Tag: sending flowers

June’s Birth Flower: The Rose its history and secret language decoded

The Rose of June - Brought to you by Starbright Floral Design
The Birth Flower of June

The rose, June’s birth flower is rich in symbolism and myth.  Its image has been utilized  throughout history on such diverse topics as love, war, politics and beauty.

 

The Myths

The first rose of record is said to be in ancient Greece.  The Gods had a tendency to find beauty in tragedy.  It was one of these tragic moments that created the rose.   Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, created the rose when her tears mixed with the blood of Adonis, her lover.  The Romans, not fearful of copying the Greeks like a Xerox machine, created their own legend of the rose’s creation.  According to Roman legend, there was an incredibly beautiful maiden named Rhodanthe.  She was relentlessly pursued by suitors. Exhausted by their pursuit, Rhodanthe sought refuge in the temple of Diana.  Diana was jealous of Rhodanthe and when the suitors broke down her temple gates to get near Rhodanthe, she became furious. Diana’s rage led her to turn Rhodanthe into a rose and her suitors into thorns.    The rose’s appeal was farther reaching then just the west.  The Persians had their own tale of creation.  The Persian legend explains the creation of the red rose as well as the origin of the nightingale’s beautiful voice.  According to legend all roses were originally white and nightingales were ordinary birds who can only chirp.  One day the nightingale met a beautiful white rose and fell in love.   The nightingale’s love was so intense and his need to express his love so great that he was inspired to sing for the first time.  When the nightingale made his moves on the rose and pressed himself up against it the thorns pierced his heart, coloring the rose red.  If you are like me (Greek), clearly the Greek mythological tale is more appealing.  However, fossil evidence suggests that roses existed 35 million years ago, well before any of these myths suggest.

Symbolism

The rose’s symbolic value is not exclusive to England but was most widely used and popularized there.   The rose was first looked upon as a symbol of war.  A civil war that raged on from 1455-1487 between the House of York and the House of Lancaster.   The House of York adopted a white rose, the House of Lancaster was represented by a red rose. The war has been dubbed “The War of the Roses”.  The winner of this war, Tudor Henry VII (The Tudors), merged his Lancastrian rose with the rose of his York bride and thus the creation of the Tudor Rose, the Rose of England.

In later years the rose evolved into a form of language creating a secret means of communication between lovers.   In the mid 18th century the wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople described this language in her letters.  Largely due to the publication of her letters after her death, we have the code necessary to decipher the intricate language of roses.  For example if you want to ask your love interest “will you love me?”, send an open white rose.    Want to ask  “Don’t you love me any more?” , send an open yellow rose.      Want to say “I respect and look up to you” then send a bouquet of white roses.   Red roses signify  “forever I Love You”.  However a bouquet of red and white roses state “Together we are one and united”.  Want to declare your attraction to someone but don’t want to go as far as declaring your undying love, then purple roses are the way to go.  Colors alone aren’t enough to deliver the complex messages of love.  In combination with the colors, the number and degree of bloom of the roses have also been assigned meaning.  A dozen roses says  “Be Mine”.   Thirteen roses tells someone we’ll be friends forever.  Three dozen roses expresses “I’m head over heels in love!”.  Six dozen roses or more says “my love for you is limitless”.  In addition to its Victorian assigned message, this last one says “I’m a Starbright Gold club member”.

Regardless of its diverse assigned meanings, the one constant is the rose’s undeniable beauty.  The recipient of a beautiful arrangement of roses is always appreciative.

This and most scribes on this web log is brought to you by Starbright Floral Design.  We are a full-service florist located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District.  We deliver inspired floral compositions throughout Manhattan, all of New York City and everywhere beyond.  We invite you to visit our website at www.starflor.com.  Here you will be able to gain a broader perspective on our organization and on the work that we do.  You may CLICK HERE to visit our e-portal where  you may place an order for designer-inspired flower vases and arrangements, our orchids, plants and so much more.  We offer  same-day delivery to most parts of the United States.

We will be honored to be of service to you now and for a long time to come… Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That  Never Sleeps”.

Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!

Starbright Floral Design

150 West 28th Street – Studio 201, New York City

800.520.8999

www.starflor.com

 

Tulips: The First Money Bubble!

Investors beware! Tulip bulbs crash!
A tulip, known as "the Viceroy", displayed in a 1637 Dutch catalog. Its bulb cost between 3000 and 4200 florins depending on size. A skilled craftsman at the time earned about 300 florins a year.

Do you know a stockbroker or financial professional that has suffered losses recently?  Cheer him up with some tulips! Here is the story and why things no matter how bad they seem can always be worse…

As we celebrate the end of tulip season for yet another magnificent year… I share with you a story about this amazing flower that is sure to surprise you.  The financial bubble that came about was caused by tulip bulbs.  It took place way before the bubble in the stock market, the housing market or any other bubble and subsequent bubble that you may know of.

It was tulip mania or tulpomanie to the Dutch.  This was a period in the Dutch Golden Age during which contract prices for bulbs of the recently introduced tulip reached extraordinarily high levels and then suddenly collapsed. At the peak of tulip mania, in February 1637, some single tulip bulbs sold for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman. It is generally considered the first recorded speculative bubble (or economic bubble).

The term “tulip mania” is sometimes used metaphorically to refer to any large economic bubble.

The event was popularized in 1841 by the book Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, written by British journalist Charles Mackay. According to Mackay, at one point 12 acres (5 ha) of land were offered for a Semper augustus bulb. Mackay claims that many such investors were ruined by the fall in prices, and Dutch commerce suffered a severe shock. Mackay’s book is a classic that is widely reprinted today, his account is contested.

Research on the tulip mania is difficult because of the limited data from the 1630s—much of which comes from biased and anti-speculative sources. Although these explanations are not generally accepted, some modern economists have proposed rational explanations, rather than a speculative mania, for the rise and fall in prices. For example, other flowers, such as the hyacinth, also had high prices on the flower’s introduction, which then fell dramatically. The high prices may also have been driven by expectations of a parliamentary decree that contracts could be voided for a small cost—thus lowering the risk to buyers.

All we want is tulips in a vase to enjoy them all season long!  They still grow in Holland.  Today tulips are a harmless flower that brings much joy and  is considered by many the first sign of springtime.  They are commercially available as cut flowers from September to May.  In the off-months you can get them, but the quality is not great and they are pricier than at their peak season (March, April and May).

All of us at Starbright love tulips…

This post is brought to you by Starbright Floral Design (www.starflor.com).  Sometimes we like to bring out “the fun side of flowers” by injecting some humor into our scribes.  We truly hope you enjoy our reads and get to see flowers from a little bit of a different perspective.  We sure do.

When you have some time, please visit our website and tell us what you think of the work that we do.  If you would like to order a gift for someone, you can visit our e-commerce portal we always recommend Designer’s Choice as a great option to take the guess work out of ordering flowers for a friend, a loved one or a parent. We deliver flowers on a same day basis (open seven days a week) in the United States.  Worldwide delivery is available  (except war zones, jungles, desserts and merchant marine vessels in the open sea) within 48 hours.

We would love to hear from you!  An alternative to our website is to call us (800.520.8999) or you may visit us at 150 West 28th Street (Second Floor).  We are in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District.  Pop on in! We would love to meet you!

Starbright Floral Design – The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps.

“Flowers, Festivals & Celebrations… It is what we do!”

Administrative Professionals Day (Secretaries Day): The law of unintended consequences strikes again.

Simple, clean and modern designs for Secretaries Week

Administrative Professionals Day (Secretaries Day) is the day executives recognize the work of secretaries, and other administrative support professionals.  However, these are precisely the people who often are given the task of organizing and keeping the executive’s schedule updated.  Every year at this time, as a by-product of the holiday, these individuals are put in an unenviable predicament.  Marking the calendar can possibly be viewed as a self-serving act.  Not marking the calendar can lead to their bosses’ embarrassment. In an effort to help our administrative professional friends and our executives, Starbright has launched an awareness campaign.  This blog as well as our other cyber communication means at our disposal are being applied to ease the burden placed on administrative professionals.

