TigerFlowers

AP: Monday, August 29. President calls for moratorium on "hunkering."

2011-08-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC. In his first news conference since Hurricane Irene ravaged the east coast of the US, President Obama today called on all Americans to "join me in a voluntary moratorium to stop the overuse of the word, 'hunkering.'" According to the President, "It's a very silly word, and I think we can all agree we've heard far too much of it in the past 48 hours." The President gave assurances that no legislation was contemplated at this time, but "it remains an option if CNN and The Weather Channel can't give it up. I mean, really. What does it even mean?"
In answer to a question by a correspondent from FOX News concerning the abrogation of the people's right to hunker, the President responded, "Get over yourselves. Please."

Big-assed tropical storm imperils local florist!

2011-08-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Nice day for a zombie wedding....

2011-08-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

I wish we could have gotten the call to do the flowers.

Best wedding photos ever.

Green Weddings at the Green Bride Guide

2011-08-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

We are a part of a very cool consortium of wedding professionals who specialize in green/eco-friendly weddings and celebrations. Check us out on the Green Bride Guide, along with other vendors who are similarly committed to helping couples celebrate their values within their wedding ceremonies.

Tiger Lily by Encke and Tiger Weddings on the Green Bride Guide:
http://www.greenbrideguide.com/vendor/tiger-lily-encke

Bird feeder sunflower thrives in Teaneck

2011-08-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

Breaking news: A solitary sunflower seed somehow escaped the sparrows at the bird feeder outside of Tiger Lily, and its glorious progeny is now in bloom. We'll collect the seeds and see if we can make it happen next year. (It's been a slow month around here....)

Tiger Weddings - at the Tribeca Rooftop

2011-07-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

The Tribeca Rooftop at 2 Desbrosses Street in lower Manhattan, remains one of Tiger Lily's favorite venues for weddings. The skylights and rooftop access combine for a stunning view of the river and terrific lighting for floral work. These photos are from a recent wedding. The palette was drawn from the iridescence of peacock hurl. Our bride went for a tamed wild look with textural variety. We thought she had some great ideas, and we did our best to implement her vision.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150330735730329.394492.214296545328&l=c9990aecc8

Will all of this soon be a bad memory?

2011-03-02T13:46:00.000-08:00


A crevasse on Queen Anne Road near Encke Flowers.

Yes, we know it's March and all. Baseball's spring training has been underway for a couple of weeks now. Spring, by rights, should just around the corner. By writing that, did I just put a hex on the whole enterprise? We managed to get through the Valentine's Day holiday relatively unscathed, weather-wise (always a worry for florists...) and we're looking forward to Passover, Easter and Mother's Day. What are the chances the snow is over?

I've had some spirited debates with some of my customers who asserted that this past winter is proof positive that global warming is a myth. It's hard for some folks to deal with facts when ideology is clouding the picture. I'm definitely not saying that the Left is immune to ideologically-based perceptual distortions, but the Right's adamant refusal to accept the obvious in the case of climate change is a classic case of "my mind's made up, don't confuse me with the facts..." I mean, even former Governor Schwarzenegger in California says it's time to deal with the crisis. (Or has his proximity to a Kennedy warped his Reaganesque sensibility?)

The instability of the climate has wreaked havoc with the floral industry this season, with cold snaps affecting the California crops such as snapdragons and stock. Rose prices are higher than ever based on a lack of rainfall in Colombia and Ecuador prior to the huge Valentine's Day harvest.

Fittingly, perhaps, the social/political upheaval in the Middle Eastern and North African oil producing countries is driving fuel costs and therefore flower costs ever higher. Fuel is a huge percentage of the overall cost inputs in cut flower production. Cheap fuel and cheap labor are the key ingredients to making flower growers base themselves in South America. When the cost of these inputs start to go up substantially, we may begin to see a resurgence to local greenhouse flower production in the US. Encke Flowers used to work acres of greenhouses in Bogota, producing for the flower market in Manhattan. After 105 years in business and the disappearance of the greenhouses, I'm wondering if I should be looking for suitable properties to start growing again...

Encke Flowers at its original location on East Fort Lee Road in Bogota, NJ. Circa 1920.

Designing away the winter...

2011-02-24T12:51:00.000-08:00

Trying for that "sand between my toes" feeling... Is it really still February? Jeez.
Our designers at Tiger Lily keep making tropical designs (me included) no matter what our customers order. It might become a problem. These birds of paradise are some of the most beautiful specimens I've seen all year. We'll be getting more this week. Lucky customers!

Wedding photos from The Liberty Warehouse, Red Hook, Brooklyn

2011-02-23T15:35:00.000-08:00

Here are some great photographs from one of Tiger Lily's weddings from last summer. This wedding took place at the newly renovated Liberty Warehouse in Red Hook, Brooklyn - a converted warehouse space first built on New York Harbor in the 1850s.. Owned and operated by the City Cafe, this gorgeous new venue is the coolest place in which we've had the chance to work.

The main attraction is an unparalleled view of the Harbor. The Statue of Liberty is looking right at you (actually over your shoulder towards her beloved France...)
The table centerpieces are manzanita branches with miniature cymbidium orchids affixed to the branch ends. The bases are composed of peonies, white gerberas, antique hydrangea, and vintage pink roses. The effect was not unlike cherry blossoms.

The Meaning of Roses. Part 6: Lilac and Lavender

2011-02-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

Lilac and Lavender

This is a great Valentine's Day flower. Thought to be almost mystical in nature, with symbolism tied to enchantment, desire and even proceeding cautiously, it’s not surprising that lilac and purple roses send a message of love at first sight.

All shades of purple roses can seem improbable and may lead one to thoughts of possible magic spells, charms and enchantments placed upon the rose to bring out such a unique color. Lilac, lavender and purple roses are often sent to show that the sender is enchanted or bewitched by the recipient. It could be the precursor to falling in love.

Because shades of lavender and lilac are not common in roses, receiving one can show that someone thinks the recipient is unique and rare. A lilac rose may represent the mysterious and unknown, wonder and magic, or the impossible. If you receive a lilac rose, you will know that the sender truly treasures you for your unique qualities. Lavender and lilac can also represent discretion and control. Most of us lack both those qualities when it comes to love and romance. Maybe the flowers will help.

The Meaning of Roses (and Life). Part 5: Orange

2011-01-31T12:05:00.000-08:00

Orange.

It rhymes with "Passion." Sort of. Well, not at all, actually, but what does it rhyme with? Blancmange?

With their warm, vibrant tones, orange roses symbolize enthusiasm and desire. If you’re looking for a way to express admiration and attraction - with an underlying message of passion and excitement - then send a bouquet filled with these fiery blooms.

Tiger Lily carries two varieties of variegated orange roses: Circus, and High and Magic. When mixed with red roses, the effect is incendiary. Another great Valentine's Day alternative. Order your Valentine's Day flower delivery before February 7 and we'll give you free delivery in Teaneck, Hackensack and the surrounding zip codes. I swear!

The Meaning of Roses. Part 4: Pink, and Passionately Pink (Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

2011-01-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

Pink.

Symbolizing gentility, femininity, elegance and refinement, the pink rose also carries additional meanings depending on its hue. A deep pink conveys gratitude and appreciation, while pale shades connote grace and gentleness, admiration and happiness. Pink roses are also some of the few varieties that have retained their fragrance. Advanced breeding techniques that usually select for size, insect resistance, and longevity seem to select against fragrance. Not so for our Big Pinks. If you want the stink, go with pink. I just made that up. I swear.

Doesn't necessarily say, "Hello, Kitty." Recently, pink has also become the color of Breast Cancer Awareness made popular by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Guys who are into the NFL found this out during football season when they saw their teams running around in pink shoes. Be sure to check out the other creative ideas to raise awareness and badly needed funds for breast cancer at Passionately Pink.

So, sending pink is very cool. Tiger Lily has you covered for Valentine's Day.

The Meaning of Roses, Part 3: Yellow [The Semiotic Subtexts of Floral Gestures]

2011-01-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

In this ongoing series by Tiger Lily Flowers, we hope to provide the semiotic subtexts of rose-giving. Ahem, that is, how not to screw up come Valentine's Day. We covered red and white, the easy colors. Now we get into the lesser known color symbolism. Apologies to Roland Barthes and Sigmund Freud.

