Deluxe Gift Basket with Champagne

Best choice for Birthday gift. Champagne, treats and flowers all in one

Elegant and thoughtful gift - simple but not simplistic - white and green flower arrangement, bottle of Moet & Chandon and collection of chocolate, marzipan, and other sweets.

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Underground Manhattan flower delivery

Most New Yorkers however they live in Manhattan or Brooklyn take the subway and most New Yorkers understand that this is just the price we have to pay for living here. We complain about them never being on time, and we should to keep it in mind when do our flower delivery, that they are inhabited by the mentally insane, and that many times we have to watch the performances of those asking for money or a mariachi band. Still, I've lived in San Francisco where their idea of a transit system is more theoretical than actually existing. Los Angeles' transit system is your car, and Boston's is something that should be avoided altogether. So while we complain about our MTA, it's still the best in Manhattan New York and in the country.

Last week I had an order on Manhattanflower delivery, and for the years I've been doing this, I've never had one this specific. I was told to be at the Manhattan northbound track of the 23rd Street station at 10:07am and to deliver a bouquetof white roses to the conductor of that train. This felt more like a hit than a flower delivery, but I was up for the challenge. I paid the fare and went to the platform and sure enough, at exactly 10:07 the Manhattan C train rolled in. An attractive woman, and yes, I was surprised that an New York MTA subway driver would be attractive, sorry for my closed-minded attitude, was at the helm.

I knocked on her window with the flowers and she looked at me as though I were there to hijack her train. She opened the window with a slight bit of terror and said: "I don't give information." I handed her the flowers with words “ New York flower delivery " and she laughed knowingly. "Is this from that guy the other day?" I told her I had no idea, but that I was given very specific instructions to deliver flowers to her at this time and place. She opened the card and read it smiling. "Yep. These are from that guy who I saw running for the train and I kept the doors open for him. I've been driving for five years in Mew York and no one has said as much as a thank you and off course no one send’s thank you flowers. I guess this makes up for it." Someone suddenly yelled out from the idling train: "Hey! Can we get moving?" She snapped back to reality and drove away. The ever turning wheels of New York have no time for sentimentality.

How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer

How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer

February 29, 2016

It’s always then there's the special joy of receiving flowers. Red rose from the local Manhattan florist or a “Happy Birthday” flowers delivered with courier from your far friend. Flowers always mean so much.

Small bouquet of flowers can make your day brighter even when it’s rainy behind the window. Unfortunately we are all known fresh flowers will not stick around forever.

Bacteria are a mortal enemy of cut flowers. It pile up at the cut end and occludes the uptake of water into the flower. As the stream of water slows, the flower become to dry and die.

Here some tips from "Alaric Flower Design" to help cut flowers last longer:

• Wash your vase in hot soapy water to remove any dirt and bacteria
• Cut the stems of store-bought or delivered flowers immediately with sharp knife at a slant of 45º angle, 1 to 2 inches off will be enough and most important to cut stems under water to avoid getting air bubbles trapped in the stem
• Put the fresh flowers into clean vase and fill it with cold water.
• Add the lemon juice to the water it should be less than a tenth of your water volume. Lemon will prevent bacteria formation.
• Now we need to feed the Flowers. Adding a sugar into the vase will do it. One teaspoon will be enough.
• Change vase water often. Best choice to change it every day. As longer you don’t do it as more bacteria will be in water.
• Keep cut the stems regularly, every time when you change water.

Using these tips you can order flowers online and keep it fresh longer. Enjoy in your Manhattan apartment a beauty of Mother Nature gifts.

Visit “Alaric flowers design” online store and make order for the beauty of your apartment or send floral gift with magic words in it. Also you can visit our floral design studio in the heart of Manhattan – Midtown area 42 West 56th Street New York, NY 10019

Have any question? Reach us by the phone: +1 212 308 37 94

Flower Guide: The Poinsettia

Poinsettia History

In order to fully understand or appreciate this plant, it is helpful to take a look at where did the poinsettia come from. The poinsettia is native to Central America, near southern Mexico. It was introduced to the U.S. in 1828 and got its name from Joel Roberts Poinsett. Poinsett was the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico with a passion for botany. Upon discovering this shrub, he became so enchanted with its bright red blooms that he sent several plants back to his home in Greenville, S.C. in 1825 The poinsettia is not a poisonous plant. Research has proven that the poinsettia is not lethal to humans or pets unless eaten in extremely large amounts. However, your poinsettia and all other houseplants should be kept out of the reach of small children and pets, since varying degrees of discomfort may be experienced if plant parts are ingested. The poinsettia, a member of the Euphorbia family, and is the number 1 potted plant sold in the United States. And, that’s over a very small 6 week window! National Poinsettia Day is celebrated on December 12.