Administrative Professionals Day (Secretaries Day) is observed on the Wednesday of the last full week of April, this year the day is April 27.  National Secretaries Week was created in 1952 through the efforts of Harry F. Klemfuss, a New York publicist and honorary member of the Florist hall of fame (second part- kidding).  In 1955, the observance date of National Secretaries Week was moved to the last full week of April. The name was changed to Professional Secretaries Week in 1981, and became Administrative Professionals Week in 2000.  In the U.S. the holiday is often celebrated by taking the staff out to lunch or a gift of a beautiful floral arrangement enjoyed by all.

The secret language of flowers was created in Victorian times when etiquette was prohibitive of voicing one’s emotions.  Accordingly flowers were given hidden meanings.  Floral gifts given to administrative professionals on April 27 contain no hidden meaning.  The message is clear and for all the office to see: “Thank You!”

It is that time of the year to celebrate and express our appreciation to those who do so much all year-long to keep the wheels of commerce  moving.  Assistants of all stripes have saved companies, increased revenue, prevented recessions and even kept those that they report looking great and making sure  that personal and department performance is at it is peak.  All of us at Starbright Floral Design are standing ready all week to help you express the appreciation that is so well deserved.

Starbright Floral Design is located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District in New York City and we deliver beautiful flowers, bouquets in amazing designs and so much more throughout Manhattan and beyond.

We can be reached by phone at 800.520.8999 or on the web at www.starflor.com.  Our e-commerce portal is located at www.starbrightnyc.com.  Call us, visit us, or go on-line.  We would love to meet you and have the opportunity to be of service.

Our warmest regards,

The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps

Starbright Floral Design – Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations.  It is what we do!

Starbright and the Community: Women Mean Business

Every now and again we have the opportunity to work with a partner to sponsor an organization whose contribution to the community is exceptional and where  the great work done is desperately needed.  Here is just such an opportunity.  This Tuesday the 12th of April we are proudly sponsoring the floral decor for the 17th Annual Women Mean Business Luncheon which is to benefit the Coalition for the Homeless.  The event will take place  this Tuesday  at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.  We asked the program chair to pass along some information about the event to our audience…

Women Mean Business

Please join us at the Coalition for the Homeless’ 17th annual Women Mean Business Luncheon on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.  All proceeds from the Women Mean Business Luncheon support the Coalition’s First Step Job Training Program.

First Step is a 14-week career readiness program for homeless and low-income women that emphasizes computer, literacy, and communication skills required for today’s tough job market.  We place our students in internships with major corporations or nonprofit organizations, provide them with mentors and job coaches, and help our graduates find and retain full-time, living wage employment. Since the majority of our students have faced domestic violence or incarceration, we also provide comprehensive social services to help them with emotional and personal issues outside of the classroom.

As chronic joblessness and the lack of affordable housing push families with children out of their homes and into the public shelter system, First Step is more vital than ever.  Nearly 10,000 families in New York City – the majority headed by single mothers – have no place to call home tonight. But graduates of First Step have the tools, confidence and greater self-esteem to become financially independent and break the cycle of homelessness.

We are very pleased to announce that this year’s floral arrangements have been donated by Starbright Floral Design, a new and exciting partner of the Coalition for the Homeless. Their support has helped ensure the success of the Women Mean Business Luncheon and the First Step Job Training Program. Thank you Starbright Floral!

Tickets for this year’s luncheon can be purchased online at www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/wmbl.

Hope to see you there!

March Birth Flower: Oh That Daffodil Itch

Daffodil - Springtime is here!
The Daffodil Blooms as the First Flower of Spring

The Narcissus is synonymous to the Daffodil.  The Daffodil is simply the English name for the flower which derives its name from the Greek mythological figure called Narcissus.  Narcissus was a young man who was so obsessed with his own reflection in a pool of water that he fell into the water and drowned.  The Narcissus plant first sprang up at the location of his death and thus the birth of the Daffodil itch.  This Greek myth has led the Daffodil being a symbol of unrequited love.   China has a somewhat different view of the Daffodil.  It is revered and has become a symbol of Chinese New Year.  It is said if it blooms on Chinese New Years, you are in store for extra wealth and good fortune for the year.

