Wedding Fair, Tower Hotel – Waterford, 29Nov. 2009
Wedding Fair, Tower Hotel – Waterford, 29Nov. 2009
dutch master florist
Phalaenopsis Orchid
Phalaenopsis Orchids
The Orchid plant, and especially the Phalaenopsis orchid has become the no 1 bestselling houseplant over the past few years. This is no surprise considering the ease of care, their incrediblle beauty and their long life as a houseplant when looked after correctly.
In order to find out how to look after these wonderful flowering house plants, let’s find out some more about the Phalaenopsis Orchid.
Phalaenopsis Orchids, as any other orchid, are epiphytes.
Epiphytes are plant that grows upon or are attached to another plant or object merely for physical support. Epiphytes are found mostly in the tropics and are also known as air plants because they have no attachment to the ground or other obvious nutrient source. They obtain water and minerals from rain and from debris on the supporting plants. Orchids, ferns, and members of the pineapple family are common tropical epiphytes. Lichens, mosses, liverworts, and algae are epiphytes of temperate regions.
Knowing how they grow in their origional habitat will explain us a lot about how we should care for these plants in the home. For those that had a closer look at the soil that your potted Phalaenopsis orchid is planted in will have noticed that it contains of a very loose structure of mostly small pieces of bark. Knowing orchids grow on trees in their natural habitat, were water flows away immediately after rainfall, explains us that we may never have any remaining water in our container after watering our orchid. Over watering is one of the most common causes of orchid plants not surviving in the home.
Always place your Phalaenopsis orchid in a place in your home were you have a relative constant temperature(e.g. sitting room), away from drafts and direct sunlight. Water very moderately and feed once every two weeks when in flower or bud and once every four to six weeks when flowers are finished. Always use special orchid feed, and never more than is indicated on the bottle. Personally I give my orchids half the amount as is written on the bottle to avoid burning the roots.
Your orchid plant can easily flower up to six months at a time. When finished flowering cut the flower stems down to one inch above the second “knot” from the base. This is where your new flower will appear after some patience. Also reduce the water and food you give your plant for approx four months to give the plant a rest period. Leave the plant in the same position and sort of forget about it for a while. When your new flower buds appear you can slightly increase your feeding.
Orchidaceae are cosmopolitan, occurring in almost every habitat apart from deserts and glaciers. The great majority are to be found in the tropics, mostly Asia, South America and Central America, but they are also found above the Arctic Circle, in southern Patagonia and even on Macquarie Island, close to Antarctica.
It is no wonder that it was in Asia, Tokyo to be specific, where I saw the most impressive selection of Phalaenopsis Orchids for sale. After all tropical Asia is home to most known varieties of Orchids (approx: 300 families), followed by tropical America and tropical Africa who are both home to approx: 250 families of Orchids.
In this Tokyo, Orchid Shop, they never watered the plants, however they mist the leaves and the heart of the plant twice daily with pure spring water.
Apart from their wonderful qualities as a stylish, elegant houseplant in our modern homes the Phalaenopsis orchid is becoming increasingly popular as a cut flower mainly used for wedding bouquets and elegant table centre pieces.
In the bouquet above I used the white Phalaenopsis orchid in combination with creme Avalanche roses and pure white Lily of the Valley. A perfectly elegant winter white wedding bouquet.
In this table centre piece I used the smaller lilac Phalaenopsis Orchid as a support to the lilac and peach roses.
This cascading wedding bouquet combines the bright pink “Aqua” Roses with the “Hot Lip” Phalaenopsis Orchid.
This soft and elegant bridal bouquet with a selection of creme and peach roses, Lily of the Valley and soft ferns contributed to a wonderful day for Maria on her wedding day.
I hope that I have helped to grow your enthuasiasm for this wonderful family in the plant world.
For any of you who would like to know more about all varieties of Orchids, were they come from, how to grow them, build up an impressive collection and much more there is a book I bought almost ten years ago and can highly reccommend: Orchids – A Practical Handbook by Brian & Wilma Rittershausen ISBN 1-84309-209-3
Lamber de Bie
Dutch Master Florist
The meaning of flowers for weddings
If you plan to walk down the aisle anytime soon, you should be aware that the flowers you carry might say more than you intended. That’s right; most flowers carry a meaning, or a special significance that has been passed down from generation to generation.
