Christmas and New Year

Christmas has arrived and then New Year. All good reason to Send flowers to delhi. Do not wait to tell your friends how much you love them. Send flowers to Delhi now. And make them happy.

Throught the year they will remember that you sent them flowers on New Year through Florist delhi. Winter offers a lot of varities in flowers. You have lot to choose from. Visit flower shop near you and order flowers.

Daffodil Days

Winter is here and we have beautiful and fragrant flower from the hills which is popularly called Narcissus. It belongs to Daffodil family. It is a small flower, white and golden yellow color. It has a pleasant smell.

This flower is associated with American Cancer Society. It represents the hope, which all share for a future where cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease.
Any one of us can provide hope to all people affected by the disease by participating in the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days. Daffodil Days is one of the American Cancer Society's oldest and most loved fundraising programs.
Let us all contribute to the society we all live in.

Midnight Flowers delivery in Delhi

Few days back, we received an order for midnight flowers delivery in Delhi for 23rd November through Florist Delhi. We understood that Florists in delhi have to deliver this on night between 23rd and 24Th November. Actually the birthday was for 23rd November and the customer wanted delivery for 23rd November 00 hours (means they wanted between 22 and 23rd night).

But the customer wrongly mentioned as delivery for 23rd night (which is actually 24Th morning). This confusion happens many times so the customer should be careful (and clear) for their request for midnight delivery of flowers through Online florist Delhi.

Choose Real Florist

Well, I must thank my readers who pointed to me that I have not updated my blog since past two weeks. So looks like there are people who read my blog.

So whats new in flowers arena? Well today I want to warn people about middle man and order gatherer who continuously mislead gullible people by posing as real florists when the fact is that they are not.

They advertise saying they are real florist with their own brick and mortar store. You should check carefully before ordering flowers on phone or Internet. The basic question you should ask is they you need directions to their store as you want to visit them (though actually you are not). This one question will prove if they are real florist or just a middleman.

Ordering with real florist will not only get you freshest flowers but value for money.

Daman Anand

More flowers in winter

Winter has arrived and we are getting different varieties of flowers these days. They are big chrysanthemums (white, yellow, purple and brown) from Himachal Pradesh, Daisies from Bangalore, Hyacinth from Uttrakhand and Tulips again from Himachal Pradesh. Year round flowers which include roses, lilies, gerberas and carnations are also available. People should visit florist stores more often these days to enjoy these flowers. Also, the flowers stay longer in cold climate. Another reason to buy flowers.


Daman Anand

Misconception

In my working as a florist, I have come accross this strange situation a few times. Yesterday I recived a call from a customer in US who wanted to send some flowers in New Delhi to her daughter. They did not want to pay online (through credit card) but informed me that their brother, who resides in Delhi will make payments. I took that order for Rs.1000. We both had agreed on which flowers were to be deliverd, the number of flowers and even the colour.

We completed that order. Then the "brother" visited our store (to make payments). He was very warm and polite but insisted on discount. He was under the impression that since the order was plced by a customer from america, we have overcharged them. This is a common misconception and we florists can hardly do anything.

Daman Anand

Historical importance of Diwali for Sikh

During October/November, the worldwide Sikh Sangat (community) celebrates the safe return of the sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind from detention from Gwalior Fort in about October 1619. The day coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali , ("the festival of lights"). This concurrence has resulted in a similarity of celebrations amongst Sikhs and Hindus.
People send gifts and flowers to their relatives and friends on Diwali. Children wait eagrly as they fire crackers on Diwali.

Selling flowers after retirement

Everyone loves flowers and many of our customers have desire to get connected with this business. Some want to open a flowers shop after they retire and there are others who start cultivation of flowers. Today I met one gentleman Col Walia (Retired) who started growing roses and gerberas in Maval District of Pune. He exports these flowers to many European countries. The flowers which are left are sold (distributed) to local florists in Delhi.
But from my personal experince from running a flower retail shop in delhi for more than 20 years now, I believe it is not an easy job. There are no holidays and working hours are long. In these 20 years, I have seen more than 20 people who started a florist shop and then later closed down.

Flowers uplift your mood

A University study linked flowers with happy emotions and increased intimacy with family and friends, and other research has found that flowers in the workplace heighten creativity and problem-solving skills.Nothing uplifts a room or your spirits like a bouquet of fresh flowers.Choose flowers that echo the look and feel of your surroundings.