Taking Care of your Poinsettia

With proper care, your poinsettia will last through the holiday season and right into late winter. Play close attention to the following tips:
• Place in a room where there is bright natural light but not where the sun will shine directly on the plant.
• Keep the plant away from locations where it will receive hot or cold draughts.
• Place the plant high enough to be out of reach of unmonitored children and pets.
• Set the plant in a water-proof container to protect your furniture.
• Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Discard any excess water which remains in the saucer after 10 minutes.
• The bright color of the bracts will remain longer if temperatures do not exceed 22°C.

Re-flowering Your Poinsettia                                                                                                                                                                                                    If you cannot bear to throw your poinsettia out when it is finished providing color, you may want to try your hand at re-flowering your poinsettia next year.

December 

-Full bloom. 

-Water as needed. 

April 

-Color fades.

-Keep near sunny window and fertilize when new growth appears.

-Cut back stems to about 20 cm.

June

-Repot if necessary. 

-Fertilize with a balanced formula 20-20-20. 

-Continue to water when dry to touch. 

-Move outside if temperatures do not fall below 10°C. 

-Place in light shade.

Late August

-Take inside. 

-Cut stems back, leaving three or four leaves per shoot.

-Sunny window.

-Water and fertilize as needed.

Sept. 20 'til December 1

-Keep in light only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-Put in dark (NO LIGHTS) 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.

 

Remember the key to success: Follow the strict light/dark instructions carefully.

What Makes Poinsettias Turn Red?
Many people wonder what makes poinsettias turn red. It is actually the plant’s leaves that provide its color through a process called photoperiodism. This process, in response to certain amounts of light or lack thereof, turns the leaves from green to red (or pink, white, and other shade variations). What most people mistake as flowers in fact specialized leaves, or bracts. The small yellow flowers are found in the center of the leaf branches.

How to Make Poinsettia’s Turn Red
In order to get a poinsettia plant to turn red, you need to eliminate its light. Flower formation is actually triggered by periods of darkness. During the day, poinsettia plants require as much bright light as possible in order to absorb enough energy for color production. At night, however, poinsettia plants must not receive any light for at least 12 hours. Therefore, it may be necessary to place plants in a dark closet or cover with cardboard boxes.

Leaves
It’s important to pinpoint the possible cause in the event that your poinsettia plant leaves are falling off, as in some cases, this can be easily fixed. Environmental factors, such as warm, dry conditions, are most often the reason for leaf drop. Stress can also be a factor. Keep the plant in a cool, draft-free area and provide plenty of water. If all else fails, the plant may need to be discarded. Now that you know how to you take care of poinsettias you can keep these lovely plants year round. With proper poinsettia plant care, they will give you many years of beauty.

Poinsettia Facts

-Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Guatemala, where they are a perennial shrub that can grow as large as 10 feet tall.

-The Aztecs called the poinsettia Cuetlayochitl.

-Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Many plants in this family ooze a milky sap.

-Most people think the showy colored leaves of the poinsettia are the flowers, but are actually colored bracts. The flowers or cyathia of the poinsettia are in the center of the colorful bracts.

-Poinsettias are not poisonous. However, it is not intended for human and animal consumption. 

-By an Act of Congress, December 12th was set aside as National Poinsettia Day. The date marks the death in 1851 of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who is credited with introducing the native Mexican plant to the United States.

-There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available.

-Seventy-four percent of Americans still prefer red poinsettias.

-Poinsettias are the best selling potted plant in the United States.

Order a lovely Poinsettia plant today for your home or office!

Flower Guide: The Beautiful Amaryllis Flower

The Amaryllis or as it’s botanically known Hippeastrum is one of our favorite flowers to work with. It’s perfect for holiday arrangements and has become increasingly popular for holiday gift plants, undoubtedly because the bulbs bloom very freely indoors. The large, showy flowers make a bold statement and are available in an increasing variety of colors, shapes, and sizes that fit almost any taste. We’ve created this handy guide so you too can become an Amaryllis expert! 

