Cultivation of Lilies by Onings America

Image courtesy of Onings America

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In my 30 years of sourcing flowers, lilies have consistently stood out to me. Their variety, vivid colors, and distinct fragrances have made them a favorite in my work. The range of lilies is remarkable. From vibrant reds and oranges to gentle pinks and creams, their colors add depth and beauty to any arrangement. But what sets lilies apart for me is their fragrance. Each type of Oriental lily has its own scent profile, but if you prefer no fragrance, Asiatic lilies contain a wide range of color providing a vibrant impact while basically being free from scent.

Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Henk Onings from Onings America in two insightful episodes. In the first episode, we dove deep into the world of lilies and freesia, exploring their cultivation in detail. To complement our discussion, we’ve added a couple of guides to our blog with this one focusing on lilies.

A huge thank you to Onings America for sharing their expertise in "Cultivation of Lilies" with us. Don’t miss both episodes with Henk—available now on your favorite podcast platform. This guide is a first look at everything you need to know about growing and handling lilies, from setting up your greenhouse to selecting the perfect varieties, and from harvesting to ensuring the best post-harvest care. Whether you're a florist, a cut flower farmer, or simply a lily enthusiast, this resource offers a comprehensive, yet friendly, insight into getting the most out of these stunning blooms.

With expert advice straight from Onings America, this guide will help you elevate your lily game and fully appreciate the splendor these flowers bring to every arrangement. We’re thrilled to share this with you before it appears anywhere else—so let’s get started!

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Thank you for being a part of our community. It was a joy to share Henk Onings' insights on lilies, and I encourage to check out the Step by Step to Growing Freesia. We’re grateful to Onings America for their generosity in providing the "Cultivation of Lilies" guide and for their valuable contributions to our podcast. I hope these resources inspire and assist you in your growing endeavors. Don’t forget to listen to both episodes with Henk on your favorite podcast platform or his guest page.

Your support makes it all possible, and I’m excited to continue this journey with you!

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Step by Step Growing Freesia | Onings America

FREESIA

Freesia has been a cherished flower in the industry for decades, but it’s mostly been imported or grown for large scale productions. I’m really excited to see more American flower growers starting to cultivate this stunning flower locally. After chatting with Henk Onings from Onings America, I’m even more thrilled about the new freesia varieties and the effort to make them more available to our local growers. Henk kindly shared a step-by-step guide for growing freesia that hasn’t posted on their website yet so I am delighted to share it with you here. This guide is packed with helpful tips and insights to help American flower farmers grow beautiful, high-quality freesia for our local florists and wedding professionals.

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Freesia Kas

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Freesia Starlight Biscaya

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Freesia Strawberry Swirl

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Freesia Lemon Grove

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Freesia Sandra

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I encourage all flower farmers to give freesia a try. Adding new varieties of flowers to our floral community is essential for keeping our clients engaged and excited about new possibilities and the next trend of beauty. Freesia, with its stunning colors and delightful fragrance, is a fantastic addition that can set your offerings apart. By embracing the cultivation of freesia, we can bring more diversity and beauty to our local markets, captivating customers, and elevating our floral industry.

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Images provided by Onings America

Triple Wren Farms: A Guide to Where Do You Start With Dahlia Seeds?

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Triple Wren Farms, a name synonymous with the breathtaking beauty of dahlias, stands at the forefront of dahlia cultivation and hybridization. This family-run farm not only grows an astonishing array of dahlia flowers but also is involved in educating and inspiring gardeners and florists alike through their Novice Hybridizer and Legacy programs. In this blog post, we'll touch on the fascinating journey from saving dahlia seeds to choosing the right seeds, starting them, and engaging in Triple Wren Farms' unique hybridization initiatives. Learn more at triplewrenfarms.com

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Do You Know Where to Start Your Flower Seeds?

How do you choose whether to start seeds indoors or wait and start them outside? There are a few key things to consider when making this decision.

• Light. Seeds that need light to germinate can be difficult to direct sow. The wind can easily blow them away, but a controlled environment lets us protect surface-sown seeds. If a seed must be covered by soil to germinate, it’s a better candidate for direct sowing.

