Sunday 2 December 2012

Good News

"All good things come to he who waits" they say and it has taken some time to get everything in place but at last recognition in the form of National Collection status as been achieved for the Aechmea, Neoregelia and Billbergia varieties of Bromeliads. Already we have made some good connections with other collectors across the world and we will be able to add to the collections and be able to put on an interesting display at the many flower shows we attend and with a good display still at the nursery.
Aechmea
Neoregelia
Billbergia


Currently still visiting flower groups for Christmas demonstrations and at Isle of Man for a demonstration tomorrow Fleetwood on Wednesday and Upton Heath on the 13th. After that a few nights out are called for.

Friday 23 November 2012

Christmas cheer

Now then, you might think that after doing shows all summer we would be putting up our feet and looking at doing that bit of DIY in the house. No such luck!  The many strings to the bow that is Every Picture involves going out several times a week doing Christmas flower demonstrations from November onwards which means travelling all over the North West and way beyond (Isle of Man beginning December). A healthy dislike of the M60 has now developed as most clubs meet around 7.30pm which involves setting off during rush hour. The clubs often have an open meeting over Christmas to boost their funds so part from the Isle of Mann I still have Staining nr Blackpool to do on 28th November and Ribble  club the day before on 27th Beetham garden centre on 29th November.
The picture is from previous years Christmas demonstrations, don't want to spoil it for anyone!

Saturday 29 September 2012

Malvern flower show and last one of the season

Considering it has been a terrible summer weather wise it has been a good one for awards. We have now completed the flower show season with a perfect score and to round it off nicely awarded "Best in Show' at Malvern. If you are near the show ground this weekend come and have a look around. After this it will be homeward bound to put the plants in the nursery for the winter and have some time for potting on and checking them over for 'pups' to grow on. Going to the shows is hard work but very enjoyable, you meet some interesting people and it is nice when customers come back to you to buy more and have a chat.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/Malvern-Autumn-Show/2012 http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/Malvern-Autumn-Show/2012

Saturday 1 September 2012

Southport Flower Show


Southport is the one show we can build a whole new environment. The stand is bigger, 7m x7m and we added more water, created bridges and built an Island. Comments ranged from "It looks like the land that time forgot" to "I like the way you added the spider up at the top" What spider? well the spider liked it so much it wove a big web right at the top of the design and spent all week there. A not so welcome visitor were the midges dancing in and around the water features. We added a crocodile for good measure too. Not a real one but it was tempting. Follow the link below to see a character from Coronation street who posed by the stand.


/http://www.flickr.com/photos/officialsouthportflowershow/7896705994/

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Tatton Show

Every Picture transfers to the delights of Cheshire and the entertaining Tatton Flower Show. We are in the Floral Marquee and ready for the next few days with the prospect of some fine weather, hooray! Most exhibitors including all the trade stands who have pitches outside would welcome a bit of dry ground. Pleased to say we have another Gold medal for the Bromeliads and tropical plants and hope to continue are run of Golds. We are displaying a full range of Bromeliads, from Tillandsias, commonly known as air plants but we are not just air plants, we have large and amazingly colourful Aechmeas and Neoregelia, Guzmania and Vriesea. Introducing the wonderful Tillandsia Samantha with a pink and green colouring that has been a popular mail order item from the website.

Friday 22 June 2012

Cumbrian delights

Holker show is one of the first that we ever did so we like to do this one. The weather has been pretty poor and knowing what it can be like in the lakes the waterproofs and wellies were at the ready. As it turned out all the dismal reports from the weather reports turned out to be a bit of a damp squib. Yes it was wet but it wasn't 'don't go out or you will regret it' as they were having it. For the three days of the show it was a bit nippy but not too wet. We were happy with our large Gold and yet again managed to come away without any sticky toffee pudding. The stalls that sell hot food were probably the best place to be and I can recommend a bacon roll to set you up for the day.
The plant sales were fair and we were glad we were not at a show down south or in Wales as we would have seen trays of plants go sailing past on a tidal wave.
We come home to a lawn a foot high practically and no chance of doing anything about it as it was a quick turn around and off again.

Saturday 2 June 2012

Chelsea Part 2, or the unglamorous side

One of the worst parts of doing the shows is the taking it down. Given we took our time and spent three days putting it together, working out what should go where and then moving it a nano breath to the right or whatever the snipping off the branches and gathering up moss that is worth saving can be back braking work. Then there is the lottery of when the trucks can come on the site and where will we get parked. After we put the last piece in the van and shut the doors it was nearly 10pm and the most pressing thought was will we get back in time to have something to eat in a local little restaurant. As luck would have it we fell through the door and a sympathetic waitress brought several beers with a "had a busy day then?" After a plate full of pasta and pudding and complementary nightcap we staggered home to fall asleep within minutes only to wake up with the feeling of I know what an anaconda feels like when it has eaten a sheep. Where were those rennies?...

Friday 25 May 2012

Chelsea Gold part 1

There is no place like Chelsea Flower Show that's for sure. We took our time and set up over three days, making sure that all the plants on display were in pristine condition. This was our first time here and we were aiming to put on a good display. Awards are given on Tuesday morning and Monday is given over to press and visits from HRH Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family in the evening and celebrities during the day. We have received hundreds of complimentary comments on the stand from visitors which is very rewarding and makes the hard work worth it. Very early on Tuesday a phone call to come in for some filming gave us hope that we had been awarded a good medal. There it was gleaming gold and a media frenzy (well for us anyway) continued all day. One of our plants entered into the Plant of the Year was shortlisted to the final 20 which was a bonus. Have a look on the website - Tillandsia Samanatha, www.every-picture.com see what you think.


