My orchids are not perky anymore
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lori042499
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- May 3, 2006
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Not to be mean, Lori, but this is the reason I have told you you are not ready for your own business. There are probably 100 reasons you're orchids are drooping...All of which is a time learned thing....There are care and handling issues(5 or 6 just off the top of my head), there are cooling issues, there are ethlyne gas and age issues, there are cutting technique issues, there are how did you use them issues(full stem or single flower), there are supplier issues, the list continues...
You have already had trouble with your roses. Now your orchids...What happens if you have trouble with the flowers for a real bride and not just your portfolio...How will you handle it??? You may ruin someone's wedding day with wilted flowers because you didn't know the proper way to handle the flowers you were working with....
My only advise for you is to put your dreams of your own wedding business on hold for about 3-4 maybe 5 years.. get a job in the industry, do your share of learning and then see if you can make a go of your business.. Opening a flower business after taking a class is like taking a cooking class and opening a restaurant, it just is a disaster waiting to happen.. and again you asked for advise, I'm giving my honest to God advice...I am not being mean or nasty and not saying you don't have talent, just saying you lack the on hand experience that everyone needs..and a slew of great mentors that shapes every designer...
Well said Lori....
Lorinajac, have you tried working in a flower shop? That should be your first step if you've been to flower school already. Have they not covered this kind of thing in your courses?
The questions you ask are very basic and all florists and event designers on this board are very busy and don't have the time, let alone the interest to walk you through basic flower care.
We have already learned this stuff (most of it anyways) and the chat boards here are to discuss advanced techniques, operational methods and business management in the floral industry.
Your questions/comments have sparked a very serious debate in here, and I expected that after you witnessed that you'd maybe lay low for a while.
Instead you keep coming back with basic questions.... I don't understand how you don't see a problem with that....
Julie
Lorinajac, have you tried working in a flower shop? That should be your first step if you've been to flower school already. Have they not covered this kind of thing in your courses?
The questions you ask are very basic and all florists and event designers on this board are very busy and don't have the time, let alone the interest to walk you through basic flower care.
We have already learned this stuff (most of it anyways) and the chat boards here are to discuss advanced techniques, operational methods and business management in the floral industry.
Your questions/comments have sparked a very serious debate in here, and I expected that after you witnessed that you'd maybe lay low for a while.
Instead you keep coming back with basic questions.... I don't understand how you don't see a problem with that....
Julie
Mikey the Flower Guy
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- Nov 10, 2002
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As a 20 year veteran of this industry......I have to concur completely with what has been said. The best teacher is experience....You will learn more with an established floral shop than you can imagine.
In addition, with being in a floral shop envionment, you will readily learn the best ways to create arrangements quickly, profitably, and that will garner you repeat business when you are ready to begin branching out on your own. And even better than all that......the opportunity to learn from other seasoned professionals in numerous seminars and design shows will only spark you further.
Now...To the question at hand: Phaleanopsis and Callas in one arrangement. The orchids are droopy.
Possible reasons are: It could be any one or a combination of these.
1) They were older blooms to begin with.
2) They were an inferior grade sold by a less than reputable wholesaler or even an online supplier.
3)They were not processed properly following correct care and handling procedures.
4) The floral foam was not properly soaked with floral preservative.
5) The stem was cut with scissors and not a properly sharp floral knife which may have crushed the delicate internal tissues.
6) The stem end may be resting on top of a peice of foliage or another stem and not in contact with water.
7) There may not be enough water reservoir in the container to adequately keep the foam and flowers hydrated.
8) The orchids were exposed to ethylene
It could be any one or a combination of the above reasons....and this may not even cover all the possibilities..... and this is assuming that you used a floral foam designed for use with fresh flowers.
If they are in a vase of water:
9) The water has not been tested and treated with proper floral preservative
10) Too much or too little preservative used in the water
11) The vase or container not cleaned and disinfected.....free of bacterial growth
And it could even be more reasons than any of the ones listed.
