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How COVID Has Changed Things In The World (Of Floristry)

Well wow, 2020 is certainly going to be one of those years etched into our minds forever. The new year was rung in with horrific bushfires, and now we have found ourselves in quite a new world thanks to a highly contagious and often devastating virus. Aside from the unprecedented periods of social distancing and near complete lockdown, the COVID -19 crisis has made changes to the way we operate and interact in day to day life and there have been many affects to the way we run our businesses

Flowers have ALWAYS been a luxury item, and some would say flowers have always been expensive. They are a product that many go without regularly or they are reserved for special occasions as a non essential item. COVID-19 has changed our industry astronomically…prices are at an all time high, and I’m sure everyone wants to know why.

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There are many factors that are contributing to this new ‘normal’ and for the moment it looks like it may remain like this for some time, if not forever.

Over the last 10 years or so there has been an increase to the amount of imported varieties of flowers flooding our market. So much so that it put many local growers out of business.
But now, with decreased flights, the stock coming into the country is LIMITED.
With decreased flights, the cost of actually putting flowers on a plane has become incredibly expensive. Those flowers landed, are attracting premium prices.
Good old supply and demand has also meant that there are fewer flowers and more people wanting them. Florists are scrambling to grab what they can I stock their shops and fill there orders. Social distancing requirements, restrictions to interstate and overseas travel, and restrictions surrounding nursing homes and aged care facilities has meant that there are more people wanting to send flowers for a variety of occasions.

What kind of effect does this have on the industry in terms of $$$. Well, we are paying up to 60% more on some lines, meaning that the cost to customers also must increase. If it doesn’t our businesses simply won’t survive.
A bouquet that may have cost $50, will now $80. It won’t last longer, you aren’t buying better quality, this is just what it costs now and it may be what it costs from now on.
We aren’t alone either, many industries are effected. Many stores across all industries are finding it hard to fill their shelves and keep certain lines available. Fruit and vegetables have all increased, however the difference is that people are always more willing to accept changes to essential items.

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One positive change is that our industry market is now closed to the public which means that the businesses relying on getting these products are able to get them without further pressure. It allows the growers to trade amongst themselves prior to the market opening to fulfil their existing orders.

Many of the lines we’re accustomed to in abundance, are now limited, so it is important to note that ordering flowers requires some flexibility. All florists usually have some sort of disclaimer when ordering online that notes that substitutions will be made when required. This is even more likely at the moment.
You’ll notice our store does not have the variety you have been used to, and you will notice our prices have increased. We appreciate your custom and understanding in these unprecedented times. We will continue to provide you with fantastic customer service, and a quality product.

And we urge you, don’t stop supporting your local florist. Small business needs you more than ever.
Remember, shop small or there will be no small at all.

Fwf x

Images all from Sydney Markets

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vanda orchids

Flowers That Hate Winter

Winter is certainly upon us. While it is only the first week of winter officially, she has certainly made sure that we feel her presence, by chilling us to our cores.

I know that I have shared some of the lovely fresh cut winter flowers that will be available over the coming months such as the cymbidium orchids, tulips, hellebores, johnquills, daffodils and hyacinths. I have also shared some of the benefits that winter brings:

  • Less heat means that the bacteria growth is slower, and therefore you don’t need to change the water as frequently
  • The water doesn’t smell as quickly and flowers tend to last that little bit longer….but that is a bit of a generalisation.

The truth is, that SOME flowers will last longer in the cooler months, but others will suffer.

Any guesses what kind of flowers DON’T like the cold?

TROPICALS.

When you think about it, it is understandable that tropical and sub tropical blooms don’t enjoy the cold environment that the winter months brings.

Heliconias, orchids, anthuriums and ginger flowers, all grow in more humid environments. Much of their water is consumed through absorption of the air as well as through the stem, so when that humidity goes, so does part of their sustenance.

Anthuriums

You will notice that tropical blooms wither in the cold, just a Hydrangea does on a super hot day.  They go limp, the edges brown quickly, they shrivel, and dehydrate. Instead of looking their luscious, plump, succulent and glossy selves….they look sad ☹️

This kind of brings us back to the whole ‘shop seasonally’ mindset right?