Yellow

While in Victorian times, the yellow rose symbolized jealousy, today it represents friendship, joy and caring. A bouquet of these sun-inspired blossoms conveys warmth, gladness and affection. In other words, these lemony babies are a safe bet if you are trying to avoid going overboard. I mean, with all of this Winter Wonderland thing going on, who wouldn't want some references to sunshine and the promise of spring?

Choosing something other than red can also show that you actually thought beyond the perfunctory. You get points for that - unless your recipient has made of point of telling you how much s/he doesn't care for yellow, in which case you should be moving on anyway. [Pay attention to your lack of paying attention. It's your subconscious telling you that you if you by-pass your libido, you don't actually care that much.]

The Meaning of Roses, Part 2: White Roses

2011-01-26T14:16:00.000-08:00

White

Representing, humility, purity and innocence, the white rose - often referred to as the bridal rose - is associated with young love. In Scotland, when the white rose bloomed in autumn, it was seen as a token of early marriage. Also symbolizing truth and reverence, it sends a message of loyalty and says "I am worthy of you," (as opposed to the genuflecting, Wayne's World "I'm not worthy..."). Send white roses if you are recently engaged, are soon to be married, or if you are trying to summon up the aura of new marriage. Interestingly, white is also the international symbol of surrender. Hmmm...
Whatever flag you are flying on Valentine's Day, Tiger Lily is ready to deliver for you.

The Meaning of Roses (A public service so's you don't screw up on VDay...)

2011-01-26T09:18:00.000-08:00

Red

OK, this one's easy: there’s nothing secret about the red rose’s symbolism of love. Valentine’s Day would hardly exist without this bold and dramatic bloom. The ultimate symbol of romantic love and enduring passion, the red rose also conveys respect and the creative spirit of love. Representing true love stronger than thorns, the red rose is known universally as the lover’s rose. Handle this with care in most instances. If it's early in the relationship, and you still ain't sure about it, you might consider a mixed color arrangement. Or just go for it. Tiger Lily Flowers has got your back.

Vote for me. I will make your wildest dreams come true.

2011-01-24T13:37:00.000-08:00

Napoleon Dynamite is one of our favorite movies. We shamelessly copped this line.

These stunning Ecuadorian "Rosita Vendela" roses are some of the finest we've found anywhere. They are guaranteed to make your wildest dreams come true.* (*See disclaimer below.)

*DISCLAIMER: While it is true that our roses have been known to enhance intimacy and inspire great feelings of love and affection, we cannot guarantee in all instances that said roses will have the desired effects. Your dreams may be wilder than average, and therefore we cannot be responsible for disappointing results where expectations exceeded the limits of reason or reality. I mean, come on, they're flowers, for God's sake...We're designers, Jim, not miracle workers.
If you are under a doctor's care for heart conditions or other serious health problems, please consult your physician before applying these roses, as they may cause an unsafe elevation in heart rate and respiration. And always use safe sex practices when under the influence of roses.

Tiger Lily Flowers (Tiger Lily by Encke) will be delivering Saturday and Sunday before Valentine's Day, in addition to the big day itself. We're open extended hours all weekend, so there's no excuse. Visit us at 569 Cedar Lane in Teaneck or online at Tiger lily's website.

Man, I love tulips.

2011-01-21T13:23:00.000-08:00

Having just gotten our latest shipment of tulips from Holland, I'm ready to fight anyone who doesn't like tulips.

It's easy to see how the world's first speculative bubble was created in the Dutch tulip market in 1637. I have to admit, I would have lost my shirt - or wooden shoes.

The hues of these flowers are so deliciously intense you could just take a bite out of them.

Come visit our tulips at Tiger Lily Flowers on Cedar Lane in Teaneck or visit us on our Facebook page.

Thinking about Valentine's Day... already

2011-01-18T13:07:00.000-08:00

Everyone who is remotely involved in the flower business is thinking hard about Valentine's Day. We're in the thick of it - reviewing last year's numbers, making predictions for this year, pricing and ordering roses. Tiger Lily is also busy training some new designers. Jennifer, the newest member of our team is shown at left perfecting the subtle art of the dozen rose vase arrangement. Not bad for a nube! (A bit heavy on the baby's breath, though...)

While it looks like prices for roses will be higher than ever, we have found sources for farm-direct shipments of the most exquisite Ecuadorian long stems we've ever found. Ponte Tresa is our favorite Ecuadorian rose farm, carrying both Fair Trade and organic certifications.

It may seem a bit far off, but consider ordering your Valentine's Day arrangements early. It helps to ensure that your arrangements reach your intended early in the day, and gives our designers time to do their best, rather than doing last-minute work with sleep deprivation.

Stay tuned: we will be posting our updated version of "The Man's Guide to Valentine's Day," as well as some new coupons for the February 15th Knucklehead Special Rose Sale (with a 50% mark-up for those who didn't order their roses in time.)

Tiger Lily by Encke and Encke Flowers are both located in Teaneck, NJ and deliver the highest quality organic flowers to Teaneck, Hackensack, Englewood, Bogota, Ridgefield Park, Leonia, Fort Lee, and most parts of Bergen County and northern New Jersey. Call us for your Valentine's Day deliveries! (201-287-1800).

Celebrating our favorite national holiday... Happy Birthday, Martin.

2011-01-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

Photo credit: Benedict. J. Fernandez

"An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We join with millions of people worldwide in celebrating the life of a true soldier for justice and warrior for peace.

Circa 1955: Encke's Greenhouses on Fort Lee Road in Bogota, NJ.

2011-01-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

Encke Flowers, circa 1955.

This is a photo of our old location on Fort Lee Road. Under a layer of snow, you can see the greenhouses in the background. The Encke family started the business in 1906 and sold flowers in Manhattan's flower district - chrysanthemums, carnations, sweet pea, spray roses and other flowers that were in demand during the early part of the twentieth century. Through the window of the greenhouse in the foreground you can see large spider and football chrysanthemums.
During World War I, Encke's extensive greenhouses were commandeered by the US Army and used as barracks. The greenhouses are now gone, and Encke Flowers has moved around the corner from Bogota to 281 Queen Anne Road in Teaneck, New Jersey. The flowers once grown in Bogota are now imported from Colombia and Ecuador. The retail end of our business still thrives. If you are ever in the neighborhood, be sure to stop in at Encke and ask Jennifer to show you our photo collection from back in the day.
We are proud to be continuing the tradition of New Jersey's oldest, and we think, best floral retail business. We've expanded our reach and our mission with the opening of Tiger Lily Flowers in the heart of Teaneck's business district. Through so many changes we do our best to bring art and science together in providing northern New Jersey with flowers for the cycle of life.

"The Last Minute" Is Officially Here! For your last minute Christmas shopping...Flowers!

2010-12-22T16:03:00.000-08:00

If, like me, you are paralyzed when it comes to deciding what to do for the famously "hard-to-shop-for" people on your list, allow me to make a suggestion: How about "Flowers for a Month?" Or better still, "Flowers for a Year?" Have your friends, your great love, your family know what it is like to always have fresh flowers in their home.

For the monthly program, Tiger Lily will create 4 superbly designed (OK, all modesty is out the window...) floral arrangements in consultation with you or your recipient and deliver it to their home each week of the month on the day of your choosing. Or, send 12 arrangements, one per month for the entire year. These programs are deeply discounted and include free delivery. We use only organic flowers and Fair Trade certified roses.Call us soon so that we can make the first delivery for you in time for Christmas. There's still time! But not much...

