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For some
the ethical and ecological questions around flowers are many.
"Should
I pick them from a field or plant and pamper them to full bloom
myself? Should I go for the sculptured flower, dried to a long
lasting state? Are dried flowers really a good idea to start
a fresh new married life? Should I "kill" these beautiful flower
beings at all? What's about silk flowers? They are incredibly
pretty…Or maybe a bouquet of Organic herbs…?"
But then
- the fragrance of a fresh rose is an unforgettable part of
romantic wedding memories and most brides want to keep it this
way. Therefore we thank the flower fairies for the organic florists.
Their flowers have a good life. They hatched from organic seeds
and developed to full beauty in pesticide free soils.
Arrangement by: Michelle Tomyuk (Topanga, CA)
www.1000petals.com
A Thousand Petals Floral Art offers alternatives
to the standard practices of less aware floristry. Owner Michelle
Tomyuk finds organic flowers and combines them with fruits and
vegetable leaves. She also creates beautiful "living arrangements"
, centerpieces of live blooming and / or green plants that will
continue to live after the festivities.
"Many people don't know that in the floral industry
there are many chemicals and products used that are harmful
not only to the environment but also to people.
A Thousand Petals strives to promote containers that do not
require Floral Foam (a.k.a oasis) which is a petroleum bi- product
that out gasses formaldehyde when soak in water. This foam is
not bio degradable and has been linked to lung cancer in rare
cases of extended exposure. Leaf shine commonly used to shine
greenery and plants is an aerosol product that is also bad for
the lungs. The alternative that green florists know is vegetable
oil, not only is it free from harmful chemicals but it is wiped
on the leaves instead of sprayed.
A Thousand petals recycles all paper and cardboard as well as
composts the green waste. Flower Shops Dumpsters are overflowing!
Flower shops can generate a lot of trash! Newspaper, boxes and
packaging from flowers is often mixed together with the green
cuttings from the flowers. Many florists do not take the time
to sort the tremendous mess that flowers can make.
Organic flowers, though limited in comparison to the varieties
of conventionally grown flowers, are a conscious way to support
the practice of Organic Flower Farming. Organic produce and
foods are continuing to become more available because people
supported the practice by purchasing the product. This trend
will also grow in the flower industry when people realize their
part. Since people do not ingest flowers (generally) they do
not concern themselves with whether or not pesticides and other
chemicals were used. But the impact of the non organic flower
farming is dangerous as run off from these chemicals seeps into
the ground and ground water and the air also becomes contaminated.
Flowers may be grown next to food crops and villages. Fields
may be rotated from flowers to foods leaving the chemicals in
the soil.....
A Thousand Petals honors flowers and goes to great effort to
maintain the balance that has given us this beauty. Not to exploit
these natural treasures, but to enjoy and receive their blessings."
- Michelle Tomyuk
Seabreeze Organic Farm,
San Diego
Vital Zuman, Malibu
Edible flowers and limited cut flowers
www.localharvest.org
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