In moderate climates Daffodils flower among the earliest blooms in spring. Daffodils often grow in large clusters and cover entire hillsides. Their rhythmic movements in the wind inspired the  famous poem Daffodils, by William Wordsworth.  “…And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.”  All  Daffodil species have a central trumpet surrounded by a ring of six floral leaves.  The traditional daffodil consisted of a yellow color all over.  Today both in the wild and due to breeding, blooms range in colors to include yellow, white, orange, pink, red and green.

The Daffodil itch is not a term of endearment referencing the excitement of spring’s approach.  Instead, it is a term used by florists describing the itchy skin condition caused by exposure to the sap of the Daffodil.  The Daffodil contains alkaloid chemicals throughout making it very bitter and toxic if ingested.  The toxicity is dangerous if confused for an onion and ingested.  However it makes the Daffodil the perfect plant for those of you whose property has been overrun by rodents.  Deer and all rodents will leave the Daffodil unmolested.

This scribe is brought to you by Starbright Floral Design, “The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps”.  Along the way we try to find and write about the fun side of flowers.  Starbright delivers flowers all over the world for the endless romantics everywhere.

Starbright Floral Design is the “Official Florist of Romance” and most of the time we deliver flowers, love, passion and hope everywhere in Manhattan and worldwide.  Sometimes we deliver yellow carnations.

Give us a call, visit our website or pop on in!  We would love to meet you….

Passionately yours,

The Official Florist

Starbright Floral Design

Located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District

150 West 28th Street, Studio 201.

T. 800.520. 8999

Web: www. starflor.com

E-commerce portal: www.starbrightnyc.com

BLOOD, SWEAT and TEARS: A Neophyte Florist’s Timeline Diary of Valentine’s Day

We asked one of the members of our team that was with us for his first Valentine’s season in the flower business to chronicle his experiences through the week.  Filled with humor and an appropriate dose of sarcasm we learned more  about ourselves and what we do than we ever really expected to….  Step into our world for a behind the scenes look at the single craziest day of the year.  Accountants call it April 15th, farmers have harvest time, to the florist it is Valentine’s Day…. “Thank you for calling Starbright, can I help you?”

Our Design Team
St. Valentine was a martyr... May love and passion live forever!

-February 7th : One full week before Valentine ’s Day.  All I’ve heard since I began work here at Starbright Floral Design, was the nightmare that is Valentine’s Day.  I am a skeptic by nature and brimming with confidence that I can handle whatever challenges presented.  I dismiss my coworkers’ warnings as tall tales and nothing to fear.  Here we are 8:30 A.M. one full week before V-day and the sky is blue, the earth is still spinning on its axis, all is well. 9:00 A.M. I arrive to the scene of impending DOOM, Starbright Floral Design, 28th street, the flower district.  The store is abuzz.  Orders are coming in rapidly both telephonically and through the internet.  10:00 A.M. Staff meeting held discussing potential delivery problems.  Plans are in the works to start delivering to accepting businesses, such as hotels, at 4:00 A.M.  I spontaneously erupted in laughter.  My laughter was not reciprocated nor well received.  Is it possible this was not a joke?  Four A.M.?  The theme from the twilight zone is now deafening.  Day ends without further incident.  A busy day, but nothing too atypical.  Can’t wait for relaxing carefree night at home.

-February 10th : A few days have passed since my last entry.  Work has kept me busy.  Orders are now appearing on my desk magically.  The machine they call the Dove keeps printing what seems to be a copy of the Iliad.  A continuous flow of paper is fed into the machine printing order after order.  10:30 A.M.  Our purchasing department arguing over facts, figures and projections.   The consensus is that this is going to be a big one.   Fear and panic is abound.  Last minute orders are frantically placed to suppliers in Holland and other flower growers throughout the world.