The Botany of Desire

2010-12-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

Having run through most of the Netflix catalogue of films that I have either seen or dismissed, I was recently piqued by a documentary first released by PBS entitled, "The Botany of Desire," based on the book of the same name by Michael Pollan. In short, this brilliant doc elegantly demonstrates how four plant species have manipulated human beings to serve their evolutionary ends. "Little Shop of Horrors'" Audrey II turns out to be more terrestrial in origin. Not so blood-thirsty, either, but from a plant's point of view, just as greedy and self-serving. The apple, the tulip, the potato and cannabis are all thriving species by having developed strategies to disperse their genes by appealing to our species' aesthetic, gustatory, economic, and hedonistic desires. (Wiley lil' devils...)
The film is so well done, you'll forget you're watching a documentary (or PBS), and you'll come away with some great trivia about such things as 1. Where did apples originate? (Answer: Not the Garden of Eden.) 2. What caused the world's first capitalistic speculative bubble? (Answer: The Tulip, 1634.) 3. What plant changed human history more than any other? (Answer: The Potato. Providing enough calories in a half acre to sustain a family for an entire year.) 4. What research has been profoundly advanced by pot? (Answer: The neurophysiology of memory.)
I confess, it is the first time that I have thought about being manipulated by a plant. And I'm a florist.

You will really enjoy this film.
View "The Botany of Desire" online...

Don't be a Christmas cactus assassin...

2010-12-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

Tiger Lily's Guide to Care for Your Christmas Cactus

This is one of Tiger Lily's favorite plant specimens at this (or any) time of year. The blossoming of Schlumbergera bridesii or Zygocactus is a much anticipated event in many households where their owners have learned to care for them. In other, sad homes, they sometimes don't last the winter. We're including some information here so that you don't join the cohort of Christmas cactus assassins.

The first thing you need to know is that this plant is a succulent native to the South American jungles. Christmas cacti are quite different from other cacti and succulents – they are tropicals, not desert plants. They require more water and don't adapt well to drought conditions. Other differences are their preference for mixed rather than direct sunlight and relatively cooler temperatures. It is therefore best to keep these plants away from heaters, fireplaces, radiators, furnace ducts, and other heat sources. Place the cactus in a sunny location while indoors and if outdoors during the summer, find a place that has a sun/shade mix to prevent the plant from getting burned. Watering this type of cactus is sometimes a problem because folks tend to treat them the same as they would a regular desert cactus. Underwatering in this way will stress the plant if it doesn’t kill it outright. Others make the opposite mistake and overwater, causing the plant to rot at the roots. If your plant came to you as a gift and it is still in a lined basket, replant it immediately in a garden pot with a drainage hole.

The best way to be sure your plant is getting just the right amount of water is to wait until the soil is dry on the top and still a bit moist toward the bottom. Then water the plant until the soil is saturated. Drain off any excess water that accumulates on the bottom. Never leave this plant in standing water or with runoff sitting in the overflow tray. Don’t water again until the top half of the soil feels dry to the touch. Well-drained soil is very important. You should purchase potting soil that is designed specifically for cacti. If you can't find cactus potting soil, you can mix two parts regular potting soil with one part sand.

Wholesale growers usually time these cacti’s blooming cycles to peak just before the holidays. To ensure that your cactus will bloom in time for Christmas, you will need to give the cactus a 3 – 4-month rest period. You will want to cut back on the watering, leaving only the top of the soil moist. Stop watering the plant beginning in October, and then begin watering again (don’t saturate) in November. To stimulate the budding process, relocate the plant so that it is in darkness at night and relatively cool temperatures for at least 14 hours per day. The new location should be totally dark for at least 12 hours – no artificial light. Once the buds form, they can take from 10 to 12 weeks to fully bloom. Also make sure the air has enough humidity so the buds don't dry up and fall off.

After the cactus blossoms out and the blooms fall off, you can prune your cactus so that it bushes out instead of becoming vine-like and unmanageable. You'll also find that the cactus will bloom better the following year. As new growth appears in the spring, put a diluted solution of liquid houseplant fertilizer 2 to 3 weeks after the start of the new growth. The cactus should be repotted every 2 to 3 years depending on how depleted the soil is. Repotting should be done in the spring, but if the plant is at risk of dying because of its potting condition, then repotting can be done anytime of the year as needed.

With the proper care, the annual blooming of the Christmas cactus can be a spectacular event at your home, too.

Tiger Lily/Fair Trade vs. Contextual advertising!

2010-12-09T15:14:00.000-08:00

While preparing a pdf version of an otherwise helpful article about Tiger Lily Flowers and other local Fair Trade shops in The Record yesterday ("Fair Trade stores growing in cachet in North Jersey,"), I noticed that on the final page, directly beneath my quote that answered the reporter's question about consumer preferences, northjersey.com's contextual advertising algorithm had positioned an ad for a major online floral order taker/delivery business flacking their $19.99 design-it-yourself flowers-in-a-box. Writing this I realize that I don't dare write the name of the business, or I'll only be creating dynamic back-linkages to boost their site. Don't you love the way the system works?

Tiger Lily Flowers and Fair Trade in the News

2010-12-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

Tiger Lily Flowers and Fair Trade:
We be makin' da news. Again. Be sure to check out this article by Jim Beckerman of The Record:
Fair Trade stores growing in cachet in North Jersey

Kudos to Teaneck, NJ for becoming the US's 21st Fair Trade Town!

Season's Greetings, Y'all

2010-12-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

Greetings from the Shameless Commerce Division of Tiger Lily! The subject of today's post: how to advertise without being part of the seasonal inundation of toxic advertising? Just finished a mass email trying to let folks know what we have in the shop that's new, and I'm feeling sideways guilty about it. What's really a drag is when people you know in other social contexts write back to you with the dreaded UNSUBSCRIBE in the message header.

I would like to thank American Express, the proud sponsors of Small Business Saturday (if you missed it, it was the day after Black Friday, two days before Cyber-Monday). We had our slowest Saturday in months. Was this an anti-Amex backlash?

This capitalism thing can be a conundrum. So, any ideas about how to advertise the Tiger Lily lifestyle without actually advertising?

I'll think of something to send to the best answer. It'll be cool, I swear.

Locked in the refrigawator!

2010-10-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

Some of my customers just aren't happy unless they can get a real close look at the flowers.

Tiger Lily leads a benefit instrument-making workshop at Chabbad House in Teaneck

2010-04-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

Last month our friend, Rabbi Michoel Goldin invited us to Chabbad House in Teaneck to conduct a benefit instrument making workshop with his teen group. In advance we prepared kits for the construction of 35 mbiras (aka kalimbas or thumb pianos) to be donated to the children staying at Shelter Our Sisters - Bergen County's network of shelters for victims of domestic violence and abuse. A speaker from SoS gave a very moving talk about her own experience of domestic abuse while the group worked on their mbiras. Congratulations to Rabbi Goldin for his outstanding work in the community, particularly with this group of teens. Several came to the shop later in the week to help us finish up the mbiras that needed more work. This was a great example of Tikkun Olam ("repairing the world") in action.

Tiger Weddings is up and running. (Like a tiger.)

2010-04-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

Our new website, Tiger Weddings, is up and running. We hope you'll take a look at the site and browse our bridal bouquet, centerpiece and ceremony galleries. Let us know what you think. We're looking forward to a busy wedding season with many brides who are trying to create wedding celebrations that are consistent with their values. We take our role in these celebrations seriously, and enjoy the process of helping couples infuse their weddings with a healthy dose of Style + Green. We're still one of the very few shops in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area that is consistently providing organic and Fair Trade flowers for weddings and special events.

Please feel free to send a link to our site to any prospective brides you might know. The Tigers are waiting!

Our thanks to Eddie Pagan from Buddha Beans Web Design for making it happen.

Happy International Women's Day (March 8)!

2010-03-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

Happy International Women's Day to everyone!

As the floral industry is particularly dependent upon the work of women around the world, we want to take special care to recognize this day - one that is celebrated or honored in most every country except the US. This especially ironic, as much of the momentum for establishing this as an international occasion came as a result of garment worker's strikes in this country at the turn of the twentieth century. The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on NY's Lower East Side (140 women working in sweatshop conditions perished because the doors were locked by the owners) was particularly inspirational for women at that time who fought for women's suffrage and decent working conditions. What a shame that because of such severe anti-socialist and anti-labor sentiment in this country that as a nation we cannot fully join with the the rest of the world in establishing this day as a unique annual and international celebration of women.

One way to promote women's struggles in developing countries is to buy and support Fair Trade. This is can help to ensure that the women working to produce the commodities we enjoy are not being exploited as workers or as women in the workplace.

Tiger Lily Flowers to lead a benefit African instrument-making workshop.

