Wire service rules read in part - members will be held responsible for ethical business practices and all orders shall be sent for full value paid by the consumer including delivery if collected. Incoming orders are to be filled for full value minus a florist delivery charge which should be the same as they would charge a local customer to deliver to the same address.
___

Judging by recent postings here and elsewhere on the web, along with comments from florists about the difficulties they have when trying to leave a wire service, one has to ask, "Where are the ethics?"

The wire service's have turned a blind eye to the practices of their "member florists" where curtailment and skimming have been documented and demonstrated to be a continuing problem for both florists and consumers alike.

We know the reasons, it all boils down to greed, and the money readily available. The battle for order volume among the wire services seems to have taken away their ability to do whats right for not only the industry but consumers as well.

On top of that, the various National Floral Publications, and floral organizations like SAF have chosen to walk the fence on this subject, rather than to choose a side (either side) and make a stand. Florists have begun to do just that, make a stand, and as we move forward into the future, those companies, organizations and publications that choose not to do so, will more than likely be left without any florist support.

Florist Complaints make BBB Top Ten List

Real local florists have known it was only a matter of time until the quality problems associated with the cumulative effect of deceptive and misleading florist affiliate advertising hit the radar screens of national consumer /business organizations.

In 2005, florists were ranked as the # 7 source of all complaints made to the Better Business Bureau's Canadian Division. The US BBB lists complaints about florists in the top 4% of all business categories, coming in ahead of even credit and debt counseling, telemarketing services and real estate services.

While the BBB report does not separate the 'online-only' florists from the real brick and mortar shops, one only needs to read the myriad complaints against Vancouver BC operation Urban Florist to surmise the primary source of that #7 ranking. Based on files at RipoffReport.com, the majority of those Canadian complaints were likely made by US consumers since Urban Florist has targeted (and continues to target) American flower buyers via Google AdWords advertising with phrases that lead some consumers to believe they're purchasing direct from local florists. Urban's continued fraudulent claim that local florists deliver their flowers for free has been a major issue with real flower shops.

Recently, Urban Florist was joined by yet another Canadian-based virtual florist operation, Flowers Flowers aka 180066roses.com and flowers444.com, in Buyer's Alerts issued by the Vancouver, BC Better Business Bureau. These alerts are meant to warn consumers about companies that fail to respond to BBB efforts to resolve complaints. (One has to wonder why 180066roses.com recently changed its mailing address to a Blaine, Washington PO Box while still maintaining its Burnaby operation.)

Both Urban Florist and 180066roses.com are partnered with US-based floral wire services that enable the companies to process orders and forward them to local US and Canadian florists for fulfillment.

Seeing florists listed as a top source of complaints in either country is a black eye on the industry. Two solutions could go a long way to help consumers get the flower quality and value they expect and deserve:

Request the BBB classify online-only wire service affiliate transaction complaints separate from real florists. It may be a bit difficult since so many affiliate-brokers build websites and yellow page ads specifically to appear local, but it could be done. The BBB doesn't lump travel agencies in with hotels so separating real florist local services from wire service agents makes sense.

Hold wire services accountable for their 'repeat offender' affiliates. Every business makes mistakes, but patterns of complaints should be monitored closely and affiliates should face swift suspensions if they fail to operate in a professional manner. Without the floral wire services, their commissions, their credit card clearings, and their networks, these companies could not exist.

Isn't it way past time florist trade associations weigh in on this cross-border issue to help restore consumer credibility to buy flowers from florists?

Flowers for the teachers? How will you celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week?

Communities across the USA will acknowledge and thank teachers the first full week of May, including the second Tuesday, National Teacher Day.

Thank your teachers, staff and volunteers for the outstanding contributions they make. Let real florists help you show teachers how much they mean during Teacher Appreciation Week.. Great ways to say thank you include flower arrangements, mylar balloons, potted plants and unique gift items, all available from your local florist.

