This time of year is one of our favorites around. It’s the time when kids come into our store and stop dead in their tracks…The innocence of children that love CHRISTMAS! It’s the time when you can go a little over the top (you may notice that in our store!) It’s the time when you get busy and overwhelmed and excited about everything you have to get done before the holiday. Don’t forget to order your holiday flowers!
In our store, there are trees scattered around in reds, golds, silver and copper. There are beautiful glass ornaments that glimmer and sparkle and ones that are rustic and natural. We have whimsical ornaments of Santa, penguins, and toy soldiers, and woodland decorations perfect for a northwest tree. Whatever your style…we have beautiful Christmas decor and ornaments to fit it! We are also custom creating beautiful designs that are long-lasting or everlasting and perfect for your holiday table.
If you are looking for a great gift for someone special, consider a plantscape creation. Mollie is putting poinsettias, amaryllis, paper white narcissus and much more together in these delightful living gardens. Some are adorned with ribbon, ornaments, branches etc. We are ready to celebrate a season of brightness…at Flowers Washougal.
In this newsletter, Mollie will talking about forcing bulbs such as paperwhites and amaryllis indoors and how to keep them happiest until Christmas is here. She will also share her quick poinsettia tips on keep yours beautiful, alive and happy. Julie will be talking about the many benefits of going green literally…with your Christmas tree, supporting your local farmer and how to pick the freshest tree possible! Erik is exploring how to take your christmas tree to the next level. It should be lots of fun. Come see us and say hi this December. It’s a festive fun time of year! Enjoy the read!
GO GREEN…Not Plastic…By Julie Meyer
Here are 13 reasons to purchase a northwest native, beautiful fragrant Christmas tree this year rather than dragging out use the old plastic tree.
#1: It’s the number one agricultural crop in Oregon
#2: The tree industry employs thousands of people each year (in the USA)
#3: Trees create oxygen and habitat for birds and beneficial habitat
#4: There not frustrating packaging or steps to put your tree together!
#5: 100% Biodegradable
#6: Let’s face it folks…there nothin’ better than the smell of a fresh christmas tree…not even a candle can replace that smell!
#7: It will free up storage space and save your back it you store your tree in the basement or attic space!
#8: Fresh, Local
#9: About the cost of a movie rental and a pizza
#10: Supports your local farmer
#11: Farmed just like vegetables and meats
#12: Vegetarian
#13: SO…Do you want to get one? The freshest in town is on the corner of 3rd and Lechner across from KFC in Washougal.
Forcing Flowers for a season of cheer
By Mollie Collings
Now is the time to start potting your favorite spring bulbs to prepare them for winter flowering. Tulips, paperwhite narcissus, amaryllis and hyacinth are all great choices for forcing inside.
First, top quality, good sized bulbs should be used. Don’t mix varieties in the same container, since they vary in the dates they may flower.
Planting
Begin by potting the bulbs in clean, sterile clay or plastic pots. Normally the “noses” of the bulbs are exposed. Do not bury the bulbs. The soil should be an open mixture of good garden loam (three parts), peat moss (two parts), and sand (one part). Don’t worry about soil fertility or feeding bulbs because they have enough stored food to flower one time.
Plant the bulbs close together in the pot. Usually 6 tulip bulbs, 3 hyacinths, 6 daffodils, or 15 crocus, will fit into a 6-inch pot. The flat side of the tulip bulb should be placed next to the rim of the pot since the largest leaf will always emerge and grow on that side, producing a more desirable looking pot.
It’s extremely important that bulbs be handled with care at all times. Never allow the bulbs to be in temperatures above 65 degrees F. When planting, the pot should be loosely filled with soil. Don’t press the bulbs into the soil. Allow1/4-inch of space at the top of the pot so it can be watered easily. The bulbs should be watered immediately upon planting, and thereafter the soil should never be allowed to become dry.
Cold Treatment
Bulbs must be given a cold temperature treatment of 35– 48 degrees F for a minimum of 12–13 weeks. This cold treatment can be provided by either a cold frame, an unheated attic or cellar, or even your refrigerator’s vegetable section. In the refrigerator, the pots should be covered with plastic bags that have had a few breathing holes punched in them. With cold frames in Minnesota a deep mulch must be used. Cover the pots with 10 inches of soil, then cover with 10 inches of mulch (hay, sawdust, or leaves). The bulbs must not be allowed to freeze.
Forcing in Pots
Mark your calendar to remind yourself when the first pots can be removed from storage for forcing to begin. If planted October 1, bring the first pots into the home right after Christmas. For a continuous supply of flowers, bring in a few pots at weekly intervals. On the average the bulbs will flower in three to four weeks. Closer to spring, they flower more rapidly.
