My guest this week is a 2nd generation grower carrying on the family tradition of embracing innovation and sustainable growing practices to ensure the highest quality Phalaenopsis orchids are produced. Now growing and selling over 4 million orchids a year, Toine Overgaag of Westerlay Orchids is sharing his family’s flower journey from roses to orchids, tips on growing Phals, and what’s next as their business continues to grow and innovate. Learn more about Toine and Westerlay Orchids, plus all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, IG Lives, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Chrysal Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop Alaska Peony Cooperative

Growing Phalaenopsis: Toine Overgaag with Westerlay Orchids

The Flower Podcast, hosted by Scott Shepherd is for the floral community to discuss flowers, trends, and business topics, including everything from flower farmer to all aspects of floristry.  Each week a featured guest will share their knowledge, passion, and love of flowers.  Join us for colorful chats with talented creatives, photographers, growers, entrepreneurs, authors, and so much more!!  Be sure to subscribe on your listening platform of choice.  Learn more at  https://www.theflowerpodcast.com .  You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @theflowerpodcast .

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My guest is Dundee Butcher, a florist, educator, artist, and advocate for sustainability. After training with the premier London florists of Jane Packer Flowers and McQueens, Dundee established the Russian River Flower School in California. Her journey didn't end with education; in 2016, she took a significant leap by co-founding what would become Phoam Lab. Dundee and her team at Phoam Labs are pioneering the development of next-generation floral foams that are not only biobased and non-toxic but also designed to safely break down in a more environmentally friendly way, setting new standards for our industry. Learn more here about  Accent Decor’s Guide to Foam Free Design with Sue McLeary. Learn more about Dundee and Phoam Labs with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live’s, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Dundee Butcher:  Paving the Future with Phoam Labs

I'm thrilled to welcome my former professor, Dr. Allan Armitage, to this week's episode of the Flower Podcast. Dr. Armitage, a revered expert in cut flower production and a key figure in horticulture, has profoundly impacted the field worldwide We are discussing* his latest project, A Field Guide for Specialty Cut Flowers co-authored with Kelly Garcia. This guide represents Dr. Armitage's extensive expertise and provides essential insights for anyone interested in growing cut flowers and gardening. We'll explore the valuable information in this new book and learn from Dr. Armitage, who remains a mentor and source of inspiration in the horticultural community. Tune in to this week's episode of the Flower Podcast where we're joined by Dr. Allan Armitage, a distinguished expert in cut flower production and horticulture. We delve into his latest publication, "A Field Guide for Specialty Cut Flowers," co-authored with Kelly Garcia. This guide is a treasure trove of expert knowledge and practical tips for anyone passionate about gardening and growing cut flowers. Dr. Armitage, a mentor and leader in the field, offers insights that promise to inspire and educate gardeners of all levels. Don’t miss this enriching discussion on one of the most comprehensive resources in cut flower cultivation. Learn more about Dr. Allan Armitage with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live’s, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

The New Field Guide by Dr. Allan Armitage

Today we tackle an increasingly critical and sometimes controversial topic within the floral industry: sustainability. Amid growing concerns about environmental impacts, the conversation on how the floral industry can adapt and evolve is more relevant than ever. Leading the charge is Rita Feldmann, founder of The Sustainable Floristry Network. Rita's floral journey began in her childhood at her family's flower stand in Melbourne, Australia, and her passion for flowers, combined with a solid background in botany, eventually led her to establish a successful wedding and events business. However, it was her pioneering #nofloralfoam campaign in 2017 that marked a significant shift towards sustainable practices in floristry. This initiative laid the groundwork for The Sustainable Floristry Network in 2019, a platform dedicated to educating florists on eco-friendly practices. In this episode, we discuss Rita's journey from a local flower stand to spearheading sustainability in floristry, including the network's first training program, Foundation in Sustainability. Join us as we explore how sustainability is reshaping the future of floristry with Rita Feldmann.  Learn more about Rita Feldmann and the Sustainable Floristry Network and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live’s, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers The Gardener’s Workshop Real Flower Business Accent Decor

The Future of Floristry: Rita Feldmann of The Sustainable Floristry Network

Welcome everyone to a new episode of The Flower Podcast. I love uncovering personal stories from the heart of our industry and today, we're taking a slightly different route to shine light on a very special journey of flower farming and how this journey intertwines with nurturing the soul and creating a space for recovery and rejuvenation in the healing process. Flowers, with their beauty and symbolism, have long been a source of comfort and connection and in this episode, we’re talking about how cultivating flowers can be a powerful tool for therapy, personal growth, and community connection. My guest today is Brianne Womack, founder and director of Fields of Grace Flower Farm. Brianne and her family have embarked on a remarkable journey of flowers, love and faith in Shiloh, George. The farm is much more than a business; it's a platform for meeting new people, sharing their passion for flowers, their community and serves as a peaceful retreat for women who have faced trauma of all kinds and also a place to care for the caregivers. It’s about growing flowers, a designated pick your own space, workshops, second chance blooms and most importantly creating a space for healing and helping others, and it's my hope that you'll finid this episode special. Learn more about Brianne and Fields of Grace Flower Farm and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live’s, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor Gardener's Workshop

Hope, Healing, and Flowers:  Brianne Womack with Fields of Grace Flower Farm

It’s all things dahlias this week with Steve and Sarah Pabody of Triple Wren Farms on The Flower Podcast! Steve and Sarah are here to share their journey, from choosing the perfect dahlia blooms to finding joy in the balance between passion and life. From understanding about dahlia seeds to their Dahlia Legacy Program and the Novice Hybridizer Program, its’s a conversation filled with learning, laughter, and of course our shared love of flowers. Link to their past episode.  Link to YouTube IG Live  Learn more about Triple Wren Farms and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live’s, and video extras.  Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

Growing Phalaenopsis: Toine Overgaag with Westerlay Orchids

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