No matter how you want to communicate your thanks to the teachers and educators, your florists will make the message loud and clear! Call today and discuss the many options florists have available!

Georgia Journey - Gainesville Florist Goes Beyond the Call of Duty

Matt McClure
NewsChannel 32

When the Charlie Company came home Thursday, they saw their friends and family lining the streets of Gainesville.

But, among the cheering crowds were dozens of yellow bows.

"I was asked by one of the soldiers' wives about making some red, white and blue bows. Did that, and then the city asked me about doing some yellow ones. Or, at least helping with it," Sharon Rich, who owns Sha’s Lanier Florist, tells NewsChannel 32.

...press release

Study: Flowers have impact on emotional state

BY MARIECAR MENDOZA
Knight Ridder Newspapers

Feeling sad? Consider making your way to the nearest florist, because a recent study shows that flowers really do have power.

...press release

business-standard

India s flower exports have dipped by 48 per cent to Rs 338 crore in FY08, due to scattered farming and the non-adoption of the latest varieties.

bbc

A flower which blooms only every eight to 10 years is attracting nature lovers to the outskirts of the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay).

4ni

Garden Gourmet takes place at Botanic Gardens, Belfast, on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.

russia

On the 4th of September the 15th international flower exposition will take place in Moscow. Beautiful lower compositions will be exhibited at the All-Russia Exhibition Centre, where visitors will be able see the latest trends of the world floristic and landscape design.

ryeandbattleobserver

Hundreds of people visited historic St George's Church at Brede at the weekend when the big annual flower festival took place.

Today we had a cool surprise when Chairman and CEO of Smithers-Oasis, Charlie Walton, phoned to say he'd be stopping into the school for a visit.



While here, Charlie presented us with a certificate of appreciation from the company. The framed plaque reads:

"The management and staff of Smithers-Oasis recognize the valuable relationship and contributions that have been made to Smithers-Oasis by Cathy and Phil Rulloda."

It also includes a quote Phil wrote from memory for Charlie as he recalled - more than 20 years later - words he read on a plaque at the old Oasis building in Ohio.

"Leadership is the ability to establish & maintain a creative climate where people are self motivated towards achievement of long term personal goals in an environment of mutual respect that is compatible with those goals." 



Over the years, we've had the pleasure of presenting education programs to professional florists and consumers on behalf of Smithers-Oasis, and of designing with their great products - which make seemingly difficult work feel effortless.

Oasis recently re-introduced one of Phil's favorites, the Place-It, a caged foam on a super suction cup that allows designs to be attached to windows, mirrors and other non-porous surfaces. Appearing to be suspended in air, the designs always elicit a 'wow'.

Below is a photo of myself, Phil and Charlie with a Place-It based tropical design made in front of Mary's office.
 


It's a real honor for both Phil and me to be recognized by Charlie and the Smithers-Oasis company. Thanks, Charlie!

Cathy

A Million ?Yes I Can?s!?

Phil?s, ?YES I CAN? Award goes to his former student, Rachel Rosales of Costa Mesa Florist, who along with partner TK Irwin, won CBS?s The Amazing Race Million Dollar prize in January! 

We are proud of Rachel for not giving up when the pressure was on.  The prize money is fabulous  - but think of all the life experiences she won as truly priceless.

You can read about some of Rachel's flower challenges during the Amazing Race on Avante Gardens' blog here and here.

We wish Rachel continued success as she contiunes her ?Amazing Race? through life.

Rachel  ?Yes You Can!?

Time To Get Energized!

Don?t miss this rare chance to see together, Song Ki Yun AIFD designs ?Flowers as a Media ?Expanding the Art of Floral Design? with Phil Rulloda AAF, AIFD, PFCI, commentator.  Their energy together is absolutely invigorating! ! !    

March 30, 2008, Sunday                      9:00 am - 4:40 pm
National Orange Show Fairgrounds     NOS Events Center ? Gate 9
690 South Arrowhead Ave.                   Renaissance Room
San Bernardino, CA. 92408
Directions: www.nationalorangeshow.com

Presented by AIFD Southwest Region
?Design Essentials?

