Find Your 
In the past, I have always started my cuttings in a glass of water, and once they got roots, tried to put them in dirt. This sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t.
I broke a big chunk off one of my plants when trying to get it to grow the way I wanted it to. So I broke off all the stems, stuck them in some dirt, and have kept the dirt saturated with water. When I say saturated, I mean nearly liquid, there is standing water on top of the soil.
I think, after a week or so, I will start backing off on the water, and I will have a plant.
What I really don’t understand is if plants can grow as cuttings in a glass of water, why does over watering kill plants? If it is impossible for water to kill a plant, and apparently it is, then there is some other mechanism at work when you over water. – Pete
Why Does Over-Watering Kill Plants?
Help! What Are These Bugs On My House Plant?
Florists On Facebook – Friday Recap
TIGI FRIDAY! You know what that means — time for our weekly recap of pictures sent in to us from florists all across the nation. Each week we see just what florists have been up to. From weddings to holidays, your local florist is busy creating beautiful arrangements for all of life’s occasions, both happy and sad. This week it seems to be more towards the latter with quite a few funeral tributes in this week’s collection. Without further adieu, let’s get to the pictures!
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By Libby’s Flowers, Gifts & More, Elberton GA
“Flower arrangement for my Church. Borrowed my husband’s tool box & tie. We love to make it personable in celebration of all the wonderful fathers out there.”
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By Turner Flowers & Country Store, Ottawa KS
Doc “A horseshoe of yellow roses I did for the memorial service of a long-time veterinarian and quarter horse owner.”
Sneak Peek: The 2012 Summer Olympics Bouquet
When it comes to the olympics, summer or winter, the entire world stops to take notice. Athletes dedicate their lives to perfection in their sport and compete to take home so much more than a medal. Their accomplishments in the olympics translate into well-deserved glory and honor in their home countries.
The London 2012 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place in London from July 27th to August 12th. From archery to gymnastics, cycling to water polo — you can bet competition at these games will be fierce, which is why winners deserve so much respect.
In addition to the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, winners can also expect to receive a unique bouquet of flowers from the Jane Packer floral design studio. Some 4,400 floral “Victory Bouquets” will be presented to athletes along with medals during the Victory Ceremonies.
Story Behind the 2012 Olympics Bouquet
“The Victory Bouquet was designed by [Jane Packer’s] creative director, Susan Lapworth, to reflect the energy and vibrancy of the London 2012 Games. The bouquet is sectioned into boldly coloured quadrants to mirror the 2012 logo. These are separated by typical British food ingredients which also provide an eclectic fragrance.”
Help! What Is This Odd Flower?
Do you know the name of this flower? This flower is so odd and different. No one I talk to knows what it is. Maybe you can help. – Donna
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Donna,
I love this flower. My parents have a big area of passion flowers in the wooded area of their property. The one my parents have is Passiflora incarnata or purple passion flower which is a vine. Yours is most likely Passiflora caerulea which is commonly called blue passion flower or common passion flower. This too is a vine.
- A sibling to both of these is Passiflora edulis also known as passionfruit.
- Passiflora can be found in the following states AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV.
- It can become invasive in the right circumstance. However, it is a good food source for terrestrial birds.
- The fruit of the Passiflora caerulea is edible. However, in the raw form it is not too tasty. When cooked you can use it as a substitution for blackberries.
- Another benefit of this plant is that it attracts butterflies.
Hope this information was helpful.
Make A Splash: Send Summer Flowers!
Today, June 20th, is the FIRST day of SUMMER! The summer season is just beginning and today is the time of year when the Sun is farthest north, aka the Summer Solstice or the longest day of the year.
How are you planning to celebrate? Summer is the time of year to get outside, have picnics, and go swimming. Who doesn’t enjoy lounging by the lake or beach? This summer, make a splash by bringing the colors of summer indoors with flowers. Use cheerful, sunny colors to really brighten up any home decor.
If you know someone who is unable to get out and enjoy the summer sun, sending flowers is the guaranteed way to put a smile on their face. No matter if they live down the street or across the country, your local florist can help you send them joy.
