Helping Homeless Animals
Jean’s Flower Shop in Hamilton, Ont. donated $2.00 of all poinsettia purchases made in the month of December to the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA. The SPCA, who approached Jean’s Flower Shop, canvassed local businesses to help fundraise for the shelter.
This wasn’t the first time Jean’s Flower Shop helped support the SPCA. They donated poinsettia proceeds to the shelter last year and plan on doing so again in 2006.
TV Episode Seeks Up-and-Coming Florists
Life Network is giving young professionals their own once-in-a-lifetime chance to hit the big time with the original new Canadian-made series ‘Making It Big.’ Each episode of the six-part series pits three up-and-comers against each other as they vie for the once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity, and a reward that money can’t buy – access to high-profile industry leaders who have the power to launch careers.
‘Making It Big’ requested Don Waltho at the Canadian Institute of Floral Design to assist with the recruitment process for its ‘Making It Big – Floral Designer’ episode.
“We’re looking for up-and-coming florists who have been working in the industry for three to five years,” Waltho says.
To qualify you must have professional experience, a career portfolio, the talent and drive to make your mark on floral design, the desire to tell your story on television, and the ability to cross North America (Canada and the U.S.)
‘Making It Big’ provides the thing money can’t buy – access. The winner of the Entertainment Reporting episode flew to L.A. for meetings with Extra hose Dayna Devon, executives at Dick Clark Productions, and a top William Morris agent. The Fashion Design winner flew to New York where his work was displayed in the window of Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store. Meetings were also booked with the chain’s fashion director, its buyers, and New York designer Cynthia Steffe.
“A program such as this promotes the floral industry overall,” Waltho says. “We all win!” To be considered for ‘Making It Big,’ you must fill out an electronic application, honestly and accurately. For more information, contact Don Waltho at
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or visit www.lifenetwork.ca/tv/shows/titledetails/title_78225.asp.
World First for the Dark Days of Winter
A world first took place at the Naaldwijk clocks of FloraHolland in December. Luminous roses and plumed chrysanthemums were auctioned for the first time. These cut flowers “light up” in the dark and are marketed under the brand name of Glowing Flowers. For a moment, the lights went off in the galleries in the auction halls so buyers could see for themselves what the Glowing Flowers look like when they reach the consumers.
‘Charging’
The flowers undergo special treatment, after which they are exposed to daylight or “black light” for a while to “charge” them. After that, the flowers glow in the dark for quite some time. The treatment has no effect on the lifespan of the flowers. In ordinary daylight you cannot see whether the flowers have been given the special treatment. That’s why you can recognize the product by a sticker or label on the cover.
Every day, at least two trolleys are auctioned off in the spotlighted block. Supplier and Growers G. de Koning BV, based at Trade Parc Westland, has obtained the exclusive right to use the new patented dye on ornamental flowers and plants. The company can also give other white or pale-coloured flowers this colour treatment. More information can be found online at www.glowingflowers.nl
Market
Glowing flowers meet the market demand for innovative new products and, for instance, fit in with the ‘bling-bling’ trend.
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