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Make A Splash: Send Summer Flowers!

Make A Splash With 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?

Ask The Plant Expert:

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

AnthuriumFlower 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

Robbin Yelverton on How To Order Flowers

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 From Local 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.

[Read more…]

Introducing: NEW Sympathy Designs For Florists’ Websites

New Sympathy Designs For FSN Florists' WebsitesVery 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.

 

"Salute To A Service Member" Standing Spray Example "Sunflowers of Faith" Standing Spray Example

Standing Spray Examples

[Read more…]

Help! Can I Use Gelatin As Fertilizer for Peace Lilies?

Ask The Plant Expert:

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

Gelatin Used As Fertalizer?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.

Help! What Is My ‘Tree’ Dying

Ask The Plant Expert:

I’ve had this “tree” for over 15 years.  (I’m not even sure what type it is.) The leaves have always fallen off from the bottom as it grows, but they are falling off more quickly lately. Now the upper leaves are getting brown spots.  Help, what can I do!  Thank you, Karen

Schefflera Shedding Leaves

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Karen,

Your Schefflera could be experiencing one of two problems: insufficient water or a fungal problem. The first thing to do is assess your watering practices. Check the rootball to make sure it is fully saturated when you water. Then make sure that the plant does not need to be repotted. If the plant is receiving enough water, then check the plant for a fungal issue.

If your plant has Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria panax) the newly formed spot will have a wet appearance and the spot will spread until the whole leaves is infected.  This can be controlled by removing the leaves that are infected. Also, make sure that water does not touch the leaves.

I hope this information is helpful.  Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Help! What Is This Bug On My Schefflera?

Ask The Plant Expert:

What is this very small black bug on my schefflera? I just brought this plant home three days ago from a funeral. I kept it outside for one day, then re-potted it yesterday and brought indoors. Today, I noticed these black specks and took a picture so I could zoom in for a closer look.  There does not appear to be any damage, and the bugs do not seem to move. What are these critters, and how do I get rid of them? – Shelly

Small Beetle Identification Small Beetle Identification

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Shelly,

Looks like the larval stage of a type of small beetle. You can use a general purpose insecticide to get rid of them. Your local garden center and nursery should have something that will work. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Florists on Facebook – Friday Recap

Friday Friday Friday — it’s finally here! Time for our weekly picture recap! Every week we ask real florists to send us their favorite arrangements. The biggest trend this week was definitely wedding flowers, of course. Wedding season is in full force right now. Now, let’s get on with the pictures!

Classic wedding bouquets by The Flower Shop, Pryor OK

Colorful wedding bouquets by The Flower Shop, Pryor OK Unique wedding flowers by The Flower Shop, Pryor OK

Colorful wedding bouquets by The Flower Shop, Pryor OK

Wedding flowers above by The Flower Shop, Pryor OK

“Wedding season here at The Flower Shop!”
Beautiful wedding flowers can really make a statement on the big day. The Flower Shop truly goes above and beyond in their floral artistry. The selection of flowers, the colors and textures, it all creates a stunning floral display — a dream for any bride.

Finest City Florist, El Cajun CA

By Finest City Florist, El Cajun CA

“Hot pink and rhinestones were the theme in this modern wedding 6/9/2012.”

[Read more…]

Local Florist Celebrates 65 Years

Flowers By Mary Lou in Springfield IL

Big congratulations to the team at Flowers By Mary Lou in Springfield IL who are celebrating their 65th anniversary! (That’s 5 years longer than the Queen’s recent Diamond Jubilee!)

Flowers by Mary Lou was founded in 1947, and just why have they lasted so long?

“Because we take care of our customers,” says Jennifer Veith, designer at Flowers by Mary Lou. “People appreciate that. They appreciate when you go above and beyond and try to get special things for them or give them the special touches or do the specific things they ask, whether it’s a casket spray for a funeral, a wedding or even a new baby. People appreciate that you take the time to take care of them and treat them like an actual person instead of somebody that’s faceless.”

[Read more…]

Help! What Are These Unique Flowers?

Ask The Plant Expert:

What are these? My friend came across them. – Diane

Kniphofia aka Red Hot Poker

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

This is a perennial called Kniphofia (commonly known as Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily).  It prefers full sun and is hardy to 10 degrees.  You can plant the bulbs in the spring and they will bloom in the summer.

Hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you need any other information.