Also included on the ?Design Essentials? program is Susan Butler AIFD, presenting ?Elements and Principles of Design ? Using Traditional Product with an AIFD Flair?

Only $39.95  (Includes lunch)
To Register call Michael Quesada AIFD, at Kaleidoscope Flowers 805-962-0032
or email kalflower@aol.com

Registration Deadline is March 24

(AIFD members receive CEU points)

See you there!

Sometimes it's easier to learn what to do when photographing flower arrangements by seeing examples of what not to do. Below are two sets of images of less-than-successful designs, not only from purely mechanical aspects, but from the vantage points of the camera.

   


In addition to using too little light, the design above has the following issues: (see the numbered areas on the second version)

1. Greens and dirty water in the vase. Make sure to remove all foliages below the water line, especially when working in clear glass and be sure to change the water before taking your final shots.
 
2. Wacky weeds. Be careful about the amount of bear grass and other loose foliages used. What may look good in person can look out-of-control in a photo.

3. Orient the flowers to the camera. Though it seems like an obvious 'don't', showing the backs or sides of blooms is a common error.

4. All the ducks in a row. The white of the roses makes this error even more pronounced since their rhythmic pace is all wrong for this radial style.
 
5. Turn off the camera's built-in flash. Note the heavy shadow created by the front-on shot. 

6. Weak Focal Area. The alstroemeria is just too small and the wrong shape to anchor this design.

7. Foliages concealing flowers. Why cover up a glorious hybrid delphinium with a piece of myrtle?

8. Immature flowers. Budded flowers will last longer for your customers, but take your feature website photos with flowers in their full glory.

   

While an improvement from the previous arrangement, this shot still has several challenges to overcome:

1. Out of Balance Color. Not only do the yellow gerberas overpower the far-more-costly hydrangeas, the middle one is oriented in the wrong direction. Pale yellow or white gerberas would have been a better choice.

2. Exposed stems. The light green salal stem crossing over the dark leaves is a definite distraction. It's also moving forward in a diagonal line, which is tough for the camera to read. 

3. Willy-nilly foliage. The silhouette of the salal leaves are rhythmically poor and need better spacing and control.
 
4. Immature flower. We florists know it's a iris but our customers may not. Additionally, in classic designs it's more visually pleasing to grade same-kind flowers in size (from larger to smaller) as they move away from the heart of the arrangement.

5. Flash shadow. Once again, turn off the camera's flash and move the design further from the background.

6. Blown-out whites. White flowers are tough to shoot and are especially effected when too much light is used. The details get blown out. In this design, the grouped whites are also not properly counter-balanced with white materials on the opposite side of the arrangement.

7. Fillers covering feature flowers. Make sure the accent fillers aren't covering up feature flowers, especially in the heart of the arrangement.
 
8. Missing Buds. They're particularly noticeable on single flowers. Photo editing software can help fill in the missing flowers, but it's better to just to start off with good materials.
 
9. Streamers Gigantus. Just like any other element, ribbon needs controlled. Streamers are generally easier to photograph if they're trimmed to fall near mid-vase.

What's good? The carry-through of color from the container to the flowers.
 
We hope these two examples help you avoid making some of the common floral design and photography mistakes and assist florists with shooting better images of their own flower arrangements. 

The convenience of using 'off the shelf' photographs of flower arrangements in florists' e-commerce websites is undeniable. They're web-ready, usually come with descriptions and are generally included as a benefit of wire service membership. There's just one problem - those same pictures are seen on tens of thousands of other websites - including shops in your own delivery area. It's difficult to convey a florist's own originality and unique specialties when the product images look just like everyone else's.  

