FloralApp for our Website

I'm so excited that we now have our very own App. I can hardly remember before all my apps.  I love having accessibility at my fingertips.  My kids tell me I have "grown up" apps.  Things they can't imagine themselves ever needing or using.  My experience with my apps has been that I didn't realize how much I needed it until I downloaded it.  Overall an app is either informative or helpful.  As far as a floral app goes, it is definitely helpful.  Anywhere you are you can now see all our new products.  Once you download and sign in it is exclusive to The Flower Box.  The app has categories listed for you to choose from just like the full site.  There are hundreds of arrangements, large and small.  The icon is a Bird of Paradise flower.

You can download the app from The GooglePlay store of from ITunes or you can use your code scanner on your phone. Look for the word "floralapp" and when you see the picture above you know it is the right one. It is free in either place.  Once downloaded you need to use the code 5975561 (our phone number) to access The Flower Box.  Now, anytime you have the need or desire to send a beautiful bouquet or other gift item, we are right at your fingertips.
As you enter the site, you will be directed to a few pictures and a "shop now" button.  You can choose this and it will take you to a list of categories.  You can then choose which category fits your occasion best.  After choosing your favorite arrangement, you can then complete the order from the app or call The Flower Box to speak with someone regarding your order.  Either way it is very easy.  To download our app you need to follow this link:http://www.theflowerboxtyler.com/floralapp.asp
Or go to the home page of The Flower Box's website and scroll down to the bottom of the page and see the banner at the bottom of the page. http://www.theflowerboxtyler.com/

I hope you all will download our app and happy shopping :)

Upcycling in Your Flower Bed

     First of all anyone who knows me knows I am a recycling fanatic.  I drive my kids crazy telling them which sack to put "trash" in.  Most things are now recyclable if you take the time to look.  A lot of items can be recycled in your garden.  I have used broken pots, old tires, pieces of wrought iron etc.  I used an old ashtray stand with a ceiling light fixture to make a bird feeder.  Tiffany lamp style. Haha
      Recently on Pinterest I've been adding pictures to our account on my Upcycling Flower Gardening  Board.
http://www.pinterest.com/flowerbox5846/flowerbed-recycling/
     This is a link to my board where you can see a lot of cute ideas.   Years ago people naturally recycled everything.  When money is tight, people keep what they have and you learn to use items in other ways than their original intended use.  Now, we have the internet to help us along with our imagination.  You can find items to plant flowers in everywhere.  I love these snails!!  What a great use of large old tires.




     There are a few things you have to consider when reusing an item.  Such as, does it have drainage to prevent over watering?  Will the container deterioate in the process of being outdoors, or to sunshine exposure, water, bugs etc.?  Some of these problems can be overcome.  By drilling holes in the container you can prevent over watering.  Adding coats of extreme weather outdoor paint will help with corrosion and rust.  It might take a little extra thought but it will be well worth your effort.
     Your imagination is the limit of what you can use in your garden.  Here are some really neat ideas.  When kids outgrow the abundance of rain boots what better way to liven up a fence row than with colorful flowers in their boot.  Recycle gardening is also a way of extending the memory of an item.  Instead of throwing it away, you can put it in a place where you can see the item and bring back the memory of it's original use.  In this way, you can keep your children small, your grandparents with you and many more memories a part of your everyday thoughts.
     Follow The Flower Box on Pinterest and I will keep adding pictures to all of our boards.  If you have created any wonderful upcycled flower gardens please leave a comment telling about them. :)

Orchid Plants and Cuts

Some of my favorite plants are orchids.  They are quite elegant with their one long stem of beautiful flowers.  They require somewhat of a green thumb, but are not too difficult.  As long as you remember they originate in a very tropical climate and grow naturally in humid rain forest type conditions they should do fine.  I recently came across a new color variety I had not heard of in the orchid group.  "Chocolate Orchids" or as they are also known "Sharry Babies", the flowers emit a wonderful chocolaty smell.  I'm sure this could cause a problem with some people as they would need to have a bar of chocolate near.  Imagine an orchid full of blooms and you walk in the living room and it smells as if it were covered in chocolate.


Potting Chocolate Orchids:
As I stated earlier, Orchids require high humidity.  A pot that is larger than the root bulb is required.  After you select your container make sure it has adequate drainage by adding pebbles in the bottom.  This will be useful especially if you have a tendency to over water house plants.
Temperature:
As with any tropical plant, they do not like temperatures below 50.  In our region here in East Texas they will not survive the winter outside.  Your orchids need to be kept inside and watered daily or every other day, even in the winter.
Light:
Your orchid will require a good bit of light.  It will thrive best when it is placed where it can receive light in the morning through early afternoon.  Not direct light, but indirect.  Near a window, but not where the direct sun can scorch the leaves.  Once this happens it will cause permanent damage to the leaves.
Another option for enjoying orchids without the work would be to buy cut stems.  Simply take them home, change the water daily, re cut the  stem daily and they should last a week to 10 days.   They come in bunches of 10 stems from the local florist if you wanted to buy one bunch.  Otherwise most florist would sell a few stems at a time.
Some of my favorites are "Splash Orchids"


These naturally occur with a splash of purple on a white orchid.  You can also purchase these in a turquoise color.  I did a bridal bouquet with these and it was beautiful!

This is the bridal bouquet.  I loved working with these orchids.  They are absolutely stunning!  They are special order, so should you need some give us a call early.
Orchids come in every color and size.  They are a truly beautiful house plant.  Placed in a wonderful ceramic contemporary container and they can hold the attention of the room.  With proper care the orchid stem should continue to bloom to the end.  So when you purchase them and there are only a few blooms open, take care of them and you will be rewarded with a complete stem full of orchids.

I hope you enjoyed this article, if so leave me a message telling me what you might like to know from a real florist.  I'm open for topics of you're interest :)
Sherry