Alamo, CA Florists

Alamo Flower Shop News

The smell of citrus flowers is intensely divine! - Moultrie Observer

Citrus need sunlight with 6 hours being ideal; however, lemons and limes can survive with less. Temperature is very more important. Most varieties tolerate light frosts; kumquats and calamondins are the hardiest and lemons and limes are the most susceptible. High temperatures promote sweet grapefruits, oranges, and tangerines.In cooler summer climates, give them full sun, plant against a hot south wall, or place them along a sunny patio that absorbs the heat and reflects it back to the plants. Also, consider citrus for hedges along the driveway or across the lawn. Placement near a patio or bedroom window provides an immediate sweet aroma in the spring. The smell of citrus flowers is intensely divine! And, citrus flowers are also a haven for butterflies.Shrubs and trees (such as the grapefruit, lemon, and orange) in the genus Citrus are evergreen, flowering plants usually with spines, leathery and aromatic leaves, and juicy edible fruits surrounded by a leathery aromatic rind. Citrus is a common term for these plants and there are two types (sweet and acid) that be grown in our landscapes for fruit and aesthetics. Environmental conditions, cultural practices, and pest activity can dictate the degree of success achieved in growing citrus in this area.The sweet types of citrus include grapefruit, mandarins and sweet oranges which grow into appealing, medium to large trees. Grapefruit do not withstand cooler temperatures very well. The farther the site is from the warm coastal areas, the more difficult they are to grow and survive. Redblush and Star Ruby (red fruit) and Marsh (white fruit) are seedless cultivars which are often planted with favorable success.  Royal and Triumph (white fruit) are seedy varieties that offer good fruit quality.The mandarin class of citrus has loose skin (easil... http://www.moultrieobserver.com/opinion/columns/the-smell-of-citrus-flowers-is-intensely-divine/article_aaacb9d8-69b4-11e7-8f6c-e35de16b27de.html

Davis' Work on Rose Parade Floats - Alamogordo Daily News

Joe.Richard Davis works on a Rose Parade float in Pasadena, California. (Photo: Courtesy Photo)Esther has been in the floral business for 38 years. She has owned flower shops in Florida and in Alamogordo, NM.  She currently does freelance work for weddings and other special events in the Cloudcroft area as EMD Designs and she is the current President of the NM State Florist Association. Esther is also very active in her community. She is a Past President of the Sparky’s Boot Fund and is currently on the board of the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce where she is the chairwoman for Mardi Gras, July Jamboree and Lumberjack Days.This year was Esther’s third year working on rose parade floats.“We work long hours and it is hard work, but it is also very, very rewarding,” she said.Esther’s husband Richard, is an excellent worker and all the crew chiefs want him on their team.It is always a treat to watch the parade each year on television. Most of us can only imagine what it would be like to see the parade in person and actually work on a float.Only natural material can be used to decorate the floats.  Flowers, fruits, mosses, grasses, spices and seed come from all over the world.“There were numerous semi- tractor trailers full of flowers of every type backed up to the huge hangers where the floats are assembled,” Esther said. “They were not only beautiful, but the aroma was amazing.”Plans have already begun for the 2018 Rose Parade.“If I leave it up to Richard, we will go back again this year to work on the floats,” Esther said.Read or Share this story: http://a-dnews.co/2k1Pc2X... http://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/community/2017/01/18/davis-work-rose-parade-floats/96746954/

25 Things To Do For Valentine's Day in Dallas - D Magazine

One Night, the very romantic, very good 1934 Frank Capra film. The historic setting makes for a more memorable movie date night than you’ll get at almost any other theater.On Valentine’s Day, the Alamo Drafthouse is showing My Bloody Valentine, a movie that has the word “valentine” in its name but is not very good. You’d be better off going to the Alamo’s Valentine’s Day quote-along screening of The Princess Bride.The Texas Theatre is showing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a great and honest film about the joys and horrors of love.The Granada’s hosting a show and a movie. The Sinatra-esque crooner Ricki Derek and his jazz band will serenade you before the theater throws Casablanca on the big screen.Bath House Cultural Center will host the annual El Corazon art exhibit, a showcase of pieces inspired by the heart. The show runs through March 5.The Dallas Arboretum is selling $5 admission tickets at the gate through Feb. 26. To feel both patriotic and romantic, visit the weekend of Feb. 14. For Presidents’ Day, active and retired military service members receive free admission, while patriotic music plays at the garden and vendors sling $1 hot dogs and $2 cherry pies.While you’re mixing holidays, you might as well celebrate the Chinese New Year at this massive celebration in the Dallas Arts District. The festivities, centered around the Crow Collection of Asian Art, include a full day of performances and art demonstrations culminating in a fireworks show.What did love sound like in the 1920s and 30s? Maybe something like the Singapore Slingers, the retro, pre-swing jazz ensemble performing a Valentine’s Day revue at Pocket Sandwich Theatre on Feb. 9.Single, and have a decent amount of disposable income to throw around? Bring a platonic wing-man or wing-woman to “The Friend Zone” singles’ night bash at The W on Feb. 13. You’ll find a cash bar, music, and presumably other single people after paying a $25 cover.Bring the whole family along to Klyde Warren Park for Hearts in the Park on Feb. 13. The all-day celebration has a Roaring 20s theme this year, so prepare yourself accordingly for a day of romance, jazz, and illicit drinking. You’ll find family-friendly activities, dancing, and other fun things to do. The park will show The Great Gatsby (the Leonardo DiCaprio one, we think) at 6:30 pm.Put on some couple’s cosplay and head to Dallas Comic Con: Fan Days at the Irving Convention Center on Feb. 13 and 14. Nothing says romance like hordes of people in costumes, celebrity panels, and various geek ephemera. Step up your selfie game and get a photo with costumed comic fans or stop by one of the celebrity Q&As at this spring edition of North Texas’ biggest nerd extravaganza. Guests this year include the stars of the Dukes of Hazzard.O... http://frontrow.dmagazine.com/2016/01/25-things-to-do-for-valentines-day-in-dallas-2016/

