Bloom Talk: Weekly FAQ's from Cut Flower Gardeners

One of the most fun things about growing plants is you are constantly learning no matter how long you have been growing them. Each week on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, I receive a lot of cut flower growing questions and I love answering as many as I can. Here are 10 questions asked this week!

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1. Q: If I want Daffodil blooms next year, do I wait until fall to dig up the bulbs and transplant if I want to move them to another location in the garden?

      A: Anytime a plant is dug up and moved, there is a chance it may not flower prolifically the next bloom cycle. For the very best chance to see Daffodil blooms next year after digging up, yes, fall would be an idea time. I do not move daffodils in the fall because I simply cannot find them anymore because the foliage has died down. I recently created a blog post & YouTube video on how I dig up, divide and transplant Daffodils. 

Read the Blog: Digging up, Dividing and Transplanting Daffodils

Watch the YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/qAoUrWZvnz8

2. Q: What is the best time to cut an Iris for the longest vase life?

    A: I primarily grow German Bearded Iris. The best time to cut the iris for the longest vase life is when the bud is showing color but not completely bloomed. The iris will continue to bloom once cut. Iris blooms last about 3 days in a vase but you can continue the beauty by doing this one thing I show in this YouTube video.

Watch the YouTube Video: German Bearded Iris Harvest Stage Video

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The Blooming Joy E-mail Community

3. Q: What is the name of this gorgeous green ball flower?!

    A:'Snowball' Viburnum. The green flowers will continue to open and eventually turn a creamy white!

Here is what the Snowball Viburnum looks like in a Spring flower arrangement. This arrangement is full of some of the best Spring blooming perennial cut flowers: Daffodils, Hellebore and Iris.

4. Q: How do you get Snowball Viburnum blooms to last without wilting after cutting?

  A: I harvest early in the morning, remove most of the foliage and cut a slit in the bottom of the stem. In this video, I show you how!

Watch the Video: Making a Slit in a Woody Stem 

5. Q: Do you have any tips and trick for successfully growing Lavender in Tennessee?

  A: Lavender likes full sun, really good drainage and not a ton of water. The variety I grow in Tennessee is called 'Lavandula Phenomenal' and had good luck with it for several years. A harsh winter can take it out though. When we had a historic winter storm and dropped 60 degrees in a matter of hours and stayed at or below zero for several days, my lavender sadly died. When I am ready, I will 100% repurchase this variety though. Mother Nature is in control and we just learn from her. 

6. Q: Where did you buy the cute seed packets you use when saving seeds?

A: I've got a Seed Packet List in my Amazon Storefront. There are so many cute options! Perfect for saving all those seeds of Zinnias, Cosmos, Celosia and Sunflowers from your summer cut flower garden. 

Shop My Garden Themed Amazon Storefront

Watch the Video of how I incorporate seed packets into this flower arrangements

7. Q: Do you have any tips for greenhouse growing now that it's hot?!

 A: I am finding with a really hot greenhouse that I need to water daily, keep a fan going constantly and make sure every window you have is open!

8. Q: When are you planting Zinnias? Is it time?!

A: Zinnias love to grow when it is warm and hot! After your last frost date is a good time to plant them. New to growing Zinnias? Here are some things to know below.

Read the Blog: 20 Facts Every Gardener Should Know about Zinnias

9. Q: Do seed starting times vary from Zone to Zone?

A: Yes, but your "Zone" has more to do with how cold your winters get and what perennials can survive. When it comes to seed starting, knowing your first and last frost dates are key. This helps you plan when to start seeds. If you don't know yours, find out here. I live in the Nashville, TN area and my last frost date is about April 15th and my first frost date is around October 15th. In my cut flower growing E-book, Seed Starting Schedule for a Cut Flower Garden, I highlight 20 popular cut flowers to grow and my exactly monthly seed starting schedule. I start seeds all year long. Yes, even in January! 

10. Q: Do you have a discount code for The Roo Apron?

  A: I do! This is the garden apron I have faithfully worn since 2018 and happy to share this small business. If you want to see what I keep in the apron while I work outside, watch this video. Use code BLOOMINGJOY for 10% off on The Roo Apron website!

That's it for the popular question recap of the week! I appreciate you hanging out with me on social media. I look forward to more of you questions and if you have any, leave some below. Happy  growing, flower friend!