Some days, the difficulties of being in a customer service profession, like plantscaping can be overwhelming. Sometimes it feels like we can't ever fully satisfy our clients' needs. There are days when it can feel like each customer has too many plant problems and picky complaints that they all want to be solved NOW. You know [...]
Flowers have become associated with sentiments, often with the purpose of conveying amorous thought. In the 1600s in the ancient city of Constantinople (now called Istanbul), flowers gained meanings which enabled lovers to convey messages to each other without having to write or talk. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, a celebrated letter-writer and society poet who, in [...]
Someone once told me that great managers treat their employees as they would their best customer. I have found this to be a concept that works well for everyone involved. Loyal dedicated employees are a company's greatest asset. Who better to promote your company to your clients than one directly associated with its workings and ideals? [...]
One of the most beautiful (and most expensive) orchids to use in interiorscapes is the Cymbidium orchid. Because of their expense, I always hope to get at least four weeks of bloom time out of them in an account. But sometimes that doesn't work out; in a week they are dropping all of their blooms. Do [...]
Everyone loves flowers. Their beauty and fragrance have made them an important part of human culture and therefore a critical part of the interiorscape business. From the plant's point of view, however, flowers are the key to survival itself. The beauty and fragrance we enjoy are part of an elaborate advertising system which encourages pollination, assures [...]
You know the feeling. After weeks of holiday glitz, (Garland, wreaths and poinsettias everywhere) all of a sudden nothing. Back to the same old plants and that same old look. Everything looks so dull and plain. Holiday decorations have been removed and the glitter, sparkle and shine is gone. Right? Not if you have started your [...]
Winter conditions bring about a change in the interiorscape environment. Learn to recognize potential problems brought on by temperature and humidity fluctuations. Adjust your maintenance routine to accommodate the unique situations you encounter during these cold winter months. Environmental fluctuations Temperature and humidity levels in commercial buildings can fluctuate wildly during the winter. Hot, dry air [...]
Foliage plants with bright, strong colors and variegation (crotons, for instance) require warm temperatures and lots of bright sunlight to keep their markings and intense colors. Clivias need three months of dormancy or artificial drought to produce a flower bud. The bud will form about one month after normal watering is resumed. Certain flowering plants will [...]
Professional plant technicians develop the skills to maintain and improve plants placed in their care. They're "caretakers," not merely "plant replacers." They safeguard the client's investment and work hard to help plants flourish. To be a professional "caretaker," it is important to understand the factors that influence plant health. While many horticulturists say there are only [...]
A member of the Palmae family. Phoenix roebelenii (Fee-nix rowbuhl-LEEN-ee-eye) have gracefully arching, feathery fronds radiating from the center of sturdy trunks. Palm anatomy Palms have unique botanical features setting them apart from other interiorscape plants. Palms do not have a distinct xylem and phloem, but possess a series of vascular bundles randomly scattered throughout the [...]
