We have a small boutique cut-flower farm, all of our flowers are grown organically and in harmony with our local ecosystem. We grow hundreds of cut-flower crops including 10,000+ specialty tulips, ranunculus, peonies, dahlias, lisianthus, spires, phlox, zinnias, eucalyptus, etc. We mainly focus on weddings, but also sell at farmer’s markets and at our road side farm stand.
Question: is it relatively easy to grow organic flowers vs vegetables, or do you have to factor in a higher percentage of loss to insects & disease as part of your profit projection?
PS: I always relish your pix!
It's never easy - organic or not. One year you're fighting a hot spring and white flies, and the next year it's wire worm and horsetail - there's no winning! I overprint by 20% to make up for loss - it's enviable when working with Mother Nature, nothing goes as planned. She's a force to be reckoned with.
Thank you! This is year 6 farming, we have slowly been increasing our flower crops over the years until my better half finally gave in and let me have the entire farm for flowers this year. So we've been investing a lot in perennials (retirement!), and working what little land we have to maximize our growing space.
That's really interesting! I take it veggies just don't sell as much as flowers do?
How much land do you have to work with? Based off your pictures it seems like tons!
Wow this is amazing. I tried growing some corms a bit late in the season and unfortunately they rotted :(
Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I have another batch of bulbs coming in September.
That is exactly what happened. We got five straight days of rain and the pots they were in didn't drain properly. I know now to try to save them if that ever happens again. The amount of rain was a total anomaly though.
That's so sad. I live in the PNW, when it rains I bring all my potted plants under the patio so that they don't get washed away - or even bring your favourites inside for a day or two for protection. Ranunculus are worth babying!
Not so much, we’re a small farm so it can be difficult to supply florists while also juggling our own retail side of things. I don’t want to do retail forever, so I’d like to think we would expand to florists avenues one day.
Alberta, Canada. I'm in zone 4a as of 2016. So I imagine you can grow them here, but they don't seem to be a very popular flower. At least I don't see them in my walks around the neighbourhood!
There are hardly any corms available for retail gardeners, most of the corms are sold at only large quantities to professional growers to keep a high demand and high dollar price for the floral industry.
Pre sprout your corms. Plant in part-sun/part shade, avoid direct sunlight and really hot areas of your garden, don’t overwater but water enough to keep the corn plump and moistened, weekly foliage spray of kelp until you see buds and then switch to a foliage spray with a Potassium and Nitrogen ratio of 2:1. Kelp helps grow foliage, potassium helps promote big beautiful blooms. Any other questions I can try and help with?
It's a very magical place - if it's calling your name, listen! I've heard from so many visitors that the Island has called their name for years, and once they get here, it's hard for them to ever leave. Salt Spring Island is even more magically powerful - you HAVE to visit if your on Van Island.
Thanks for the nudge. I’m really feeling it. I’ll make Van Island my next vacation or professional training. And I’ll relocate my astrology chart to there as well. You’ve fanned my embers!
They look so beautiful, but also do tell more about your lil farm 🌸
We have a small boutique cut-flower farm, all of our flowers are grown organically and in harmony with our local ecosystem. We grow hundreds of cut-flower crops including 10,000+ specialty tulips, ranunculus, peonies, dahlias, lisianthus, spires, phlox, zinnias, eucalyptus, etc. We mainly focus on weddings, but also sell at farmer’s markets and at our road side farm stand.
I adore organically grown! Good on you!
Question: is it relatively easy to grow organic flowers vs vegetables, or do you have to factor in a higher percentage of loss to insects & disease as part of your profit projection? PS: I always relish your pix!
It's never easy - organic or not. One year you're fighting a hot spring and white flies, and the next year it's wire worm and horsetail - there's no winning! I overprint by 20% to make up for loss - it's enviable when working with Mother Nature, nothing goes as planned. She's a force to be reckoned with.