No matter what, take some time from your busy day to enjoy this long summer day while it lasts. The year will be over before you know it, take your time and savor summer.
What Type of Flower Is My Princess Alexia Violet & Is It Safe For Cats?
Is a Princess Alexia Violet a type of lily? I have cats and I know that lilies are poisonous to them. I was wondering if a Princess Alexia Violet is a type of lily. -Lorriane
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Lorriane,
The Princess Alexia violet is a type of Anthurium, specifically Anthurium andreanum. I am not personally familiar with this plant, but I am very familiar with Anthurium scherzeranum, also known as Flamingo flower which is toxic to cats and dogs. I assume the Anthurium andreanum would be as well.
For more information on Anthurium Care click here.
Hope this information is helpful.
How To Order Flowers And Get Exactly What You Want
Today we’re going to talk about how to place an order for flowers and actually get what you’re ordering. This article is the transcript from the helpful video by our friend and pro florist, Robbin Yelverton.
Too much to read? Robbin explains it all in the video at the bottom of this post! Don’t miss the video!
Good Clear Communication
A lot of times things seem to get lost in translation. For example, there are 3 words that people use all the time when placing an order, which are: Flowers, Bouquet, & Arrangements. It’s funny how they will use those 3 words, and in a lot of cases think those words mean the same thing. These 3 words are not synonyms. They are not the same thing when you are talking to a florist.
- Flowers refers to the actual flower. If you are talking about tulips, that’s a flower.
- Bouquet, often people will use the word bouquet in exchange for arrangement, but to us as professional floral designers, a bouquet is something you carry, like a wedding bouquet. In some cases, we refer to an arrangement of loose flowers gathered together and presented as a wrapped bouquet that someone then takes out of the wrap and places in a vase for arranging.
- Arrangement or design. Now that implies that it is flowers arranged in a container and then sold together in the container.
So most of the time when people call in to order flowers, they’re really calling to order an arrangement. So remember to be clear.
The thing about ordering flowers, it’s sorta like playing the game of 20 Questions. You have to provide enough information that the person taking the order understands what you’re saying and then is able to transfer this information to the designer to make sure it gets created the way you wanted, and then gets delivered to the person it’s supposed to go to correctly.
Introducing: NEW Sympathy Designs For Florists’ Websites
Very exciting news for all FSN member florists!
We’ve just added 46 NEW sympathy designs to our funeral flowers categories at no cost to you!
For those of you with an FSN website, you’re sympathy section has been expanded into 4 categories:
- Funeral Flowers – This is the original Funeral Flowers page from your FSN website.
- Standing Sprays – Category for standing sprays only.
- Casket Flowers – All casket designs will appear here, including flowers for cremation urns.
- Sympathy Arrangements – This category is for smaller, vase, urn or basket arrangements
46 All New Sympathy Designs
After an over-whelming request for new sympathy designs, they are finally here! These gorgeous arrangements and sprays give your customers more options when ordering flowers for a loved one’s funeral. New designs add new variety to your selection, including: flowers for cremation urns, more patriotic selection, standing sprays featuring crosses, wreaths and baskets, and much much more.
Standing Spray Examples
Help! Can I Use Gelatin As Fertilizer for Peace Lilies?
Gelatin as fertilizer for Peace Lilies? Read that dissolved gelatin in 1 liter of water, can be used as a fertilizer for peace lilies. True??? – Miranda
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Miranda,
I am afraid that is a new one on me. I tend to be traditional when it comes to fertilizer, relying on the primary nutrients of N, P and K along with a few trace elements. Since I am unfamiliar with the composition of gelatin, I can’t recommend it. From what I know of gelatin, it is derived from animals bones and connective tissue and therefore probably contains some phosphorous. So, it shouldn’t hurt the peace lily, but won’t give it the balanced nutrition it needs.
If you still plan to use gelatin, be sure it is unflavored and does not contain artificial sweeteners.
Hope this information was helpful.
