About Me

I am a very close friend of Donn Flipse, Jen Stabile and other associates of Field of Flowers, based in Davie Florida. I share with them a love of flowers and plants, the business of selling them, and a desire to learn more about them. Via my blog I hope to find other people of similar interests and provide them with interesting and entertaining information.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Flowering Facts about Tulips

o Tulips are from Holland, right? Not exactly. Tulips are actually from Turkey.

o The Tulip is the national flower of Turkey.

o Tulip means Turban in Turkish.

o Tulips require a sandy soil. A sandy soil is necessary because tulips require a good drainage system.

o Tulips symbolize imagination, dreaminess, perfect lover and a declaration of love.

o Fresh out of onions? Use your Tulip bulbs instead! Tulip bulbs are a good replacement for onions in cooking.

o When you see a tulip that looks like it has stripes it is actually a virus that causes that. Not to worry, it’s grown that way on purpose.

o Tulips have a beautiful color and charming aroma; however tulips come in every color except blue and black.

o It’s been said that if you add a little sugar to the water of your vase your tulips will live longer.

o Tulips work well in tall, straight vases although can be arranged in a fan shape in a low, wide bowl.

o Tulips also conform to the shape of the container, straight up if in a tall container, twisting to fit into a flat or irregular shaped vase.

o An interesting fact about tulips is that they actually continue to grow after being cut, up to an inch or more, best to cut them under water.

o Do not place your tulips in direct sun, and keep them away from heating vents or drafts.

o Penny for your thought…. If you would like your tulips to stand straight up as an arrow, don’t forget to drop a penny in your vase!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Behind the Tradition...


Prom flowers have been a long and popular tradition. Both the corsage and the boutonniere have existed for many years and are essential for a successful prom.

It's customary for the man to buy the corsage for his date. The corsage can be worn as a pin-on or on the wrist. It's also a good idea to know what color dress your date is wearing so that the corsage you choose does not clash.

Traditionally girls buy the boutonniere for their dates. A boutonniere is worn as a pin-on and placed on the right lapel.

Corsages and boutonnieres can be made in many different styles using a variety of flowers such as, roses, orchids and carnations. If you are undecided what flowers to choose roses are the number one favorite! The great thing about roses is that they look great, smell great and act as a perfect fall back choice if you can't decide what to choose.

So remember, the key to a successful prom is to enjoy yourself, have a wonderful time and prom flowers are one great way to ensure that happens!

Friday, March 13, 2009

How To Make Your Cut Flowers & Arrangements Last Longer:


Is light important?
Yes. The more light the better, but be careful of too much heat from direct sunlight or strong indoor lights.

Is humidity important?

Yes. Flowers prefer a humid environment. Avoid drafty spots near air conditioning vents which tend to dry out flowers.

Do cut flowers need a clean environment?

Yes. The vase should be absolutely clean. Always use “flower food” with a germicide and remove any foliage below the water line to avoid bacteria growth.

Is “flower food” important?

Yes. It provides the nutrition the flowers would receive if they were still on the plant.

Should I cut the stems of my flowers?

Cut off about 1/2” of stem with a sharp knife, preferably under water, before placing them in your vase. When cutting stems, be sure not to “strip the bark” from the stem because It protects and extends the life of the flower.

How else can I prolong the life of cut flowers?
Leave on as many leaves as possible, but not below the water line. And remove yellowing leaves to keep your flowers looking fresher longer.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Flowering Facts about Lilies...



DID YOU KNOW ?

1. Lilies have been cultivated for over 3000 years.

2. Feng Shui believers hold the Lily as an emblem of summer and abundance.

3. The Chinese culture believes the lily to mean “Forever in Love.”

4. In Europe lilies were used as a remedy against a wide range of diseases and ailments.

5. In Greek poetry, the lily stood for tenderness, and there is a Greek myth that tells us how the lily was born from the milk of the goddess Hera.

6. Lilies are decorative and fragrant flowers, and are available all year long. Which makes them a great gift designed by themselves or mixed with roses and other high styled flowers.

7. To prolong the flower’s life it’s best to remove the pollen by pinching them together and pulling them up and out of the Lily.

8. Lilies produce large quantities of pollen. To remove pollen from clothes lightly brush off the pollen with a toothbrush or a craft pipe cleaner,
this will prevent staining.

9. Lilies are one of the most popular flowers in the UK, next to the Rose. Globally, Lilies are ranked fourth amount the flowers in popularity.

10. There are numerous varieties of Lilies. Among the Lily varieties only groups like the Asiatics and Orientals are the most popular flowers and the most widely grown.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Benefits of plants and the human body…


Studies have shown that plants can help support pain management and promote an overall sense of well-being. Employees are less likely to miss work.

In offices where plants are present, employees experience less job related stress and report less ailments. This is because plant life can help reduce the level of common indoor toxins that lead to illness. According to some research, indoor plants are known to increase individuals’ problem-solving skills, reduce noise levels, decrease temperature and lower humidity. Therefore, everyone should incorporate live plants in their interior spaces!!!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Congratulations!!!


Congratulations to Donn Flipse and all the people at Field of Flower who were part of the historic Inauguration coverage! CNBC sent reporter Rebecca Jarvis to Davie, Florida to be in one of the most beautiful settings – the main location for the fresh flower superstore. Rebecca interviewed Donn about his thoughts on the new administration and some of the ways that new leadership in Washington could impact small businesses. It’s great to see national news stations look for intelligent commentary! Good job, Donn – and the store looked great!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

The Connection Between Flowers and Valentine's Day


You may be wondering when and how flowers became a symbol of Valentine’s Day. Well, there are many myths surrounding this question. One story dates back to the 17th century. Every year a daughter of Henry IV of France would throw a party in honor of St Valentine. Each lady who attended the gathering would receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers from her valentine. From this came the custom of sending our significant others cards with flowers and candy.

Roses have always been associated with romance and love. Even before St. Valentines flowers were considered love tokens. One Roman myth describes Cupid bringing a vase of sweet nectar to the Gods on Mt. Olympus. On his way he spilled the nectar on the ground, and from that spot grew roses!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Benefits of plants and the human body


Studies have shown that plants can help support pain management and promote an overall sense of well-being. Employees are less likely to miss work. In offices where plants are present, employees experience less job related stress and report less ailments. This is because plant life can help reduce the level of common indoor toxins that lead to illness. According to some research, indoor plants are known to increase individuals’ problem-solving skills, reduce noise levels, decrease temperature and lower humidity. Therefore, everyone should incorporate live plants in their interior spaces!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Why are plants important?


Plants are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. You may not be aware, but indoor air quality is generally more polluted than outdoor air quality and with people spending a majority of their time indoors, this can lead to illness and even death. Green plants, through a process known as photosynthesis, use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. They also remove carbon monoxide and Formaldehyde from the air, improving the indoor air quality (IAQ). With the presence of more green plants, we will have increased clean oxygen allowing for healthier humans. According to the Forest Stewardship Council, plants are known to increase productivity and decrease absenteeism rates in businesses. Studies also show that people report being happier and more content in the work place when there are plants present.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Field of Flowers is Very Grateful...


During the past year, Field of Flowers has worked closely with the Women in Distress organization. The mission of Women in Distress is to offer victims of domestic violence with a safe haven, crisis intervention and helpful resources. To support their work, every week Field of Flowers delivers to the Women in Distress in Fort Lauderdale three beautiful floral arrangements to brighten up their offices. Field of Flowers is very grateful to Women in Distress for the valuable work they do and proud to support the organization.