"Every industry has their dirty little secrets, even the sweet smelling floral industry." So began Weekend Today's first in a series of reports on "Tricks of the Trade: A Guide for the Consumer."

Forty-three of 111 candidates who participated in the American Institute of Floral Designers' (AIFD) Accreditation Evaluation Session (AES) in Palm Springs, Calif., were successful in their quest, AIFD announced Friday.

Royers's Flowers & Gifts, based out of Lebanon, Pa., is growing its operation once again after its recent purchase of Rothermel's Florist & Greenhouse's business operations in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Teleflora has committed to raising a minimum of $100,000 for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF).

Bringing together like-minded members of the floral industry was the motivation behind a recent gathering where Premier Floral Distributors (PFD) joined wholesale and retail florists to discuss how to "survive" the challenges in today's industry. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 12, Onalee Czapla will celebrate her 50th anniversary -- of floral design, that is. But that number doesn't seem to faze her. "Somebody said [the work] keeps me young," she jokes.

Erlene LeBorgne, owner of Rosemont Floral in Portland, Maine, wanted to find a less formal  way to communicate to customers about what's new at her shop and in the industry, so in February 2006, she started a blog, or a Web journal.

Yahoo apparently thinks there are some computer gamers out there fantasizing about life as a florist.

We want people to be excited about flowers, but even we admit there is such a thing as too excited. Like, say, when you break the law to get your floral fix -- as the following two desperate souls allegedly did. 

As of Sept. 6, California legislation, A.B. 1282, which bans floral or ornamental products or service companies from misrepresenting their geographic location, is awaiting the signature of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

... To pre-register for SAF Palm Springs 2007, held Sept. 26-29 at the La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, Calif.

It's back-to-school time ... employees included! Give your staff a refresher course in care and handing with SAF's Flower & Plant Care: The 21st Century Approach.

In a recent post on SAF's Discussion Forum, a member says she saw a product that holds water in sealed bag (so it does not spill in customer's vehicles).

Almost 90 percent of readers responding to the previous week's e-poll said they do not market back-to-school arrangements. Ten percent said they do.

Halloween is the second most favorite holiday for decorating one's home, surpassed only by Christmas. Sixty-six percent of Americans decorate their homes for Halloween compared to ninety-one percent at Christmas.