Just like with fruit and vegetables, when you buy out of season, the flavour and texture isn’t as good, it’s the same with flowers. Sure, you may be able to get something out of season, but at what cost and at what quality and condition?

Beehive ginger flower

When you are buying flowers that are out of season, they don’t last as well. Anyone see a vaseful of tulips in summer? Trust me it’s not a happy sight. They have been in transportation for some time to get to you, so they have been without food and water. Then WHACK they are hit with with an explosion of (heat or) cold, the direct opposite of the environment they have been grown in.

So what about heaters?

It may seem like a logical solution to pop the heater on to keep your tropical blooms nice and toasty….but this will not help. Tropical blooms love warm, HUMID conditions. Heaters provide a warm, but dry environment, so you will still have problems with the blooms dehydrating prematurely, and all the physical signs that come with that (pronounced veins on the petals, brown edges etc)

There are plenty of wonderful choices available throughout winter, so your best bet is to talk to our friendly staff about what your local, seasonal choices are. Talk to them about how long you want/ need them to last, what the occasion is, if there is something special on. This will help us guide you on your best choices, and also manage your expectations by providing honest, professional advice.

That also helps this small, local, family business help support other small, local family businesses.

Fwf x

Feature image source : Orchid Republic

 

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(Re)Flexing Your Craft Muscle

Many factors influence a person’s choice of career. As a florist, there might be a passion for decorating, and designing, or a hunger to be involved in large scale events, but at the heart of it all, there must be an undeniable love of flowers.

Mother Nature provides us with such a gorgeous array of flowering plants, which in turn become cut flowers. Funny thing is, we often find new ways to present those flowers rather than leave them in their natural state. There are so many ways to decorate with flowers, and the longer I am in the industry the more I see, and the more I experiment with.

We manipulate the seasons so that we may enjoy our favourite blooms almost year round.

We import blooms from all over the world as we have an insatiable desire that we are seemingly unable to fulfill with what we can produce ourselves.

We colour or dye the blooms, sometimes in such subtle, natural ways, that people are led to believe it is some of Mother Nature’s finest work. At other times, we dye flowers for something different, something in fashion, or perhaps just to fulfil a colour brief….I mean, blue is one of the most popular corporate colours and there are not many true blue flowers in the world, so what were we to do?

We create artificial stems or structures so that we are able to manipulate the bloom within a design.

Floristry has become about far more than simply arranging fresh cut flowers.

One of the current trends is for a rose to have the first and second most outer layers of its petals peeled back to create the most amazing staged version of a rose ‘blooming’. The technique is called “reflexing”. It is a technique that requires a gentle touch and a whole lot of patience as you need to delicately peel the rose petal back and flip it in the opposite direction to the way it naturally grows. When you reflex a rose, you expose the rose head, and are able to create a bloom that is 2-3 times the size of an average rose.

Reflexed Rose arrangement
Flowers by Hermetica via Pinterest
Reflexed rose arrangement
Reflexed Rose arrangement via Brittany Asch Pinterest

Rose reflexing is being used everywhere by everyone, becoming quite the showstopper for events and large scale installations, and it totally makes sense right? If you have the ability to make a Rose look visually much bigger than it actually is, of course it is going to be front and centre in your arrangement.

Reflexing is not a technique that is only confined to roses either. As a young florist I was initially taught how to reflex tulips, which in my opinion is simpler, although it is quite easy to bruise the tulip petal. These days a quick google search of #reflexed will deliver you pictures of almost every type of flower imaginable, turned back on itself. Like all things, not everyone is a fan…and some even hashtag their pics #tortured.

Reflexed tulip. Source: Floral Design Institute

I’d love to know if you are a fan of reflexed blooms or not?

Fwf x

Featured Image: Via Florelle

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Bees with evening primrose

I Hear you, Loud and Clear

Ears. We hear things even when we are not listening.  Our days are filled with noises that we need not consciously register. The hum of traffic, the wind, the spinning of a fan on a hot day. These kinds of sounds do not motivate us, or compel us to change our behaviours. They are so common, so insignificant in our everyday lives that we almost tune them out.

A door slamming, a plate shattering, a panicked scream….these sounds send shockwaves through our bodies. They propel us upwards and outwards, investigating where, what, and why?