In addition, with being in a floral shop envionment, you will readily learn the best ways to create arrangements quickly, profitably, and that will garner you repeat business when you are ready to begin branching out on your own. And even better than all that......the opportunity to learn from other seasoned professionals in numerous seminars and design shows will only spark you further.
Now...To the question at hand: Phaleanopsis and Callas in one arrangement. The orchids are droopy.
Possible reasons are: It could be any one or a combination of these.
1) They were older blooms to begin with.
2) They were an inferior grade sold by a less than reputable wholesaler or even an online supplier.
3)They were not processed properly following correct care and handling procedures.
4) The floral foam was not properly soaked with floral preservative.
5) The stem was cut with scissors and not a properly sharp floral knife which may have crushed the delicate internal tissues.
6) The stem end may be resting on top of a peice of foliage or another stem and not in contact with water.
7) There may not be enough water reservoir in the container to adequately keep the foam and flowers hydrated.
8) The orchids were exposed to ethylene
It could be any one or a combination of the above reasons....and this may not even cover all the possibilities..... and this is assuming that you used a floral foam designed for use with fresh flowers.
If they are in a vase of water:
9) The water has not been tested and treated with proper floral preservative
10) Too much or too little preservative used in the water
11) The vase or container not cleaned and disinfected.....free of bacterial growth
And it could even be more reasons than any of the ones listed.
One more Rick...orchids shouldn't spend time in the cooler (or fridge).
I have to concur with everyone else. While the straight talk may sound mean, it's the best advice and given in your best interest.
I have to concur with everyone else. While the straight talk may sound mean, it's the best advice and given in your best interest.
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
Have you ever observed how long a cymbidium orchid corsage will last in a regular 34 degree flower refrigertor?
It's amazing!
RJD, this is not to dispute what you say, because I know you are right about your orchid comment, however, cyms last for months.
At Mothers Day we had one Cymbidium orchid corsage left over, It was stored in a celophane bag. I threw it way in mid-July!
Even after 2 months that thing looked pretty good.
Cymbidiums are the cockroaches of the flora-world! (this is meant as a positive comment)
joe
felicityflowers
New Member
My house can be infested with those kind of cockroaches every day of the week...the more the merrier
Exactly.....and Orchids are making a comeback.....We had more orchids requested this last prom season than ever before.
I remember waaaaay back when I was still young in this business and working in the Charleston, SC area. I had to do what I have always thought was the most beautiful bride's bouquet ever. ( Wish digital cameras were around then to photograph it )
It was a cascade of 18 Purple/Purple throat Cattleya orchids, Stephanotis, Sword Fern, Draceana, and Ivy in a wired and taped bouquet. ( Haven't done a wired and taped bouquet in a looooooong time....except for competition. At least 10 years or longer since I sent one out the door on a wedding.
I remember waaaaay back when I was still young in this business and working in the Charleston, SC area. I had to do what I have always thought was the most beautiful bride's bouquet ever. ( Wish digital cameras were around then to photograph it )
It was a cascade of 18 Purple/Purple throat Cattleya orchids, Stephanotis, Sword Fern, Draceana, and Ivy in a wired and taped bouquet. ( Haven't done a wired and taped bouquet in a looooooong time....except for competition. At least 10 years or longer since I sent one out the door on a wedding.
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
My house can be infested with those kind of cockroaches every day of the week...the more the merrier
You crack me up.
Additionally - Most orchids are one of the few tropicals that can handle being in a cooler as are most members of the protea family
Lorinajac - As a twenty year veteran in this industry......I cannot re-iterate enough......spend some years working and learning in a shop environment....even if you do it part-time. Attend every seminar, design show, symposium you can during this time. The education that you will get as a result will provide a great deal of impetus in beginning a successful, profitable, rewarding wedding and event business.
Lorinajac - As a twenty year veteran in this industry......I cannot re-iterate enough......spend some years working and learning in a shop environment....even if you do it part-time. Attend every seminar, design show, symposium you can during this time. The education that you will get as a result will provide a great deal of impetus in beginning a successful, profitable, rewarding wedding and event business.
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