Organic Flowers "Going Green"
- Thread starter moflowers
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a lot of my brides are going "green" so I have gone to some suppliers using those farms
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
If I shoot off 6 - 20,000 cuft canisters off pure Nicotine in my greenhouse on a Saturday night, does that constitute me as being "GREEN"?
This whole Green thing will only get exploited by businesses.
Try convincing those South American Growers to go "green". Won't happen because going "green" won't be as appealling as pristine -unblemished petals.
joe
P.S. Oh yea, and what about the importation of nasty little bugs on "organically" grown flowers. The USDA won't allow it, even if other agencies are promoting the practice.
This whole Green thing will only get exploited by businesses.
Try convincing those South American Growers to go "green". Won't happen because going "green" won't be as appealling as pristine -unblemished petals.
joe
P.S. Oh yea, and what about the importation of nasty little bugs on "organically" grown flowers. The USDA won't allow it, even if other agencies are promoting the practice.
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
considering the false labeling of "green and organic" items floating around right now, the government agency in charge of acknowledging the product as "certified" green or organic is in backlog.
They keep saying stay away from anything made with trees, hmm... a renewable resource isn't "green"??
I personally have not had anyone ask for green or organic product as of yet.
They keep saying stay away from anything made with trees, hmm... a renewable resource isn't "green"??
I personally have not had anyone ask for green or organic product as of yet.
Well, of course I have something to say.... I always do, That lurking thing just isn't working out for me!
Anyway,
Going green is more than "organic" It's an over all life style. I'm not totally green but I do what I can, baby steps you know. recycle, take my own sacks to the store, and so forth.
And as for the shop, Yes we have.
There are some flowers that are naturally resistant to pests, such as iris or tulips...
We buy our lilies that are grown in Colorado and as much Colorado grown product as poss. It helps with that "carbon footprint" we get organically grown product when available, but it's not a must. We have a lot of those "organic types" here in Durango, I even had one guy call me at Valentines day so upset because his girlfriend didn't want him to send her and roses because she saw some show on the discovery channel. I sweetly explained to him about our low carbon footprint flowers, and the iris, tulips, etc stuff. So she got that instead.
There is so much that goes into certifying something to be organic, So I have a hard time with that word. the shop even buys renewable energy. We take all the boxes to the recycle center, we recycle all our soda cans, aquaplus, hydraquick, aquafinish, and so forth bottles.
It's all about that carbon footprint. To me it doesn't make much sense to buy "organic" flowers from south america, Then FLY them here. don't get me wrong we get flowers from allover the world, but just want we can't get grown in Colorado.
Keep in mind all glass is recyclable!! and flowers are biodegradable!!
Anyway,
Going green is more than "organic" It's an over all life style. I'm not totally green but I do what I can, baby steps you know. recycle, take my own sacks to the store, and so forth.
And as for the shop, Yes we have.
There are some flowers that are naturally resistant to pests, such as iris or tulips...
We buy our lilies that are grown in Colorado and as much Colorado grown product as poss. It helps with that "carbon footprint" we get organically grown product when available, but it's not a must. We have a lot of those "organic types" here in Durango, I even had one guy call me at Valentines day so upset because his girlfriend didn't want him to send her and roses because she saw some show on the discovery channel. I sweetly explained to him about our low carbon footprint flowers, and the iris, tulips, etc stuff. So she got that instead.
There is so much that goes into certifying something to be organic, So I have a hard time with that word. the shop even buys renewable energy. We take all the boxes to the recycle center, we recycle all our soda cans, aquaplus, hydraquick, aquafinish, and so forth bottles.
It's all about that carbon footprint. To me it doesn't make much sense to buy "organic" flowers from south america, Then FLY them here. don't get me wrong we get flowers from allover the world, but just want we can't get grown in Colorado.
Keep in mind all glass is recyclable!! and flowers are biodegradable!!
You know I will do cart wheels when I deliver flowers as long as I see GREEN in the bank!! believe me we try to do our part too I have a large family so we all try to recycle or reuse!! as far as GREEN suppliers if the customer wants it I will try my hardest to get it...
There is definitely a large "green" movement among consumers, and it is beginning to show up in the flower industry. There are many "labels" that are really just marketing labels, not actual certifications of sustainable or organic practices. This is commonly known as "greenwashing".
For those interested in "Green" flowers and plants, the most comprehensive certification in the flower industry is VeriFlora, ( http://www.veriflora.org/default.asp ) for several reasons including:
1) It is overseen by an independent agency (Scientific Certification Systems), NOT by an entity "in the business". Therefore, they have nothing to gain or lose by enforcing the standards.
2) The standards address Environmental sustainability (use of chemicals, management of waste and water, etc), Social/People issues (Fair labor practices, worker safety, community involvement and support, etc) and Quality (grading, cold chain management, traceability, etc.).
3) An ANSI standard is currently being finalized. ANSI is an organiztion that creates standards for all industries. I'm sure most of you have heard of this organization.
4) It is a global program.
5) Standards exist for Producers (farms, nurseries, etc), Handlers(wholesalers and trucking companies), and Mass Marketers. A pilot program is being developed for Retailers.