Many living things rely on their hearing as we do…using there sense of sound to ascertain whether a situation is safe or should be avoided. Snakes for example, do not have visible ears like we do, their hearing apparatus is connected to their jaws, so they interpret the vibrations they hear to determine whether a situation is favourable.

Similarly, it seems, plants use their ‘ears’ as well. Although they do not have ears as we do, a recent study has shown that a plant that hears a buzzing bee nearby changes its ‘behaviour’, that is, it produces a more concentrated, sugary nectar to attract them.

“It’s important for them to be able to sense their environment—especially if they cannot go anywhere.”
LILACH HADANY, TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY

The study undertaken by Tel Aviv University, examined Evening Primrose flowers, Oenothera drummondii, and found that within mere minutes of sensing bees, the plant temporarily changed the concentration of sugar in their flowers’ nectar. In essence, the flowers themselves were acting as ears, sensing the frequencies produced by a pollinator’s wings, yet tuning out irrelevant sounds. Within just three minutes of exposure to recordings of buzzing bees, the sugar concentration in the plants was seen to increase from between 12 and 17 percent to 20 percent.

Evening Primrose flower
Evening Primrose flower. Source: Healthline

When you think about it, many flowers have a bell like shape, not unalike the anatomy of our ear. This shape allows them to receive and amplify sound waves. This was one of the many observations the team made throughout the research project.

So why would this finding be relevant? Well, just as animals use their senses to detect danger, and find mates, a sweeter nectar may be able to attract more pollinators. The more insects attracted, the more likely the chances of cross pollination. In fact, Lilach Hadany and her team found that in their observations it was evident that a pollinator was more attracted to plants another pollinator had visited within the 6 minutes prior.

“We were quite surprised when we found out that it actually worked,” Hadany says. “But after repeating it in other situations, in different seasons, and with plants grown both indoors and outdoors, we feel very confident in the result.”

Source: Steve Scott via USDA
Source: Steve Scott via USDA

Hadany, an evolutionary theoretician, began this study after realising that if plants were not able to utilise sound as animals do, they would be at a disadvantage. If plants could in fact listen to, and respond to the sounds they heard, it would help them survive, thrive and reproduce…

And I guess with so many plants around us, that have been surviving and adapting over the years, it seems impossible to think we ever considered they were not able to ‘hear’…

Certainly something interesting to consider in any case.

Fwf x

Feature Image via Twitter, YorkUScientists

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Image of Eucalyptus Degupta Mindanao Gum Tree

A Home Among The Gum Trees

Firstly, let me welcome you to the first blog of 2019! Time seems to be moving ever faster but what a glorious start to the year it has been. On our way up to our holiday accommodation, I was musing….mesmerised by the glorious scenery along the way,  inspired by the colour palette that Mother Nature created for us. I was dreaming about ways I could use these palettes in another creative project.

One tree that continued to catch my eye along the way were the gum trees. The streaky trunks painted in watercolours bleeding into one another: muted greys, mauves, soft golds, dustry pinks, aubergines and chocolate.

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Eucalyptus trees in Hervey Bay. Supplied.

The summer skin of the gums standing there strong and proud…freshly naked. Freshly shed, brilliant bright orange in colour: an intoxicating tequila sunrise.

Image of Eucalyptus Degupta Mindanao Gum Tree

And who could forget the ghostly white gum tree? Pale and creamy,  illuminated against the backdrop of bright blue skies, and the thick green scrub.

Like many others I’m sure, I had assumed all gum trees were native to Australia, so like me you may be surprised to find that this is actually not the case.

Image of Eucalyptus Degupta Mindanao Gum Tree

One evening I was chatting to one of my best friends,  who just so happens to be a very talented,  inspired florist.  She was talking about this AMAZING variety of Eucalyptus, The Rainbow Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus deglupta. I’d never seen it or heard of it for that matter!

Image Source: Sarefo, via Wikimedia Commons.
This image shows the distribution of Eucalyptus. The Rainbow Eucalyptus is the only species occurring naturally in the northern hemisphere. Source: Sarefo, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Rainbow Eucalyptus is also known as the Rainbow Gum or Mindanao Gum and is native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and The Phillipines. But what is also pretty unique is that this is the only Eucalyptus that extends into the northern hemisphere naturally.

