Botanics Florist Sydney Blog

Thursday, April 22, 2010

How To Book Your Wedding Florist

Flowers are a precious part of your wedding. Yet, it is unbelievable how many couples don't know how to book their wedding florist. So, when do you start booking your wedding florist? Is a month enough time? Definitely not. You should be thinking about your florist about eight months in advance. After a month of browsing around you should have selected the floral for your wedding reception.

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Florist

A few key things to consider when selecting floral are the colors and venue layout. The floral company you choose to go with will need to understand the layout of the venue where the reception will be held. This is important for logistics with perishable items. Most florists work in a localized area to increase their turn around time. Also, your florist needs to understand what you need with flowers. A common question they will ask is, " how many tables need centerpieces? " Depending on the time of year usually determines the color used. Spring relies heavily on pastels, while Autumn ties in great with vibrant oranges and deep reds. The florist you choose should have recommendations as to seasonal flowers that work with your budget and colors.

So, you have selected your color, banquet hall, and floral store, now what? What do you take to your first floral appointment? Make sure you bring sample pictures of how you envision your wedding reception. It is a good idea to show them a photograph of your wedding gown as well as a picture of your bridesmaid's dresses, a sample of the fabric is even better! This will get them thinking of possible floral colors that work nicely with your details. You want your florist to be aware of the colors that they are working with, so they better understand your needs.

While at your appointment, you should be proactive by asking questions. An important question you can ask is to see a portfolio of their recent work. While looking at their portfolio you will get a sense of their style. Ask your florist about any suggestions they have in mind for your reception. You don't have to listen to their advice, but it might be helpful as they are an expert in the industry. Also you might just simply like their recommendations better. When you have a full explanation of the service they will be offering, make sure that you ask for their service fees. Yes, fees are plural. Most of the time your florists will add extra services to better fit their client's needs.

As you are planning your event make certain that you don't forget the small details. Your floral artist needs to know the exact location of where the flowers will be delivered. It might be helpful to give them a map a week before (some facilities have confusing layouts). Try to be flexible with your order. This way, if something goes wrong with your flowers, they can be changed last minute. It is always a good idea to have a second choice in chosen flowers.

In conclusion, ideally you start booking your florist roughly eight months before your wedding date. The earlier you start planning for your wedding the better the outcome (and the less stressed). Before placing that final order with your florist, you should be able to see what the flowers will actually look like on your big day. If you do not have such an opportunity, reconsidering your floral choice might not be a bad idea.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Bouvardia, Gardenia, Oriental Lillies, Jasmine.........they all smell devine.....thats all I'll say on the matter.......

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Vertical wall garden in Sydney

Vertical Gardens have really become fashionable in the last few years. They are a fantastic idea for city dwellers who dont have a lot of space but still want a garden. They can be anything from small pots hanging from a wall or they can be huge spaces covering entire buildings. Like I've said in previous blog posts, we at Botanics Florist Sydney are not just Sydney florists but we are horticulturists also. We have over 20 years experience in growing and selling plants commercially for the Australian garden market.

We have developed our own version of the vertical garden which we have made available to anyone who wants such a garden. Each garden is made in individual panels and can be made to specific size. Each panel is attached to the wall individually and watering systems are installed to take care of moisture.

The thing that amazes everyone with our Vertical garden is that it has absolutely no soil and the plants grow in a Geo Tech fabric. It really isnt that remarkable tho, just go out into any forest and take a look up and around. You will be surprised at the number of plants living in the forks of tree branches, clinging to the trunks of trees or growing from cracks in the cliff faces etc, some plants have evolved so that they are perfectly happy in this situation. Orchids are a good example of this, most orchid species do not require soil in order to grow, which obviously makes them a perfect choice when thinking of a vertical garden.

Things to consider before vertical gardening
You first need to consider if the postion of your garden is going to be suitable for vertical gardening. This can include by laws etc if you are living in an apartment.

You then need to consider plant selection. Good plant selection is vital if your vertical garden is going to not only survive but flourish.

Another consideration is maintainance of the garden. Vertical gardens are not low maintanence but they also are not high maintanence either. Approx 1 - 3 hours a week needs to be spent on caring for the garden, although this isnt a lot, it is crucial.