Monday 14 May 2012

Malvern highlights

First two days of the show was soggy as previously reported but at last the sun came out and dried the ground. The weekend was much better for visitors and after a very tiring set up, not least caused by also having to get the van repaired (Three cheers for the RAC by the way!) was also brightened by getting another Gold Medal award. Having the display set up also gave us the opportunity to work out final details for Chelsea and for any improvements in the lay out. Packing up the stand on Sunday was done quite carefully to prevent damage to the plants on the trip home. Plenty still to do though and endless list making before we set off for London.

Tuesday 8 May 2012

and more wet

And onto Malvern for the Spring flower show. Not a good start, having trouble with the van, hope it will be fixed tomorrow. Might as well concentrate on getting set up and hope the parts come. The ground is very muddy and could be a good training ground for would be Glastonbury revellers. Malvern is usually a good show though and has something for everyone. When I get chance I like to look at all the stalls outside the halls for all the latest gadgets and usually buy plants too. Something tells me wellies should be a sound investment.

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Drought, what drought?


The show started wet, continued wet and ended wet,windy and cold. You might think that the show would be disappointing but visitors to the show are made of hardy stock and undeterred duly arrived, suitably clad in hats, waterproofs and wellies. The last day ended early as the weather reports were not looking good but surprisingly it turned out to be the best day for sales! Our stand was inside and we hoped that the visitors would make it back to their cars with plants intact. By the time we had packed up the downpour had settled into a drizzle and the wind dropped. We drove past a lot of very full rivers though and fingers crossed for Malvern. Just be prepared and take your waders..www.rhs.org.uk/FlowerShows2012

Thursday 26 April 2012

Harrogate Flower show

After a busy week up and down the country we mounted the display for Harrogate and with some welcome help from a colleague managed to get done in time. Very pleased that we were awarded a Gold medal and hope to continue in the same vein for the rest of the season. Always trying to improve and make it visualy exciting. The stand usually attracts attention and seems to inspire others to replicate and try to display their plants in a way they would naturally grow too.
Come along to the show, it is open until Sunday see www.flowershow.org.uk  for details and see our stand and say hello!

Sunday 22 April 2012

Out and about

Preparing for a big demonstration at a club in London. I have a big stage and will be performing on St George's day. I have designs in mind but there are no dragons in it! Straight after the demonstration I have the unenviable task of driving north to set up for the Harrogate show. The spring show should be popular and I hope to do well there. I have some new plants I am trying out in the design and will have some for sales. For those who like Bromeliads I hope you will like them. The Harrogate show is open from 26-29th April. www.flowershow.org.uk

Tuesday 10 April 2012

First show of 2012

The first show of the season is always the one where you forget something, usually not anything too awful and it is the one where you get organised by the end of it. So in preparation for Chelsea we have come down to London for the RHS Great London Plant Fair 2 day show today and tomorrow (10/11 April) to try out new designs. Must be doing something right as we were awarded a Gold. Some nice comments too by the visitors and the judges so hopefully we are on the right track. The plants are looking in good condition so extra care will be taken for the journey home. Next on the list is Harrogate spring show 26th - 29th April so look for us there and come and say hello!

Sunday 25 March 2012

That's Entertainment

Now here's a thing; the North West Area of NAFAS, (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) is holding a fundraising demonstration on the 30th April at Southport Theatre & Convention Centre and I am busy making something for my part in the show. Suffice to say it involves a bit of this and a bit of that and I can't be more specific because it is all very hush hush. It should be a good evening.

Besides that it has been great getting plants that have been over wintering in the house outside for some sunshine. it is also time to dig around the pots and see what has survived and what is showing signs of growth.

Thursday 22 March 2012

And back again

Return from Scotland and getting back to the business of checking over plants and making sure all the paperwork is done for forthcoming shows. The Bromeliads are coming along nicely now the weather is picking up and the light is making them colour up which is always good to see. Some are showing signs of producing flowers too.
It is about time some care is taken with the van, the one I use to transport displays to the show could do with a good wash and brush up. Not a job I like. May be get one of the boys to do....

Thursday 15 March 2012

Going up North

This week we have been touring Scotland and visiting some great flower clubs all around Edinburgh. One of the benefits of doing tours is getting to go to places you wouldn't normally think of visiting. It is hard work though and quite tiring so looking forward to coming home. Any demonstrator will tell you that finding the venue can sometimes be the hardest part. One of the clubs I visited was a hall with a very small sign. My directions were minimal and normally with sat nav it works out fine but it can only get you to a point and after that it is a process of elimination or follow any ladies carrying oasis boxes. Still I found it and the evening went well. One more tomorrow and then back home..

Saturday 10 March 2012

Hello,

Every picture tells all sorts of stories. It is non stop in the world of Bromeliads. Coming soon, shows and events we are getting ready for. First stop is the Royal Horticultural Halls show next month and the planning for Chelsea Flower Show to be concluded.