We can trace this back to the Victorian Era. It was improper in those days for a man to come out and tell a lady how he felt, so he would choose a flower with special meaning and send it her instead. Because the meaning of flowers was so well known, the woman receiving them understood the message as clearly as if it was written on a piece of paper.
As every flower lover knows, flowers have a language all of their own. Every sentiment can be expressed with flowers. Wedding flowers are no different. For instance, you wouldn’t want to have yellow carnations at your wedding if you knew that yellow carnations mean disappointment and rejection. Make sure you know what the flowers mean before you use them as your wedding flowers.
There is a reason that roses are the most popular choice of flowers for brides. A white rose stands for innocence, beauty and charm-just the traits every bride wants to portray. A bride that chooses red roses for her wedding flowers is sending a message of passion and of fiery love. If dark pink roses are used for a wedding, the couple is expressing a thankfulness that they found each other.
An ivy coloured Rose stands for fidelity in the marriage-something every new couple strives for. Pink roses mean perfect happiness but yellow roses mean jealousy. Sometimes, it’s not the colour that holds the meaning but the type. A tea rose means I’ll always remember you but a dried white rose means I would rather die than lose my virtue. Rosebuds means beauty and youth but roses signify secrecy and silence.
Roses aren’t the only flowers that hold meaning. Lilies are a very popular wedding flower. The most popular type of lily is the Calla Lily, which means beauty. Most lilies have beautiful meanings. The white lily means it’s heavenly to be with you while the yellow lily means I’m walking on air. Did you know that the day lily is the Chinese symbol for Mother? The tiger lily means wealth and pride.
Not all flowers have negative meanings; there are very few negative meanings for tulips. Tulips in general mean the perfect lover; this might be a good one to tuck into the buttonhole on his tux. Red tulips are a declaration of love while a yellow tulip means there is sunshine in your smile. If you are having a spring wedding, there is simply no better way to express your love for your future spouse than by carrying a bouquet of tulips. They are not only beautiful, but speak of an undying love.
There are some flowers you can just look at and assume you know what they mean. Never be too hasty in assuming anything. For instance, when you look at a cactus you would think that there had to be a negative meaning for it – wrong. A cactus means endurance and forever. This fits if you think about the cactus; they can survive anything.
There are so many different types of wedding flowers that no one could name them all but here are a few more. Peonies mean shame. Orchids are the Chinese symbol for many children.
No matter what wedding flowers you pick, no one is really going to know the meaning unless you tell them. Your wedding flowers, like your wedding, should be memorable and not based on superstition. Finding the meanings of flowers is like being superstitious about the groom seeing the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding. We make our own luck.
As you can see, the flowers that you choose for your wedding will definitely set the mood. Knowing that, before you select your flowers, determine what type of wedding and reception event you want to have. Once you do that, choosing the flowers will be a breeze.
Lamber de Bie
Dutch Master Florist
Lamber de Bie
Lamber de Bie (Dutch Master Florist) and his team of internationally qualified florists are the choice florist for brides sins 1993 in Ireland.
Trough their stores in Waterford and Kilkenny as well as trough their work on many weddings and other events they are constantly attracting more brides to lay their trust in the hands of the experts at LAMBER DE BIE FLOWERS.
Lamber de Bie often features in Demonstrations for the Dutch Flower Council as well as for National and International Wholesalers for the flower trade displaying his latest designs and trends for the future. Lamber de Bie opened his own Floristry School for the General public as well as a warmly welcomed program of workshops for the florist trade of Ireland. Were better to lay your trust than with the teacher himself.
It is not only the quality of the workmanship that separates Lamber de Bie from the rest. At LAMBER DE BIE FLOWERS every bride is given 100% attention and treated as the only bride we are dealing with this year. Flowers are designed on an individual base to reflect the bride and her wedding day. Needles to see; All quotations provided by LAMBER DE BIE FLOWERS are without any obligation.
LAMBER DE BIE FLOWERS, Trendsetters in Quality, Creativity, Service.
Time to Smell the Roses
Taking Time to Smell the Roses in the Garden of Delight
By Lamber de Bie Dutch Master Florist (Jan. 07)
Trends are changing all around us, often so fast that it is hard to keep op with them. However they are becoming more important as showing we are aware of the latest trends is one of the status symbols of today. We can all afford that expensive dress but who has the knowledge of wearing tomorrow’s fashion today.
