Bromeliad Care

Since we are selling Bromeliads for Mother's Day, we decided to give a crash course in Bromeliad Care! Enjoy...

Bromeliads are native to tropical regions so unless you live in an area like Florida, it is best to keep your Bromeliad indoors. They love warm, wet, shady areas.

Humidity:

They like humidity at 60%. There are 4 ways to increase humidity.

1. Mist with a spray bottle.

2. Humidity Tray: You can get any dish large enough and fill with rocks. Then fill 80% with water and set under or near your Bromeliad to increase humidity in its general area.

3. Transpiration: If you put several other plants in the same vicinity as your Bromeliad, transpiration will occur naturally raising humidity.

4. Humidifier: If you put your Bromeliad near a humidifier or diffuser, it will help your Bromeliad.

Watering:

They will get root rot quickly if over watered. So your Bromeliad should have a good draining pot. Soak in water for five minutes then let drain completely. Do not water again till the top 2 inches of soil is completely dry. The plant can handle under watering, but not over watering. Also, you should use distilled or rain water. The best way to water your Bromeliad is by pouring water down trunk as it contains a water reservoir.

Potting and Media

For dry climates: it is better to choose a plastic container which will hold the moisture longer.

For Humid Climates, you should choose a non-glazed clay type of pot so that the Bromeliad dries out quicker and prevents root-rot. When using this type of container, put a drip saucer or pad under to prevent damage to your furniture. I suggest again putting pebbles in bottom of saucer to ensure the roots are not exposed to drainage water: causing root-rot.

Light

Bright INDIRECT sunlight is best.

Check back for how to harvest Bromeliad Pups!

Traditions and Transitions: Colors, cascading, and permanent botanicals!

One thing I learned about spending time at the Bridal Fair is there is the growing trend of constant change. Booths were themed for the 2015 trends: like Pantone's Wedding color of the year: Marsala!

What I don't understand is how they know that is the color of the year when the year just started? Is it that Pantone marketing is trying to sell this color and so if they advertise it as the color of the year, more people will choose Marsala as their wedding color? Interesting enough, this color is "earthly wine red".

I guess we will only be able to tell by the end of the year what color was most used in weddings. I suggest couples be themselves. Decide what the bride and groom's favorite color is and decide from there what colors they want to use in their wedding. Meanwhile if you are wanting matching colors for your floral arrangements it is best to visit florist shops local to your wedding destination and ask what flowers and colors may be available during the date of your wedding. If they don't have authentic fresh flowers with your chosen colors and styles, you still have a few options.

Option 1: Ask the designer if they are willing to spray your flowers the color you choose. Look at these pictures of succulents that were sprayed:

In both these photos the succulents were sprayed. The top "Cascading" bouquet was sprayed rose pink. The second picture has the succulents and spore pods sprayed silver. The pictures do not do the bouquets justice.

Option 2: Ask about silk arrangements also known as permanent botanicals. Some floral shops will not carry silk, others have poor qualities so be careful when deciding if you want to use silk. However some silk arrangements are gorgeous and will last the rest of your life! Check out these pictures of arrangements:

Can you tell which are silk and which are fresh? The fresh arrangement has the black background: amazing is it not?

Did you know that you can get an elegant cascading bouquet for only 1/3 more than a regular nosegay bouquet? There are 2 reasons for the price difference. 1. There are more flowers 2. Mechanics of the cascading bouquet take include taking more time to put it together because of the intricate techniques required in the design! But if you have seen cascading bouquets in person you would definitely agree the increase is worth it! Here are three cascading bouquets

To schedule your consultation call us at 800.841.1147
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Bridal Fair March 7, 2015: Flower Arrangements

Flower arrangements shown were all done by Country Flower. We also do Ceremony Arches, Tablescapes, Reception pieces, hair pieces, and more! Check out our website of give us a call to schedule your free wedding consultation. www.countryflower.com 800.841.1147

Prayer Plant Care

Prayer Plants are from Brazil and are used to higher heat and humidity. As an indoor plant, they benefit from humidifiers and water trays, especially in winter. If the leaves start showing brown around the edges, they are too dry. Also they are susceptible to spider mites when the air is too dry. You may have spider mites if you notice webbing on the under side of the leaves.