If you would like to find out more about our Vertical Gardens for Sydney then give us a call on 02 9569 3232 or email us at orders@botanicsfloristsydney.com.au. We be happy to talk to you about whether a vertical garden will suit your postion and be more than happy to provide you with a quote. We will train/advise each customer on how to get the most from their gardens.

Caring for your cut flowers

One of the most often asked questions we get at Botanics Florist Sydney is "how do I care for my flowers". I hope you find the following tips useful.

Upon receiving your delivery of flowers, find a suitable clean vase and fill it to about 2/3 with cold tap water.

Add and disolve the flower preserver that we supply with your flower delivery.

Cut approx 2cm off the base of each flower stem, like humans, when plant stems are cut they start to heal over, re-cutting allows the flower stem to drink more water.

If you can, wash the vase each day with a weak solution of bleach and water and re-fill with freash water, then again re-cut the stems of your flowers before replacing them into the vase.

As flowers finish in the arrangement, take them out and discard them as allowing them to remain will increase bacteria levels in your vase and can effect the life span of the remaining flowers.

If you have liilies in your vase, remove the pollen stamens as the flowers open to avoid the pollen staining your clothes or furniture. If the pollen has dropped then sticky tape is handy to remove the marks.

If you have Hydrangea in your vase, take the flower heads and immmerse them in water for 5 mins every couple of days. On alternate days, if possible, mist the flower heads with water. Tropical flowers such as Orchids enjoy a regular misting of water also.

If your flowers are in an arrangement containing floral foam (green stuff), then all that needs to be done is to top up the water every couple of days. Stick your finger into the foam to check that it is wet.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

How to care for your Phaleanopsis Orchid

So you've received a gorgeous Phaleanopsis Orchid Gift delivery (hopefully from Botanics Florist Sydney) and you want to know how to take care of it?Unfortunately, not a lot of Sydney florists have a great deal of horticultural knowledge, take advantage of our 20 years experience in horticulture and read on.....
Phaleanopsis are an epiphytic orchid which means their natural habit is growing on branches in a tree or on rock ledges etc. Their roots don't grow in soil like other plants but are aerial roots and gather moisture from the surrounding atmosphere. This is why in the nurseries they are mostly grown in clear plastic pots, so that the roots are still exposed to light.
They are native to rainforest areas of South East Asia right through from the Himalaya's to Cape York.
Watering.
Watering is the most common way that people manage to kill their Phaleanopsis orchid. Never actually poor water on the mixture that its growing in like you would other indoor plants. Instead, invest in a spray bottle from the supermarket and every 2 or so days, spray the leaves and aerial roots of the plant. As a rule of thumb, I usually spray approx 125mls (half a cup) of water on each plant every couple of days....give or take..
Remember, their natural habitat is attached to a branch of a tree and gaining its moisture from the humid air in the rainforest, so the spray bottle imitates this.
When you see that the grey/whitish aerial roots turn green, you know that the orchid has had enough water.
Fertilising
Feeding your orchid is important, if fed correctly you will be enjoying large healthy plants but also masses upon masses of flowers for up to 9 months of the year!
Orchids have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria. I use on my orchids a weak solution of Fish emulsion, (as this is easy because it comes in liquid form) because fish emulsion is organic it has a high level of bacteria as opposed to chemically based fertilisers which have none.
Once a week I mix a weak solution of the Fish Emulsion in the spray bottle and spray the plant and its roots as normal.
Unfortunately, fish emulsion does smell a bit, so its probably best to take the plant outside when your doing this. If you don't like the idea if fish emulsion and would prefer a chemically based fertiliser then use a weak solution of Aquasol, its high potassium level will encourage strong continuous flowering. I personally alternate between the two, so one week I give the plant fish emulsion, the next week I feed them with Aquasol. Just make sure you mix them at least half the strength recommended on the pack.
Position.
The orchids need a bright position, but away from direct sunlight. On a window sill is great, as long as the direct sun never shines through the window and onto the plant. The orchids wont tolerate a dark stuffy room..........if that's you then perhaps outside in a protected position such as a porch or under a tree.
The best position is in the bathroom, the orchids LOVE it, its all the steam and humidity that a bathroom has that they love....... and they just look so elegant sitting on a vanity.

Flowering.

