FLORIST

The chemical process known as cellular respiration is the reverse of photosynthesis. In cellular respiration, sugars made in photosynthesis are broken down into simpler molecules. In the process of breaking the chemical bonds, energy is released. The energy is applied towards growth and development of the plant.

Much of the commercial production of gladioli takes place in Florida and California. However, gladioli corms are grown across the United States. In California, production is year-round, while November through June are the prime months of production in Florida.

Most plant materials can be divided into four general categories based upon shape-line materials, form materials, mass materials, or filler flowers or foliages. The combination of these four types of plant shapes or forms lends variety to a design.

The French period or the Grand era was influenced by the French monarchy beginning with Louis XIV. The emphasis during this period was on classic form. Floral designs were refined and elegant compared to the often overdone flamboyance of the earlier Dutch Flemish arrangements.

Freeze drying is a commercial method of freezing the flowers first before drying them. Flowers are placed in large refrigerated vacuum chambers, which removes the moisture from the plant tissues. The flowers look very natural and hold their color. The cost of the chamber is prohibitive for most people.

Modem greenhouses are equipped with energy curtains. Energy curtains are automated systems utilizing fabrics that insulate the greenhouse at night and shade the crops during the day. The curtains are installed from gutter to gutter. With today's higher greenhouse structures, feet above the ground. Computerized environmental management systems open and close the curtains based on preset light levels or temperatures.

The floriculture industry is based on the beauty of flowers. At times, it is easy to forget that flowers are plant organs with a specific function. Flowers are the reproductive organs of plants. A flower's function is to produce seeds through sexual reproduction. The seeds become the next generation of plants.

Florist hydrangeas are native to Japan. They are grown primarily for Easter and Mother's Day. Their long-lasting flowers come in blue, pink, white or red.

There are several channels in which floral crops can be The shortest route is from the local grower to the local consumer. The consumer may make a purchase at the production site or the grower may transport the plants to a nearby retail outlet. The longest distribution channel involves the international market. In the international market, crops move from the producer to an exporter, to a wholesaler, to a retailer, and finally to the consumer.

Fertilizer injector systems are standard equipment in today's greenhouses. There are many types of injectors on the market. Basically, they work the same. A concentrate of water-soluble fertilizer is mixed in a tank. Water-soluble fertilizers dissolve completely in water and stay in solution. The concentrations of the water-soluble fertilizers are also easily adjusted.

Plant materials that can be successfully dried or preserved are called dried flowers or everlasting plant materials. Silk or other manufactured flowers are also everlasting materials. Everlasting flowers or "everlastings" are very long lasting, but do not really last forever. However, the term everlasting emphasizes the fact that these preserved or manufactured materials will continue to add color and texture to a setting for an extended time

An easel design is any design that is displayed on an easel, which is a tripod-like stand for holding floral designs Easel designs are unique to sympathy tributes. Sprays, wreaths, and set pieces are examples of easel designs.

The effective use of dominance or emphasis lets the viewer know what is most important in the design. Dominance in floral design means that one design element or characteristic is more prevalent or noticeable and other elements are subordinate to the main feature. Interest and attention are captured and held if one feature dominates and others are secondary in importance.

Most medium used today consists of a mixture of two or more components. More than one component is needed to produce a medium that has desirable properties for plant growth. The medium may or may not include soil. In fact, soil is used less frequently now than ever before.

Research has improved greenhouse growing medium. Through research, desirable properties of high quality medium have been identified. In addition, growers have been given a greater understanding of medium and its properties. Discussion of desirable medium properties follows:

Flowers with their beauty, colour and intoxicating smell are probably the best gift nature has given us. Flowers bloom according to seasons and therefore it is only rational to have a flower associated with every month. It is this very logic that is followed by the concept of birth flower or flower of the month.

Flowers play an important part in the grieving process Their beauty and colors can symbolize love, respect, and thoughts of sympathy and concern. Sympathy flowers give a comforting presence to the bereaved person's family at the visitation and funeral services.

Once the planning and ordering has been successfully completed, the designing process begins. A few aspects of the wedding can be started well ahead of the wedding week. Pew bows can be created and supplies can be ordered and gathered. Most of the design work will, however, be done during the last day or two before the wedding.

For special occasions, many people add a festive touch to their attire by wearing floral accents. A woman may wear a corsage or a wrist corsage. A man may wear a boutonniere on his lapel. These special flowers show appreciation and recognition of an achievement or special happening.

Good design mechanics are very important to the quality of any floral design. The design mechanics are the techniques and devises that hold a corsage or an arrangement together in a secure way. Knowledge of the proper supplies and their effective design use is a good foundation for beautiful floral work and secure design mechanics.