 

For shops looking to display their own distinctive designs and set themselves apart from neighboring stores and national order gatherers, the perfect solution is to photograph their own arrangements and feature them prominently on home pages and in the appropriate design categories. With a small investment in a digital camera, photo editing software (like PhotoShop Elements) and an easy-to-use backdrop, displaying images of your own arrangements is simpler and quicker than ever before.
  
Elements of a great flower arrangement photo

Many a florist has been disappointed that their pictures don't look as wonderful as they remember their original designs. The poor results can often be attributed to a problem with one of the following elements: 

Lighting. Too much and the whites look 'blown out', too little and the deep colors fade into black voids. Achieving the right balance takes practice and experimentation with the settings on your camera. For flowers, natural lighting works best but a small permanent set with a few strategic lights can work wonders as well.

Background. Simply put, cleaner, lighter backgrounds are easier to work in. The more elements (accessories, display items, etc) the more to balance with lighting and color. Since a good, clean photo can often be dropped onto an environmental background with photo editing software, keeping your photo set as simple as possible increases your chances for success.

Color. Balancing color rhythmically in an arrangement takes practice, too. Advancing (warm) colors like oranges and yellows can appear to dominate an arrangement, even if used on small amounts. Receding (cool) colors can be harder to 'see' in artificial or low light. By choosing flowers and accessories that compliment each other and are in similar color values (intensities), you'll increase the odds that you'll be pleased with your shots. 

Depth. The camera basically reads width and height, so perceived depth is usually achieved through color, lighting or angle. Designers often find it necessary to remove some materials in order not to clutter the photos.

Texture. The shinier or slicker the material, the tougher to photograph since the light is reflected. Shiny textures often darken or lighten and take on more importance than they did in the original compositions. Fortunately, photo editing software can often help with this issue.

Starting out with simpler and smaller arrangements can help florists get a feel for 'what the camera sees'. Take 15 or 20 shots from different angles, upload them to your computer and really scrutinize the images. Make adjustments and then go back and shoot some more. Though your first few efforts will take time, repeating the steps will increase you ability to 'see' what the camera does - and give you the skills to confidently produce photos that reflect your own distinctive design  style.

Thursday is the day, Valentines Day that is and Smith's is fully stocked and ready to deliver your emotions to your Valentine.

 The traditional gift of red roses is always in style, and once again this year Smith's has been able to hold our regular everyday price of $50.00 a dozen arranged in a vase both on red roses as well as many other colors.

 Also again this year we are offering FREE delivery on Valentines orders delivered February 12th and 13th anywhere in our delivery area.  Call now, 631-0470 to take advantage of both of these special offers, and send your Valentine the best flowers available anywhere in the Tri-Cities.

Of course roses are not the only flowers available for Valentines, and no you do not have to purchase a full dozen.  Often a nice mixed arrangement with or without a few roses included is just whats needed.
 

Amazing, some people never realize, that ProFlowers is a direct shipper, using United Parcel and Federal Express to deliver their flowers.  Too bad they do not realize that they simply leave the flowers on the porch if no one is home, and in Michigan's winter weather it's not always a pretty thing.

 Watch this video to see what that special someone you send to might get for Valentines if you use ProFlowers over a Real Florist.
 

Poinsettias are beautiful flowers and a Christmas tradition. Poinsettia quality is at an all time high because poinsettias can be shipped directly from the greenhouse to your house quickly to retain high quality and freshness.

These tips will help you buy the best poinsettias for your Christmas holiday season.

This picture is a nearly perfect example of a poinsettia from Bloomdepot.com.
Click below to buy poinsettias from Bloomdepot.com.
Red Christmas Poinsettia	Pink Christmas Poinsettia	White Christmas Poinsettia

Buy these Poinsettias:

• Choose a poinsettia plant with dark green foliage down to the soil line.
• Choose poinsettia plants with bracts (modified leaves) that are completely colored.
• The poinsettia should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides.
• The poinsettia plant should be 2 1/2 times taller than the diameter of the container.
• Check the poinsettia's maturity. Check the true flowers which are located at the base of the colored bracts. If the flowers are green or red-tipped and fresh looking the bloom will "hold" longer than if yellow pollen is covering the flowers.

