365 Days of Floral Education - Days 111 - 115

As part of our 125^th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 111 – The Norfolk Island Pine Tree, known botanically as Araucaria heterophylla, is native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific between Australia and New Zealand. The ideal indoor climate for this species is bright and cool, with daytime temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees and slightly cooler at night. Although the Norfolk Island pine will adapt to bright indirect light, the plant will look its best with a couple of hours of direct sunlight daily.

Day 112 – Baby Blue Eucalyptus is a heavily scented grey green/blue foliage with round to heart shaped leaves. It has a long vase life and is easily dried or preserved for even longer life. In both fresh and dried form eucalyptus not only looks stunning, but its leaves may be used as an air freshener and in medicinal teas.

Day 113 - Kale or borecole is a form of cabbage in which the central leaves do not form a head. It is considered to be closer to wild cabbage than most domesticated forms. Many varieties of kale and cabbage are grown mainly for their ornamental leaves, which are brilliant white, red, pink, lavender, blue or violet in the interior of the rosette. Ornamental kale is as edible as any other variety.

Day 114 - Spanish moss, Tillandsia usneoides, is a flowering plant that grows upon larger trees, commonly the Southern

Live Oak or Bald Cypress in the southeastern United States. Spanish moss has been used for various purposes, including building insulation, mulch, packing material, mattress stuffing, and fiber. In the early 1900s it was used commercially in the padding of car seats. In 1939 over 10,000 tons of processed Spanish moss was produced. It is still collected today in smaller quantities for use in arts and crafts, or for beddings for flower gardens. Spanish moss is also known to have been worn by the women of the Timucua Indian tribe. It is also used by some as the filling for traditional voodoo dolls.

Day 115 - Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. Since the Chinese like numerous blossoms on a branch, the many buds of the pussy willow make it a favorite flower for Chinese New Year. The fluffy white blossoms of the pussy willow resemble silk, and they soon give forth young shoots the color of green jade. Chinese enjoy such signs of growth, which represent the coming of prosperity.l, and it’s said that the protea flower was named after him because it, too, presents itself in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes, hues and textures to make up more than 1,400 varieties. With its mythological associations to change and transformation, it’s not surprising that in the language of flowers, protea symbolizes diversity and courage.

Let it Rain!

We have a wonderful new line of umbrellas available at the shops in colors and styles brighten any rainy day. They may be designed to keep you dry, but our umbrellas are making a splash! 

A profusion of pink roses bending ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring. ~The Collected Later Poems of William Carlos Williams

It is not raining to me, It's raining daffodils; In every dimpled drop I see Wild flowers on distant hills. ~Robert Loveman

It will never rain roses. When we want to have more roses, we must plant more roses. ~George Eliot

I miss it if I’m not in it for any length of time; I don’t feel comfortable. I want trees and I want frequent rain. ~Murray Morgan

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. ~Dolly Parton

To see more great umbrella styles, flowers and more, stop in one of our stores today!

Flower Más!

Watching the news this morning we saw a pic of a Taco Bell employee… let’s just say, getting a little too into his work. While we don’t want to eat those particular taco shells, we totally get it Taco Bell… We love our product too!

 Flower Más!

Steins Makes Viral Videos

During the busy Mother’s Day rush we heard from our friends at Society of American Florists (SAF) asking for a bit of our insight on making viral videos for their June 2013 issue of Floral Management, which is all about online presence, social media and all things tech for the floral industry this month.

While we consider ourselves no experts in this field, we were happy to share what we do know… besides, all the fun we had making our “Gangnam Style” parody, “Oppa Stein Your Florist Style”, how could we keep what we do know a secret? 

Floral Management writer Mary Westbrook sent us a few questions and we were thrilled to read our response when the magazine’s digital issue was released on June 1^st. Since then we have been invited to speak at SAF’s 129^th Annual Convention in Phoenix, AZ as a part of their panel on social media in September!