In order to predict the trends for flowers, and in particular wedding flowers, I first want to go back over the past few years to see were we are coming from.
In 2004 the trends in floral designs were inspired by a hugely complex world were we were swamped with information. Existing values were changing. Life speeded past us and appeared to be a huge tangle of paradoxes making it difficult to bring things sharply into focus. In a bid to regain the upper hand once more and to define our own guidelines we looked to create a calm environment where we could consider our options. An environment where we felt at home. This is why 2004 was filled with soft and natural, country-garden style arrangements in soft colours.
In 2005 our inspiration was based on the fact that we were committed to “everything”, every minute of the day. This translated into loose and natural, sometimes “chaotic looking” bouquets. We were looking for a summer holiday feeling with the emphasis on freedom without structure.
2006 Is the year of focussing on our Social individualism. We were frequently involved with our own personal lives. We want things to be good for us and anything should be possible. The trend has heightened the demand for luxury and glamour. We are becoming acclimatised to life in the fast lane. Our boredom threshold is lower and we are more inclined to feel things are moving too slowly than was formerly the case. This translated itself in a year were flowers are more dramatic in shape and colour than before. Combinations that were wrong before are today’s norm.
But where are we going from here? For over 20 years I’ve been asking myself this question. In the past my inspiration would have come from architecture, fashion and art. The past years I tend to look at people, what they do, and more important, what they would like to do.
In a recent interview with Paris Hilton, the person that did not only desire but also live all of this year’s trend to the full (We want things to be good for us and anything should be possible), she mentioned she was going to take time out to smell the roses.
I believe floral trends for summer 2007 will focus strongly on being fully in tune with the seasons. Still holding on to our individuality, but also looking for a fairytale/paradisiacal, expressive and energetic style.
Translating this into flowers I see for next summer the use of strong, bright colours combined to contrast with a few dark neutrals to give the impression of an imaginary, fairytale world. The use of green and turquoise is going to play an important role.
An opulent bouquet of decorative flowers such as Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise), Bright coloured Gerbera, Purple Vanda orchids, or some magnificent red and yellow Gloriosa lilies combined with coloured foliage and a single long striped feather.
Holding these summer trend as a tread for 2007, we will see a softer variety of this theme throughout the spring using lots of pastels coloured flowers such as Freesia’s, Narcissus, Syringa (lilac) and tulips in combination with soft blossom twigs in natural hand tied bouquets.
At the end of summer we will turn to pink and purple Anthurium, Celosia, Dendrobium orchids, Eryngium (thistle) and Dahlia’s combined with black and chocolate coloured materials and small details of yellow and gold. Bouquets will be smaller and a little more definite in shape with foliage only used if it is making a real statement.
In the winter the purple and pink will remain as an important colour however toned down to a much paler version. This in combination with lots of white, black and tones of grey. I see a compact bouquet of 30 pale lilac carnations (Yes, Carnations are back again), pressed together into a compact egg shaped bouquet resting on a collar of large, folded silver leaves and white Gypsophylla (baby’s breath). Think of a Neo-Classicism dramatic shape, a miniature winter fairytale palace. Stems will be wrapped with soft ribbons, however large bows are out. The much smaller winter bouquets will have its impact trough a strong shape rather than trough colour. Other flowers that will work well in this winter trend are Nerine, Dianthus (carnations), Zanthedeschia (calla lilies), lilac and pink Roses, Hippeastrum (Amaryllis), Ranunculus and Hyacinths.
Lamber de Bie
Dutch Master Florist
My favourite memories from our wedding day.
Testimonial for Lamber’s website
“We had a very specific look and feel which we wanted to create for our wedding and the flowers were integral to that. Lamber’s knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm helped to create something really magical (while keeping on budget) and remain one of my favourite memories from our wedding day. I can truly say I couldn’t recommend Lamber highly enough”.
H. Mulcahy July 2009
Wedding Flowers
Lamber de Bie Flowers Kilkenny
To whom it concerns,
It is the view of our organisation that Lamber de Bie Flowers is one of the most reputable and innovative retail brands currently operating in the Irish market. The company has won a multitude of retail awards and never fails to rate highly in the annual FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards which receives over 500 entries.
