Meet My Florist Showcasing your local florist
FEATURING
BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS
Meet My Florist Showcasing your local florist Welcome to Meet My Florist magazine, a publication that gives you new insight into the wonders of your local flower shop. Your florist is an important part of your community. The following pages will provide you with information to help you better utilize your florist, and make you a more informed floral consumer. Flowers are something that anyone can appreciate and everyone enjoys. Flowers always make a beautiful statement, expressing a wide range of sentiments to compliment any occasion. You can always make someone smile with flowers! Choosing the perfect flowers for your occasion can be a daunting task. Let your florist guide and help you create the perfect arrangement. Your florist will help you express your sentiments with flowers. This issue of Meet My Florist magazine features BJ’s Petal Pushers. Hanock of BJ’s Petal Pushers gives you an insider’s look into his flower shop, and share with you the many ways that he helps customers with all their floral needs. In addition, you will get information about how to get more from your plants and flowers.
When you buy from a Mom and Pop business, you are supporting your community. Your local florist is another family in your community, your neighbor, and your friend. Our customers are our shareholders. We strive to make you happy. Thank you for your support! March 2019 | © Meet My Florist Periodical
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BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS (707) 257 - 3130
MEET HANOCK & JACKIE OF
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Hannock on Jackie I met Jackie before and she totally loves flowers and the floral business. She puts her whole heart into this shop. And so when she wanted to pass it on to someone, I stepped in. We’ve done wonderfully. So from here we are just building on what Jackie started. For us it’s all about helping the customer communicate an emotion, whether that be through a flower arrangement, a plant, or a basket. We believe in using quality products, and customizing flowers and gifts as much as possible. We want them to be very satisfied with our work. Not only satisfied, we want them to remember us weeks and months later. We have corporate clients who send flowers to their own employees and to their clients. For example, we have financial centers that send gifts to their clients such as cards, plaques, candy and
flowers. We customize and design our entire floral and gift line.
Basket Gardens We like to do basket gardens also. Not only are they really nice but they last over time as long as you take care of them. We buy everything direct from the grower. Jackie is our resident floral expert and has been in the industry for 30 years. She knows all the industry ins and outs. Jackie truly is the heart of this business.
Next we need to consider how we can best help achieve whatever they want to express at that service. We’ve got the expertise to help do a really good job. It is actually what we’re really known for. Like I said, flowers will put color in an otherwise gray situation.
On Sympathy. Flowers will put color on an otherwise gray situation. So I’m not going to tell anyone how to define that tough time. From my perspective the most important thing, before the flowers, is to tell the person how sorry we are for their loss. This little thing makes all the difference because actually I am sorry for the loss. BJSPETALPUSHERS.COM
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Keeping Plants Happy FERTILIZE every month. Most plants like a little boost to keep them looking their best.
DEADHEAD SPENT BLOOMS Keep the blooms coming by removing spent blooms from your flowering plants.
ORCHIDS are a plant category of their own. Water orchids sparingly with ice cubes to prevent blooms dropping from over watering (one ice cube a week).
REMOVE DECORATIVE WRAPPERS as soon as possible. Drainage keeps plant roots happy.
LESS FREQUENT but deep watering is most effective. Don’t let your plant sit in standing water; let it drain after watering.
GET THE LIGHT RIGHT Place your plants near light but never in direct sunlight. 4
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MANY BLOOMING PLANTS are meant to be outdoor plants. After the blooms are spent, find a happy home for your blooming plant in your garden or in an outdoor container.
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EXTENDING CUT FLOWER LIFE LOCATION MATTERS. Keep Flowers in a cool place and away from direct sunlight if possible. Avoid vents with blowing air.
PRESERVATIVE FEEDS THE BLOOMS. Add commercial plant food to the water every time you change the water.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE WATER. Always remember to keep water levels up! Change the water when cloudiness appears.
RECUT STEMS AFTER A FEW DAYS. Every few days, cut 1” from each stem at an angle to bypass clogged stems. Your flowers will draw water and the blooms will be happy longer.
TRIM OR REMOVE SPENT FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE. Keep your arrangement looking its best by taking out wilted blooms or leaves. This also prevents contamination of the water and increases the longevity of your arrangement.
