The Flower Podcast

Hello everyone! This is a special episode of The Flower Podcast. Often during this time of year we replay past episodes of our podcast, but this year I would like to share something from our family's archives. My Dad for many years has collected a wide range of old time radio shows. His collection is made up of over 30,000 different shows and of course there are several Christmas specials.

Since Christmas is one week away, we thought it would be fun to share this condensed version of Charles Dickens Classic, "A Christmas Carol," The book was originally published back in 1843 and has been a holiday classic for many years. This radio show was aired on Christmas Day back in 1949 starring Lionel Barrymore. We've included some of the original commercials thrown in for fun. This week isn't about flowers, but the holiday's, family, and friends.

We'll be taking a break for a several weeks as we prepare for our new season in 2024. Until then I hope you enjoy this special episode.

Everyone at The Flower Podcast wants you to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Today, I'm calling this a holiday edition as we talk about one of my favorites…. Foliage and this time of year I especially love Christmas greens. So I am excited to welcome an expert in the world of floral greenery, F.J. Trzuskowski, Vice President of Sales at Continental Floral Greens.

F.J.'s journey in the floral industry, from his early days in Holland to his current role at Continental Floral Greens, positions him perfectly to offer invaluable insights into these seasonal favorites. With a career that has spanned several notable companies and a rich educational background in Botany and Landscape Architecture, F.J. brings a unique blend of practical experience and scientific knowledge to the table.

Today we are touching on foliage, but really focusing on the best practices for choosing, preparing, and maintaining Christmas greens to ensure they remain a vibrant and fresh part of your holiday decorations. Plus we having fun chatting about several other greens that CFG supplies for a large portion of florists everywhere like leather leaf and salal.

So, this week we truly are on a floral journey of decking the halls and it starts now on The Flower Podcast.

Learn more about FJ, Continental Floral Greens, and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

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Sponsors of The Flower Podcast

ASCFG

Farmer Bailey

Chrysal

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor

The Gardeners Workshop

Lennie Larkin, the founder of B-Side Farm, took her passion for flowers from a background in adult education to establishing an educational farm. Lennie's experience extends from managing educational farming programs to contributing as the West Coast Director for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers and teaching at Santa Rosa Junior College.

This week we're going to learn about Lennie's research that's led to her new book called Flower Farming for Profit: The Complete Guide to Growing a Successful Cut Flower Business. In addition to her business curriculum for flower farmers, she also provides coaching, business advice and continues her grant funded research to help more flower farmers become more profitable.

In this episode, we discus how she started her flower farming business where she had six-figures in sales from her farm stand. She also discusses the importance of growing profitable flower crops and creating more processes and efficiencies to help everyone at the farm level with production. Lennie also shares about her research focusing on helping farmers become more profitable and her new book that's available for preorder now.

Lennie's link for the Freebie!

Order Flower Farming for Profit pre-order on Amazon.

Learn more about Lennie Larkin 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

The Gardeners Workshop

Chrysal

Today, I'm particularly excited because we're joined by someone I've had the pleasure of spending some time with during a trip to California – the incredibly talented Cathy Hillen-Rulloda. A true legend in the floral industry, Cathy's dazzling career spans over 40 years. Not only is she a phenomenal designer whose work captivated audiences at the 1984 Olympics, but she's also a trailblazer in floral artistry, winning top honors in major competitions and inspiring audiences at over 300 industry events worldwide.

Her stunning creations have not only graced top magazines but also earned her unique accolades, such as having a new Anthurium named "Cathy Rulloda" in 2022 in her honor. Beyond her artistic achievements, Cathy is a significant influencer and leader within the floral community. Her work and guidance have shaped and inspired countless individuals within the industry.

It was great to take some time and chat about how she involved in a large florist chain of stores involved in the Olympics, dealing with floral allergies, creating a cohesive story for your customers, women influencing design stages, setting yourself apart from the competition, and the importance of truly connecting with your customers.

Learn more about Cathy Hillen-Rulloda 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

Chrysal

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor

The Gardeners Workshop

I am thrilled to have a familiar face rejoin us – Steve from Sunflower Steve Seed Co. Many of you might remember Steve's inspiring story from his previous visit on The Flower Podcast. It all began in 2007 with a rogue, multi-colored, double-flowering sunflower in his cut flower field.

Since their early days in 2000, Steve is at the forefront of creating unique and captivating sunflowers for cut flowers. The journey from those 12 seeds planted in 2008 has led to an astonishing range of beautiful sunflowers that continue to captivate and inspire. Today, we are catching up with Steve and hearing more about his latest developments and his dedication to cultivating distinct sunflower varieties.