If you follow my directions with the feeding and watering, you could possibly have flowers on your Orchid for up to 9 months of the year! Each set of flowers can last a few months. After one set of flowers have finshed, dont go cutting the stem off at the base. Prune the stem back to the first node under the finished set of flowers and before long you should notice another flower stem emerging from that node. Quiet often it will start to develop long before the other flowers are finished.

One last word of warning.... a lot of Sydney flower shops and Sydney florists I've seen will sell these orchids with their roots entirely exposed and sitting in a glass vase full of water. Don't buy them, they wont last for very long with their roots submerged in water. One Sydney florist ensured me that "they love it" when I was looking at them and wanting to rescue them from their certain doom. Although they look fantastic displayed like this, it wont last and it will all end in tears............ :-(
If you would like to send someone a fantastic long lasting gift, try the Phaleanopsis, one of the most elegant flowers in the world. Take a look at our homepage on our website http://www.botanicsfloristsydney.com.au , there is a lovely pic of a white phaleanopsis there.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Lotus

One of the best things about being a Florist and Horticulturist in summer would definitely be working with the Lotus plant and the Lotus flower!
During the summer months it is commonly used by Sydney florists in their flower bouquets and arrangements and Botanics Florist Sydney is no different! We love them, not just for their appearance but because of their cultural and spiritual significance.
The Lotus or Nelumbo nucifera is commonly misconceived as a Water Lilly. While the Lotus is an aquatic perennial like the Water Lilly it is much different. The Leaves and flowers of the Lotus plant extend above the water surface where the Water Lilly floats on the water surface.
The Lotus is native to Southern Asia and is India's national flower. To Buddhists it has come to symbolise spiritual enlightenment, as its perfect, beautiful flowers rise from the dirty, smelly mud at the bottom of the lake in which it grows. Purity rising out of filth............
Lotus are easily grown in a large water bowl in a backyard or even balcony. They need to be planted at a depth of at least 40cm and require full sun to thrive. The only care they need is fertilising once a year in late winter/ early spring. Fertilising is best done by making a "parcel" of high potassium fertiliser wrapped in old newspaper and by pushing this parcel deep down into the Root zone of the plant.
In Winter when the plant has died down you can cut the old leaves off, but always ensure you cut them off above the surface of the water to avoid water filling the hollow stems and drowning the plant.
Lotus don't just look great in the garden, they also look fantastic in floral arrangements. While fresh Lotus flowers are sometimes available, it is the seed pod that is most commonly used in florists. This is because the individual flowers are not long lived, sometimes only lasting one day. The seed pods however last much longer and they're organic and sculptural appearance adds texture and interest to flower bouquets and flower arrangements. A bunch of the Seed pods casually arranged in a tall glass vase look exquisite!
Almost all parts of the Lotus are edible and used in Asian cooking including the flower, seeds, leaves and roots.
If you would like some Lotus pods or simply would like more information on growing these beautiful plants, don't hesitate to call Botanics Florist Sydney on 02 9569 3232, we would be happy to help.... we have had them growing in our garden for years and they never fail to give pleasure.
Botanics Florist is a boutique Sydney CBD florist operating from our design studio in Kent st, we are central to the City CBD and the new Barangaroo district. We offer Sydney wide flower delivery for orders received by noon.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Everyone loves my balls

I know I'm a florist, but I've always liked working with "rustic" materials, I guess it's from my years of gardening and garden designing........

One thing I get lots and lots of comments on in my shop is on my balls .......... (get your mind out of the gutter).......... These are great little "organic" sculptures that look fantastic either inside sitting on a rustic piece of furniture such as a coffee table or shelf or, outside in the garden, either sitting in the middle of a nice green patch of grass, in amongst the shrubbery or as a feature in a large pot. The first ball I ever made still takes pride of place in my garden sitting in a tall terracotta pot and surrounded by dark green mondo grass.......always receives lots of admiring comments from visitors to the garden.

I used to have a really big ball in my front garden but...........someone liked it more than I and came to collect it one night before christmas 2008...........I hope the lucky person receiving it liked it as much as I did.

If you like my balls as much as everyone else then remember that I make them to order . You can have them in galvanised or for a little extra I can rust them for you and you can have them in either plain wire or barbed wire. They make a fab Christmas gift for that person who loves anything rustic.