Time to Bloom! Introducing uBloom’s Flower Care Expert, Gay Smith
Passionate about flower care, Gay has been providing us uBloomers with invaluable cut flower care and handling advice since the site’s early days in beta. We have been able to count on Gay to keep us up to date on all the latest products and most effective techniques to keep our flowers fresher longer…and long lasting flowers insure long lasting customers! Gay’s articles make great work room guidelines to help ensure that we are following the proper care, handling and sanitation steps necessary to keep our flowers and customers happy!The words Maverick and Pioneer accurately describe Gay’s floral career… having blazed new trails for women in the floral industry. Her bold ideas and "never say quit" attitude have taken her to the highest levels within the flower world.I was able to ask Gay some questions about her extensive and fascinating career in the flower industry and here is what she had to say...When did you first decide to pursue a career in the floral industry?I fell in love with flowers as a kid when I noticed how good I looked decked out in a frilly Easter dress and patent-leather shoes standing in front of my grandmother’s rose garden.Talk a little about about your floral education.I studied Horticulture with an emphasis on renewable resources at the University of Arizona. The day I graduated, I took off for California to join the floral scene of growers, wholesalers, and retailers in the SF market.What was it like to move from San Francisco to the Netherlands to become the first female/American to be a buyer on the clocks in Aalsmeer?A life altering experience!To what do you attribute your success as the first female in many male dominated areas of the floral industry?Raw courage and tenacity.What attracted you to a career in cut flower care and handling?The audacity of Botrytis.What is your favorite flower and why?Early in my SF career, Ray Reddell, owner of Garden Valley Ranch Roses, wined and dined me in the splendor of his gardens. Who can resist the allure of ‘Just Joey,’ ‘Double Delight,’ and ‘Sheer Bliss’ on a sunny day in beautiful Sonoma country?Oriental Lilies also hold a special place in my heart as I was part of the 1986 design team at Keukenhoff’s Lelie Parade when Sun Valley’s entry, "Star Gazer" won first place. It caused quite a stir because it was the first American bred lily to win the top prize.Who have been the most influential people in your life/career?I’ve been lucky to have several wonderful mentors. Jan Oudendijk was very influential early in my career. He not only taught me about Dutch flowers when they were absolutely a new product in the U.S., he opened my eyes to recognize the beauty in a humble bloom growing on the side of the road. Jan told me to let flowers take me around the world and I followed his advice! Another mentor (and long time friend) is John Dolan. John is a rose expert who never tires of answering my questions on everything from breeding to production details. When we tire of roses, the conversation veers to other topics like golf, politics and literature.What, in your opinion, is the BEST, NEW cut flower care product?The Chrysal Professional #2 T-bag - it’s goof-proof, easy to use, and provides visual assurance that flowers are in treated water. T-bags save time, water and money. I also think anyone selling gerberas is crazy if they are not using Chrysal Professional Gerbera pills. They work so well that Ed Van Wingerden, of Everbloom, a premier California gerbera grower, swears by them!If you could work with anyone in the floral industry, who would it be?My twin sister - two heads are better than one!Name the Top 3 mistakes florists make when handling flowers.
- Dirty tools
- Dirty buckets
- Reckless use of preservative
Name a little known (but important) flower care/handling fact.Keep blooms dry. It’s a cheap, effective way to avoid Botrytis infection.What are some past accomplishments that you are proud of?Ice skating to the Van Gogh museum across the Leidesplien.Share a goal that you would like to achieve.I want to continue reducing my carbon footprint.If you could invent any floral design/care product, what would it be?Flower buckets that are marked to indicate different water levels (e.g. 1 qt, 1/2 gallon, 1 gallon). That way, getting your flower food dosage right every time would be a cinch!When you are not out saving cut flowers from premature death…what do you like to do for fun?Get lost in a bookstore, practice sun salutations on the beach, and dig for worms in my garden.Personal note from Gay: Share your passion. Life is short!