To learn more about VeriFlora, visit the web site. It includes an up to date list of certified producers and handlers. If you are a retailer and are interested in participating in the pilot program for Retailers should contact Annie Gardiner ([email protected] ) at the VeriFlora Sustainability Council. You can also get point-of-purchase merchandising materials to use in your shop.
For those interested in "Green" flowers and plants, the most comprehensive certification in the flower industry is VeriFlora, ( http://www.veriflora.org/default.asp ) for several reasons including:
1) It is overseen by an independent agency (Scientific Certification Systems), NOT by an entity "in the business". Therefore, they have nothing to gain or lose by enforcing the standards.
2) The standards address Environmental sustainability (use of chemicals, management of waste and water, etc), Social/People issues (Fair labor practices, worker safety, community involvement and support, etc) and Quality (grading, cold chain management, traceability, etc.).
3) An ANSI standard is currently being finalized. ANSI is an organiztion that creates standards for all industries. I'm sure most of you have heard of this organization.
4) It is a global program.
5) Standards exist for Producers (farms, nurseries, etc), Handlers(wholesalers and trucking companies), and Mass Marketers. A pilot program is being developed for Retailers.
To learn more about VeriFlora, visit the web site. It includes an up to date list of certified producers and handlers. If you are a retailer and are interested in participating in the pilot program for Retailers should contact Annie Gardiner ([email protected] ) at the VeriFlora Sustainability Council. You can also get point-of-purchase merchandising materials to use in your shop.
Going green as a business is not only about getting organic flowers.
It's also about:
- using locally grown products to limit use of fuel
- recycling all the materials the growers pack the stuff in (all the plastic sleeves, the gerb rackets, the stems themselves).
- using water smartly to wash our buckets.
I think too many people focus only on getting "green" flowers, and then they put in the stuff in the garbage instead of recycling.
It's a total lifestyle, not just a fad... And it shouldn't be a marketing scheme either.
It's also about:
- using locally grown products to limit use of fuel
- recycling all the materials the growers pack the stuff in (all the plastic sleeves, the gerb rackets, the stems themselves).
- using water smartly to wash our buckets.
I think too many people focus only on getting "green" flowers, and then they put in the stuff in the garbage instead of recycling.
It's a total lifestyle, not just a fad... And it shouldn't be a marketing scheme either.
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
what about the worms inside the apple that the birds want to eat?
Nicotine is a gas -- big smoke bomb. It is actually a Restricted Use Pesticide that is allowed to be used on Vegetable crops. I can not say that for some of the safer insecticides that are now available.
joe
Eeek, It is always amazing to me that people can have such negative reactions to such a positive and lasting change as going "green" can be.
No offense Joe.
We have switched over to Veriflora & Florverde as soon as it proved to be a viable product. The opportunity to provide flowers that are fair trade to the workers in South America, are safer for the workers, provide shorter downtime between spraying, I mean really, how could we NOT move over?
Whenever we are asked about "cheaper" flowers all we do is educate our client base about our decision to provide flowers that are both environmentally and socially responsible.
I really hate the "walmart" mentality that allows exploitation of workers and the environment all for a cheap and short term benefit. Nope, we buy flowers that look great and allow me to know I am supporting the move to a better world for my children and children all throughout my industry.
No offense Joe.
We have switched over to Veriflora & Florverde as soon as it proved to be a viable product. The opportunity to provide flowers that are fair trade to the workers in South America, are safer for the workers, provide shorter downtime between spraying, I mean really, how could we NOT move over?
Whenever we are asked about "cheaper" flowers all we do is educate our client base about our decision to provide flowers that are both environmentally and socially responsible.
I really hate the "walmart" mentality that allows exploitation of workers and the environment all for a cheap and short term benefit. Nope, we buy flowers that look great and allow me to know I am supporting the move to a better world for my children and children all throughout my industry.
Joe Mioux
Well-Known Member
BTW
I have done the green thing 5 or 6 years ago.
I used to buy parasitic and predatory insects to eat the bad bugs.
Guess What?
All those good bugs left the greenhouse and ate all the bugs outside.
Joe
I have done the green thing 5 or 6 years ago.
I used to buy parasitic and predatory insects to eat the bad bugs.
Guess What?
All those good bugs left the greenhouse and ate all the bugs outside.
Joe
Hey Joe,
how's it going buddy? Good I hope...
Anyway, Have you ever heard of a product called Basic H? It's made by Shaklee. My grandpa and aunts and uncles have fruit trees, apple, cherries, apricots, citrus, avocado, etc....
Anyway, I don't know if it would work for you but, They have always used a Basic H
solution to destroy those nasty little worms. Yuck. Not sure if it's organic per se. Basic H is a soap basically. har har har.
any hoo, just a thought.
sorry about your good bugs.....
how's it going buddy? Good I hope...
Anyway, Have you ever heard of a product called Basic H? It's made by Shaklee. My grandpa and aunts and uncles have fruit trees, apple, cherries, apricots, citrus, avocado, etc....
Anyway, I don't know if it would work for you but, They have always used a Basic H
solution to destroy those nasty little worms. Yuck. Not sure if it's organic per se. Basic H is a soap basically. har har har.
any hoo, just a thought.
sorry about your good bugs.....
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