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Quebec Gleanings: April 2005
Florists in the news |
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Written by Rita Truba
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Florists in the news
• On January 26th, Rose Drummond of Drummondville made it on the Discovery Channel’s ‘How it’s made.’ The 10-minute segment showed the staking of roses to the angle cut at a very precise point on the stalk, in order to assure continued productivity.
• Rosette Fleuriste, LaSalle, was profiled in ‘Let’s get married & other celebrations’ in the February 5th issue of the Gazette.
• Le Journal de Montréal carried survey results, by the Scotia Bank, on the buying habits of Canadians, who overall spend an average of $61 to impress their Valentine. Quebecers top the list of individual Provinces, spending the most – on average $73. No mention was made of what was being purchased.
• Valentine’s Day coverage in La Journal de Montréal interviewed Micheline d’Alcantara of Fleuriste Dames d’Alcantara who stated “though red roses are still in, more people are requesting mixed bouquets.” While at Westmount Florist, Myrianne, the designer, remarked “Sales have been excellent, but Valentine’s day is always a last minute affair, especially with businessmen, who suddenly wake up on Valentine’s Day, and have their secretary order their
flowers.”
• Manny and Joe Bothelho, Le Bouquet St. Laurent, had such a spectacular outdoor display that the neighbourhood feared, tongue and cheek, that they might drain Hydro-Quebec in the dead of winter. As soon as this holiday spectacle was over, giant red hearts appeared, at a fraction of the wattage of Christmas, covering the full length and side of their building – which could be seen blocks away. The neighbours are now anticipating what they will do for Easter and Mother’s day.
Montreal Gardeners’ & Florist Club
• A General Meeting was held at Planterra Ltd. in Dorval on January 24, at the kind invitation of Alistair Smith. An excellent Danish buffet was served. Brenda Pinsky of Garth Allen Marksted Travel was the guest speaker who provided much information on lifestyle travel.
• Patrick Studio Inc. was featured in Stuart Robinson’s “Green Thumb” column in the Gazette on February 5th. Marlena and Reinhard Klamrodt, members of the M.G.F.C., have made a niche for themselves with their online catalogue of unusual seeds and plants. Check out www.thegurugarden.com.
Wholesalers in the news
• La Serre de Soie/Silk Greenhouse officially closed its doors December 31st, 2004.
• Encan Florale terminated its operations on February 1st, 2005.
• Ron and Rita Truba, Decorative Plants (Canada) Ltd., have decided to retire after 41 years and have closed their Montreal wholesale supermarket. Liquidation continues at their plant in La Plaine.
• Fleurs Expert, a branch of Fleurigros of Quebec City, are expanding their florist supply operation.
FIHOQ
• Luce Daigneault, who heads up the Fedération Inter-disciplinaire de l’horticulture ornemental du Québec recently had a very serious car accident. She is now recovering at home, but it appears it will be some time before she is back at work.
AFQ
• It is quite a commonly accepted practice, in many associations that both the social/education and government affairs are divided because of the difference in their common purpose – which only improves their overall effectiveness and performance. This, in effect, can create a superior win/win environment for an entire industry. To this end, on February 24 2005, in Trois Rivières a new florist association was formally established under the name of ‘Le Réseau de développement de l’industrie florale,’(RDIF) whose activities will cover all aspects of education and social activities as it relates to the Quebec florists. Their executive offices will be located in St. Hyacinthe. The AFQ has thrown its entire support behind this newly formed florist association.
• It was approved in the Minutes of the new Association that the AFQ will remain as the Government liaison for RDIF, representing all Quebec florists in any and all industry concerns regarding municipal, provincial and federal governments. The AFQ will also continue strengthening its existing ties to Flowers Canada/Florist Division and its relations with the American floral industry associations – and this is for the benefit of the floral industry. The office of the AFQ will remain in Montreal.
Jardin Botanique de Montréal
• The 8th Edition of ‘Butterflies Go Free’ took wing on February 24 and will continue to soar until May 1, 2005 in the Botanical Gardens’ Main Exhibition Greenhouse. This year’s stars are the Swallowtails (Papilionidae) which remind one of little ‘kites’ flying about the myriad of tropical flowers. This year’s theme ‘La vie en kaléidoscope’ really does say it all.
Plants & Flowers talk back
• “Say it with flowers” takes on a whole new dimension with a gadget developed in Japan callen Ka-on, which translates into ‘Flower sound’ allowing plants and flowers to answer back with music! A doughnut shaped magnet with a coil at the base of a container when hooked up to a CD player, TV or stereo, relays sounds up through a plant’s stem and out via the petals. The speakers shoot sound in all directions filling a room with music. Call it flower karaoke. Gerberas and sunflowers say it best! Prices range from $50 to $500.
Check it out at www.lets-co.co.jp.
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