-February 12th : 9:00 A.M. Fearful of poor customer service as a result of  taking orders beyond capacity has led to the decision to shut down the Dove.  I come from a business background.  The notion of turning away good and profitable orders was foreign to me.  When I questioned the move my coworkers’ glares were like weaponized lasers.  Management wasn’t as irritated by my inquiry.  It was explained that the floral industry is customer service driven.  Taking in orders that couldn’t be adequately serviced would result in unhappy customers.  Accordingly, the net effect on the business, long term, would be negative.  I understand the principle, but still believed it to be a  premature and perhaps  panic driven decision. 05:00 P.M.  My coworkers are looking increasingly weary and disheveled.  Some have clearly forgotten that personal hygiene is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle and healthy work environment.  Shaving appears to be a lost art to the men in the office (probably the women as well).

-February 13th:  8:00 A.M.  The place is a flurry of activity.  Hasn’t taken long to realize my Saturday night exploits were ill timed and will be regretted.  Word to the wise, don’t drink and floral design on Valentine’s day weekend.  I am unable to recover or catch my breath.  11:30A.M. Designers as far as the eye can see are preparing pre-Valentine’s day orders.  Nerves are frayed. Niceties such as “Good Morning” or “Hello” fall upon deaf ears or are responded to with a grumble.  Each designer appears to be genetically transforming into a snapping turtle. The phones are ringing incessantly with an ear piercing buzzing.  Never realized how annoying the phone ring was until now. 4:30 P.M. the order goes out for all available hands to start cleaning roses.  I had developed a case of laryngitis from the endless hours of phone calls rendering it painful to speak.  I need to conserve my voice for V-Day.  Accordingly I volunteer for the simple, mundane task involving a knife and thorny long stems.  6:15 P.M.  The monotonous task coupled with exhaustion has led to blood shed.  Several fingers have become victims of errant knife shavings.  Several other fingers suffered from thorn inflicted wounds rendering their use painful.  Luckily my middle digit was immune from injury and thus I was able to adequately express my feelings to my coworkers without the need for speech.    9:00 P.M. End of day staff meeting.    Nic Faitos, President of Starbright and our valiant leader begins a pep talk to the staff that would hopefully last through the following day –V-Day.  “Guys and gals, you are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. Your task will not be an easy one.  I have full confidence in your devotion to impeccable floral design and customer service. We will accept nothing less than the full satisfaction of our customers.  Let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.  Good Luck and I’ll see you at 5:00 A.M.”  I was inspired by his eloquent words and eager to meet the challenges of the following day.

-February 14th:  0500 hours V-Day.  Proper preparation has made the beginning of the day a time to strategize and ready ourselves for the coming battle.  I felt confident and prepared.  0530 hours –the first two delivery trucks are on the road.  With any luck we’ll have them back and reloading by 0900.    01000 hours, the phones are unleashing an endless barrage of sound blasts.  Oh the noise noise, noise!  Everyone is working at a fever pace.  There is no room for dilly or dally today.  01200 hours,  the lunch crowd is now filing in.  I think to myself, how much more can a person handle?  It is not long before I get my answer.  Several of the designers, both men and women, have been broken.  Tears are streaming down their faces.  I want to console them but don’t have the time, the energy or the empathy.  I have to commit all my energy to the common goal.  The flowers must be delivered and they must be beautiful!   01500 On a normal day I would be busy making dinner plans.  Today I have been recruited to insure that our all business deliveries are made before 01700.  The pressure is unrelenting.  I have broken into a cold flu like sweat and have trouble focusing.  The enormity of this logistics task quickly overwhelms me.  Near tears myself, I call for backup personnel.  01800 hours, the corporate deliveries have been made.  The second phase, home deliveries, is now well underway.   The last minute business crowd is now filing in.  I ponder if any of these last minute shoppers understood how challenging it was to give them that appreciative smile demanded of a Starbright employee.  02100 The day of days is coming to an end.  I have travelled through the valley of blood, sweat and tears and come out the other side smelling like roses.  I have a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.  I can’t believe I doubted the enormity of the task.  Twelve hundred deliveries in one day, made with grace, will not be forgotten soon.  I guess the day is best summed up by the immortal words of Davy Jones: “now I’m a believer.”