Mythology- In Greek mythology, Amaryllis was a shepherdess who loved Alteo, a shepherd with Hercules' strength and Apollo's beauty. However, Alteo only loved flowers. He'd often said that he would only love a girl who bought him a new flower. So, Amaryllis dressed in maiden's white and appeared at Alteo's door for 30 nights, each time piercing her heart with a golden arrow. When Alteo finally opened his door, he found a crimson flower, sprung from the blood of Amaryllis's heart. The word "amaryllis" comes from the Greek word "amaryssein," which means "to sparkle," referring to the bloom. Today, the amaryllis symbolizes pride, determination and radiant beauty.

                                                                                                                                    

Features- Amaryllis has tall, thick stems and large, colorful flowers. Bloom colors includes red, pink, white, cream, orange and striped and variegated shades of several other colors.

Background- The amaryllis is native to South Africa, the Americas and parts of the Caribbean. It was discovered in Chile in 1828 by Eduard Frederich Poeppig, a physician and plant hunter from Leipzig, Germany.

Amaryllis Care

Planted Amaryllis-When its brilliant holiday blooms have faded, should you toss that big brown amaryllis bulb into the compost pile? No! Amaryllis, are as easy to care for as any house plant. When they're not blooming, the strap-like leaves make an attractive, architectural backdrop for other plants. With a little fertilizer and summer sun, your amaryllis will bloom again, bigger and better than ever! Treat your amaryllis as you would any houseplant, with regular water and fertilizer. Amaryllis plants like sun, the brighter the better, especially in winter. If you tuck it in a dim corner, it may survive, but more sun means better growth and better bloom next year.

Here's an easy step-by-step plan to get your amaryllis to bloom again:

1. Keep it cool through the holidays.
Enjoy your amaryllis for the maximum time possible by placing it in a location with diffuse light and cool indoor temperatures in the 60°F range. Keep it barely moist. When you water, be careful not to get the portion of the bulb that sticks above the soil wet. If you have a large bulb, you may get two or three flowering stalks that bloom over a period of several weeks.

2. Cut the flower stalks.
When the last flower has faded on each of the flower stalks, cut the flower stalk near the top of the bulb. Be careful not to injure the leaves or any emerging flower stalks. Don't be alarmed if a large amount of sap runs out of the hollow flower stalk when you cut it. This is normal if the plant has been well watered.

3. Increase light, water, and fertilizer.
It's now late winter, and your amaryllis is now in its growth phase. Your main objective is to encourage leaf production that will help the bulb bulk up for next year's flowers. It's hard to give your amaryllis too much sunlight at this time of the year. Move it to the sunniest location that you can manage. A sunroom or greenhouse space is best, but a south-facing window will work until spring comes. Fertilize it monthly with a liquid fertilizer, and never allow the soil to dry out completely.

4. Move it outdoors in spring.
As soon as the weather settles and all threat of frost is gone, move your amaryllis outdoors. Don't be alarmed if many of the leaves wither and die in the adjustment period. Wind and exposure to more sunlight may cause some of the older leaves to die; new ones will grow. Choose a sunny area where you can water the plants daily. A deck or patio works fine, and the glossy strap-shaped leaves are a good textural foil for many other plants. Fertilize the plants every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer or apply a slow release fertilizer.

5. Decide when you'd like your amaryllis to bloom.
If you want flowers for the holidays, you'll need to begin its dormant period by mid August. Withhold water, and move the pots to a location where they can be kept around 55°F. Most people don't have a space that they can keep this cool at the height of summer, so you might have to let the seasons determine bloom time for you. You can leave your amaryllis outdoors well into autumn. If you do, stop fertilizing it in late September and bring it indoors before the end of October or earlier if a heavy frost is forecast. You can bring it indoors in the pot or remove the bulb from the pot and wash the soil off the roots if you like at this time.