The Texas A & M University Agricultural Extension Service has produced a great resource for growing poinsettias. The information aims specifically at growing conditions in Texas but is very useful for growing poinsettias anywhere.

Topics at the Texas Poinsettia Producers Guide site include:

• Poinsettia History
• Poinsettia Forms and Styles
• Poinsettia Economics and Marketing
• Poinsettia Cultural Characteristics
• Poinsettia Cultivars
• Production Schedule
• Poinsettia Height Control
• Selecting a Poinsettia Growing Medium
• Poinsettia Water Quality
• Poinsettia Irrigation
• Poinsettia Nutrition
• Insect and Mite Management
• Poinsettia Diseases and Control
• Common Poinsettia Disorders
• Conversion Tables for Growers and Gardeners
• Additional Poinsettia References

Read more about Texas Poinsettia Producers Guide.

The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension has conducted detailed research related to poinsettia cultivation and flowering. The research was funded by the Paul Ecke Ranch, the UNH Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Anna and Raymond Tuttle Environmental Horticulture Fund.

This research is useful to commercial growers as well as gardners and consumers caring for poinsettias.

Read more about the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Poinsettia Site.

The short answer is no...but don't eat them.

Poinsettias will make people or pets ill if they are eaten.

Individuals allergic to latex might have an allergic reaction to poinsettias since the plant produces a similar substance.

The climate in Southern California is good for poinsettias with just a bit of help. If you are used to thinking of poinsettias as a small potted plant this picture might amaze you.

Poinsettias are a shrub that; as this photo proves, grow to the size of a small tree with thick trucks.

Image by Martin LaBar

Read more about Poinsettia in San Diego Area Garden.

Poinsettias are beautiful flowers and a Christmas tradition. Poinsettia quality is at an all time high because poinsettias can be shipped directly from the greenhouse to your house quickly to retain high quality and freshness.

These tips will help you buy the best poinsettias for your Christmas holiday season.

This picture is a nearly perfect example of a poinsettia from Bloomdepot.com.
Click below to buy poinsettias from Bloomdepot.com.
Red Christmas Poinsettia	Pink Christmas Poinsettia	White Christmas Poinsettia

Buy these Poinsettias:

• Choose a poinsettia plant with dark green foliage down to the soil line.
• Choose poinsettia plants with bracts (modified leaves) that are completely colored.
• The poinsettia should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides.
• The poinsettia plant should be 2 1/2 times taller than the diameter of the container.
• Check the poinsettia's maturity. Check the true flowers which are located at the base of the colored bracts. If the flowers are green or red-tipped and fresh looking the bloom will "hold" longer than if yellow pollen is covering the flowers.

Florists earn the money they make by providing you with both products and services. The flowers are their product and arranging them, storing them and delivering them are some of the services.

Growers provide you with a product, the flowers and materials to arrange them. Delivery is done by a shipping company such as FedEx. Delivering with a shipping service means a much wider coverage area for grower direct deliveries than traditional florists.

The comparison chart below should help decide which is best for you.

Welcome to Fall; the season of colorful flowers! As the trees change from shades of greens to brilliant oranges, vibrant reds and striking yellows, so do the flowers in our bouquets!

Introducing our new Fall Line...order the Indian Summer Bouquet. This exquisite bouquet consists of a combination of five colorful Spray Roses (or Sweetheart Roses), Solidaster, Matsumoto Aster and Waxflower.

Also new from www.growerflowers.com, the Fall Fields Bouquet. This beautiful bouquet was created to reflect the soft glow of fall with five Bronze and Yellow Chrysanthemums and Solidaster accented with Cattails, Wheat and Bear Grass. These bouquets are only available for a limited time. Order NOW! and receive a FREE VASE.