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The Magic of
Flowers & Plants There is nothing like the thrill of receiving flowers. You feel special: someone is thinking about you, wanting to lift your spirits and make your day! Flowers touch all our senses, from visual vibrant colors to sweet fragrances. These powerful elements evoke pleasant memories of past times. Flowers are timeless, and bring those sweet memories to the present. Who isn’t thrilled by the brilliance of color, the richness of life in the garden! We give plants and flowers because we love the beauty of the outdoors. Giving plants and flowers as gifts brings the garden indoors for us to enjoy. Flowers can be a gift for anyone. From son to father, daughter to mom, friend to friend... tell someone they are special with flowers. Give flowers at unexpected times. Giving flowers is a spontaneous act of kindness that will brighten any person’s day. Consider flowers as a thank you! Acknowledge all that someone has done for you by giving them flowers. The bottom line: let someone know that you are thinking about them. Flowers always say, “I’m here for you!”
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BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS (707) 257 - 3130
Romance FLOWERS FOR
Flowers are a powerful way to express your caring and love. If you are looking to express only friendship, you can say that with flowers. If you are trying to say, “Just because,” you can say that with flowers too. If you want to say the big, “I love you,” you can proclaim your love with flowers. Whatever you are trying to express, you can always say it with flowers.
BE SPONTANEOUS! Don’t wait for a specific occasion to send flowers... score big points on any day.
ROSES ARE FOR ROMANCE. Certain flowers come with meanings. The rose has always been a symbol of love. SURPRISE THEM AT WORK. Brighten her day... really make her smile!
ADD A LOVE NOTE. Add a special card or hand written note to your arrangement.
TAKE THINGS UP A NOTCH. Add a box of chocolates or a special gift to your floral arrangement.
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LET’S
Celebrate
Celebrate Life’s milestones with flowers! Flowers add grace and elegance to every celebration. You can always celebrate the passage of a major milestones with flowers. Nothing beautifies a table better than flowers. No matter what your look, there are many possibilities for decorating with flowers. Let your florist decorate your gazebo, or make fabulous table centerpieces. Your florist will take your party to the next level.
CHOOSE A FOCAL POINT Do an impact arrangement on an entry table or as a centerpiece on a buffet table.
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BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS (707) 257 - 3130
USE AN EXPERT Get expert help from your florist, and your beautiful arrangements will take your party to a higher level.
DECIDE: ELEGANT OR CASUAL? Flower choices depend on the look you want to create.
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IT’S YOUR
Party
PICK A THEME & COORDINATE The theme of the party along with the time of year can help jump start ideas. Use containers and arrangement styles to complement your party theme. CONSIDER USING MULTIPLE STYLES & SIZES An assortment of coordinating arrangements of varying heights makes for a dazzling presentation.
CREATE IMPACT Use one or two focal flowers common to all the arrangements, and then fill in with less expensive florals. For example, use bright orange lilies and then surround them with mixed chrysanthemums. 12
BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS (707) 257 - 3130
FLOWER BIRTHDAY CAKES ARE INCREDIBLE. Surprise everyone when you order a flower birthday cake!
FOR NEW BIRTHS SEND FLOWERS HOME Most moms aren’t in the hospital that long, so send the flowers to the home.
BALLOONS ARE FESTIVE AND FUN. Create a sense of excitement when you accessorize with balloons.
ACCESSORIZE your flowers with a plush animal or baby toy to make it more personal. BJSPETALPUSHERS.COM
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A LOOK INSIDE
BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS Let BJ’S Petal Pushers create a personal floral design that reflects exactly what you want to say. Whether it be a sentiment of love, condolence or encouragement, there is an arrangement out there for everyone. Flowers are also an excellent way to beautify your home. One person may prefer a contemporary tropical arrangement while another loves the tradition of a dozen roses. Whatever your preference, BJ’s Petal Pushers is there to accommodate you.
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BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS (707) 257 - 3130
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Wedding
Y
our wedding day is one of the most special days in your life. Organizing this event can become a major undertaking. One way to help ease the planning burden is to have your florist guide you along the way. Your florist will be happy to provide you with a free wedding consultation so that you can sit down and personally share your ideas, and discuss the flower budget. Since every bride is unique, your florist will want to get to know you and your own personal tastes and style. Not everyone wants to have a traditional style wedding. Your florist can help you creatively express your personality or interests.