• Temperature. Seeds that germinate at the soil temperatures which naturally exist outside in our climate can be direct sown, but if we need a colder or warmer soil temperature for germination, we choose to start indoors on a heat mat or the cool barn or basement.

• Size. Very small seeds produce very small seedlings, and a blustery early-spring environment can be too harsh. If seeds needs extra growing time in a controlled environment to “beef up,” we start indoors. Caution: don’t baby your seedlings too much, or they’ll never be strong enough to weather the weather. We start the hardening-off process in a passive solar greenhouse as soon as possible to prevent stretching and to promote root growth in cooler growing temperatures.

• Time to maturity. If a variety needs a longer growing period than my seasonality allows, I will start indoors to give the seedlings extra growing time before planting in the field after our last late-April frost.

• Availability/Difficulty. I am more protective of very precious seeds. If seeds are hard to obtain, if they are extra-tricky to germinate, or even if I just want to observe and “love on them” a little more, I’ll choose to start indoors.

Written by Triple Wren Farms

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How We Grow Dahlias from Seed

We hybridize and save our own dahlia seed each year, then plant it the next season to develop new dahlias. (It looks a lot like zinnia seed, and it is planted in a similar way.) We start our seeds in late winter in the greenhouse, 1 seed per 4” pot. We only plant 1 seed per pot because we want to keep each new hybrid’s tubers separated from others at harvest time. After about 30 days of growth, we have beautiful seedlings with nice feeder roots. But after 65-70 days of growth, the seedlings begin to produce baby tubers. It’s the most magical thing!!! Written by Sarah Pabody

Want to learn more about growing dahlias? Connect with The Garden: a positive online membership community offered by Triple Wren Farms.

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The Art of Saving Dahlia Seed

Have you ever tried your hand at saving dahlia seeds? It's a fascinating endeavor. As you get more into it, you'll find that seasoned dahlia enthusiasts have their special techniques for harvesting seeds—methods that have led to the breathtaking hybrids we all love and admire.

Think about it: where do your favorite dahlias come from? Who are the green-thumbed pioneers who bred the first tubers, and what secret processes did they use? And here’s something to ponder—why do dahlias even bother producing seeds and flowers when they can propagate so effortlessly from their roots? This curiosity adds an extra layer of intrigue to the already captivating world of growing dahlias, making it an endlessly interesting topic for anyone who loves these stunning blooms.

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Triple Wren Farms is renowned for its love affair with dahlias, dedicating every moment to nurturing these plants through all seasons. Beyond simply cultivating these stunning blooms, the farm is deeply committed to spreading positivity within the gardening community. In 2019, Triple Wren introduced the Legacy Dahlia Program, aiming to spotlight the unique varieties developed by incredibly talented breeders. The farm has nurtured close relationships with these individuals, ensuring they receive royalties for every sale, embodying the spirit of collaboration and support within the dahlia-loving community.

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Are you interested in growing dahlias but unsure how to begin? Steve and Sarah have crafted the perfect course for you. It's designed for anyone looking to dive into the world of dahlias, from first-timers to those who've tried before without the success they hoped for.

We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Steve and Sarah for their incredible contribution to The Flower Podcast. Their insights are greatly valued, and we're grateful for the opportunity to share their knowledge and passion with our audience. We encourage all of our listeners to visit Steve and Sarah's guest pages and to listen to previous episodes. There, you'll discover a wealth of information about dahlias and the beautiful work being done at Triple Wren Farms. It's a wonderful way to connect further with the stories and expertise that Steve and Sarah have shared with us.

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“There is so much hope for those of us who’ve capitulated to the grind, whether in the flower farming world or in any other realm of (especially small) business, and part of that hope for me personally includes the opportunity to impact others for good. I want to help new farmers learn to grow well, to mentor them in good business practices, but also to help them be wise as they plan their future and to show them by example what good self care looks like.”