In the home, place the pots in a cool, sunny location. A temperature of 50–60 degrees F is preferred for the first week or until the shoots and leaves begin to expand. Then, they can be moved to warmer locations such as the living room. Avoid direct sunlight. Hyacinths may have a tendency not to have an elongated flower stem and “stick” in the clasp of leaves. This problem may be overcome by placing the plants in the dark for a few days or placing a paper cone over the plants in order to “draw” the flower out of the bulbs. Warmer temperatures will result in rapid growth. Once the bulbs are blooming, move the pots to a cool location each night. The cooler temperatures will prolong the life of the flowers. Small pots of crocus can even be placed in your refrigerator overnight.
Amaryllis Culture
The amaryllis is a tender bulb that will bloom without special treatment when first purchased. It should be potted up in light, rich soil in a pot that is only 1–2 inches larger in diameter than the bulb. The upper half of the bulb should be exposed above the soil. After watering thoroughly, allow the soil to become quite dry. Water more frequently after the flower stalk appears, but never water when the soil is already moist. Put the plant in a warm, sunny spot until the flower buds show color, then move it out of direct sunlight.
After blooming, cut off the flowers to prevent seed formation. The foliage should be handled as if it were a sun loving houseplant. Place it in the brightest possible location indoors until it is warm enough to sink the pot in soil outdoors where it will receive dappled sunlight at first. Gradually move it to a brighter location where eventually it has full sun for at least five or six hours daily. Fertilize with a balanced houseplant food at regular intervals to build up the nutrients needed for blooming the following year.
Amaryllis should be brought indoors before the first frost in the fall. Traditionally, the bulb is then given a resting period by placing it in a dark location, withholding all water and allowing the leaves to dry. The bulb may be forced into bloom again after resting eight weeks, or even less, should new growth appear spontaneously. If necessary, repot in a slightly larger container. If the pot is still large enough, remove the upper 2 inches of soil and topdress with fresh potting soil. This completes the cycle, which may be repeated annually for many years of lovely blossoms.
Take your Christmas…Over the top! By Erik Witcraft
Working as a florist for almost 16 years, I have seen a lot of Christmas trees. I have worked in shops that do large corporate Christmas installations, and some that just put up a couple trees. I also have enjoyed wandering through stores, wholesalers, and trade shows checking out the newest trends and some that I think…hmmm, who would buy that!? At any rate, with all the exposure I get, it’s easy to just put up a tree and decorate it. But, STOP! There can be more to it than that!
The things that I do as a professional definitely set our Christmas trees apart from home-spun ones…and they are simple things too. If you are looking for a boost to your tree at home…from ho-hum home-spun to wow wow wowie-zowie…Read on…
#1 : Determine your theme. Your theme may be whimsical, it may be elegant, it may be all the wonderful ornaments your kids make in school. Whatever your theme is…Embrace it! You need to fully understand your theme and pick out anything that goes with it…and skip things that don’t go cohesively with it! Here, we have created a theme of whimsical elves, ornaments, and colorful ribbon. The candy canes pull it all together and make it fun!
Create a theme...
- Notice how the ribbon “fluffies” add a sense of whimsy
Create a theme...
- Notice how the ribbon “fluffies” add a sense of whimsy
#2: Use neutral colors each year…but add a fun pop of color that can be changed out from year to year. It’s expensive to get a designer look. You don’t have to. Just used neutral golds, or silvers, or whites, and then POW it up with a color…here we have tucked just a touch of apple green, with apples and succulents for a great garden style tree!
Go Green...
- Add a pop of color…
#3: Find fun objects to incorporate. Go wandering around your house, yard (or garage) and find unexpected objects to incorporate. Branches from a wind storm, old garden trellises, baskets, terra cotta pots, giant wall stars, or your antique lawnmower. Yes, I said Lawnmower! Whatever you like. The funkier the better. Figure out how to anchor it into your tree sucurely and you are set. (Zipties, wire and such can help with that) What a fun way to take your tree above and beyond! Here we removed the top of an artificial tree and added a branch structure that supports all kinds of beautiful ornaments.
Use unexpected objects...
#4: Go Mono. Another great way to create drama and impact is by just selecting one color. All silver, all gold, all red. There is nothing that will stop a person dead in the tracks quicker that the bold use of one color. Remember, Be brave, Happy Christmas tree decorating and come see us for inspiration!
Go monochromatic...
Stick to a color scheme...