Cheater who pose as customer

Today I received a call from a customer (?) from Delhi who wanted to order flowers and sweets on my website www.indiafloristdirect.com
When he told me this word sweets, I remember an incident which my fellow florist shared with me few days back. He received similar such request, it was a huge order of around 10 kg sweets along with big teddy and flowers. The reason why my friend became suspicious was that the customer was very carelessly spending(did not check price etc) and was asking repeatedly what else you have. The customer did not give his exact address but wanted to take delivery near his house. Though his payment was processed and the gifts were delivered, but if this turns up as a fraud (the credit card can be charged back in next 90 days after the purchase is made), my fellow florist will have to return the money (to the original card holder).
I did not want to take a risk so I told the caller to pay on delivery which he immediately refused.

Organic Flowers

In India, not many people have heard this term. The reason is that Organic Flowers are neither grown nor imported in India yet. What are organic flowers? The Organic flowers are flowers grown without using pesticides and chemicals. The main goal of organic floriculture is that there is no harm to the environment.

In non organic floriculture, the pesticides used on flowers are a big problem for the workers who grow the flowers.Pesticides on flowers can also be a problem for anyone who handles the flowers including consumers since many pesticides are easily absorbed through the skin.

The organic flowers are expensive. But then there are many advantages of organic flowers over non organic flowers. One is that Organic flowers have more vase life. It makes sense to use Organic flowers for religious purpose. They have nice fragrance. And above all, they do not harm environment and have no negative health effect on florists and consumers.

Marriage season and florist

Marriage season is arriving soon and people are make preparations for that. In any Indian marriage (or for that matter any marriage)flowers play a very important role. People are contacting florists. Main areas for flower decoration on marriage are Stage decoration, Gate decoration, Table for guests, Vedi, Jaimala, Car decoration and Room decoration.

I some instances people get into the hands of middleman and this is not advisable. The work done by a middleman is more expensive and of poor quality. People should always contact a real local florist directly who will do a good job. This real local florist should be contacted quite early (around 60 to 70 days before marriage) so they can prepare well in advance and do a wonderful (job) decoration which you shall never forget in your lifetime.

Florist may ask you for a theme, like the color of flowers, or type of flowers you want them to use. For lavish marriage parties the flowers need to be imported from Thailand and Holland.

Midnight deliveries of flowers

We have regular requests for midnight deliveries of flowers from customers. Many people feel that the best time to deliver flowers is 12 midnight when the day has just started. However there are issues with midnight deliveries. Like one incident which happened yesterday. We got an order for midnight delivery of flowers and cake from a regular customer. When the delivery man reached, the recipient were unhappy and refused to open the door and receive flowers. They said " is this the time to make delivery". My staff had no choice but to return. Midnight delivery failed. We delivered new product (flowers and cake)next morning.The items being perishable can not be kept without cooling.
So if you are ordering flowers for midnight, please make sure that the recipient will be willing to take delivery at midnight. Also there should not be disturbance to neighbours. If the recipient is sharing apartment with other friends, midnight delivery should not be attempted unless there is no objection from others or they sleep late night (after 12).

Daman Anand

The making of a florist

How I became a florist is in itself a story.

The year was 1970 and my uncle Mr.Rajinder Singh, who was a young man and had been trying his luck in various business. He was not successful yet. Then he started as a florist by just two buckets of flowers in Defence colony market. In those days, there were only two three florist shops (in 5 star Hotels) in Delhi. Slowly his business grew. He started getting regular clients. And then in 1982 came Asiad Games when there was huge demand for flowers. By then my uncle was supplying flowers to the 5 star hotels too. He did big business during Asiad Games and never looked back. Today his son looks after this established and successful business.

In 1993, my uncle started importing flower bulbs from Holland. He needed a qualified person to handle imports and growing flowers. He chose me and I moved to Delhi. I was a young man with lots of energy and managed the work. All was well till 1997 when these flower bulbs were available in plenty in India. There was no need for import. Due to this,I had not much work. It was then that I decided to do what I liked the most, I opened a flower shop in Delhi.

And never looked back.

Social Activist who started as florist

Anna Hazare is a famous India Social Activist who was born in Bhingar, Maharashtra in 1940. You will be wondering, what is a Social Activist doing on a florist's Blog. Well, Anna Hazare started his career as a florist. Anna worked for a florist at Dadar, Mumbai earning about forty rupees a month. He eventually started his own flower shop. Two of his brothers came to Mumbai to join him in his business, increasing the family earnings.

Isn't this amazing?

Daman Anand

All well that ends well

In continuation of my last post, well nothing much happened. The girl was not at home so the flowers were received by her friend and all well that ends well.

Daman Anand

Strange situation

Today is friendship day. Every year friendship day is celebrated on first Sunday of August month. Yesterday I got one order from a customer (male) who wanted to send flowers for his girlfriend in chennai.He did not give his real name on card (I did not knew this) and gave his telephone number (instead of recipient's number).