Steve reminds us all of the impact one can have by following a passion with heart and creativity. So this week on The Flower Podcast we're getting an update from the world of Sunflowers Steve.

Learn more about Sunflower Steve and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, 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

After spending this week with the flower growing community of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, also know as ASCFG, I've come away more inspired and encouraged to see more growers and especially so many first time attendees to this very full conference. I'm Scott Shepherd and this is The Flower Podcast, where I love to chat with florists, floral designers, and flower farmers all over the world. Today I'd like to stress the importance of connection, connection between grower and designer or floral entrepreneurs.

The ASCFG conference was very special this year as they celebrated their 35th anniversary, while also celebrating Judy Laushman which has been a part of the ASCFG since the very beginning and this year she's retiring. When you see an organization like this and the tremendous impact it's had not only on the flower farmers and growers, but on the entire floriculture community all across North America and continues to reach around the world.

What started with Dr. Alan Armitage and Judy Laushman at the University of Georgia 35 years ago has sent ripples out and impacted lives of growers and florists for years to come.

Learn more about the ASCFG 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

Chrysal

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor

The Gardeners Workshop

Imagine growing up among tulips and lilies in the Netherlands, and then taking that green thumb all the way to building the first Dutch Glass greenhouse in California. From managing the growth of flowers to CEO and President of Sun Valley Floral Farms, Lane DeVries has forged a path as a grower and is a reflection of his devotion to his craft.

Over the years, Lane has served the floral community in a variety of positions such as Board of Directors at SAF, trustee for the American Floral Endowment, Chairman of the Board for the California Cut Flower Commission and serves on the Board of Directors for the Certified American Grown coalition. today we are talking about growing flowers, especially tulips and one of his favorite projects growing and hybridizing Ilex.

In this episode, we chat about Sun Valley Floral Farms production of tulips, Ilex, Rosehips, and their newest crop butterfly ranunculus.

Learn more about Lane DeVries 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

Chrysal

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor

For those who might have missed their previous visit to our podcast, let me quickly reintroduce this great duo. They're not just flower farmers; they're visionaries in flower farming, dedicated to being the most sustainable flower shipping option in the U.S. Their mission of "Principles before Profit" has guided their journey from the beginning. Steve and Mandy O 'Shea' s story of 3 Porch Farm is one of shared passions – for sustainable living, renewable energy, and of course, beautiful, farm-fresh flowers.

Today, we're catching up with them to chat about their newest offerings —heirloom Chrysanthemums. Mums have taken a new spotlight in the last couple of years and it's exciting to see an older flower can come to life again. We're chatting about it all including their new partnership with Farmer Bailey.

I'm grateful to have Steve and Mandy share their journey through the pandemic, completely reorganizing their business model, and through it all finding new ways to encourage and inspire other flower farmers and florists with their ideals and flowers.

Learn more about Steve and Mandy and 3 Porch Farm, their past episodes and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

Listen to the original and bonus episode with Steve and Mandy O'Shea.

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

Chrysal

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor

The Gardeners Workshop

A fourth-generation florist, J Schwanke is a flower expert, content producer, and professional speaker, and has not only made an mark within the flower community but has become a trusted voice and a source of inspiration for flower enthusiasts worldwide with a career that encompasses various facets of the floral industry.

He is the host, creator, and producer of Life in Bloom, CEO of UBLOOM, and his company J Schwanke productions produces videos and books and he is here this week We're thrilled to have him as a guest on The Flower Podcast.

Learn more about J and all of UBloom content, 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, Live's, and video extras.

Sponsors of The Flower Podcast

ASCFG

Farmer Bailey

Chrysal

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor

The Gardeners Workshop

My guest this week is a Horticultural Sales & Marketing strategist with a remarkable 30-year career journey, he has navigated through the world of retail, wholesale, import, and export, licensing, sales, and marketing and more. He has established three horticultural businesses, oversees operations in Australia and California, serves 300+ clients globally, and distributes flowers from over 200 local and oversees growers.

I am chatting with Adrian Parsons from Helix Australia, an Australian owned and operated business specializing in the breeding, marketing and licensing of Waxflower and Boronia varieties. An industry favorite, Waxflower has become a major filler flower across the globe and Helix Australia is committed to supplying exciting varieties year around. Join me today in welcoming Adrian and a great discussion on growing and distributing the beautiful waxflower.

Learn more about Adrian and Helix Australia, 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, Live's, and video extras.

Sponsors of The Flower Podcast

ASCFG

Farmer Bailey

Chrysal

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor

The Gardeners Workshop