People like prayer plants not just because of the color, but because the leaves stand up forming a "prayer" like position at night and lye down during the day.

Water: Evenly moist spring through summer, slightly drier in winter

Temperature: 65-80 degrees and moist humidity.

Light: Indirect bright light. 

Poinsettia season

Years ago I walked into a courthouse which had a five year old poinsettia. It vined across the office, expanding at least 12 feet. I was amazed. It is poinsettia season and with this beautiful commonly red plant, comes the desire to keep one alive for as long as you can. Here are some tips to help you keep your poinsettia alive as long as possible.

1. Poke holes in the foil so it has good drainage.
2. When you pick it up from the store, make sure it is wrapped completely as to keep it from getting cold weather damaged.
3. Poinsettia's like bright indirect sunlight with little to no ventilation so keep it away from drafts and windows.
4. After it is done blooming, you may fertilize it once per month. (Do not fertilize it while it is in bloom).
5. Ideal temperatures are from 60-70 degrees.

*Most poinsettias last only 6-8 weeks, but with luck you can get yours to live as long as the one I saw in that Court House. :)

Orchid Care

WATERING:
In the summer when inside temperatures are 80+, you should water them once per week. The method is as important as the consistency. Place the plant inside enough water to cover the bark and soak for 3-5 minutes. then drain it well.

In the winter, water it every 2-3 weeks. Orchids roots like to dry out 80-90% between waterings.

LIGHTING:
Filtered lighting. Orchids do not like hot-direct sunlight. A little direct light in the cooler mornings are ok.

AIR:
Air movement is important for orchids. You should leave a window open or put a fan in the room to prevent mold in the leaf joints.

TEMPURATURE:
No less than 55-60 degrees, otherwise flowers suffer. They prefer 65-80 during the day and 55-70 at night.

FERTILIZING:
Only fertilize when not in bloom! Fertilize 10-15-10 once per month. Again, fertilize only when not in bloom!

TRANSPLANTING:
Orchids love to be crowded so only re-pot after they split the plastic pot they live in- into 2. Then only move up one pot size. Do not use soil, purchase Orchid Potting Mix! :)

Enjoy Your Orchid!

DIY Pro's and Con's

We have established a budget, we have determined what we consider most important to us, now here are a few ways to save money via DIY and the pro's and con's for each of Photography, Music, and Reception. Our next blog will cover more DIY pro's and con's, covering

Gifts, Stationery, Transportation, Flowers, Rings, Attire, Ceremony

 

PHOTOGRAPHY 12% OR DIY

Some ways that people DIY is gather cameras and have all people at the wedding take photos then compile them, choose, and make copies. Another way to DIY is to choose 2-3 people to take the photos with digital cameras. Or rent professional equipment.

Pro’s	Con’s
*Seeing what each photographer thought was worth documenting	-sorting through 2000+ photos
*A lot of special moments were shot from many different angles – it’s like having a 360-degree view!	-finding a user-friendly site that would allow us to share our albums
*Our wedding paparazzi were all people we know and love.
*No waiting three months for editing – we had all of our photos in our hands within a day or two.
*Film and battery purchases, film developing, and printing I think we spend under $150.

BANDS/DJ  8% OR DIY 

Some DIY ideas include having a family member who is in a band come as a favor, or hire a DJ. You could also ask musically minded family or friends to act as a DJ with an ipod and sound system. You could send out song request ideas via email or IM on Facebook/Social Media to your guest so you can compile the songs in advance. Don't forget your favorites!

Pro’s	Con’s
Take complete control of the music	periodically check on music and sound system
iPod with an endless playlist	requesting songs

RECEPTION  48% OR DIY

Pro’s	Con’s
Intimacy of family and friends favorites	Time consumption
Money saving	Number of people
The Sky is your limit on Cake Design	Professionalism of Cakes
Choosing a Family Favorite Place	May still have to pay a Venue