Build your own bouquet

A dozen red roses may be spectacular. But to some women, it's the default Valentine's present, same-o and impersonal -- something a chimp with a credit card could send. This year, it might be time to show your sweetie that it's YOU who is the true King of Romance. The man among men who knows her favorite colors and flowers, and who used his own hands, time and creativity to make her a bouquet. Remember how much your mom liked the pot holder you made her? A somewhat less romantic reason is that building your own floral arrangement can also cut the cost of Valentine's gallantry considerably.

To show how it's done, we recruited Richard Grant, 25, a research specialist at the UW Biotech Center with no previous bouquet-building credentials. Under the guidance of floral designer Judy Ansfield, the manager of Felly's Flowers on University Avenue, Grant made a bouquet for his girlfriend, Becca Splain, also 25.

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How florists can flourish

One hundred years ago, a German immigrant named Max Rothe opened a little flower shop on Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy. In the decades since, it has survived war and depression, changing consumer habits, and competition on every front. Six months ago, great-grandson Herbert B. Rothe 3d took over from his father, Herbert Jr., becoming the fourth generation at the helm of what is an increasing rarity in two respects: Rothe's, at 7148 Germantown Ave., is a thriving retail florist, and it's still family-owned. "We're opening the next chapter," says the younger Rothe, 39. And an interesting one it will be. Rothe Florists has had an unbroken chain since 1908, placing it among the less than 3 percent of family businesses that make it to the fourth generation. To say nothing of the longevity of family florists.

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How does the Valleyheart garden grow? With coral bells, rare trees

People who live on Valleyheart Drive in Studio City, between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Radford Avenue, are truly blessed. They not only live directly above the Los Angeles River, but also above a remarkable public garden of drought-tolerant plants that runs along the river's concrete edge. I am sure that, at any given moment, some of the plants in the garden are in bloom.

During this midwinter period, there are plenty of flowers in pink, purple, yellow and red on display in the Valleyheart garden. The plants bearing these flowers are worthy of consideration for placement in the yards, gardens, and patio or balcony containers of people like you and me. It is so easy to succumb to force of habit and rely on standard nursery fare in making plant selections. On the other hand, it is always refreshing to encounter a garden in which nearly every plant is a rarity in the neighborhood.

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So beautiful you could eat it

Instead of getting fragile flowers or cheap chocolates for Valentine's Day, some people give their loved ones beautiful edibles.

Jan Aalerud, customer service manager of Edible Arrangements on Littleton Road, said the arrangements of fresh fruit always draw an unforgettable reaction.

"I wish I could capture someone's face when they open the door. When I deliver to offices jaws drop and people just run towards me," said Aalerud.

The design staff at Edible Arrangements takes fresh fruit and arranges them to order in one of dozens of available designs. Fruit is cut by custom machines to resemble a traditional flower bouquet like pineapples cut to look like daisies and faux leaves made out of cantaloupe and honeydew melons. The stems are arranged in a variety of containers like white baskets, vases or even a ceramic football.

The fruit is fresh.

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Kenya: Firms Piecing Broken Peace to Retain Workers

Although flower plantations are still smarting from the post-election terror visited on the horticultural hub of Naivasha two weeks ago, the management of some farms has rolled out peace and healing programs to forestall adverse consequences.
An employee works in a green house at a Naivasha flower farm. The fortunes of flower farmers in Naivasha changed for the worst after the violence in which 30 people were killed, scores injured and property worth millions of shillings destroyed. Consequently, the more than 50 flower farms in the area are operating with skeleton staff since more than 3,000 workers have fled to safer zones.

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Spring will be in full bloom at flower and garden show

Step out of the cold winter weather into the warmth of spring with colorful flowers, beautiful gardens, and bubbling fountains at the 19th Annual Maymont Flower & Garden Show. Virginia’s long-standing tradition will offer the latest in horticulture, gardens, seminars and a marketplace filled with goodies that will have Richmonders dreaming of spring. For the first time, the Maymont Flower & Garden Show will be combined with the MAC Events Home Show-Richmond to be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from February 21 through February 24. Proceeds from the show benefit the nonprofit Maymont Foundation.

Show attendees can look forward to these exciting features:

Garden Displays The 2008 show theme is "The Entertaining Garden" Party Among the Petals." Any day is a good day for a garden party--learn how to make your next outdoor celebration sizzle.

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Force the issue with some blooms for indoor winter beauty

Question: I have always wanted to force my forsythia and cherry branches into bloom during the winter. Is now the time and what is the proper procedure?

Answer: Many trees and shrubs that normally flower in early spring can be cut, forced to bloom and brought into your home for a dash of springtime in winter. The best time to begin forcing flowering branches is late January, February and March. It may take up to eight weeks for your buds to open. The closer it is to the natural bloom time the sooner they will open.