2010-03-03T15:30:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. we're going to be leading a workshop for the teen group at Teaneck's Chabbad House. We're going to show the kids how to make mbiras (or kalimbas as they are sometimes called.) They will finish and tune their instruments and donate them to Shelter Our Sisters, who will distribute them to children staying in their battered women's shelters.
The Chabbad House youth group is led by our good friend, Rabbi Michoel Goldin. We're looking forward to it!

Homage to our founder, Herman Encke.

2009-12-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

Circa 1910, Bogota, New Jersey. The original H. Encke greenhouses on East Fort Lee Road. Standing in foreground: Herman Encke and son, Albert. Herman, a German immigrant, established his business in 1906, growing chrysanthemums and other flowers for the Flower District markets in New York City. He transported his flowers by horse-drawn carriage, taking a ferry to Manhattan from Fort Lee. Encke Flowers is believed to be the oldest continuing retail flower business in New Jersey.

Let us give thanks. Let the flowers be cool....

2009-11-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

We think of flowers the way sculptors do.
We can create floral artwork for your feast.

Let us know what we can make for you: a centerpiece for your holiday table, an entry piece to greet your guests or one of designed-to-order organic hand-tied bouquets to thank your hosts for their hospitality.

Special pieces deserve a little time, so please call us in advance to reserve your floral work for next week.

If you have holiday shopping to do, we encourage you to consider shopping local, and shopping Fair Trade. We have a lot of new Fair Trade certified gifts, jewelry and sports balls in stock at our Cedar Lane store.

Encke Flowers and Tiger Lily by Encke are both a part of the growing Fair Trade movement, featuring Fair Trade certified gifts and varieties of cut flowers. Fair Trade certification means that the flowers or crafts were produced in an environmentally and economically sustainable fashion – that is, it is good for the earth and for the people who do the work. Encke and Tiger Lily are currently the only retail florists in the NY/NJ metropolitan area who sell Fair Trade flowers. For more information about Fair Trade and Fair Trade certification, visit http://www.transfairusa.org/.

Happy Holidays!

New homepage for forthcoming wedding website

2009-11-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

Here is the new look for our forthcoming wedding website. Whatcha think?

Set photos from "Billy Bishop Goes to War"

2009-11-16T12:32:00.001-08:00

Here are some images of our set design for Garage Theatre Group's recent production of "Billy Bishop Goes to War". The show closed yesterday. The director is scouting theaters in NYC for another run.

Tiger Lily does theater, too...

2009-11-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

You might not have guessed it, but we've got a bit of a background in theater. We just completed a set design for new production by the Garage Theatre Group, based at the Becton Theater on the Teaneck Metropolitan Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. We invite you to see "Billy Bishop Goes to War" opening this Thursday, October 29 at 8:00 p.m. This journey follows an otherwise ordinary guy from a small town Canadian town - kind of a screw-up, actually - who became the British Empire's most illustrious flying ace during World War I. His journey takes him from the back woods, down in the trenches, up to the skies, through the halls of Buckingham Palace, and inside the human spirit as he attempts to reconcile his love of flying with the horrors of war. This one-man drama with live musical accompaniment is one of the most successful plays in Canadian history.

Our set includes a replica WWI biplane suspended from the ceiling. (No, it is not made out of carnations.) Pictures to follow!
October 29 - November 15 (Thursday - Saturday, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday matinee at 3:00 p.m.)
Billy Bishop Goes to War
by John Gray with Eric Peterson
directed by Michael Bias
featuring Ryan D. Scott
You can order tickets online at Garage Theatre Group or buy them at the door.
Adults: $37
Seniors/students: $32
We hope to see you there!

Old Timey Flower Shop Blues

2009-09-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

Before a ~~packed stadium~~ ...

In front of a ~~cheering multitude~~....
... an adoring ~~crowd~~ ....

Along with some good friends, our troubador buddy Steve Kelman helped us celebrate the arrival of fall at Encke Flowers in Teaneck last Saturday. Accompanying himself on guitar, mandolin and strumstick, Steve ran through a couple of sets that included some old time blues, bluegrass tunes, his own arrangements of some jazz standards and two of his own compositions. The rest of us grabbed up some of the Fair Trade frame drums and rhythm instruments lying around the shop to accompany him. We couldn't resist.

We started doing these "salon concerts" a couple of years ago when our son was home, studying piano. We still have his upright piano in our shop, and we're keeping the concert tradition going. We hope you get a chance to stop by sometime. If you ever get a chance, be sure to catch Steve Kelman, too. Make sure he plays the strumstick for you.

Drum Circle Welcomes the Fall at Tiger Lily

2009-09-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Rich Reiter led about 20 of us in welcoming the arrival of fall last night at Tiger Lily. We had a terrific time with a variety of djembes, shekeres, doumbeks, tablas, and percussion instruments I've never seen or heard before. When we ran out of chairs, we used upside-down water buckets from the back, and they became drums as well.

Folks just wandered in off the street and grabbed a drum. Nice to put little Teaneck in an uproar. You could hear the polyrhythms up and down Cedar Lane.

On top of it all, we managed to raise some money for All for Africa's "Palm Out Poverty" campaign to promote sustainable agriculture projects across the continent. Very cool.

Tiger Lily and Fair Trade Featured on HouseSmarts TV

2009-09-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

We recorded this segment the day after Mother's Day (note Tim's haggard look...) and it aired on HD Cable in July. We only just found out that it was, in fact, broadcasted, so pardon our delay in getting you the link. You can see what we all missed by going to this link on the HouseSmarts website: http://www.housesmartstv.com/#/Green_Piece// You can access this in the future by clicking on the HouseSmarts "Segments" menu and going to Season 4, Episode 82 under their Green Piece segement.

It wasn't quite 15 minutes of fame, but we're OK with that.

"Palm Out Poverty" in Africa

2009-09-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Tiger Lily and Encke Flowers Join All for Africa’s

“Palm Out Poverty” Campaign

with Benefit Drum Circle,

Solo Blues Salon Concert

and Fair Trade Gift Sale

Drum Circle led by Richard Reiter
Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 p.m.
Tiger Lily by Encke
569 Cedar Lane, Teaneck
$15 donation
201-287-1800

Steve Kelman
Solo Blues Salon Concert
Saturday, September 26, 7:00 p.m.
Encke Flowers and Gifts
281 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck
$10 donation
201-836-1276

Encke Flowers and Tiger Lily by Encke, Teaneck’s Fair Trade gift and flower shops are joining with businesses, foundations and individuals around the country in “Palm Out Poverty Week,” a campaign to support sustainable development in Africa. On Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m., jazz musician/drummer Richard Reiter will host a drum circle at Tiger Lily by Encke, located at 569 Cedar Lane. All for Africa’s Director of Operations, Diane L. Burstein will be on hand to talk about the POP campaign. There is a $15 suggested donation. Then, on Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m., bluesman Steve Kelman will appear in a salon concert at Encke Flowers & Gifts, located at 281 Queen Anne Road in Teaneck. There is a $10 suggested donation. Donations from both events will benefit the Palm Out Poverty campaign. To celebrate Palm Out Poverty Week, Encke and Tiger Lily will be donating 10% of the price of each gift item sold to the POP campaign.

Organized by the nonprofit foundation, All for Africa (http://www.allforafrica.org/) , the Palm Out Poverty initiative seeks to raise money for the planting of palm oil trees in Ghana within 17 Beneficiary Trusts. It is envisioned that each trust will produce $30,000 annually for a number of designated African charities that include clean water projects, education and health care initiatives and reforestation projects.

Rich Reiter, an acclaimed jazz musician and Emmy Award-winning composer has studied African drumming in Senegal, and has led drum circles around the country including New Jersey venues such as the Puffin Cultural Forum, Outpost in the Burbs, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Montclair's First Night. Rich, who is more well-known as a jazz saxophonist and composer, has performed with his ensembles internationally. He was recently acknowledged in a New York Times feature as one of the area's busiest drum circle leaders.

This is Rich Reiter’s second drum circle at Tiger Lily. No musical training is necessary. Rich brings many drums and percussion instruments for everyone to use if you don't have one yourself. Tiger Lily also carries a selection of Fair Trade drums and percussion instruments for those who would like to buy their own.