6. Keep it in cool storage until the bulbs signal they are ready to go.
Amaryllis usually lose all or most of their leaves during their dormant period, although it is not necessary for all the leaves to wither for the bulb to reach complete dormancy. Keep the bulb on the dry side. Check the bulb every week; after eight to ten weeks of cool storage, you should notice the tip of the new flower stalk emerging from the bulb. If you shift the bulb to a warm spot (70-80°F) for three weeks, you will encourage leaves to emerge at the same time the flower stalk is developing, but a warm treatment is not needed for floral development. You can repot the bulb in fresh soil at this point. Be careful not to bury the bulb too deeply. At least one third of the bulb should be visible above the soil surface. Don't plant the bulb in a pot that is any more than two times the diameter of the bulb. When you repot it, you may notice smaller side bulbs that can be broken away from the main bulb. These can also be potted and grown on in a sunny spot. They will not bloom this year, but may bloom after two or three years of growth.

7. Start it warm and water tentatively.
Water your amaryllis thoroughly right after you repot it, and allow the soil surface to dry a bit before watering it again. Place it in a warm spot to stimulate root growth. A sunny spot is best. If you try to re-bloom your amaryllis in dim light conditions, the flower stalk will grow long and your amaryllis will be more prone to breakage or tipping. Wait until the first flower has opened to move the plant to a location with subdued light and cool temperatures to preserve the flower as long as possible.

8. Repeat.
You can keep your amaryllis indefinitely, and if you can provide the right conditions for growth and dormancy, your bulb will get larger and multiply itself over the years. Large bulbs may produce as many as three flower stalks and some bulbs may bloom during the summer as well as during the winter, depending on temperature and other growing conditions. 

Call us for a Holiday arrangement for your office or home or next holiday party!

2014 Wedding Flower Trends

Alaric Flower Design is seeing some exciting new trends for the 2014 wedding season. Brides, florists, event planners are getting so creative and innovative with their flower selections that there are some really exciting and fresh new trends emerging for 2014. Here are some specific trends to look out for.

The Return of Baby’s Breath
We are also seeing specific flowers becoming popular. And one has really surprised us! This once outdated flower is returning to wedding's and its looking better then ever.

Image Via

Succulents

The use of succulents has become extremely popular especially in wedding bouquets. They really add texture and wonderful shades of greens to a bouquet.

Timeless Classics

Garden Roses, Ranunculus, and Peonies are all the rage with brides to be.

Flower Crowns

This is a major trend for brides it adds a earthy vibe to any wedding and is so versatile the possibilities are endless.

Image Via

Greenery

Today’s brides are getting more creative with their options. Long gone are the days where greenery was seen as the cheap option. Using greens such as moss, ferns, and ivy are the perfect way to bring the outdoors in.

How to Make Cut Hydrangeas Last Longer

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We love hydrangeas they bloom so beautiful and full. Working with them is another story, they often wilt easily when used in an arrangement. They have very thick wood-like stem that expels a sticky substance that often clogs the stems, preventing moisture from reaching the blooms.  Alaric Flowers is here to give you some of our tried and true techniques that work to get the maximum life out of your hydrangeas,

The Hot Water Method

1. Immediately after cutting each bloom, drop the stem in the water.
2. Boil water and pour it into a cup or any container.
3. Cut the hydrangea stems to the desired length.
4. Stand the stems of the hydrangeas in the hot water for 30 seconds.
5. Immediately put into room temperature water and then arrange.

The Alum Dip Method

1. The alum used in this method can usually be found in the spice section of the grocery store. Occasionally it is found with the pickling supplies.
2. As you arrange the blooms, re-cut the stems and dip the bottom 1/2 inch of stem into powdered alum.
3. Arrange as usual in water. 

REVIVING WILTED BLOOMS IN AN ARRANGEMENT:

1. If the water in the arrangement is more than a day old, change it for fresh water before beginning the revival process.
2. Re-cut the stems of the wilted hydrangeas by removing a portion at the bottom.
3. Use the Boiling Water Method: Boil water and pour it into a cup.
4. Stand the stems of the wilted hydrangeas in this water for 30 seconds.
5. Immediately put into room temperature water (this usually means back into the arrangement).
6. If the blooms are not too old, within a couple of hours they will have completely revived. Occasionally, the revival process will take several hours. In most cases, the blooms will look as fresh as the first day.

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Dunk Method

1. Or you can dunk the entire hydrangea head into cool water 

2. Let it soak for 20-30 minutes.

3. Place the stem in fresh water
4. After 24 hours your bloom should be good as new                                                                                                                                                                           

The maintenance for hydrangeas may seem like a lengthy process but the results are way worth the efforts.

Enjoy your blooms!