by Paisley Floral Design, Manchester NH

Daisy design by Paisley Floral Design, Manchester NH

“Gorgeous, mixed Valentine’s Vases!”

Vibrant daisy design by Eleventh Hour Flowers, Caldwell ID

Vibrant daisy design by Eleventh Hour Flowers, Caldwell ID

“This was our favorite this week!”

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Help! What Is This Plant?

Ask The Plant Expert:

A friend gave me this plant in a plastic bag. And I have no idea how to care for her. I can say she is a very strong plant. -Stacey

Plant Leaves Plant Stalk

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Valuable Lessons In Time For Mother’s Day

It’s no secret, flowers are big business during Valentine’s Day. It and Mother’s Day are two of the biggest floral holidays florists look forward to every year. Except..

… things are changing in the floral industry: The price of roses practically doubles during major holidays, cutting into profits. There are groups that advertise heavily for $19.99 flowers, which are drop-shipped in a box. There are even those out there that have stooped low enough to buy fake Google Ads in a local florists’ name saying ‘Sold Out For Valentines Day’ without the florist being aware of it.

And then we have the big floral networks who say they support local florists, but instead advertise exceedingly low prices and take a large cut for each arrangement passed to florists, on top of large annual membership fees.

Mothers Day FlowersCan you imagine owning your own business only to have someone else dictate what your prices and overhead must be?

Shops do have the option to reject orders and ask for more money, but often they are penalized with fees that range from $10-$100, in addition to time busy florists do not have to spare.

Why do shops participate in these draining networks?

Many multi-generational florists see these big, e-commerce groups as something they cannot survive without (before the internet, this was probably true). Some see it as a way to reach customers they might not be able to on their own.

From the article, Why florists now dread Valentine’s Day (CNNMoney):

“Half the florists don’t realize they’re losing money with this stuff,” said Steve Juiffre, a florist in South Burlington, Vt. who is part of Florists for Change, a group formed to educate fellow shop owners about the potential pitfalls.

“I was able to get new customers. But you can’t make any money. They make all the money,” said David Rohr, a florist in Cathedral City, CA. He quit Teleflora after Valentine’s Day in 2002, when he lost more than $2,000 that day as business costs and network fees overtook his revenue from delivery orders.

What’s most bothersome to Betsy Hall, a florist just outside Atlanta, Ga., is what happens to customers. “[Wire services] take such a huge cut. The money you spend isn’t in flowers,” she said. “You spend $70 on a $26 bouquet.” She also said customers who use e-commerce sites pay more and receive less than if they’d simply contact the local florist in the city where they’d want the flowers delivered.

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What Is This Succulent With A Red Flower?

Ask The Plant Expert:

What is the plant with the red flower? I have 4 identical plant dishes (picture attached) that I bought in this condition. Each contain the same 3 plants, I believe, and I think I’ve identified 2 of the 3 plants in this pot, minus the “jade looking” one that has the red flower on top. Do you know what the “jade-looking one” is really named?

Also, do you think they look over or under watered (or may have another problem)? The soil does smell musty/damp. I think I need to repot them, but should I let them lay out and dry out for a few days or other? I know these are a lot of questions, but if nothing else, can you at least identify and name the jade-looking plant? THANKS!

Over-watered Kalanchoe Photo

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However Long The Winter, Spring Will Soon Follow

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. Those are re-assuring words to us all as we shiver through the last leg of winter. According to groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, earlier this month, spring will be arriving early. However, the weather doesn’t seem to be cooperating.

At any rate, spring is guaranteed to follow the cold of winter. You might have already noticed a few yellow heads of daffodils perking up early already. Why not spring into spring early with spring flowers?

The winter blues can really get you down; bounce back early by ordering spring flowers for yourself and your family. Sure, it may sound a little cheesy, but it works!

Yellow Spring Tulips Yellow Spring Flowers Spring Green Flowers

Click on any of the above pictures of flowers to see our spring flower collection and be connected with a real local florist in your area. You can also use our handy local florist finder to find a genuine local flower shop in your city.