Steve Kelman performs a mix of blues, bluegrass, rock, and folk. Mostly known for his curation of folk series and festivals for Outpost in the Burbs, the Puffin Cultural Forum and other venues, Steve has also taken the stage, accompanying Hudson River storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Along with guitar, he also plays mandolin and a three-stringed instrument called a strumstick.

Fair Trade Month coming in October...

2009-09-08T13:07:00.001-07:00

Fair Trade Month is observed in October. It is an opportunity to ponder, chat, google, text, twitter, email, network, organize and conversate face-to-facebook about the principles of Fair Trade. 11 cities and towns across the country have organized and proclaimed themselves "Fair Trade Towns," seeking to promote the purchase of Fair Trade certified agricultural commodities and goods wherever these goods are imported from developing countries. We support the efforts of towns like Burlington, Vermont, Media, Pennsylvania, Northampton and Amherst, Massachusetts in becoming Fair Trade Towns and we look forward to making this happen in Bergen County. Anyone out there interested in helping? To get an idea of what's involved, check out the websites: http://fairtradetownsusa.org/ and http://fairtrademonth.org/ and then give us a call or send an email: tigerlilyflower@optonline.net.

Tiger Lily on the Telly-vision...

2009-05-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

We all knew it was just a matter of time: Tiger Lily making it big.

Well, sort of. Last Monday we entertained a film crew from NBC's HD program, HouseSmarts, hosted by the Today Show's home and garden expert, Lou Manfredini (http://www.housesmartstv.com/).

This installment, part of their regular segment they call "Green Piece," will feature Fair Trade and where consumers can purchase Fair Trade products. It will air in late June or early July.

We are very grateful to producer Tina Cowles who found us, Darbi Worley, who asked the tough questions ("Why Fair Trade?") and their crew. They shot lots of B-roll of our Fair Trade products including our FT flowers, sports equipment from Fair Trade Sports, and our recycled materials gift collection. The best part for us was being able to supply photographs of our artisans, such as Orapin In-Aksorn from the Fuen Fu ("Rehabilitation") collective in northern Thailand. We're imagining what it will be like for some these folks to see themselves and their work on television and the web.

We're sending a huge shout out to One World Flowers, Larry's Beans and David Atlas of Artisans Emporia who helped us get our shelves stocked for a tv shoot the day after Mother's Day.

We'll keep you posted on the eventual air time and how you can see the segment over and over and over again on the "innernet."

Tiger Lily and Fair Trade Sports

2009-05-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Fair Trade Sports.

We've seen the exposes about baseballs and footballs made by child labor in Haiti. Seems like a big contradiction to have our 8 year-old Little Leaguers trying to wack a sweatshop baseball made by 8 year-olds in Haiti.

Tiger Lily is now carrying a selection of soccer balls, basketballs, footballs (American) and frisbees created by Fair Trade Sports (http://www.fairtradesports.com/). The quality is first-rate, and even better, their products are Fair Trade certified, vegan, and union-made. Most of the equipment is made by adult labor in Pakistan, using latex from ecologically managed rubber plantations. Emblazoned with the logo, "RESPECT," these balls carry their message where people are serious about their sport.

Stop into our store on Cedar Lane in Teaneck to see our new line of Fair Trade Sports balls and frisbees. Or check out FTS's website and blog for more information. Play on. Fairly.

Spring Greetings from Tiger Lily!

2009-04-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

Spring Greetings from Tiger Lily.

(Or Tigers and Lilies.)

The daffodils up are blooming in front of our store, and the forsythia is coming out across the street by the bank. The whole shop smells like hyacinth, and it's definitely not Tim's cologne. Spring is for real.

We are busy preparing our orders for Pesach and Easter, both coming up next week.We have many new Fair Trade gifts at both of our stores, and we're now carrying at least five different varieties of Ecuadorian Fair Trade certified roses. We are the only floral retail shops who are doing this in the entire NY/NJ metro area.

We are happy to offer complimentary delivery for centerpieces or other floral orders for Passover or Easter (-- a $10 value on orders over $35.) You can honor your dinner hosts or family with a centerpiece arranged with the freshest flowers available outside your own garden. And buying Fair Trade means that the families of flower workers in Ecuador also have reason to celebrate.

Call us now to set up your delivery for next week. Or visit us at either Encke Flowers (281 Queen Anne Road) or Tiger Lily (569 Cedar Lane) in Teaneck.

We look forward to seeing you.

Happy Spring!

What we mean by "floral sculpture"...

2009-03-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

This image from our portfolio is an example of how floral design is consistent with the principles of sculpture. Some artists refer to this work as "ephemeral sculpture." (We prefer to limit this term to site-specific sculptural works that make use of indigeous flora and found natural objects.)

Like any successful sculptural piece, there must be a coherent design concept, and in interplay of space, form and inferred energy.

I think this particular arrangement "works" for these reasons. The gravity of the black base and dense foliage is an anchor point for the opposing energies of the tulips reaching to the left, and the white roses and dried wheat grass that lift upwards to the right. The curly willow occupies or envelopes an extent of vertical space that also anchors the piece along a centerline that allow the decided leftward pull of the tulips. There is a kinetic tug-of-war going on along this axis that creates excitement for the viewer, and encourages the eye to travel to each of the elements around the circumference of an implied orbit. The yellow gerbera at the center of this miniature galaxy is the focal point, but it is rivaled by the cluster of wheat grass reaching directly towards the viewer. There is harmony in the assymetry.

Artisan Emporia Fair Trade gifts now on sale at Tiger Lily

2009-03-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

Tiger Lily welcomes Artisan Emporia to its roster of Fair Trade gift vendors.

From Artisan Emporia's website: "Our mission is to bring unique and beautiful products from artisans all over the world to North America. We work with innovative artists and cooperatives from many different countries to bring you one of-a-kind creations that are exquisitely designed and handcrafted. We work closely with our artisans to ensure that the products are of the highest quality using environmentally sustainable practices. We employ the standards of Fair Trade as articulated by the Fair Trade Federation to ensure that the artisans we work with receive an honest and fair price for their products while sustainably preserving their cultural traditions. Artisan Emporia also seeks to provide maximum transparency between our artisans, and you, the purchaser. To this end, we proudly document our work and travel across the world to share with you, in the hope that together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of artisans through our purchases and cultural understanding."

Recycled Paper Products, RPP, is a green company that repurposes paper waste into fun animal and exquisite flower shapes as shown in the photo to the right. RPP uses only waste paper – newspapers, magazines, and telephone books – in addition to dyes and household wire to create these inventive, colorful, and practical designs. RPP uses the inspiration it gets from the exotic plant, insect, and animal life found in Southeast Asia to design its products.

Started in the poor Bangkok neighborhood of Din Daeng, RPP currently employs 30 women, many of who are single mothers or in low-income households. In 2003, RPP was honored at the IFAT (the World Fair Trade Organization) Biennial Conference for its “best new adaptation of traditional designs and skills.” Some members of RPP are pictured below:

Within the next few months we will be hosting truck sales by Artisan Emporia and other Fair Trade and American crafts vendors. If you would like to be notified about these events at our shops, please contact us to be put on our email list: tigerlilyflower@optonline.net.

Be well.

Fair Trade Roses! You could just eat them. (Actually, since they're organic, you probably could...)

2009-03-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

Wow. These are some of the most beautiful roses we have ever had in our shop. And they come with a Fair Trade label on every stem.

This means that they were raised organically, and 13% of the farm's gate price was returned to the workers for education and health care for them and their families.

Our Fair Trade roses come to us direct from the farm in Ecuador through One World Flowers. We are grateful to Alaina Paradise from One World who is working hard to make Fair Trade flowers more readily available to consumers. You can order direct from them or stop by our stores in Teaneck (Encke Flowers or Tiger Lily) to see what roses are supposed to look like!

2009-02-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

(Cartoon courtesy of onebean.com)

Doghouse Extrication Service

If you somehow didn't manage to take care of business on Valentine's Day, we are here to help you.

Encke Flowers and Tiger Lily Flowers are now online with an exclusive Doghouse Extrication Service. Armed with our full array of flowers and fair trade gifts and chocolate to pry you out of the toughest jam. Come see us in Teaneck or visit us online!