MASTER THE ART: MAKE A HIGH QUALITY, VIRAL VIDEO

Jennifer Kelly, Stein Your Florist Company, Philadelphia
Mastermind behind recent videos, including a “Gangnam Style” parody.

Our videos get the best response when we hit current events and relate them back to flowers. We keep our eyes on the Internet and TV and try to strike while the iron is hot.
Our Canon Vixia HFG10 captures great HD footage, easily connects to a computer with a USB port for editing, and is simple to use. A tripod will keep the picture from shaking. We’ve also used our iPhones for videos -- that’s what we did when Hurricane Sandy hit our area and the shops were closed (with the camera inside).
To edit, we use Windows Live Movie Maker. It’s simple to use and was already installed on a few of our computers when we purchased them, so there was nothing extra to buy. Audacity is a free editing software that really improves video quality by getting rid of humming refrigerators and ringing telephones.
We upload finished videos to YouTube and then post to our blog and social media channels and send out an email blast. Out stores also have large flat screen TVs connected to computers where our customers can check out our videos as well as photos of our work… but social media spreads the word best.
Stein Your Florist on YouTube:  www.youtube.com/user/SteinYourFlorist

365 Day of Floral Education - Days 106 - 110

As part of our 125^th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

 Day 106 – The red rose has long been the traditional Valentine's Day flower. The red rose is also the favorite rose of Venus, goddess of love and that is the main reason the red rose has the meaning of passion and love, making it a Valentine favorite.




Day 107 - The gerbera daisy was discovered in 1884 near Barberton, South Africa, by Scotsman Robert Jameson. While the flower's scientific name, Gerbera jamesonii, recollects the name of its founder, the meaning of its common name draws from German naturalist Traugott Gerber. Breeding programs that began in England in 1890 enhanced the flower's quality and color variations. The gerbera daisy's popularity soon traveled to growers in the Netherlands which, along with Columbia, is the primary distributor of the flower's cut version today. The gerbera currently ranks as the fifth most popular flower in the world behind the rose, carnations, chrysanthemum, and tulip.

Day 108 - Hardy cacti and other succulent plants are accustomed to desert conditions and prefer bright, indirect light or direct sun. Water them thoroughly and evenly, allowing them to dry out completely in between waterings. If the soil becomes too hard and causes water to run off, place the pot in water just to cover the soil, and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.

Day 109 - Calla lily plants thrive in slightly cool, sunny spots, especially after their blooms open. Check their soil frequently and keep it moist but not soggy. These bulb-like plants grow from rhizomes, and when they're finished blooming, you can plant them outdoors in mild climates. They need a winter rest period before reblooming, so allow them to dry out over the winter.

Day 110 – Among the oldest families of flowers on earth, dating back 300 million years, Greek legend tells us that protea were named after Proteus, the son of Poseidon. A sea god who had the power to know all things past, present and future, Proteus was defiant and preferred to nap on the island of Pharos rather than prophesize. To deter those seeking his insights, he would change his shape at will, and it’s said that the protea flower was named after him, because it too presents itself in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes, hues and textures to make up more than 1,400 varieties. With its mythological associations to change and transform, it’s not surprising that in the language of flowers, protea symbolizes diversity and courage.

365 Days of Floral Education - Days 101 - 105

As part of our 125^th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 101 - Legend has it that the amaryllis - the stunning red flower we've come to associate with the holidays - began as a shy, timid nymph. Amaryllis fell deeply in love with Alteo, a shepherd with Hercules' strength and Apollo's beauty, but her affections were unrequited. Hoping that she could win him over by bestowing upon him the thing he desired most - a flower so unique it had never existed in the world before - Amaryllis sought advice from the oracle of Delphi. Following his instructions, Amaryllis dressed in maiden's white and appeared at Alteo's door for 30 nights, each time piercing her heart with a golden arrow. When at last Alteo opened his door, there before him was a striking crimson flower, sprung from the blood of Amaryllis's heart. With this romantic - albeit tragic - tale as its beginning, it's not surprising that today the amaryllis has come to symbolize pride, determination and radiant beauty.