Starbright Floral Design is the “Official Florist of Romance” and most of the time we deliver flowers, love, passion and hope everywhere in Manhattan and worldwide.  Sometimes we deliver yellow carnations.

Give us a call, visit our website or pop on in!  We would love to meet you….

Passionately yours,

The Official Florist

Starbright Floral Design

Located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District

150 West 28th Street, Studio 201.

T. 800.520. 8999

Web: www. starflor.com

E-commerce portal: www.starbrightnyc.co

The Secret is Out! The History of Valentine’s Day (who created it and why)

For the endless romantic in all of us...
Valentine's Day.... Monday 14 February 2011

Those in the know claim that Valentine’s Day holiday celebrations are derived from Roman tradition. Many pagan traditions, such as Holloween, were adopted in some form by Christianity.  One legend has it derived from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis.  The festival involved the young women of Rome placing their names in an urn.  The young men would then draw a name of a woman who would be their sexual companion for the year.  In 496 AD the Pope in Rome declared it a Christian holiday to be observed on February 14 in honor of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who died in the third century.  The Roman Emperor Claudius II issued an edict forbidding marriage for young men.  Marriage made men emotionally attached to their family, therefore weak soldiers.  It is said Valentine was a Roman priest who was murdered because he held secret marriages in opposition to the emperor’s edict. Thus 14th of February became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint.

England climbed aboard the love train by the 18th century.  Gift-giving and exchanging hand-made cards on Valentine’s Day had become common. Hand-made valentine cards made of lace, ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts became popular and handed to one’s love interest.  The tradition spread to the American colonies.  However, it wasn’t until the 1840’s when greeting cards were commercially produced that the holiday really caught on in the United States.  The first mass producer of the card were the brain child of Esther A. Howland.  The conspiracy theorist in me finds it extremely peculiar that the first mass marketer of Valentine’s Day, in an age when women’s rights were reserved to the right to keep quiet, was a woman.

Is it possible that Valentine’s Day was created by the sisterhood of women for the benefit of women for generations to come?  Here are some statistics:

85% of Valentine’s Day greetings cards are purchased by women-average price $1.99

75% of Valentine’s Day flowers are purchased by men-average price $85

75% of Valentine’s Day chocolates are purchased by men-average price $25

72% of Women polled would break up with their love interest if no gift is given on Valentine’s Day (the other 28% would accept a gift the day before or day after instead).

8% of men polled do not celebrate Valentine’s Day (100% of those men are alone)

Conclusion:  Valentine’s Day, from Roman times to today, created by women for women.  For that florists throughout say THANKS!

This scribe is brought to you by Starbright Floral Design, “The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps”.  Along the way we try to find and write about the fun side of flowers.  Starbright delivers flowers all over the world for the endless romantics everywhere.

Starbright Floral Design is the “Official Florist of Romance” and most of the time we deliver flowers, love, passion and hope everywhere in Manhattan and worldwide.  Sometimes we deliver yellow carnations.

Give us a call, visit our website or pop on in!  We would love to meet you….

Passionately yours,

The Official Florist

Starbright Floral Design

Located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District

150 West 28th Street, Studio 201.

T. 800.520. 8999

Web: www. starflor.com

E-commerce portal: www.starbrightnyc.co

 

Starbright and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Play some Blackjack and support a great cause!

For many years now we have been honored to be able to donate the floral decor for an amazing event that takes place to raise funds for a great cause.  Here are the details of the event as written by LLS:

Society Ties, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s young professionals volunteer group is hosting their annual Black Tie & Black Jack Casino Night on February 26, 2011 at Capitale (130 Bowery Street) from 8:00 p.m. – Midnight.  A highly-anticipated annual event, Black Tie & Black Jack is attended by more than 800 young professionals from the New York City area.  The fun-filled evening features an open bar, dinner and gaming, including poker, black jack, roulette & craps—this year boasts the first-ever high stakes Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament!  Attendees also have the opportunity to win prizes throughout the night and the chance to bid on incredible silent auction items.