Sarah Pabody

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Top Reblooming Iris from Schreiner’s Iris Gardens

I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Liz Schmidt of Schreiner’s Iris Gardens this past week. I think the family of stunning bearded iris has long been a garden favorite, but I’m ecstatic to see the demand for cut flowers from this family of blooms gaining in popularity. The family we’re talking about is not any ordinary iris but Iris germanica, the grand taller more statuesque member of the Iris family.

Several years ago when looking for new varieties to plant, I found a subgroup within this family of rebloomers! Yes it’s true, you heard that right, rebloomers!! For quite some time, breeders especially at Schreiner’s have been trying to create new hybrids that exhibit this characteristic consistently. One of the requirements for these magnificent beauties is a longer growing season. Many northern places can’t achieve this second flowering due to their earlier winters and early frosts. Depending on your location hovering around these northern areas a variety might be possible but may take a few years to reach that full potential.

I’m happy to share my interview with Liz but there is more! When we finished our chat, she was gracious to share her top favorites for their dependability of blooming in the spring then again in the fall. These varieties aren’t listed in any particular order, it’s just wonderful that they made the list plus we’ve included a couple of extras for fun.

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August Treat

Intermediate Bearded Iris

Standards blue-lavender; Falls very pale blue-lavender; beards blue. With a height of 20in., and no fragrance, August Treat is a welcome to any garden, and its frilly petals are pure delight. Originator: J. Terry Aitken. Year: 2012. Bloom Season: Mid Rebloom: Yes

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Best Bet

Tall Bearded Iris

Light wisteria blue-violet standards sharply contrast the deep hyacinth blue-violet falls in this floriferous bitone. It often produces two to three stems per plant early in the bloom season and then tends to bloom again in the fall. This child of Titan's Glory combines the vigorous growth habits and flower size of its parent with its own distinctive color pattern.

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Cantina

Tall Bearded Iris

A delectable blue wash at the centers of the falls lends a mellifluous bitone effect to these large reddish violet flowers. The unusual color pattern and heavy ruffling accentuates the distinctive coloring of the falls. Cantina is a dependable August rebloomer for us in Oregon.

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Champagne Elegance

Tall Bearded Iris

Connoisseurs of fine Iris recognize this delicately shaded apricot amoena as one of the best. Its near-white standards are classically arched while its ruffled falls present a gentle blending of buff, apricot and peach. A prolific bloomer, Champagne Elegance produces 7-10 buds per stem and consistently reblooms in late summer. Sweet orange blossom fragrance.

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Elainealope

Tall Bearded Iris

Splashes and splotches of reddish purple randomly pepper Elainealope's tailored light lavender petals. In addition to its unique broken color, this child of Maria Tormena X Master Touch has a delightfully sweet fragrance, produces multiple stems per rhizome and reblooms in the summer.

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Mother Earth

Tall Bearded Iris

Mother Earth's large flowers possess gently undulating ruffles. The lavender falls pale at their centers and are touched with beige shoulders. The ivory standards have a hint of lavender at their bases. Stalks are tall, strong and well-branched, averaging 9 buds.Reblooming variety.

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Pure As Gold

Tall Bearded Iris

Reliable rebloom and strong growth are the hallmarks of this deep golden yellow. Exquisite ruffling graces the edges of Pure As Gold's well-formed flowers. One of the most consistent rebloomers each summer.

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Sugar Blues

Tall Bearded Iris

This deep wisteria blue self is well known for its consistent reblooming habit even in the colder climates. As another bonus, Sugar Blues has a pronounced sweet fragrance. The tailored flowers have modern appearance. Excellent rebloomer

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Vintage Charm

Tall Bearded Iris

Vintage Charm’s warm colors - sunshine yellow and plum red - stimulate. “Look at me!” they implore. Yes, it’s the familiar red and yellow variegata updated to 2018. Conspicuous buff undersides of the falls, along with the undulating border, both add dimension and reply, “I hope it’s not rude to stare.” As illustrated in our photo, balance and proportion are satisfying. The contrast between the falls and standards is sharp. Falls boldly flare. Vintage Charm flaunts 2-3 branched stems, each displaying 8 big flowers.