Your local florist is just a phone call away, or so you think. Some unscrupulous telemarketing firms are posing as local florists, charging you higher fees and taking business away from legitimate florists in your town.

Selling flowers through a wire service or order taking service is a legitamate way to do business. Many top growers and florists use this business model.

However, deceiving customers into thinking they are ordering from a local florist is not legitamate.

The largest wire services are FTD and Teleflora. They have been around for almost 100 years and have over 30,000 florists in their networks. In recent years they have focused more and more on using the Internet for their marketing and business infrastructure.

For most consumers, wire services are the best way to order flowers. They are very reliable and in independent tests, flowers ordered through wire services were of the highest quality. Local florists are going to make sure that wire service orders are correctly filled. The reason? Florists with too many complaints are dropped from the wire service's network. This is a disaster for most local florists, so they avoid it at all costs.

This is a question we get asked often.  That question is really too general to answer; a number of factors play into the pricing of a bridal bouquet.  These factors include (in no particular order):

• What flowers will be in your bouquet?  On average, daisies are cheaper than roses, which are cheaper than calla lilies, but this is not the sole factor.
• How many flowers?  A hand tied bouquet of two dozen roses is cheaper than a hand tied bouquet made from three dozen roses.
• What time of year are you getting married?  Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are peak floral holidays, and we're asked every year to do weddings at these times (the answer is always no--we're busy with the holiday).  Also, New Year's sees increased prices because of the Rose Parade.  Not much goes on in October, so flowers are usually a little cheaper then.  A red rose bouquet at Valentine's Day is going to be 2-4 times more expensive than the identical bouquet in August (or heck, even April for that matter).
• What style of bouquet?  Cascades and pomander balls take a considerable amount of time to make, and so the labor charge is usually higher.  Hand tied and arm bouquets are a little easier to make, and labor is a little less.
• Are your flowers in season?  Sure, we can sometimes get lilacs in August.  You probably don't want to pay for them, though.  Lily of the Valley is another very seasonal flower.  Roses, most lilies, pomps, gerberas and carnations have excellent availability throughout the year.
• How fragile are your flowers?  Flowers such as orchids, gardenias and stephanotis are very sensitive to environmental conditions, lilies are very fragile, but carnations are quite sturdy.  The sensitive or fragile ones require extra precautions when designing and delivering your bouquets, which also figures into the price.
• How good is the designer/shop?  Yes, we're a little more expensive than the "basement Bettys", but we're worth it.  We have a staff of trained and experienced designers, plus the coolers and vehicles to make sure your flowers arrive in perfect condition.  We stake our reputation on it almost every weekend, over 100 times a year for the past 5 years.  There are people in our area claiming to be cheaper than the retail florists, but your bouquet may share space with the milk in their fridge.

We have created bridal bouquets in the $40 range, and bouquets in the $250-$300 range.  That's why you'll see us give an approximate price or a price range in the photos we post on our blog or in our photo gallery.

If you're looking for the cheapest bouquet you can get, look into an arm bouquet or clutch of daisy pomps and/or carnations.  They are plentiful, inexpensive, and sturdy.  As for silk flowers--good silk flowers are sometimes as much or more than their real counterparts; cheap silks look cheap.

Anyone who wants a meal at the reception should RSVP, especially if you need a special meal choice (for instance, vegetarian).  Vey often the person counting the meals is not the bride or groom, and may not think to count the wedding party.   If you don’t send your RSVP in, you mighe get overlooked in a late rush at the end.

If you ordered stickr seals with your wedding invitations, you traditionally place them on the back of the envelope, so the center of the seal is right at the point of the flap.  In the days before envelopes with the glue already applied, not to mention stickers, this is the location wax was dripped and stamped with some sort of monogram or motif to hold the envelope closed.  In many cases these days, stickers have replaced wax seals, but wax seals are sometimes still used on formal wedding invitations, just for that Victorian look.

Instead of the ring finger, engagement rings are now placed on the thumb…

Go Steelers!  “Big Game” XL Champs!