Day 102 - Wax flower gets its name from the tough, waxy feel of the tiny flowers. It smells pine-y fresh and wonderful, especially when the stems are broken or the petals are crushed. Wax flower comes in basic white and pink colors, but it is available in an array of other colors as well, thanks to floral dyes. With its multiple tiny bowl shaped flowers it is a beautiful subtle accent for many bouquets.

Day 103 - Native to Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Russia and North America, heather branches are said to have been used to make baskets, rope, bedding, as thatch for roofs and even to flavor beer or tea. Today, it’s the beautiful heather flowers—in colors ranging from white to pink, purple and red – that draw our attention. Symbolizing admiration and good luck, heather is also believed have protective powers.














Day 104 - The traditional floral symbol of China, the state flower of Indiana, and the 12th wedding anniversary flower, peonies are known as the flower of riches and honor. With their lush, full, rounded bloom, peonies embody romance and prosperity and are regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage.

Day 105 – The story of lilac, according to Greek mythology, begins with a beautiful nymph named Syringa (lilac’s botanical name). Captivated by her beauty, Pan, the god of the forests and fields, chased Syringa through the forest. Frightened by Pan’s affections, Syringa escaped him by turning herself into an aromatic bush – the flower we now refer to as lilac.

365 Days of Floral Education - Days 96-100

As part of our 125^th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 96 - Named after Charles Bouvard, the personal physician to Louis XIII and the superintendent of the Royal Gardens in Paris, modern varieties of bouvardia have names such as Pink Luck, Albatross and Royal Katty. Their star-like flowers grow in clusters on thin, branching stems, like small flower bouquets in soft shades of pink, white, yellow, salmon and red. With a delicate scent and feminine appearance, in the language of flowers, bouvardia represent enthusiasm.

Day 97 - With a host of names – from Texas Bluebell to Prairie Gentian to Lira de San Pedro – lisianthus symbolize an outgoing nature. Native to Texas and Mexico, and descended from a North American wildflower, in their single-form variety, lisianthus may resemble tulips or poppies. In their double form, they can take on the appearance of roses or peonies. With wide ruffled, delicate petals and oval leaves, in colors ranging from white to pink, lavender to purple and bicolors such as blue-violet, it’s said that lisianthus also symbolize appreciation.

Day 98 - Legend has it that Queen Anne, the wife of King James I, was challenged by her friends to create lace as beautiful as a flower. While making the lace, she pricked her finger, and it’s said that the purple-red flower in the center of Queen Anne’s Lace represents a droplet of her blood. Also called Wild Carrot (since Queen Anne’s Lace is the wild progenitor of today’s carrot), Bishop’s Lace or Bird’s Nest (for the nest-like appearance of the bright white and rounded flower in full bloom), in the language of flowers, Queen Anne’s Lace represents sanctuary.

Day 99 - Native to Asia and celebrated for its medicinal properties as well as its bright beauty, the small camellia-like ranunculus ranges from white to pink, red to yellow to orange. Also known as Buttercup and Coyote’s Eyes, legend has it that the mythological Coyote was tossing his eyes up in the air and catching them when Eagle snatched them. Unable to see, Coyote created eyes from the buttercup. In the language of flowers, a bouquet of ranunculus says, “I am dazzled by your charms.”

Day 100 - With its richly colored yet small, delicate flowers, the sweet pea’s history can be traced back to 17th century Italy, when a Sicilian monk, Franciscus Cupani, sent its seeds to England. Although that original sweet pea bore little resemblance to the flower we know today, when Harry Eckford, a Scottish nurseryman, crossbred the original flower, he created the colorful, ornamental and sweetly scented sweet pea we know today. Ekford’s varieties included the pink Dorothy Eckford, the lavender Lady Grisel Hamilton, the scarlet King Edward VII and perhaps his most famous, the Countess Spencer. Meaning delicate or blissful pleasure in the language of flowers, this enchanting flower remains a favorite fragrant blossom.