Bloomin' Blog

Ask the Plant Expert: Loosing Leaves and a Soft Stem

October 23, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert:

The plant has intertwining stems that look like a tree with leaves like a palm tree. The trunk became soft inside and the leaves are falling off. I water it once a week and keep it by the sliding glass door.

Thanks,

Regina

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Plant Expert Reply:

Regina,

Very perplexing.

I would first check my drainage. If the pot doesn’t allow the excess water to drain, you might be developing root rot or stem rot. To remedy the problem, repot the plant into a container that allows for good drainage. Then make sure the soil is moist but never soggy. Good luck and keep me posted!

The plant is a type of dracaena.

Thanks,

Jamie Jamison Adams

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert

Documenting Your Work – Photo Tips for Florists

October 23, 2013 by Juli Jackson 3 Comments

As a florist you are creating beauty everyday for others to enjoy and to help celebrate moments in their lives. But how often do you get to enjoy and celebrate your own work? Rarely, right? Between filling orders, making last minute rush deliveries, and trying to promote your shop, you are busy trying to run a business. But a passion for beauty got you into this industry so don’t let a hectic workday stop you from documenting your hard work.

Pictures tell your story, record your work, and become the strongest calling card you can have for new business. Photographing your arrangements is hands down the best way to promote your shop. Here is a guide to help you make the most of every arrangement by photographing your orders on the go.

Cameras for Flower Photography

You’ll be surprised to learn that you don’t have to have the best and most expensive camera to take good photos of your flowers. The easiest and most beneficial place to share your photos is online so the images don’t have to be huge. Newer smartphones like the iPhone and many Android devices have excellent built-in cameras and photo aps available. This is a camera is always in your pocket so use it!

Any general digital camera that takes at least a 5MB picture can meet your needs as well. These cameras are often called “point and shoot” cameras because they offer very basic auto settings and are usually under $100. These cameras do not have a detachable lens or manual settings.

If you are ready to step up your game and have more control, a basic DSLR with lens is around $200 and up. These cameras have various auto settings as well as fully manual settings so you can adjust your focus and exposure yourself.

Consider This…

The goal of taking flower photos yourself is to take images of your work often, so a camera that you will keep with you and can use with ease is key. Think about what you are likely to use most often with the least hassle and start there. Familiarize yourself with whatever camera you decide to use. Actually spend a few minutes thumbing through your manual. Learn how to focus, use the auto settings and turn on/off the flash and date stamp. Mastering these basic tasks will immediately give you results you can see.

Tips For Photographing Flower Arrangements

Clean Composition – The easiest way to make your photos look more professional is to pay attention to your composition. Make sure the table and background is free of clutter or distractions. You might even create a special table in the corner of your work room where you can quickly set an arrangement and snap a few shots. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only, Marketing Tips, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Floral Photography, Flower Pictures

FSN Member wins Second Annual Buckwald Scholarship!

October 22, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

We would like to congratulate Lavender Hill Florals of Jeffersonville, IN for winning the second annual Buckwald scholarship! Way to go, ladies!

About the Buckwald Scholarship

The Gary Buckwald Scholarship for Excellence in Floral Sales and Service consists of $10,000 worth of training, coaching and mentoring over the course of a year for a florist and her staff. This scholarship, the result of a collaboration between the Society of American Florists and Floral Strategies, has an application process open to any retailer who has been in business for at least 18 months. Tim Huckabee, president of Floral Strategies, says that they attempt to discover a retailer who “genuinely wants and needs the training, and is willing to put what they learn into practice.”

It is a recent award, but its lack of age is no knock on its incredible value. The tremendous benefit of having the opportunity to receive top-notch personal training from Tim Huckabee cannot be overstated. Tim will be making several trips out to Lavender Hill Florist over the next year to work with the staff on their sales and customer service skills.

Congratulations Lavender Hill Florals

This is both a great honor and great opportunity for FSN member, Lavender Hill Florals. We are excited for them and know that Tim will lead them down a path toward even greater success!

Filed Under: Floral Industry News, Florist Spotlights, Florists Only, FSN Announcements Tagged With: Floral Awards, Florist Spotlights, Florists Achievements, Indiana Florists, Society of American Florists

Ask the Plant Expert: This Can’t Be Marijuana, Can It?

October 22, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert:

I recieved a plant that looks like marijuana at first glance but I know it’s not because it was a gift from the city. It’s stems are thick and hard like bamboo and it produces white flowers that look similar to hibiscus.

Thanks,

Hannah Thornhill

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Plant Expert Reply:

Hannah,

From the look of the bloom, it appears to be some type of hibiscus, possibly a Hibiscus coccineus. Some varieties of hibiscus, such as the coccineus, will have narrow leaves and thick stalks and are sometimes confused with Cannabis sativa. Most of the time the blooms are red, but there are also varieties with white blooms. The white variety is known as white Texas star or lone star hibiscus.

Thanks,

Jamie Jamison Adams

Filed Under: Flower Identification

FSN and Rick Rivers at the Ozark Florist Association Convention

October 21, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

The Ozark Florist Association held their annual convention on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September. FSN was there to take part in the festivities and cheer on Rick Rivers as he gave his presentation titled “Marketing in Today’s Climate”. Here are a few photos of what we saw!

Here is Rick Rivers posing in front of the Flower Shop Network standee with Stacie from Springfield, MO.

Here is the top slide from Rick’s slide show. The two images to either side of the Flower Shop Network photo are the covers of the two books that Rick has written on these subjects, Blooming at the Top and No Fishing in My Pond!

Rick talking to the crowd.