Airlines, rental cars, and flowers make the holiday Grinch list - ConsumerAffairs

I have spent almost $7-$8K on this trip and we can't go anywhere because we don't have our car which we had reserved 40 days ago," Rahul said.Things were no better over at Alamo, according to Ingrid of San Francisco."We rented a SUV three months ago to drive our 5 kids from SF to Park City, Utah. When we arrived to pick up the car, they said it was no more available because the car was broken (but they forgot to tell us about it)," Ingrid said. "As it is Christmas Day, they told 4 cars were available for us at the airport. We changed our reservation. When we arrived at the Alamo desk at the airport ($80 of taxi round trip), there was still no car for us and no other car available at the other rental companies. How can it be worse?"FlowersPhoto submitted by Marie-Claire"I ordered the white magnolia center piece as a Christmas gift for my parents," said Susan of Dansville, Mich., in a review of FromYouFlowers.com. "When we arrived Christmas Day I was very disappointed. There were no magnolia leaves or roses in the arrangement. They had been replaced with cheaper fill, pine and daisies. The candles were so short we had to blow them out before we were done with dinner."Steve of Bloomington, Ill., also chimed in about FromYouFlowers."I ordered a Snowman Surprises Holiday Campanula Plant $54.99 with a delivery charge of $19.99. I had to select a date for delivery from a calendar that would only allow certain dates to be chosen," Steve said. "I selected 12/24/15 for a delivery date. It was confirmed and I paid. Called today to see how my Mother enjoyed the flowers and she said NOTHING WAS DELIVERED!"JustFlowers.com made the Grinch list for Marie-Claire of Bruceton Mills, W.Va. "I ordered a gold/silver/white arrangement for my daughter's wedding anniversary, because I knew these colors were her theme this year. A RED and white one was delivered. My complaint to JustFlowers.com so far has only yielded a canned reference to their website indicating that substitutions were permitted," Marie-Claire said. "So far Customer Service is totally unresponsive. I will call a local florist in the future and order directly from a local business."All that glitters ...Ordering jewelry online works well sometimes. Other times ... well, not so much. "I ordered two identical necklaces and was told they would be shipped by 12/21 after the purchase," said Susan of Elkton, Md., in a review of The Bradford Exchange. "I called and called about the tracking information ... I was told they "will get there." On 12/23 we received one of the two and not the other. I called again and was told it was on its way. Today I looked up the order number and it says will be shipped by 2/06, 2016!"Kitchen calamitiesAll of these mishaps are fairly typical of the holidays, as are the sudden and unexpected failure of kitchen appliances that can lead to dinner disasters. And then there's the perennial problem of the disintgrating baking dish.Photo submitted by SherrySherry of Middleboro, Mass., was one of many consumers who discovered the phenomenon. "Today, I began slow roasting a pork shoulder in the oven. The temperature was at 300 and the dish had been in the oven for about 25 minutes," Sherry said. "I opened the oven door to see if I should add any liquid and the large baking dish shattered with such force that glass shards were stuck in my sweater and flew in all directions throughout the kitchen. There was no warning of the dish beginning to fail, just a loud shattering sound that was similar to someone throwing a glass onto the floor."... http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/airlines-rental-cars-and-flowers-make-the-hollday-grinch-list-122715.html