In areas of the USA, the trees only grow to approx 100-125 feet tall, which is approximately half the height they grow to in their native environment. But, if you can provide them with a frost free environment,  you can grow a Rainbow Gum of your own…though remember it is a huge tree so it’s probably not suitable for most residential settings.

Image of Eucalyptus Degupta Mindanao Gum Tree

The defining feature of the Rainbow Eucalyptus is the multi coloured bark. The older bark sheds each year,  at different times, revealing the new layers of bright,  lime green trunk underneath. As the new layers age and mature,  the colour changes and deepens, revealing a multitude of vertical coloured stripes: in lime green, blue, purple, orange, red, maroon and grey.

Image of rainbow eucalyptus tree revealing gorgeous patterns and colours

The colours appear brightest and most intense when planted in native regions. The Rainbow Eucalyptus loves full sun, and rich, medium to wet soil. It does not tolerate frost, so is suitable for subtropical and tropical regions only.

It is the kind of plant that is almost unbelievable. But believe me, it’s real, and this is all completely natural. Wow!

Fwf x

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Ants marching suggest rain is coming

Rain, Rain – Go Away, or Stay?

This week we have had armies of black ants marching single file along the length of our verandah… Miss 4 was alarmed and interested as is often the case with inquisitive little people and I told her what I had been told when I was small. Today, I know it to be true from observations. The ants are a sign that rain is coming 🐜🐜🐜🌧🌧🌧

Many believe that a change in ants behaviour can indicate that the weather may also be changing. You may notice that ant mounds begin popping up all over your lawn, or that the mounds that were already there start getting bigger. You may simply observe the armies of ants running. Inevitably they are looking for clean, dry shelter, which sometimes means they come inside. They are searching for food, and water of course, and as they travel, they leave a scent along the path to ensure they will be able to find their way back to the nest once the sun has dried out all the rain. ☀️☀️☀️

 

The night blooming cactus in flower suggests rain is coming
Source; Bill Lane via ABC
Peruvian Apple cactus has some pretty impressive flowers
Source: Amazon

Similarly, a variety of cactus, found in Central Queensland but originally from Peru, has caught the attention of weather watchers and gardeners as it appears to have weather predicting abilities. It won’t replace the weather reporter anytime soon though, and has now been determined ‘a pest’ and ‘biosecurity risk’.

Earlier in the year, Bill Lane, from Emerald, a thriving rural service centre in the Central Highlands of Queensland, shared a picture of his cactus via social media which flowers before it rains. Well, obviously this sparked amazing interest from other gardeners who wanted to get a cutting of the plant, and see for themselves.

The ‘cereus uruguayanus’ is also known as Willow Cactus, night blooming cereus and the Peruvian Apple Cactus.

Dense crops of the Rain Cactus are throughout the Central Highlands of Queensland
Source: Central Highlands Regional Council
The night blooming cactus is said to predict rain when it flowers
Source: Amazon

But like other species of cactus with delicious fruit that birds enjoy, the thousands of seeds within are spread easily. Cactus are plants that are able to survive in the most arid conditions, where very little else can, so these tough little guys can pop up everywhere, and have been, causing farmers great difficulties. This plant can be devastating for farmers, and many are pleading for people to be mindful of the consequences of sharing this species around.

This particular species has been on the list of priority pests since 2015, and whilst they have had some success with stem injection, physically injecting each plant stem in dense crops proves time consuming.

The willow cactus is a priority pest
Source: Central Highlands Regional Council

This cactus, as pretty as it is, is something we should avoid. These clues from Mother Nature herself may help those (like me) who are struggling to know when to hang the washing out, and when to cut your losses and head straight to the laundromat 😉:

Frogs croaking in the evening suggests rain. The louder the frogs, the more rain. 🐸

Ants build the walls of their anthills steeper when rain is on the way.🐜

Spiders retreat from their webs when rain is imminent. 🕷🕸

Cats clean their ears when rain is coming. 🐈

If there is dew on the grass in the morning, there is unlikely to be rain that day. ⛅️