Valentine's Day Stimulus Package

2009-02-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of the Huffington Post. (Brilliant red gerbera daisies, with some guys talking.)

Taking Leadership: Let flowers be a part of your personal Valentine's Day stimulus package.

At Tiger Lily Flowers, we hope to be a part of your very personal Valentine's Day Stimulus Program. (The flowers and gifts part, that is. For the rest of it, you're on your own.)

Stimulate away!

Remembering flower workers on Valentine's Day

2009-02-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Video clip courtesy of TransFairUSA

When remembering your beloved this Valentine's Day, give some thought as well to the women and men who tend and cut the roses you send. Fair Trade farms guarantee their workers a sustainable living (different than a "minimum wage"). This includes education, childcare, and protection from abusive conditions for women. It also means that your roses are organically cultivated - preserving the planet and protecting the health of flower workers, florists and your own family. Did you know that the average rose from a flower shop has been sprayed with up to 200 times the amount of pesticides normally applied to fruits and vegetables? The Fair Trade movement, much more advanced and well-known in the European Union countries, is making great strides in promoting organic farming techniques, biodiversity, and protecting the health and quality of life of the people who do the work.

Tiger Lily Flowers and Encke Flowers in Teaneck, NJ are two of 3 florists in the entire NY/NJ metropolitan area that provide Fair Trade and organic flowers on a consistent basis.

We also carry an extensive line of Fair Trade certified jewelry and crafts. On this Valentine's Day, give a gift that gives back in manifold ways.

Superbowl XLIII: The View from Jersey

2009-02-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

The New Jersey Worldview:

After an elaborate warm-up act, the Boss played one of his shortest sets ever.

He didn't play "Rosalita."

The Heterosexual Man's Guide to Navigating Valentine's Day

2009-01-31T10:04:00.001-08:00

Here are a few tips for those encumbered with an XY chromosome-induced abnormality that translates into moronic thinking when it comes to relationships:

1. Valentine’s Day may be a Hallmark-manufactured, floral industry-driven artificial merchandizing holiday, but unless you are among the self-actualized guys we sometimes hear of who buy their sweethearts flowers or gifts on a weekly basis, “just because…,” you ignore Valentine’s Day at your peril.

2. Let’s face it: we are emotionally ill-formed and downright stupid when it comes to understanding women.. It goes against our nature, be it chromosomal or socialization (our mother’s fault.) Grasping this truth is the first step to getting it right.

3. If you have just started dating, and it is your first Valentine’s Day, be careful not to overwhelm. Don’t scare the poor girl. Lavish deliveries of 3 dozen roses, large white musical teddy bears, accompanied by boxes of chocolate to a woman working in a small office do not signal “love.” They cry out, “desperate.”

4. However, if you have been dating for some time, and generally things are going well, a delivery of an elegant vase of roses or other flowers to your honey at her place of work says to her (and her co-workers) that she is loved and appreciated. Nice. You don’t need to make a spectacle, just a solid statement.

5. Roses are cool, but they don’t show much thought or inspiration. There are other flowers out there. Work with your florist and use your imagination. Think for a bit about the flowers that she likes. Pay attention! A dozen red roses is almost the token minimum, saying, “At least I remembered.” You won’t get major points, although in some cases you could get serious deductions for not hearing her when she said she loves yellow roses.

6. If you’ve been together for several years (living together or not) and you still haven’t gotten engaged, you are treading on dangerous ground. Most men in this situation, direly scared of commitment (face it, you can’t even pronounce the word without stammering: “commmi..mmii…mmnnuh..ment”) have convinced themselves that not getting engaged is “what we both want,” and “she’s cool with it…” It is the rare case among the enlightened and self-actualized that this is actually true. 99% of the time this is pure male self-delusion. Our capacity for convenient thinking is unbounded. It may also be chromosomal, a tiny gene residing on the Y chromosome next to the gene that keeps us desiring Harleys or Corvettes or that keeps us leaving the seat to the toilet up. If you are in this relational netherworld, be warned: Valentine’s Day is still important, and unless you are about to use the opportunity to pop the question, you better make it good.

7. If you have been married for several years, a single rose will not be considered romantic by your wife. It is romantic only if accompanied by a set of stunning diamond earrings, or if you are suffering dire economic straits. For married guys, a single rose on Valentine’s Day for the wife more often says, “I’m cheap, and I know you know, and I don’t care that you know.” You’re lucky she let’s you sleep on the sofa.

8. The flowers are important, but The Card rules. Don’t rely on Hallmark or stock VD verses to convey your message. Three or four ungrammatical, misspelled sentences that say something real about how you feel is more important than anything material that you might give to her. She might dry the roses and they could stick around until spring cleaning, but the card will go into her best drawer. That card may save you someday when she’s seriously considering changing the locks.

9. Be kind to your florist. Order in advance! You cannot order flowers on Valentine’s Day itself and expect the delivery to get there when you think it should get there. Even FedEx (the authors of just-in-time expectations) require 24 hours for a delivery. If you are good enough to order flowers for delivery on Valentine’s Day, be clear with your florist if there is a definite delivery time. And don’t assume that they will get there during business hours if you haven’t been clear the address is a business. If she works in an office, make sure you give the name of the business, the floor number, the suite number, and find out if there is security in the building that a driver might have to contend with. That stuff is really helpful.

10. Shop local. avoid ProFlowers.com and their ilk that are being pushed on sports talk radio. ProFlowers will send the roses wrapped in paper along with a vase next to them in the box. Your wife or girlfriend will then get to do the arranging, which she may not know how to do or enjoy doing. ProFlowers also sends via FedEx who will simply leave the box on the doorstep if she is not home. In weather with temperatures below freezing, your sweetie will come home to frozen, brown-edged roses that will die as soon as they thaw.

11. Buy Fair Trade/organic whenever possible. You don't want to bring pesticides into the equation. They might further damage that precious Y chromosome.

12. And finally, don’t shop for your wife and your girlfriend at the same flower shop. Don’t put your florist in that position. In this situation, message cards have a strange way of getting themselves mixed up.

2009-01-30T15:01:00.000-08:00

Fair Trade Roses

for Valentine's Day

-a gift that gives back.

Valentine's Day is coming fast! Although we aren't particularly crazy about artificially-induced, overly commercialized and super-hyped holidays, St. Valentine was, after all, a prisoner, and the day is, ostensibly, about love. It is possible to do the right thing by your sweetie, as well as by the people who do the work.

Tiger Lily is one of two retail florists in the entire New York/New Jersey metropolitan area that sells Fair Trade certified and organic flowers. Fair Trade is an internationally recognized certification that guarantees that the flowers were produced on farms that provide their workers a real living wage, child care, education and training, and secure the rights of women. It also means that they are either using exclusively organic farming techniques (sparing their workers and us from pesticide exposure) or are making demonstrable progress in that direction.

We order our Fair Trade roses from two farms in Kenya. In high-volume seasons such as this, we must give the growers two weeks notice since our flowers are cut to order and shipped to us within 24 hours. It doesn't get any fresher that that. If you would like to order Fair Trade roses for Valentine's Day, give us a call or email us with your order to ensure that we have your flowers in stock.

We also carry a full line of Fair Trade certified gifts and jewelry at our Cedar Lane store, along with a whole range of flowers from around the world.We look forward to hearing from you.

And we also hope that you don't find yourself in the store on February 15th for our "Doghouse Special" (3 dozen roses for a whole lot of money!)

Drum Circle...We had a blast!

2008-12-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

Richard Reiter, pictured here with his djembe, helped guide the return trip to spring at our Winter Solstice Drum Circle tonight. About 20 of us got together with an assortment of djembes, dumbeks, tambores, talking drums and cowbells to chase away the cold of December and the recent round of snow and ice storms. This was the perfect antidote also to the depressing events on the economic front. We were all reminded of how good it is for people to get together in one room and make music together. There is something undeniably primal about it - to participate in something our species has done for millenia.

How strangely remarkable that two local newspapers came to cover the strange phenomenon (people playing music together at the height of the retail season.)
Stop shopping! Make music!

Next month we'll move to the larger quarters at Encke Flowers for a salon concert.