A beautiful arrangement designed for the FSN booth! A big thanks to Kay Schlaefli with Expressions Flowers in Fort Smith, AR! Great job!

If you didn’t make the Ozark Florist Association Convention this year, you can always start planning for next! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the photos!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: Floral Conventions, Flower Shop Network, Rick Rivers

Common Name of Two Plants

October 21, 2013 by Kelly Curtis 2 Comments

Ask The Expert: “One you will laugh I need a spelling lesson. sheffeleria? even the spell check cannot help me. the other is what is the common name for phothos? and spelling for both.” – Patricia

Plant Expert Reply:

Patricia,

Schefflera is commonly referred to as octopus plant or umbrella plant. Pothos is the common name for Epipremnum aurem (syn Scindaspus Aureus). Hope this information helps.

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

Ask the Expert: What Type of Plant is This and How Do I Care for It?

October 19, 2013 by Kelly Curtis 1 Comment

Ask the Expert: I got this from a funeral and no type of description or care instructions were included I would like to know how to care for it. Thank you.

Plant Expert Reply:

Lora,

The plant is one of the members of the genus Anthurium and is commonly called Flamingo Flowers. I am not sure which species of Anthurium it is. These make wonderful houseplants because they can tolerate low light levels. However, they do need a humid environment. So, misting them everyday with lukewarm water is a must.

You can find more information about Anthurium Water & Fertilizer Requirements on the Bloomin Blog. If you are interested learning what issues others have had with Anthurium, we have several posts on the blog that might be helpful.

Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Jamie

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Anthurium, Plant Identification

Friday Florist Recap 10/12 – 10/18: Pumpkins, Kitties and Guitars!

October 18, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

This week’s Friday Florist Recap features a creative mix of images from florists across the country! Seeing the interesting things florists choose to do with flowers is half the fun of these posts, and this week is no different. You will be enchanted by the pumpkin, enamored with the kitty and the guitar may pluck your heart-strings. Scroll on down and see what’s on offer!

Stunning Wedding Flowers

Brilliant bouquet by Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co. in Princeton, NJ

Bridal bouquet by Tattered Leaf Designs Flowers & Gifts in Lyons, WI

Fall bouquet by Honeysuckle Lane in Aurora, NE [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Design, Florists Only Tagged With: Facebook Friday, Floral Design, Flower Pictures, Sympathy Flowers, Wedding Flowers

FSN at the Society of American Florists Convention 2013!

October 17, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

If you didn’t make it to Phoenix, AZ this September, you missed out on an amazing, informative weekend full of conferences, fun and some serious floral beauty! Flower Shop Network was there in force and we’ve got some excellent photos to show you. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Here is a photo of the FSN booth. As usual, our setup crew did a great job! But enough with the same old, same old. Let’s take a look at some of the cool stuff!

Take a look at these excellent varieties from the Outstanding Varieties Exhibition! That is some fantastic work!

Here’s a close-up of a gorgeous variety. I can definitely see why it’s a blue ribbon winner!

Another blue ribbon winner. Just gorgeous. But wait, where are the people?

It’s Brock and Loranne, the owners of FSN! They look very happy attending the Stars of the Industry Awards Reception & Dinner. Judging from the food on those plates, I think I see where all the good cheer is originating! That looks delicious!

This is Cindy, our VP of Sales and her husband Bobby. The dinner is making smiles all around!

Here’s a nice overview of the room. It should come as no surprise, but there are some lovely florals adorning this banquet! I love seeing florists putting their decorating skills to use! Speaking of florists and skills, I saw a few items that gave floral dresses a WHOLE new meaning!

A gorgeous interpretation. These dress/flower mixes are amazing!

This one is so elegant. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel this is reminiscent of the recent movie Black Swan with Natalie Portman?

It looks like the forest draped itself around this mannequin! I can’t help but think of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

What is this, Hawaii? Let’s go to a Luau!! Fun and beautiful all at once! Speaking of Hawaii, what does that state and Phoenix, AZ have in common? Beautiful weather and golf courses!

Here’s Brock standing beside the hole sponsored by FSN! Looking good!

Fore!

Umm … looks like someone’s in the rough. Oops. We here at Flower Shop Network accept no responsibility for the user’s ability to play the game. We just think our logo makes a snappy decoration.

I hope you enjoyed this photo recap of the SAF convention for 2013! There was a lot happening and a lot worth seeing. If you didn’t make it to this year’s convention, don’t fret. There’s always next year! And believe me, you don’t want to miss next year. SAF is going to be held at the Marriott Marco Island Resort in Marco Island, FL, August 13th-16th! Don’t miss your opportunity for fun in the Florida sun!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: Floral Conventions, Flower Shop Network, Society of American Florists

What is this July Blooming Pink Flower from a Bulb?

October 17, 2013 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

Ask the Expert: Do you know the name of this flower?

A friend gave me a bulb to be frozen and planted in spring. It blooms once a year in July and then dries out.

Thank you,

Nora

Plant Expert reply: The plant you submitted to the Bloomin Blog for identification seems to be a type of Tigridia. It is sometimes referred to as tiger flower or shell flower. I think yours is a Tigridia pavonia. The blooms only last for a single day. They are in the Iridaceae family and are native to Mexico and Guatemala. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Have A Good Day,

Jamie

Reply From Nora: Thank you very, very much. It is great to be able to contact you and learn so much!! Every so often I learn about the indigenous plants in my country and it feels great!

Greetings from Mexico,

Nora

Filed Under: Flower Identification Tagged With: Pink Flowers, Spring Bulbs

Ask the Plant Expert: Loosing Leaves and a Soft Stem