Cattle lie down in the field when a severe storm is on its way. 🐄

The scent of flowering plants is stronger when rain is coming 🌸

A Halo around the moon at night (caused by the refraction is ice crystals in the upper atmosphere) suggest rain is going to fall within 24 hours. 🌝 🌛

Fwf x

Featured image L Church on Flickr

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Image of a Sympathy Flower Arrangement by Florst with Flowers

The Etiquette of Sending Sympathy Flowers

Sending sympathy flowers to family members of the recently deceased is one way of showing your support, love, and friendship. Truly, there is no easy way to accept the death of family and friends.  Sympathy flowers are a sincere gesture of support for those left behind.

 

Here are some shopping tips for those who want to order sympathy flowers online but are clueless about flower-sending etiquette.

 

How to Choose Sympathy Flowers Sydney

 

In essence, sympathy flowers are arrangements that are sent directly to the bereaved family after the announcement of an individual’s passing. Traditionally, sympathy flowers come with sympathy cards expressing condolences to the family.

 

Customarily, a bouquet of sympathy flowers should be neutral in colour. Blooms in vibrant shades should be avoided as they are more appropriate for celebratory occasions.

 

You may also send a sympathy flower arrangement in place of a bouquet. The bereaved family can use the flower arrangement to decorate the service at the funeral home.

 

Make sure to send sympathy flowers a few days after a person’s death. If you have the time, you can request same day delivery sent to your home, so you can personally hand them when you have the chance to visit the funeral home or the funeral service.

 

If you want to send the bereaved family something more lasting than flowers, you may also send them sympathy plants instead. Plants can be displayed for months and can serve as a remembrance of a lost beloved.

 

Choose among the many sympathy flowers bouquets and arrangements here. To place an order, you may also reach us on 02 9871 1666.

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Image of a Birthday Celebration Bouquet by Florist with Flowers

How to Pick the Perfect Birthday Flowers for Family, Friends and Loved Ones

Flowers delivered to someone celebrating a birthday is a sweet and thoughtful way of greeting them on the special occasion. Flowers express pleasant emotions from, “I love you.” to “I remember you.” Most importantly, sending birthday flowers is a sincere gift that can mean the world to the celebrant.

 

If this is your first time sending birthday flowers or ordering and buying birthday flowers online, here are some helpful tips:

There are specific types of flowers that are meant to celebrate birthdays. In addition, the type of birthday flower to buy online will depend on your relationship with the recipient.

 

  • For instance, if you are sending out flowers to family members and relatives you may choose to order lilies, daisies, or wildflowers in vibrant colours.
  • If you are sending out flowers to a loved one such as in the case of a girlfriend or wife, red roses certainly convey deep affection and love.

 

What type of birthday flowers should you give out?

 

  • Orchids

A pot of blooming orchids looks elegant, to say the least. This bloom essentially symbolises beauty, strength, and love—some qualities that the birthday celebrant also showcases.

 

  • Roses

Nothing can be more romantic than receiving a bouquet of fresh roses on your birthday. Obviously, red roses symbolise love and deep passion. You may also want to give friends and relatives yellow roses that symbolise joy and friendship. Pink roses are to be sent out as birthday flowers for celebrants that you inspire and admire.

 

  • Lilies

Lilies are the perfect birthday flowers as they represent happiness, positivity, and new beginnings. This is the perfect flower to send out to women close to you such as your mum, sister, aunt, or grandmother.
Whatever birthday flower you choose to send people on their birthday, make sure to include sincere well wishes to complete your thoughtful gift to them.

 

Check out our elegant birthday flowers and luscious bouquets here. For enquiries, you may also reach us on 02 9871 1666.

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Flower Perfumes Attracting Pollinators for Millions of Years

When you think of fresh flowers a couple of defining features probably come to mind; aesthetic beauty of course, and fragrance. Flower fragrance compounds are used in modern day scents for human use, as well as perfumes for the home. They are used to make people seem more attractive; to draw them in, and intrigue them 😍. They are use to make a space more inviting, a fragrant version of ‘come hither’ 😉

Flower fragrances in nature are used for exactly the same reasons, to attract and intrigue, to invite and lure the pollinators.