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Summer Olympics

Tall Bearded Iris

We recommend Summer Olympics on the strength of its outstanding bloom habits. These ruffled lime yellow flowers are among the first to bloom in the spring, then they dependably bloom again throughout the summer! See how the centers of the falls pale to white around the self beards creating a yellow bitone effect. Slight sweet fragrance.

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Rosalie Figge

Tall Bearded Iris

This dark reddish violet self, a child of Dyke's Medallist Titan's Glory, offers great growth and bloom habits. Its moderately sized flowers have a slight ruffle and are completely saturated in dark reddish purple. Enjoy their sweet fragrance in the spring and then again in the summer and fall.

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Mariposa Autumn

Tall Bearded Iris

This lightly ruffled rosy violet plicata's pedigree (Jesse's Song X Earl of Essex) assures us of very good vigor, floriferousness and strong rebloom. Mariposa Autumn has been recognized for these outstanding attributes.

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What excites me about these beautiful irises is their faces and the opportunity to enjoy two cutting seasons depending on your location. So many perennials bloom once and are finished for the year, but these reblooming beauties provide stunning blooms again in the fall. I hope you’ll consider growing these if you’re a cut flower grower.

I want to thank the team at Schreiner’s for providing these fabulous images and descriptions of these varieties. We’ve included the links to all of the Schreiner’s resources for your convenience. Be sure to place your orders early because I’m sure these will sell out fast.

Peony Highlights from Alaska Peony Cooperative

As the curtain falls upon the glorious peony season in the lower 48, a new season is just beginning to peak among the majestic backdrop of white tipped mountains, 20 hour sun filled days, and fields patiently waiting to burst into a kaleidoscope of color. The Alaskan Peony Season has arrived!

I recently spoke with Martha Lojewski, Sales Manager for Alaska Peony Cooperative, in a podcast episode and also was joined by two amazing peony growers on IG Live for tours showcasing their own peony fields. Peonies continue to be one of the favorite flowers for floral work and for personal gardens around the world. With its signature lush blooms, versatile color palette, and of course their unforgettable fragrance, peonies are a perfect choice for the simplest of bouquets to the luxurious most dreamy wedding.

In a previous blog post, we featured the Alaska Peony Cooperative “ How to Plant a Peony Cutting Garden”, a guide to creating and maintaining a beautiful display of peonies. Click Here to learn more about the comprehensive guide to planting, irrigation, maintenance, cultivars and more.

I am excited to bring you just a few of my favorites from this latest guide by Alaska Peony Cooperative, “Passionate for Peonies Guide”. For the complete PDF follow the link at the end of the post.

Be sure to listen to Martha’s episode and visit our YouTube Channel for the peony farm tours through Instagram LIVE. We’ve included links at the end of this post. We’re also excited to share, that for the 2020 Peony Season, you can use the Discount Code THEFLOWERPODCAST and save 20% off your peony order when you Shop Alaska Peony Cooperative.

Image by @rawsomephotography

Image by @abigaillewisphoto ⁠

There’s so much great content about each of these peonies, some of which I’m just now learning about too. Being able to source peonies throughout the summer, especially this summer with the downsizing of weddings to a more intimate congregation of family and friends, it’s nice to know that you can access peonies to make your wedding and event extra special.

The season for peonies with the Alaska Peony Cooperative begins June 29th and hopefully will extend to August 13th, give or take a few days, due to weather. So if you need flowers for a bridal bouquet or to create a stunning tablescape, know that you can order as few as 20 stems up to whatever number of stems you might want. With the Cooperatives smaller packing you can even order these amazing flowers for friends and family members as special gifts.

Again, We’re also excited to share, that for the 2020 Peony Season, you can use the Discount Code THEFLOWERPODCAST and save 20% off your peony order.

If you’ve enjoyed these information packed pages, I would encourage you to follow the link below to see the full 30 page resource from the Alaska Peony Cooperative. Thank you Martha and the entire cooperative for you dedication in creating this resource and for growing such beautiful peonies.