We're looking forward to the spring, when we can move the circle outside of Tiger Lily and take over the streets of Teaneck.

A shoe in the hand...

2008-12-16T15:36:00.000-08:00

.....is worth two at the Bush.

HFS!

Drum Circle and Fair Trade Sale

2008-12-14T10:18:00.001-08:00

Don't miss our Winter Solstice Spiritual Drum Circle on Sunday, December 21, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.! The store will be open from 12:00- 4:00 p.m. for a special last-minute holiday Fair Trade gift sale (and of course, flowers.)

The drum circle leader, Richard Reiter, has conducted drum circles all over the NY metro area. He'll bring his own drums in case you don't have your own. Tiger Lily also has some beautiful Fair Trade drums available if you want to purchase one. This promises to be a hugely uplifting event for all of us who are rooting for Planet Earth as she makes the big turn around the sun. There is a $10 suggested donation. We'll have refreshments, too.

Happy Thanksgiving (Native American Solidarity Day)!

2008-11-26T11:52:00.000-08:00

What kinds of flowers would you use to celebrate Thanksgiving from the Native American perspective? It is a puzzle. I'm thinking rose stems with many thorns. Briars. Nettles and thistle.

And sage, to burn as an offering and for purification.

Free Leonard Peltier. It's long overdue.

Tiger Lily's Winter Solstice Drum Circle

2008-11-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

There is nothing quite like the experience of a drum circle to help you feel exuberantly and powerfully alive! Holiday revelers may welcome the Winter Solstice and the arrival of Hanukkah by joining in a Spiritual Drum Circle at Tiger Lily on Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m. No musical training is necessary. The drum circle will be led by master drummer Rich Reiter. Rich brings many drums and percussion instruments for everyone to use if you don't have one yourself. Tiger Lily also carries a selection of Fair Trade drums and percussion instruments for those who would like to buy their own. A $10 donation is requested. Refreshments will be served. Tiger Lily is located at 569 Cedar Lane in Teaneck (at the intersection of Cedar Lane and Lincoln Place.)

The Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year, when the northern hemisphere is at its furthest distance from the sun – has been celebrated by cultures around the world, throughout human history. Drumming and dance are often a part of the festivities. Tiger Lily’s Drum Circle will be an opportunity for anyone and everyone to discover how profoundly moving it can be to drum together in a group. Leader Rich Reiter will teach basic rhythms and drumming techniques for the uninitiated and talk about the cultural histories of drums and spiritual drumming.

Rich Reiter, an acclaimed jazz musician and Emmy Award-winning composer has studied African drumming in Senegal, and has led drum circles around the country including New Jersey venues such as the Puffin Cultural Forum, Outpost in the Burbs, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Montclair’s First Night. Rich, who is more well-known as a jazz saxophonist and composer, has performed with his ensembles internationally. He was recently acknowledged in a New York Times feature as one of the area’s busiest drum circle leaders.

Drummers and last-minute shoppers may also enjoy other great holiday bargains throughout the day from Tiger Lily’s selection of Fair Trade certified gifts and jewelry crafted by artisans from around the world.

Fifteen Things I Learned on the Campaign Trail*

2008-11-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

By Sarah Palin

1.The vice president is customarily listed second on the ticket.

2. A size 4 in an Escada is more like a 2 in a Valentino.

3. The prime minister of Canada is Stephen Harper.

4. The premier of Quebec is Jean Charest.

5. How to pronounce “nuclear.”

6. I need to find a better security question for my Yahoo! Account.

7. Real plumbers join unions.

8. We are not at war with Iran.

9. Afghanistan is not a neighbor of the United States.

10. The vice president is not in charge of the Senate.

11. The First Amendment protects the press from politicians, not the other way around.

12. The New York Times, the Washington Post and the Anchorage Daily News are all newspapers, and many people read them.

13. “Going rogue” is not necessarily a good thing, either for elephants or Republicans.

14. What a community organizer does.

15. And I found out who the real Barack Obama is: He’s the President-elect of the United States of America.

*copyrighted by Tim Blunk

Fall Back - Time Change Arrangements

2008-11-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Time for a Change

Just in time for the election and the end of Daylight Savings...

Here is an arrangement in our showcase, using fall hardy chrysanthemums (NJ grown, organic), orange gerberas, and the last of the season's NJ sunflowers. We created a "bower" with a stem of myrtle, along with a wire-wrapped spray of beargrass. The intersecting circles emerging from the square vase create a more contemporary look to merge with the more traditional fall colors.

You can find these arrangements and many more in our two Teaneck locations: Tiger Lily Flowers on Cedar Lane, and Encke Flowers on Queen Anne Road.

The florist and community ritual...

2008-10-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

Tiger Lily is located in Teaneck, home to a growing and vibrant observant Jewish population. We are nearing the end of the Jewish High Holy Days, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot and Simcha Torah. Much of our business centers around Shabbat on Fridays, when men customarily stop in to buy flowers for their wives, often accompanied by exuberant children, calling out "Shabbat Shalom! Good Shabbos!"

I have been struck by the unique position that a florist occupies in the community. We have the opportunity to assist or facilitate so many varied rituals. In the Teaneck community, where there are 40 different languages spoken at the local middle school, there is a wealth of such rituals - it is a full-time occupation to try and keep track of them all and to comprehend their significance. We are privileged, indeed.

So much of the floral industry's trade journals concentrate on marketing, maximizing profit and high-tech tracking of COGs (cost-of-goods). I have yet to see anyone write about quiet pleasure of assisting a family in celebrating their gratefulness for being and for each other, or the role of the florist as bartender/psychologist/faith healer, trying to help a ususally decent guy get out of the doghouse.

There may be a little less profit in this approach. But there is an ineffable connection to our community that, I would argue, is so much more important.

Green Wedding|Celebration|Alternative Weddings|Eco-wedding

2008-09-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

Green Weddings -
Adding an element of "sustainability" to your relationship.

It doesn't have to be New Age, or involve dances before Gaia (although it could...). Making a commitment to becoming life partners is a statement of relational integrity. An engagement or wedding is or should be an affirmation of what each individual in the union has become in her/his life and for what they can become for each other, together, in the future. It makes sense that the symbols and rituals incorporate the best elements of the beliefs and values that the couple hold in common.

Many couples are foregoing diamonds as a symbol of engagement, based upon the diamond trade's roots in civil war and destabilization in Africa. Others are refusing to enter into the "gift registry" merchandizing bonanza promoted by the big department stores. Folks we know, who are concerned about the suspect pedigree (and expense) of imported cut flowers are using flowers and foliage they have grown themselves or are buying from local farms - a practice we heartily encourage.

We offer a sustainable alternative to couples who want their weddings/celebrations to reflect their beliefs: the Green Wedding. We are very happy to sit with you and discuss the amazing assortment of locally grown and/or Fair Trade organic cut flowers or plants that can be used in our designs. Our consultations become a brainstorming session on the ways that a celebration can make use of (elegant!) recycled or recyclable products - from Fair Trade certified and/or organic flowers to paper goods to the wedding dress itself.

Give us a call at either shop, Encke or Tiger Lily, and we'll be happy to talk "green".
201-836-1276 or 201-287-1800
http://www.tigerlilyflowershop.net/

Tulip Mania and Speculative Bubbles (the undeserving tulip)

2008-09-19T14:43:00.001-07:00

Most students of economics know that capitalism was born in the Netherlands during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Holland, in fact, birthed the world's first commodity futures market, and logically, the world's first speculative bubble. The commodity that caused a financial frenzy wasn't gold, silver, tobacco or silk.

It was the tulip.

Tulips were highly valued and sought after as symbols of affluence. Because their bulbs reproduced cloned buds and could be dug up and transported at the end of their season, their "futures" could be traded and speculated upon. In 1636, a highly prized variety of tulip was discovered and cultivated (it was infected with a mosaic virus that gave the flower brilliant striations of color). During a lull in the 30 Years War, the French entered the tulip market, and the bidding on the mosaic-infected varieties took off. The price of the bulbs at its height was 150 times the average yearly earnings for a skilled craftsman or guild member (they formed the majority of speculators). The frenzy became known as the Tulip Mania of 1636, and the flower has become a symbol of rampant speculative fever ever since.

