End-of-November Farm Update
One of the fall harvests from last week. Highlights include marigolds, stock and, of course, heirloom mums!
Welcome to the last week of peak flower season on our farm! We were lucky enough to have the chrysanthemums last until Thanksgiving (in spite of the warm temperatures). And we had a nice offering of snapdragons, stock and fun foliages to compliment the mums. Tater and I are still trying to create a robust fall offering for our florists, and each year we learn something new. For instance, we tried fall lisianthus, which yielded only mix results. I would love to connect with one of you lisianthus gurus to help us come up with a great fall program!
I’m grateful for the slower pace once we get our Thanksgiving flowers delivered this week. It will be time to take stock and start crafting goals and dreams for 2025. One of my favorite things about the “off” season is taking the time to reflect on the wins and losses of the year. We expanded quite a bit this season, and there were growing pains. But when I looked at all the photos on my phone, it was a breathtaking season from start to finish. I know our flowers make our community a better place. It pushes me to tackle the hard and painful things that make our flowers a reality. The world needs more flowers, especially during these turbulent times. When in doubt, just focus on the next step. Your community needs you now more than ever to be a source of hope. I believe there are better days ahead; it may take some time, but if we all work together, we will get there.
In this edition of Bloom Beat we are talking about gemstone anemone, Tom Brady’s leadership philosophy and more.
With all that being said, let’s talk shop!
Tom Brady’s Leadership Philosophy
I really enjoyed
THIS ARTICLE from
Harvard Business Review about Tom Brady’s leadership philosophy. For those of you not familiar with Tom Brady, he is revered as one of the best quarterbacks in history. He led his teams to seven Super Bowl titles, and he holds many individual records. Brady attributes his leadership success to several behaviors. I encourage you to take the time to read the entire article, as it is truly fascinating.
Put the Team First (even when facing personal adversity)
During Brady’s college football career at the University of Michigan, he shared the spotlight with multiple talented quarterbacks. Brady didn’t let his personal feelings eclipse the goals of the team. Even when he thought he deserved more playing time he never vocalized it. Instead, he focused on relentlessly trying to prove to the coaches through his attitude and work ethic that he was the right person to be quarterback.
Show appreciation for unsung colleagues
Great leaders will find ways to recognize all the players on the team, even the ones who aren’t visible. Learn what each individual on your team values and recognize them accordingly.
Set the standard
Set the standard and be able to communicate it clearly. Inspire each of your players to give 100% effort. This isn’t an easy task and it is different for each person on your team.
Recognize each teammate and understand what motivates them
Different people express and receive validation differently. Leaders need to understand this for each of their “players”
Recognize and counteract the external forces that lead to selfish behavior
Selfish behavior stymes synergy. Team leaders must recognize outside pressures that may influence players to act in their own best interest. Leaders must always reinforce the team-first message.
New InFlora Cut Flower Catalog
Be sure to check out
InFlora’s new cut flower catalog. InFlora is the cut flower division of Express Seed, based out of Oberlin, Ohio. Their catalog includes ranunculus, snapdragons, celosia, dahlia and more. Tater and I love their Aazar ranunculus plugs for Valentine’s Day!
Tater and I have nothing but positive things to say about InFlora. Have a crop you’re having trouble with? The folks at InFlora will connect you with experts to help you craft crop programs for your farm. Shoutout to Sabrina V. for always having treats on hand for Tater and accommodating all my crazy seed line/plug inquiries!
You can request the new catalog through your Express sales rep or by emailing them a request to
inflora@expressseed.com. Or check out the PDF version
HERE.
Express launched InFlora Cut Flowers in 2022, representing the best varieties for North American cut flower growers from leading breeders around the globe.
“Our main goal is to help our customers find the best varieties for their farm, simplified supply chain solution, and be there to assist in growing recommendations when needed from our technical team,” said Scott Rusch, Director of Business Development and Seed operations for Express. “This year, we are promoting our breeding and supply partners, including Sakata, PanAmerican Seed, Syngenta Flowers, Danziger, Evanthia, Headstart, Raker-Robertas, UNEX and Kapiteyn Callas.”
Podcast: Growing Anemone
Gemstone Anemone. Photo courtesy Sakata Seed
Check out
THIS PODCAST from our friend and fellow newsletter editor Bill Calkins of
Tech on Demand. Bill takes a deep dive with Bob Croft, Sakata Seed’s product technical manager, and Joan Mazat, Ball Horticultural Company’s cut flower business manager, to learn more about Gemstone anemones from seed.
Most folks are familiar with corm anemones, which are planted throughout the fall and winter and harvested in the spring. Gemstone is an F1 hybrid seed variety, which allows growers some versatility in planting. In the past, it has been difficult to plant corm anemones since it’s difficult to get the plant material before September. Seed anemones can be started at any time, and they eliminate the handicap of waiting for new corms. I am considering using Gemstone for early winter production to hit Valentine’s Day.
When Sakata introduced anemone F1 Gemstone a few years ago, it was a major breakthrough and quickly garnered attention from cut flower growers. I’m excited to give this podcast a listen. I hope you are, too. Bob Croft is such an invaluable resource. In this podcast he takes viewers and listeners through crop production and finishing—from germination to transplant and on to postharvest care and even why not to put anemone into vases with daffodils. He helps cut flower farmers manage all factors of plant growth (light, water, nutrition, temperature and gas exchange), offers strategies for controlling pests and diseases, and explains the benefits of starting anemone from seeds versus corms.
Check out GROWING F1 ANEMONE GEMSTONE FROM SEED: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Show and Tell
One of my favorite projects to date.
Here’ some fun eye candy for you! Tater and I had the pleasure of collaborating with one of our clients on a creative project. All you avid readers of Bloom Beat know that Tater and I are obsessed with heirloom chrysanthemums. Helen Miller AFID, owner of Flowers and Such in Adrian, Michigan, created the most breathtaking boa and head piece using our heirloom chrysanthemums. I was beyond thrilled when Helen asked me to model her creation ... it honestly brings tears to my eyes. These mums have been a passion project of mine for years and they are finally getting the recognition they deserve!
Part of our jobs as flower farmers to educate our clients about our flowers and convey their value. It takes time, and sometimes multiple seasons, for clients to understand and appreciate a new crop. All of our effort is starting to pay off.
Photos are by our friends at Gina Barnaby Photography. It's fun to push creative boundaries, and I thank my lucky stars for everyone in our local flower community. Enjoy!
Pictured Me, Helen (floral extraodinaire), Katie (my right-hand girl), Charlene (makeup and hair).
Enthusiastically!
Lindsay Daschner (and Tater)
Editor-at-Large—Bloom Beat
Owner—Forget-Me-Not Farms
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