The buds of flowering branches form during the previous fall. After about eight weeks of cold temperatures below 40 degrees, they are ready to bloom if provided the right conditions. Carefully cut the branches, 1/4-inch above a bud, from crowded areas of the shrub. Use sharp pruners.

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Weekend: Flowers, jewelry and more

This weekend features a bevy of events sure to please Valentines, kids and others.

Burlington County College will open its month long flower show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The show is at the college's Mount Holly campus at 1 High St.

The exhibit, which continues through March 14, features floral works of art as well as horticultural exhibits. Fresh flowers as well as a variety of plants will be on sale during the opening event. Call (609) 267-5618, ext. 4509.

Jay Roberts Jewelers at 515 S. Route 73 in Marlton will hold a Jewelry Extravaganza event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Guests will have cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at this fundraiser for the JCC in Cherry Hill. All attendees receive $25 in Jay Roberts cash (and get entered into a drawing for David Yurman jewelry).

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Downtown flower store chooses organic path

A downtown Lafayette store is taking a more environmentally friendly approach to business, and celebrated the change Thursday.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies, sponsored by the Lafayette-West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, were held at Adam & Eve Flowers & Balloons.

"We've gone to an all-organic concept. We sell flowers grown in an agricultural-friendly way -- no pesticides, no fertilizer and (the use of) smart farming which prevents soil erosion," said shop owner Paula Davis.

"We also partner with companies that promote a sustainable economy by paying a living wage to employees, have humane working conditions and no child labor."

Plush animals that are sold at the store also are produced by vendors who agree to the concept of a sustainable economy. Balloons that are available are biodegradable and latex-free.


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Thrifty Thursday: Valentine's Day On A Budget

Valentine's Day is drawing close, but flowers, jewelry and fancy dinners can get expensive.

Here's some ways to show you care on a budget that we found at the Dollar Stretcher website.

1. Make heart shaped food including pancakes, cookies or burgers.
2. Make a homemade Valentine's Day card
3. Test your writing skills by writing a letter or a poem.
4. Put your favorite songs or various love songs on a mix CD.
5. Use balloons to make a homemade bouquet.

If you must get flowers for that special someone, remember that prices on roses are often the highest in February. Consider buying one rose or a different type of flower, which is in season.

Deals on flowers can often be found at grocery stores and wholesale stores, which sometimes have greater buying power than florists.


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Colombia to export 260 million dollars-worth of Valentine flowers

Bogota - Exports of Colombian flowers for Valentines Day celebrations in the United States and other countries are expected to leave producers in the South American country an income of some 260 million dollars. Augusto Solano, president of the Colombian Association of Exporters of Flowers (Asocolflores), said Wednesday that the United States alone will receive 1.5 million boxes, mostly roses, ahead of February 14.

Solano noted that 62 per cent of the roses that will be presented that day in the United States will come from Colombia, although carnations, chrysanthemums, cala lilies and astromelias are also to be sent.

However, Solano noted that frost that has occurred since last month in the Savannah of Bogota - a plateau where some of the country's largest flower plantations are located - has affected production in the run-up to Valentines Day.

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Valentine's Day Flowers in the Philippines

Valentine's Day Flowers in the Philippines can be Picked Straight from the Farm Through islandrose.net

The best way to send Valentine's Day flowers to the Philippines is by going direct to the supplier. Through www.islandrose.net, customers are able to pick the freshest flowers, at the fairest prices, straight from the farm. As the first and most experienced nationwide flower delivery service in the Philippines, Island Rose offers unmatched products and services.

Manila, Philippines (PRWEB) February 6, 2008 -- Instead of letting a retailer select your flowers this Valentine's Day, why don't you pick them yourself?

Philadelphia Flower Show kicks off season today

The Philadelphia Flower Show season was officially inaugurated this morning with cornbread, gumbo and piles of Mardi Gras beads at Warmdaddy's, the blues and jazz club on South Columbus Boulevard.

"Jazz It Up," the music and gardens of New Orleans, is the theme for this year's show, which runs from March 2 to 9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 11th and Arch Streets.

Jane G. Pepper, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which puts on the show, urged the small gathering to add "a touch of New Orleans" to their gardens this year by incorporating new ideas from "Jazz it Up." She also encouraged everyone to travel to the city, as she did recently for a wedding.

"That way we in Philadelphia can really help the people in New Orleans," Pepper said, referring to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Happy Valentine's

Those in love barely need a special day to express their feelings as each moment spent together brings them joy. However, Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to show appreciation for those you like, send a hint to those you're secretly in love with, or meet new acquaintances at a holiday party.

A bit of romance

No matter how you decide to celebrate Valentine's Day, the most classic way to show your feelings is through a romantic present accompanied by a heart-shaped postcard. Decorated with fresh flowers, the gift will make an even more romantic impression. Kyiv flower shops, like Ukraflora, Green Gallery, and Kvitkova Vanil (Flower Vanilla) offer Valentine bunches in the form of a heart, or symbolically embellished ones.

There are many other ways to add sweetness to your present.