The order was processed. On delivery date, the sender realised that the phone number he has given will be seen / disclosed to recipient. And this is surely to happen. Because the florist will enter all details on delivery challan (recipient's name, address, telephone number, any landmark). And recipient is required to sign in the challan. It is highly unlikely that they will not read it carefully.

The sender started calling me and requesting me that the telephone number should not be disclosed and it will be a big trouble for him.

I have seen this happening many times in my long career.

The delivery man had already left and I was helpless.

What happened later, I shall write in my next post.

Tulips

I have no answer to this question why most Young people in India have a fetish for Tulips. There is no secret that Tulips are not normally grown in India. Tulips require very cold climate to grow and there has not been much progress in Tulip cultivation till now. I know of few growers who have planted Tulips in Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) in the past.

I receive at least 3-4 calls in a month for people asking for Tulips. I have to tell them that Tulips are not available and they can send lilies instead. But they will not hear. They only want Tulips.

Send Flowers Today

I am quoting a statement by Georrgia O'Keeffe. He said "When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it....It's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else."
Sending flowers to your loved ones is truly wonderful. Just imagine the smile on the face of person receiving those flowers. It is an amazing experience. So don't wait for tomorrow (or for any occassion). Send flowers today!

Daman Anand

Trouble for florists

In my working as a retail florist for so many years, I have come across request from customers (mostly young males) for flowers delivery to girls (who they think they love like anything). And mostly they want us to send flowers anonymously (with out revealing their name). The florist anticipate trouble in such orders but do not refuse such customers. They do not want to loose business. Although I know of many florists who refuse such orders.
I remember an incident when I took such order and sent my most experienced delivery boy to the house. That house turned out to be that of a retired army person who tied up my boy and threatened him with dire consequences. He asked various question like from which shop these flowers were sent, what was the description of customer who ordered and so on.
The delivery boy called me up and I spoke to that gentleman. With great persuasion he let my delivery man come back. That was the last day when I took such order. Now I never take an anonymous order and always have details (phone number) of customer with me.

Daman Anand

Branding in Flowers

I have not seen any branding for flowers or flower shops in India yet. The only company which comes to my mind is Ferns and Petals which have a noticeable presence in India. Other than that, each florist is unique with their special arrangement and unique service.

Daman Anand

Technology-Do the florist in India make use of it?

I have know Indian flowers industry closely for the past 16 years. I have noticed that there has not been much advancement as far as technology is concerned. Over 90% of florist in India do not have their own website. Whats more over 50% do not have an email ID. In this scenario, I can not even think of florist using an accounting package/Point of sale in India. Compared to this, florist in United States and Canada are more technology savvy. Majority of them are tied up with wire service (and use of technology comes mandatory). Many of them use accounting package and Point of sale(either provided by wire service or independently). Technology makes the work easier so that a florist can (and should) focus on other areas like customer service and sales.

Designers at flower shops

The designers (who make flower arrangements and bouquets) you see at flower shops in India are mostly from West Bengal. And 90 % of these come from Midnapore district of West Bengal. These designers, also sometimes called Karigars (sometimes as Mali's) do not have any formal training in flower designing. They just learn the things while at work/job. The person with no experience joins at a low salary but gradually upgrades to higher level with higher salary. Some designers are enterprising and they started their own shops.I am aware of few lucky ones who got job as designers at flower shops in Dubai and other countries.
Florist on the whole have contributed a lot for financial security of these families.

Blue flowers-are they auspicious?

In my experience as a retail florist (more than 13 years now), I have come across customers who ask for blue flowers for pooja (worship). There are not much option for blue flowers at florist stores, here in India. When I think, the flowers which come to my mind are Hydrangea, Irises, Orchids. One interesting thing about orchids is that the blue colour is not natural. These orchids are dyed (how this is done is another story). Other blue flowers are daisies from Bangalore.You can also find agapanthus lily which is blue in color. Talking about these blue flowers, they are available throughout the year but only for few weeks.

Mostly the customers are disappointed when they do not get blue flowers. I do not have a correct answer as to why blue flowers are auspicious and used in pooja (worshipping).

If any of my readers could enlighten me, I will be grateful.

Fathers Day

Fathers day will be celebrated on 21th June all over the world. This is the day to honor fathers. But the business for florist is not as much as it is on Mother's Day.
I have thought on this many times but no sure answer came.Are children more attached to Mothers? I am not sure this is the reason. May be children like to send other gifts like Tie, shirt on Fathers Day.
If you have flowers in mind, visit India Florist and place your order. We promise a smile on your Fathers Face; and that's a guarantee.

After elections why florists are happy

Elections in India were conducted in second week of May 2009. Some candidates will win while others will loose in this elections. So for some it will be a moment of joy and for others it will be sad.

