Our Greenhouse!

Here are some photos of what is going on in the greenhouse today. Planting new beds and beautiful lily crops!

Rose of the week.

Anastasia. This is a cream colored rose with a slight hint of pink on the edges. It has a very large head and a high petal count. This have the potential to be very very pretty...let's see how they open.

We're Growing Green!

Stevens and Son Wholesale Florists is launching a “Growing Green” campaign for 2012. We are making a considerable effort to build a sustainable business in which we incorporate and focus on these four principles.

1.      Incorporating principles of sustainability into each of our business decisions.

2.      Supplying environmentally friendly products or services that replace demand for non-green products and/or services.

3.      Leading our industry through innovation and collective efforts by using sustainable business practices.

4.      Making an enduring commitment to environmental principles in our business operations.

We are taking the following actions to build on these principles of sustainability:

Composting: We will begin composting our flower waste here on site to be used to grow our local product.

Increasing recycling efforts: We will be placing recycling bins all over our building and greenhouse to make it more convenient to recycle paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastic products. We will also recycle ink and toner cartridges.

Launching an email effort: We will offer our customers the option to be sent promotional material via email to reduce the paper and ink used.

Educating: We will be educating our sales staff, employees and customers about steps we are taking to become environmentally friendly and encouraging them to participate. We will also educate the public about our efforts.

We encourage the collaboration of our customers in buying locally grown products and the recycling and reusing of packaging materials. We also encourage any suggestions or new ideas of ways we can further our goal of “Growing Green.” We greatly appreciate the help and support of our floral family in making this push to a greener more environmentally friendly 2012. 

Freesia Trick!

Ever notice how the first blossom on a fresh stem of Freesia dies right away?

Flower care trick: NEVER cut Freesia!

Freesia have the strongest vascular system of just about any flower. Plus when you cut the stem; a surge of ethylene rushes up the stem and kills the open blossom.

So…when you get your Freesia (no matter how far it has come…EVEN if the ends of the stem look calloused) resist the urge to give it a fresh cut!

Simply place it into ICE COLD water treated with the Chrysal Floral Nutrient Bulb food…and remove bands and sleeves. You’ll be Pleasantly Surprised that EVERY bud will open in sequence…all the way to the end!

P.S. It only works with Freesia…kinda goes against everything we’ve been taught…but try it once and you’ll be a believer.

-J. Schwanke Production/Ubloom

Rose of the week...Engagement

Blogger was having some technical difficulties last week and I was unable to post, so we have some catching up to do. :) Here was the rose we chose last week...Engagement. Light pink rose with a good petal count. Nice classic rose shape. 

It open up nicely and held up very well.

Limbo Update!

These roses turned out to be a surprise beauty. They are a very deceiving color at first but open up to a very pretty yellow color. The petals have so much character! What do you all think?

Rose of the Week!

Limbo! How cool is this rose? It is a light green/yellow color. Limbo has a fairly small head, but unique edges to the petals.