A recent study has shown that flowers from the Cretaceous period may have had similar fragrances as their modern day counterparts. What is extraordinary, is that the study undertaken by Oregon State University has shown that primitive flower varieties used their fragrance to attract pollinators. Modern day flowers use both fragrance, as well as colourful petals and showy designs to lure pollinators, however these ancient ancestors relied on perfume alone.

The evidence shows that floral frangrance originated some 100 million years ago…we are talking back when dinosaurs roamed!

“I bet some of the dinosaurs could have detected the scents of these early flowers,” said George Poinar, an entomologist at Oregon State University. “In fact, floral essences from these early flowers could even have attracted these giant reptiles,” said Mr. Poinar.

Preserved flower encased in hardened tree sap
Source : Oregon State University

The flowers were immortalised in hardened tree sap, known as amber. The team researched glandular laurel flowers (Cascolaurus burmensis and veined star flowers (Tropidogyne pentaptera) found in Myanmar.

Whilst the scent of the flowers could not be retained within the amber, what was preserved was the tissue structure responsible for producing scents. They also found that the secretory tissue was similar to their modern day descendants. This suggests that these Cretaceous flowers could possibly have produced similar essences to modern flower varieties. Check out the resemblance to Christmas Bush from New South Wales.

Tropidogyne pentaptera. Source; Oregon State University
Christmas Bush
Christmas Bush has an uncanny resemblance to the Tropidogyne pentaptera preserved in Myanmar Amber. Image: John Tann / Wikicommons

“It’s obvious flowers were producing scents to make themselves more attractive to pollinators long before humans began using perfumes to make themselves more appealing to other humans,” said George Poinar.

We all know how vitally important pollination is. Without it, the world’s food production ceases. But it almost seems obsurd to think that flower essences, something we use today for cosmetic and hygienic purposes was key in plant reproduction all those years ago.

Fwf x

Feature image : Greg Nunamaker

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Farmers Best, But for Less.

These days when you go to the supermarket, or green grocer, you are presented with multiple options. The Western world is reknowned for only wanting the best of everything but refreshingly, I believe we are in the midst of change where many people are trying to make more mindful purchases. We are learning that something looking ‘perfect’ does not necessarily equal perfection. And we are also beginning to learn or appreciate that buying seasonal produce means that fresh products can be enjoyed at their best.

We are now given the option of buying what can only be described as ‘seconds’. And whilst their appearance may not be perfect, often the produce tastes the same (if not better) than their pretty peers.

Jamie Oliver has been pretty instrumental in Woolworths’ campaign dubbed ‘The Odd Bunch’, which provides seasonal produce that looks a bit ‘ugly’ but is marketed at a more attractive price. The farmers have set aside land, watered, fertilised and cared for this produce, and it would be so incredibly wasteful to simply cast them aside.

Buy seconds to reduce waste
Source: The Sun.

It was quite the breath of fresh air when I read in UK newspaper, The Sun, that one big retailer is trying the same concept with flowers. Flowers with smaller blooms, shorter stems or other ‘defects’.

The reality of flower production is pretty harsh. For stock grown outside, it is at the mercy of nature. Heavy rain can cause mildew or fungal problems. Harsh, dry temperature can result in smaller blooms, shorter stems, and sometimes a glut of produce all available at one time. Wind damage results in fewer blooms as well as damage to leaves and petals. Hail can have devastating effects on produce, wiping out whole crops, or causing horrendous damage that makes sale impossible.

The farmers are already up against so much, so this would be a wonderful scheme to implement and keep farmers on their properties, and able to make a living.

Drew Kirk, from Morrisons in the UK said: “It would be a shame to see these beautiful stems go to waste just because they’re a few centimetres too short.

“Our wonky range helps growers and farmers reduce waste and at the same time helps customers to afford to buy flowers more often.”

Truck full of fresh flowers
Source: At First Bite

And this is something that we could certainly apply here also. Flowers are often viewed as a luxury item, so of course, they will be the first item scratched from the list when the budget doesn’t allow it. People LOVE having fresh flowers in their home, and with this scheme, more people could afford to have them at home more often, whilst reducing the waste and loss for our local flower farmers. Sounds like a win, win to me

Fwf x

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