All auction items, food and drink have been generously donated by sponsors of the evening.  The beautiful floral arrangements at the event have been provided by Starbright Floral Design, a loyal supporter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Society Ties for the past three years, THANK YOU STARBRIGHT FLORAL!

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lls.org/nycblacktieblackjack or call 212-376-4765.  Tickets range from $180 for an individual ticket to $1,550 for a VIP package, which includes 10 tickets, $500 in gaming chips and entrance to the VIP lounge.

Come join in the fun, all while raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

This information is brought to you by The Official Florist.  The Official Florist is the blogging arm of Starbright Floral Design.  We are a full-service corporate and retail florist located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District.  We are at 150 West 28th Street (Studio 201).  To learn more about our organization and about the type of work that we do, please  visit our website at www.starflor.com.  You may also order a gift by visiting our e-portal at www.starbrightnyc.com. Starbright is open seven days a week and we deliver flowers and other gifts in Manhattan and worldwide.  We invite you to give us a call or visit our website.

Thank you for visiting our blog.  Always “at your service”,

The Official Florist – Starbright Floral Design

“The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps”

t.800.520.8999

starflor.com

Amaryllis – Our Plant Care Series Continues

The Glorious Amaryllis
A bloom with ties to Greek Mythology...

Amaryllis-Beauty without the Beast of Burdensome Care

The Amaryllis, which features large, gorgeous trumpet-like flowers, is a popular gift come the wintertime.  Did you know the Greek mythological tale from which it gets its name?

Amaryllis was a shepherdess who loved a conceited shepherd. The shepherd, presumably a part-time botanist, said he would only love her if she created a flower.  Ingenuity being one of the many admirable qualities of Greeks, she stabbed herself in the heart in order to create a beautiful red blossom.

If you received an Amaryllis plant at any time this fall or winter,  its blooms have probably been open for a few weeks.  Generally they will bloom from 7-10 weeks.  To prolong the life of the bloom, keep the plant in a shaded cool room (65 F).   Keeping a blooming amaryllis in a bright room is not the best environment.  Sunlight and excessive warmth will cause the bloom to wither.  The plant loves moisture so keep the soil wet, but not over-watered.

With proper care, this gift is a gift that will keep on giving.  The bulb will flower again for years to come and each time it will bring a sense of excitement and accomplishment.  Regardless of the variety, from various shades of red, white, salmon, and pink, these flowers deserve the limited effort necessary to bring them back to bloom.  Of all flowering bulbs (tulips, hyacinth, etc), amaryllis is the easiest to bring to bloom over and over again.

After-Bloom Care

After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, unlike those box of chocolates, this gift can be brought back to enjoy again.  After flowering, cut the old flowers from the stem just in back of the bloom, removing the green ‘lump’ in back of the blossom, and the thin stem connecting the bloom to the main flower stem.  When the stem starts to sag and turn yellow, cut it back to the top of the bulb.

 
Continue to water and fertilize as with any plant all summer, or for at least 5-6 months, allowing the leaves to fully develop and grow. When the leaves begin to yellow, which normally occurs in the early fall, cut the leaves back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb.

 
Put the potted amaryllis in a cool (55 degrees F), dimly-lit place such as a cellar for 6-8 weeks.   If storing in a refrigerator, do not store amaryllis with apples.  The apples give off ethylene gasses which will sterilize the bulbs and prevent future blooms.
After 6 weeks you should water the potted bulb ONCE thoroughly, from top and bottom of the pot and place in a normal indoor temperature.  Do not water regularly until new green growth appears at the top of the neck. If the soil dries out before that time, water no more than once per week.  Excessive watering will rot the bulb and prevent its bloom.   Typically the bulbs will re-bloom in 8 weeks.