Nine Secrets To Petal It Forward Success

Eaton said. Two-time participant Valerie Lee Ow of J. Miller Flowers and Gifts in Oakland, California, enjoyed a similar benefit after giving away 400 mixed bouquets. "Their smiles made it all worthwhile and created happiness everywhere we went," Ow said. "The happiness and joy level was really off the charts, even much more than I had anticipated. It was not only fun for everyone to create and design, but to share in the outcome with the receiver, which few people really get to see on a consistent basis, except for our delivery drivers." Ow's helpers had such a good time last year, they all want to join the fun again this year. The shop was the first to sign up for the 2018 nationwide effort: safnow.org/piflist. While witnessing the joy of giving was one of the best parts of Petal It Forward, Copper Penny also received a "shout out" and a photo on the town's Facebook timeline. For Ow, the hugs and thank yous led to at least one sale she could trace. "Someone even placed an order the next day," she said. And who knows how many future sales were generated by press coverage and photos in her local newspaper, a regional chain of eight papers and an online publication. Another article on her event in the East Bay Times cited the Society of American Florists' research that shows the positive benefits of giving flowers. For Steph Cook and Carla Fussell of Cullman Florist in Cullman, Alabama, their first Petal It Forward in 2017 was an opportunity to connect with community members and prospective clients, some of whom were new to the area and did not have a florist. "We want to make flowers part of their lives on a daily basis," Cook said. They pre-coordinated with area business owners to give away 50 seven-stem bouquets in or near their coffee shops and bakeries. One recipient on her way to visit a friend who had just finished chemotherapy was delighted to add flowers to her gift of baked goods. "Each person we interacted with shared something with us," Cook said. "We really got a lot out of it too. We actually picked up a few new ... http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article=0068394

Typical June gloom provides ideal conditions for garden growth

Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of earth-friendly compost products made from organic material collected from more than 50 California cities. Residents can obtain Agromin soil products in bulk or in bags by contacting Rainbow Environmental Services in Huntington Beach or South Coast Supply in Huntington Beach and Los Alamitos.Thin Out Fruit Trees: By June, trees should be bursting with small fruit such as apricots, plums and peaches. The weaker fruit will start to drop this month. Don’t be alarmed. In fact, after the initial shedding, remove the smallest of the remaining. This will allow the hardiest of fruit to reach their full potential.Deadhead Flowering Plants And Bushes: Your rose and other flowering plants should be in full bloom by now. Remove older flowers to make way for new ones. Trim wayward branches and stems to encourage better density within the center of the plant.Control Aphids: Everything springs to life in June—including bad bugs such as the tiny aphid. These bugs latch onto plants and suck the sap from new growth. When the infestation is significant, they can curl leaves and stunt plant growth. Tips: Remove stems with the largest aphid concentration and then shoot a str... http://www.oc-breeze.com/2018/05/30/122007_typical-june-gloom-provides-ideal-conditions-for-garden-growth/

The incredible flower fields of San Diego is an item to add to the bucket list

It’s Instagram gold, and a closer alternative to the cascading tulip fields of Amsterdam.Each year, kicking off in March, around 165,000 visitors, generally locals from California, descend upon the 50-acres of fields blooming with giant tecolote ranunculus, a variety of the buttercup flower. And it’s an annual pretty pilgrimage that’s been happening for just under 60 years, when the owners of the site opened the spectacular display, with its sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, to the public.Back then in the '60s, visitors would walk around the flowers and simply take some snaps. But with each passing year, the experience has got bigger and better.These days, there’s outdoor concerts and arts and crafts fairs, which turn it into a blossoming extravaganza. There’s also afternoon tea, with freshly-baked scones and teeny tiny sandwiches, served daily from 11am until 1am. Incredibly, every year, 180 locals volunteer to do the educational tours of the site, which is a working ranch run by two flower farmers for the rest of the year.And the experience is just a mere $16 for adults and $8 for kids over three. The cost of special events varies, with afternoon tea priced at $55 per person. For more information, check out the Flower Fields website. ... http://travel.nine.com.au/2018/06/03/09/59/flower-fields-san-diego

Nostalgic for Last Year's Super Bloom? You Should Really Go to Carlsbad - LA Magazine

Museum of Ice Cream opened a month later). Yes, the super bloom of 2017 was epic. But while this year won’t bring another “Flowergeddon,” a weekend trip to Carlsbad, California, will cure what ails any Angelenos yearning for a botanical outburst.Located just 87 miles south of L.A., Carlsbad is home to 50 acres of radiant ranunculus that grow in color-coordinated rows. (It’s also home to Legoland—arguably just as colorful, but decidedly less fun for frolicking.) The blooms here are commercially grown, so you’re guaranteed some bud sightings worthy of your journey down the 5. And because the city is so proud of its flora, it’s brought back the Petal to Plate celebration for a second year. Through April 15, Carlsbad will become a haven for flower fanatics, with blossom-focused food, cocktails, and spa treatments at local restaurants and hotels. Here’s how to create your own weekend super bloom.SeeFor the main attraction, stop by the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, which are open to the public through May 13. In addition to rows of ranunculus, there’s a rose garden, a cymbidium orchid greenhouse, and a labyrinth made of sweet peas (like a corn maze, but better smelling). 5704 Paseo Del Norte, CarlsbadStayThe flower festivities at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa run the full month of April, so don’t stress if you can’t... http://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/carlsbad-flowers/