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BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS (707) 257 - 3130
PLANNING Be prepared with your wedding colors before meeting with your florist. Consider the style of wedding you’d like, and even the venue.
KEEP IT LOCAL & SEASONAL Choosing local and seasonal flowers is the way to go, and will give you more bang for your buck.
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REPURPOSE YOUR FLOWERS Don’t leave your ceremony flowers at the altar... take them to your reception! Aisle arrangements can be used for centerpieces or on the buffet tables. The bridesmaid bouquets can add color to a cake table or the head table.
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IF YOUR ARE REALLY SET ON A CERTAIN EXPENSIVE FLOWER. When your favorite flower is expensive, save on your budget by using it only in your bridal bouquet. You can substitute less expensive flowers into centerpieces or use only a small quantity of expensive flowers in select places.
BE OPEN TO VARIETIES AND COLORS Some of the more common flowers are available in a huge variety of beautiful colors! BJSPETALPUSHERS.COM
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tribute
Sending sympathy flowers is an important expression of love and support for the grieving family, as well as an opportunity to honor a person’s life. When we think of a funeral as a celebration of life, what could be better than a room full of flowers? The beauty of flowers is symbolic of life itself, and is always an appropriate tribute to a loved one. Let your florist help you send the perfect expression of your sympathy and love.
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BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS (707) 257 - 3130
BE MINDFUL OF CULTURE. Certain cultures have very specific traditions. For example, Muslims won’t appreciate a cross, and Eastern Orthodox place the highest value on white flowers. PHOTOGRAPHS ADD A VISUAL PERSPECTIVE. A photo image of your Loved one in a wreath of flowers can be a fitting tribute. REMEMBER THEIR PASSIONS OR THEIR CAREER. If you know specific details of passions of the Loved one, your florist can incorporate a symbol of those passions, such as a baseball cap, or golf club. FLOWERS ARE ALWAYS APPROPRIATE. Even if the family has requested donations to a specified cause, it always is appropriate to also send flowers.
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BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS (707) 257 - 3130
MORE FROM
BJ’S PETAL PUSHERS
Jackie Shares Is it true you’ve been doing this for 30 years? Yeah, 30 plus years. We don’t count after 30. Why do I do it? Oh, I love the four seasons. I just like doing the flowers. It’s great to be artistic as you please. I love when the customer leaves happy. My job is to read the verbiage of what they want and translate it into a creation so they’re happy and they’re smiling when they leave. It’s very satisfying work... it’s a joyful act. Sometimes you can’t put those things into words, but you can express them with flowers. So how did you get this guy into the business? Hanock comes accross like a dollars and cents guy. But he also has another side to him. He’s got a real good eye for flowers. He’s also a floral designer... he has to be able to design; you can’t own a flower shop and not be able to design flowers. So I think it’s neat to have a young man here just learning the floral business. He does have that business slant to him... but it’s not a disadvantage. It’s a real asset. Hanock is a family man with three kids. He treats our customers like family. Often they walk through the doors as customers and leave as friends.
FUN with Roses Roses are fun because they are always coming out with something new. Like there’s the orange juice rose that’s the color of orange juice... it’s fun. It’s a big headed rose and it’s yellow and it’s got a little bit of orange just around the edge. It’s really pretty, and it’s different than some of the other orange and yellow roses that they’ve had in the past.
30 globes and having the van die in front of the Francis Drake Hotel. But we finally got everything set up on the tables. That was awesome. Best time to send flowers Sending flowers when it’s not a birthday or an anniversary, you know, sending them just because. You’ll get the most impact from your gift because youre just thinking of them, it’s not for a specific reason. it’s so unexpected. They always ask, “Who are the flowers for?” We answer, “These are for you!” They reply, “But, it’s not my birthday!” “Correct, It’s not.” That’s kind of fun. Yes. but the look on the face... that’s the good part.
On Weddings I remember doing a romantic wedding where the bride actually wound up in a magazine. It was a beauty and the beast theme using a globe, with a single rose underneath it. Then we sprinkled rose petals all over the tables and put the globes on top. It was very special. I remember traveling to San Francisco with BJSPETALPUSHERS.COM
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BJ’s Petal Pusher’s 1620 Main St. Napa, CA 94559 bjspetalpushers.com (707) 257-3130
March 2019 | © Meet My Florist Periodical