Repeat these instructions and enjoy the amaryllis year after year…

These tips are brought to you by The Official Florist.  The Official Florist is the blogging arm of Starbright Floral Design.  We are a full-service corporate and retail florist located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District.  We are at 150 West 28th Street (Studio 201).  To learn more about our organization and about the type of work that we do, please  visit our website at www.starflor.com.  You may also order a gift by visiting our e-portal at www.starbrightnyc.com. Starbright is open seven days a week and we deliver flowers and other gifts in Manhattan and worldwide.  We invite you to give us a call or visit our website.

Thank you for visiting our blog.  Always “at your service”,

The Official Florist – Starbright Floral Design

“The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps”

t.800.520.8999

starflor.com

Carnations – The Comeback Flower of January

Birth Flower of January
The flower of choice for January Babies!

Welcome to our new feature that will appear once every month… We will introduce you to the Birth-Flower-Of-The-Month.  Much like there is a Birthstone for every month, there is a Birth-Flower too!  January is the month of the Carnation.  Over the years this is a flower that has truly taken a bad rap.  “Too FTD”, “Too common”, “Grandma’s flower”, “No carnations please!”.  As florists we hear this all the time…  BUT with new breeds of carnations coming out, new hot colors (purple, green, fuscia, and more) and with the evolution of design styles, carnations have made a big comeback, not to mention that they are the “Official Flower of January Babies”!

We did a little research on the history of the carnation, its origins and how to care for them… Read on!  We hope you like the thoughts we have to share.

The birth flower for the month of January is the Carnation. Its scientific name, Dianthus Caryophyllus, is derived from the Greek-“dios” and “anthos”.  The literal translation being “The Flowers of God”.  Carnations have been around for about two thousand years longer than the person receiving them.  Carnations are known for their sweet clove like fragrance, their ruffled appearance, hardiness and wide array of colors.

Carnations will grow up to 3 feet high with green-gray foliage.  They bloom mainly during the cool times of year, particularly early winter.  The cut flowers have been known to last up to a month with proper care.

Carnations are utilized for festive occasions as well as somber ones.  You’ll find them at birthday parties, weddings, parades, festivals and funerals.   Accordingly, carnations are the top producing crop in the floriculture worldwide.

Thinking about sending someone carnations?  Don’t forget the significance of the color beyond its aesthetic value.  Carnations take on many meanings depending upon their color.  Pink Carnations signify a mother’s love.   Deep red carnations indicates love.  A white carnation indicates friendship.  However, be careful of the yellow carnation.  It signifies disappointment or disdain.

Six easy steps to keep your carnations looking fresh and bright:

1)  Clean out a vase with soap and water. Bacteria left in the vase from a previous floral arrangement may cause the carnation to wilt prematurely.

2) Pour 1/2 cap of bleach into the vase. This should kill any bacteria missed while cleaning.

3) Pour 1/2 can of lemon-lime soda into the vase. Fill the empty can with warm water and pour the water into the vase and soda. The combination of lemon-lime soda, bleach and water will act as a preservative.

4) Remove any leaves from the stem of the carnation that are below the water in the vase. Cut the leaves with scissors or pull them off.  Hold the stem of the carnation under the water in the vase. Cut 1 inch off the bottom of the stem with the scissors. If the vase is too narrow to cut the stem in, use a separate bowl of warm water to cut the stem.

5) Place the carnations in the prepared vase. Set the vase in a cool room away from bright sunlight for 24 hours. This encourages the carnations to take in as much water and preservative as possible, which helps the blooms last longer.

6) Replace the water and preservative every three to four days or if it becomes cloudy or dirty. Remove any dead leaves that fall into the water and remove and dispose of any flowers that begin to wilt.

Hey you receivers of yellow carnations just jump on Facebook and let us in on the reasons you generated such passion in a negative way.

Starbright Floral Design is the “Official Florist of Romance” and most of the time we deliver flowers, love, passion and hope everywhere in Manhattan and worldwide.  Sometimes we deliver yellow carnations.

Give us a call, visit our website or pop on in!  We would love to meet you….

Passionately yours,

The Official Florist

Starbright Floral Design

Located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District

150 West 28th Street, Studio 201.

T. 800.520. 8999

Web: www. starflor.com

E-commerce portal: www.starbrightnyc.com