But florists all over the country are in joyful mood and awaiting the results. You will be surprised and asking why is it so.

Who so ever wins the election, it is a win win situation for florists. When any candidate wins, lot of people (supporters, relatives and friends) will send them flowers. So it will be a busy day for florists and they will get a good business.All day they will be busy taking orders and delivering flowers.

This is the reason for florists to be happy.

Strange request by customers

Sometimes you get strange request from your customers. Today a customer visited my site and called me later. He requested me to send flowers to his girl friend. Nothing unusual here, the only issue was that his girl friend was arriving in Delhi and he wanted me to deliver flowers at airport (arrivals). Normally we do not accept such orders. There are many problems with such orders. How will the deliver man recognise the recipient? What if the delivery man is few minutes late and recipient has already left. Not all delivery man carry a mobile phone.So these are the problems.

This customer requested a lot and finally I agreed to send flowers.
But I am skeptical, will this delivery happen successfully?

substitution is necessary

When you order flowers online, it is possible that the flowers you ordered are not available with the florist.Some varieties are seasonal and may not be available. Also, some times it happens that the florist did not received the flowers ordered by you (please keep in mind that the florist get their flowers from the wholesaler every day).

In such case, the florist may substitute the flower. These substitutions are made in such a way that they look closest to the original order.

You as a customer can also inform the florist, if substitution is necessary, what flowers you want.

Mothers day-the most busiest day for florists

Mothers day is celebrated on second Sunday of May every year in most countries including India.This is the day, when children send flowers and gifts to their mothers to honor them. In India, celebrating mothers day is not new. For many years we Indians have been celebrating Durga Pooja honoring the divine mother Durga.

Florist are very busy on this day as they have huge orders. They buy bulk flowers in advance from wholesalers. The prices of flower rise due to increased demand.Florist arrange for extra staff (designers and delivery man)to complete the orders.

They wait for whole year for this day.This is the second most important day for florists (the first being Valentines day).

This year mothers day is on 10th May 2009. Dont forget to order flowers on www.indiafloristdirect.com

Buying flowers in summer

The summer has arrived and it is really hot outside. Cut flowers being perishable in nature do not like hot climate. In summers, they die faster.So you should be careful in choosing flowers in summer. First of all, if you are purchasing flowers for your home or ordering for some one, choose flowers which stay longer. Carnations, lilies, orchids have more vase life as compared to roses and gerberas.Also go for lighter shades like pink peach or cream. White flowers are best buy.They have a sort of cooling effect.You can have white carnations, lilies and even white orchids or a combination of these. If you thought white flowers are only for Sympathy or funeral, you are wrong.

So next time you visit neighbourhood local florist, just keep these things in mind.

Flowers delivery in Hospitals

If you are ordering flowers for a patient who is recovering in a hospital, please check if the flowers are allowed in that hospital. Most hospitals (for example Apollo in Delhi) do not allow fresh flowers.If you order flowers, they will be just kept at the reception and will never reach the recipient.So the goal of sending you wishes through fresh flowers is not achieved.The hospitals do not allow fresh pollen of flowers may carry bacteria which may be harm full for the patient.So if you have to order flowers for "Get well soon", call the hospital to check if they allow fresh flowers.If they do not, it is better to send flowers at residence.You can give a later date (when the patient will be back home). A professional florist will send flowers only after confirming that the patient is back.

Remember these things before you order flowers

When you visit a flower shop, you should be clear of few things. Like if you are ordering flowers for a male choice for flowers will be different than what you order for female.Also remember if the receipent is young male you can order bright flowers like orange, yellow. For a young female, you can order Pink or Purple flowers. For older generation go for pastel shades. You should also tell the florist the occassion. Because certain flowers are associated with certain occassions. Like for a wedding, a bouquet of red roses will look nice but not for a funeral.

Daman Anand

Valentines day in India

Valentines day in India has quickly became popular. I remember, few had heard about this day in 1990, when I was just out of collage. My friend, who had just got engaged, came from Punjab all the way to Delhi to buy beautiful flowers for his fiancee. Few varieties were available in those day.Gladioli, Roses, Carnations were popular flowers. Now we have lot of varieties like anthuriums, Lilies, Orchids.If you want to order flowers, look for a real florist who have lots of experience.

How to take care of fresh flowers?

Now that the fresh flowers have arrived, how do you take care that they stay longer and you enjoy them for a long time. You should take care of follwing things:

• Keep flowers away from heat, T.V and direct sunlight.
• Do not keep flowers under fan.
• Cut the stems of flowers every day preferably with a knife.
• Change water of vase everyday.
• Remove the leaves which are under water.

Taking these precautions, you will enjoy flowers for a longer period.

Take care.