As an organisation involving 560 premium retail brand members we would view Lamber de Bie Flowers as one of the most progressive retail operators in the Irish market. Indeed they have kindly showcased their retail methodology to a Retail Excellence Ireland audience including such leading brands as Meadows & Byrne, Avoca, DID Electrical, Sony Centre Ireland, Donnybrook Fair, Appleby Dublin, Louis Copeland Menswear, Butlers Chocolate Cafes and many more.
Retail Excellence Ireland is a non for profits, part Government funded organisation, whose mission is to raise standards in the Irish retail industry. Our membership employs over 80,000 people and has a combined turnover of €6.7billion.
Yours sincerely
David Fitzsimons
Chief Executive Officer
Retail Excellence Ireland
1 Barrack Street
Ennis
Co. Clare
Ireland
T: 00 353 65 6846927
F: 00 353 65 6892451
W: retailexcellence.ie
FBD RETAIL EXCELLENCE IRELAND Top 50 Stores 2008:
* 4Home Superstores * Adrian Dunne Pharmacies * Ardkeen Quality Food Store * Butlers Chocolate Cafés * C. O’Donnell * Caseys Furniture * Classic Furniture * Clive Christian * Collins Jewellers * Cribbin Family Butchers * Daintree Paper * Diffusion * Donnellan & Co. * Drycleanit.com * E. J’s Menswear * Fenelons * Fermoy Medical Hall * Fields Jewellers * Furniture Designs * Green Cross Pharmacies * Hilsers Jewellers * Home Focus at Hickeys * Hughes & Hughes Booksellers * Imaginarium * James Murtagh Jewellers * John F. Gilna Opticians * Kilkenny * Lamber de Bie Florists * Louis Copeland Menswear * Matthew Stephens Jewellers * McArdle Meats * McCabe’s Pharmacies * Meadows & Byrne * Meaghers Chemists * Mr. James for Men * Nolan Butchers of Kilcullen * O’Brien’s Irish Sandwich Bars * O’Briens Wine, Beer & Spirits * Ophelia Intimates * Patrick Bourke Menswear * Sam McCauley Chemists * Shaws Department Stores * Sienna Home Furnishings * The Guinness Store * The Sony Centres * Time Pieces * Tubs n Tiles * Unicare Pharmacies * Wicklow Pharmacy * World Wide Wines *
Autumn Theme Wedding
Creating a Arch to welcome all your guest to your wedding venue will be the best welcome you can give your family & friends.
Continuing the theme of the wedding with your Wedding Cake decorations of fresh fruits and leaves coated in eggwhite and sprinkled with sugar. An finish off with some fresh white rose petals.
Lamber de Bie
Dutch Master florist
Decorating with Apples
Creating your own table decorations is great fun and does not have to cost much, while you can impress your friends with wonderful, creative decorations for your dinner table.
For this display I used the large Night-Lights that burn for 8 hours. (these can be bought in most good supermarkets). Small night-Lights normally only last 2 hours, and there is nothing more annoying than halfway trough your dinner party the candles are finished and the effect of your hard work is lost.
For this display I used 7 small red apples, 10 orange, large headed roses and some large orange/green Oak leaves (these can be bought in any good florist during September trough to the end of November). Alternatively you can look for autumn leaves in your garden or in the park.
Take your Night-Lights out of the metal cup they come in and place this cup upside down on the apple. With a sharp knife follow the edge of the metal cap only to cut through the skin. Next you can push the metal cap into the apple. You than lift the cap (pierce it with a sharp knife, and lift it) and all there is left to empty out the apple so that the night- light fits into the opening.
Before putting the candle into the apple dry the inside with some tissue paper to avoid the wick getting wet.
To stop the apple becoming brown brush very lightly some oil (cooking oil is perfect) over the fresh cut. This will seal it from the air and stop the browning.
Your roses are cut right at the base of the flower so they will stand up on their own.
All there is left than is to play around with the composition on your table.
As the roses are not in water they will not last longer than a day. After your guests have left you can take your roses and leave them floating in a shallow bowl with water so you will get full pleasure from your displays.
Have Fun, and let me know if you have any ideas.
Lamber de Bie
Dutch Master florist
Lamberdebie's Blog 