Mom’s Day Bouquet Boot Camp
Boost Bloom IQ with
Fresh - Cut Flowers!
Source: FlowerPossibilities.com

This Mother’s Day, millions of moms will receive a bouquet of blooms.  To gear up for the big bouquet-buying season, FlowerPossibilities.com is offering Bouquet Boot Camp. Whether for Mother’s Day or everyday, those in search of fresh-cut flower knowledge can boost their bloom IQ by logging onto this popular flower education resource.  Flower lovers can research flower varieties – perhaps to find mom’s favorite - in the flower encyclopedia, discover flower design recipes and even ask the Flower Doctor, Bridget Behe, Ph.D flower questions. 

“Everyone loves flowers, even if they don’t know the names of the various varieties,” said Dr. Behe. “Once you learn about flowers, you grow to appreciate and love them even more.”

Five Favorite Flower Varieties:

1.  Roses – The rose ranks number one as America’s favorite bloom. These timeless, beautiful flowers originated more than 4,000 years ago and today come in many shapes, sizes and colors including three popular types: sweetheart, spray and hybrid tea.

2.  Gerbera Daisies – This cheerful blossom is like a burst of sunshine in any bouquet.  It has grown in popularity in recent years and is available in over 160 colors, with light or dark-colored centers, and in standard or micro sizes.

3.  Lilies – This showy bloom has proven a consistent star in the flower world.  Available in white, cream, yellows, reds, pinks and bi-colors, these fragrant flowers are a popular addition to dramatic bouquets.

4.  Alstroemeria – With a meaning of “wealth and prosperity” it’s no wonder this flower is a favored addition to flower bouquets.   With multiple blooms per stem, this long-lasting flower can make a bold statement with only a few stems. 

5.  Carnations – As one of the longest-lasting fresh-cut flowers, carnations are a time-proven bouquet flower.   This well-known bloom is grown in a plethora of colors and sizes, and new cultivars frequently become available.

Picking Out Petals:
When selecting flowers from a flower retailer or flower market, look for flowers with upright, firm petals and buds beginning to open.  Yellow, spotted or drooping leaves are signs of age.   Here are few other flower selecting tips:

• Nose Knows – Smell the water…it should smell fresh and clean.

• Stem Slime – Additionally, look at the stems, they should be clean and not slimy.

• Don’t Take a Break – Forego any flowers that may have breakage in the stems.

Make It Memorable for Mom – Flower Recipe:
Materials:

• ”Make A Mug” available at craft stores

• A photograph that will be special to Mom

• Floral clippers

• Flower food/preservative

• White daisy mums – 4-6 stems

• Lavender daisy mums – 4-6 stems

• Green button mums – 4-6 stems

• Baby’s breath – 2 bunches

• Rubber bands

Directions:

• Fill containers with water that has been treated with flower food/preservative.

• Divide the flowers into separate colors/varieties and gather in hand.

• Make flower bunches; 1 bunch consists of 4-6 flowers

• Band same colored flowers/varieties with a rubber band.

• Combine bunches of flowers and place grouping in vase.

 Ask the Flower Doctor - Throughout the year, Dr. Behe hosts a question and answer section on FlowerPossibilities.com called “Ask Bridget” where she answers thousands of fresh-cut flower questions.  To submit inquiries, log onto www.flowerpossibilities.com and pose a question to “Ask Bridget.”  Dr. Behe will personally answer each and every flower question drawing from her experience as a professor in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University where she teaches horticulture courses. 

Flower Promotion Organization - Founded in 1999, the Flower Promotion Organization is an alliance between United States and Colombian fresh-cut flower growers.  Through multiple marketing channels, the FPO strives to increase awareness and education about flowers in the U.S.