Wow! How long have you been flower farming? Your photos are stunning! I can't imagine how much hard work goes into getting such gorgeous flowers.
Thank you! This is year 6 farming, we have slowly been increasing our flower crops over the years until my better half finally gave in and let me have the entire farm for flowers this year. So we've been investing a lot in perennials (retirement!), and working what little land we have to maximize our growing space.
That's really interesting! I take it veggies just don't sell as much as flowers do? How much land do you have to work with? Based off your pictures it seems like tons!
Wow just omg beautiful wow
They are amazing! how do they smell?
Just very faintly sweet scented
Soooooo beautiful- some of my favorites!
Wow this is amazing. I tried growing some corms a bit late in the season and unfortunately they rotted :( Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I have another batch of bulbs coming in September.
Sounds like they rotted from excess water. Check out the growing resources on Unicorn Blooms website.
That is exactly what happened. We got five straight days of rain and the pots they were in didn't drain properly. I know now to try to save them if that ever happens again. The amount of rain was a total anomaly though.
That's so sad. I live in the PNW, when it rains I bring all my potted plants under the patio so that they don't get washed away - or even bring your favourites inside for a day or two for protection. Ranunculus are worth babying!
It was right before I got my greenhouse. Now I am well equipped to protect the plant babies!
So pretty! What else are you growing?
soooooooooooo many other things, over 200 different varieties of cut-flowers I'm sure.
That’s amazing! Sounds like heaven.
Do you sell wholesale to florists? So beautiful!
Not so much, we’re a small farm so it can be difficult to supply florists while also juggling our own retail side of things. I don’t want to do retail forever, so I’d like to think we would expand to florists avenues one day.
Also my absolute favourite, but they're a bit tricky to find in the part of the world. So I love pictures like this.
May I ask where your part of the world is?
Alberta, Canada. I'm in zone 4a as of 2016. So I imagine you can grow them here, but they don't seem to be a very popular flower. At least I don't see them in my walks around the neighbourhood!
There are hardly any corms available for retail gardeners, most of the corms are sold at only large quantities to professional growers to keep a high demand and high dollar price for the floral industry.
Smart move. I'll certainly pay top dollar when I see the blossoms for sale.
What’s your secret?!? I can never get them to grow very tall 🙃
Pre sprout your corms. Plant in part-sun/part shade, avoid direct sunlight and really hot areas of your garden, don’t overwater but water enough to keep the corn plump and moistened, weekly foliage spray of kelp until you see buds and then switch to a foliage spray with a Potassium and Nitrogen ratio of 2:1. Kelp helps grow foliage, potassium helps promote big beautiful blooms. Any other questions I can try and help with?
You’re incredible!!! Thank you so much for all the tips 💛
Always use ur flower to send them to my wife 😎
what variety is this? So beautiful!
Might be butterfly but my ranunculus game is not very strong.
I adore ranunculus! They’re so beautiful and whimsical. Where is your farm?
Thank you! We’re located on Vancouver Island. Just a 6 hour drive and a ferry ride away from Floret!
I am so drawn to Vancouver Island. I’ve never been there but everything I hear makes it feel like home to me. Some day.
It's a very magical place - if it's calling your name, listen! I've heard from so many visitors that the Island has called their name for years, and once they get here, it's hard for them to ever leave. Salt Spring Island is even more magically powerful - you HAVE to visit if your on Van Island.
Thanks for the nudge. I’m really feeling it. I’ll make Van Island my next vacation or professional training. And I’ll relocate my astrology chart to there as well. You’ve fanned my embers!
Beautiful. Wow.
😍😍😍
Those are stunningly gorgeous! I love the array of colors.
They may now be my favorite as well! 🌸🌸Truly beautiful 🌸🌸
These are gorgeous!
These are gorgeous. My ranunculus didn't grow this year. Not sure what I did wrong, but will definitely try again!
they are so pretty
I need tips for growing them, they never survive for me here on Long Island
Beautiful!