In our era, the symbol should no longer be the undeserving tulip. It rightfully should be the Bush.

Flowers for your broker...

2008-09-19T14:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we ran a

"Wall Street Bail-out Special."
Free* flowers.

(*Your children will pay for them later...)

Today's sale:

Hardy* Mums: $7.99 (or 2.2 Euros)
* "fundamentally strong..."

How do main street businesses respond to Wall Street crises? On Monday morning, the streets of suburban Teaneck were like a ghost town. I imagined everyone at home, hiding under their blankets, wondering if the news anchors were going to go on the air and just announce that The Great Depression II has now begun. It won't happen like that, of course - anymore than the Crash of '29 was signalled by brokers leaping from office building windows.

This is Reaganomics coming home to roost. And what a dirty, pestilential flock of birds it is.

How do like deregulation now? It's a technicolor example of privatized profit and socialized debt. Keep government out of the affairs of business - until, of course, it comes time to pull their miserable, bloated selves out of the gutter. But this is not just "corporate greed" or something endemic only to Wall Street. It's structural. It is the logic of capitalism itself. Which is why the answers must also be structural, and they must adhere to an entirely different kind of logic: people (including future generations of people) before profits. Just a thought.

Sources of Fair Trade Flowers

2008-09-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

At the bottom of this post you'll find a list of contacts that was provided to me by Kazuko Golden of TransFairUSA. Kazuko leads TransFairUSA's group trying to develop and promote sources of Fair Trade cut flowers in the US.

As we've noted in past posts, the US is way behind Europe, where an increasing percentage of cut flowers are Fair Trade certified. (Half of the roses sold in Switzerland are FTC.) Every retail florist that begins to sell Fair Trade Certified/Organic cut flowers becomes part of a larger, crucial effort to educate the US public about sustainability - economic and environmental. This will be a transitional process that will surely gather momentum, just as the Fair Trade movement has gained traction in the coffee market. Aside from being the manifestly right thing to do, I am sure that it will also prove to be profitable for retail florists as our customers become more knowledgeable. It is an easy step to take from comprehending fair trade related to food and coffee to cut flowers.

Our experience in selling FTC gifts in our shops in Teaneck (a moderately progressive, but by no means radical town) is that our patrons have generally heard of Fair Trade, even if they cannot articulate a complete definition. They like and admire the idea, and have expressed a preference to buy fair trade when there is a choice. This can be one more reason to come to your retail florist as opposed to buying flowers at the local supermarket or Costco.

(As I write this, I am watching a woman crossing the street in front of our store, holding a ready-made bouquet she bought at the local butcher shop...) We're in a tough business.

If you're ever in the NY/NJ metro area, please visit us at our shops:

Encke Flowers
281 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck

or Tiger Lily
569 Cedar Lane, Teaneck

Anyway, here's the list:

Jessica Bergna
EcoFlowers/Organic Bouquet
http://www.ecoflowers.com/
jbergna@ecoflowers.com

Edin Maslesa
Fall River Florist Supply
Direct Line 508-742-1846
Mobile 781-956-5012
Fax 508-672-1433
http://www.fallriverfloristsupply.com/

Perez, Sharon M.
World Flowers, USA Incorporated
przshar@aol.com
(863) 214-5202

Alaina Paradise
One World Flowers, Incorporated
aparadise@oneworldflowers.org
(505) 304-7458

Mr. Diego PadronAsociación de Comercio Equitativo
0-11-593 2 2441113
drpadron@hotmail.com

Hortensia Ulvrri
InBloom Group LLC
(305) 436-0030
hortensia@inbloomgroup.com

TransFairUSA

2008-08-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

I just want to share with you the most significant organization committed to Fair Trade in this country: TransFairUSA. Be sure to visit their website (http://transfairusa.org) and access their many resources - from basic FAQs to in-depth academic position papers, to activist tools, the TransFair website has it. There is also a fairly complete listing of stores, coops, and web commerce sites for fair trade goods, including flowers. We will hopefully be included on this list soon. (There is a vetting process to ensure that retailers are on the level.)

Take a look at their site, including this Flash presentation:

http://transfairusa.org/content/feature.php

It is great to know TransFairUSA is out there. Check them out, and don't forget to make a donation!

(The photo on the right is shown courtesy of TransFairUSA.)

If you're in Bergen County, stop by one of our shops - Tiger Lily on Cedar Lane or Encke Flowers on Queen Anne Road and talk with us about Fair Trade.

Where to Find Organic Flowers (in Teaneck!?)

2008-08-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

There's always the Thursday Farmers Market. Farmers Markets are, of course, seasonal and the selections (if there are any) are hit-and-miss. Sometimes you can score some righteous sunflowers, or sweet william, black-eyed susans, lavendar, and of course, herbs. Most times there are no flowers to be found. We love our local growers (Encke Flowers began as grower in Bogota, NJ back in 1906...) but for us, the closest source of organic flowers is Lawrenceville, NJ - just outside Philadelphia. That's a four-hour drive round-trip from Teaneck with the A/C running full blast in the back of the van.

If I can't/won't do this kind of floral beer-run on a regular basis, I can order from organic wholesalers such as EcoFlowers, based in California. I applaud their foresight and efforts. They've been sowing organic cut flower seeds for a few years, and I hope they reap the benefits. I have one big issue, though, which is if I order their cut flowers, they are cooled, boxed, and sent FedEx Overnight by jet and van, with a hefty delivery charge per box. I have to pass this on to my customers as a sort of "organic" fuel surcharge. See the contradiction?

Here's the problem: with the exodus of flower cultivation to Colombia, Ecuador and other places with 365-day growing seasons and exploited labor, folks like us who are interested in buying and selling organic cut flowers and plants have very few sources. Wholesalers in the US haven't caught up to their European counterparts. We're going to make this a personal mission.

I'm challenging my local wholesalers to find us some Veriflora certified, organic and Fair Trade certified lines of flowers. Aside from being the right thing to do on so many levels, I think it will be profitable for them in the very near future. We're working to educate our customers, and it will be a matter of time before a demand exists for "green" flowers in the US. I wrote to my wholesaler today, and I will share his response.

Meanwhile, you can find organic flower and fair trade gifts at our two shops: Tiger Lily Flowers on Cedar Lane, and Encke Flowers and Gifts on Queen Anne Road in Teaneck, NJ. Visit us on the web at www.enckeflorist.com

Why Buy Organic Flowers?|Organic Alternatives|Green Weddings

2008-08-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons to buy organic flowers and plants when you can. Let's take a look at some of them:

1. The same reasons you would buy organic milk or vegetables applies to flowers. Maybe even moreso. Along with the reduction in toxic pesticides in the food chain (and our bodies), organic cultivation practices reduce the amount of petroleum based inputs used in farming. Petroleum is the primary source for pesticides and fertilizers.

2. Organic flowers address the core purpose of organic production: to enrich the earth rather than deplete it. Your purchase of organic flowers and food encourages more growers to convert to organic practices and to reduce toxic chemical usage in the world!

3. Pesticides and other toxic chemicals used on flowers can affect the health of farm workers and florists. Without the proper protection, the toxic chemicals can spread onto the clothes and into the bodies of farm workers which in turn can increase exposure to their children. Cut flower workers in Colombia and Ecuador (the principle floral export countries) are subjected to toxic doses of pesticides on a routine basis. Lax environmental and health controls in these countries is part of what makes their export business profitable. Florists on the other end of the producrtion chain who handle non-organic flowers have been known to develop dermatitis on their hands.

4. Buying organic flowers helps support local organic farming communities and organizations, which often have charitable, philanthropic motives for selling their flowers.

5. Organic flowers, according to many people, are more fragrant and last longer than non-organic ones.

6. The toxic chemicals used on flower farms can poison groundwater and the soil. These chemicals also become part of the food chain, as animals such as birds will eat the sprayed plants.

7. Through evaporation, toxic pesticides and fertilizers that are sprayed on flower farms end up in the atmosphere. They then travel to other global areas to fall as rain or snow.

8. Every flower counts: Increasing sales of certified organic flowers gives the market notice that more organic flowers need to be grown, which makes more flower farms convert to using organic agricultural methods.

A Green Wedding?

If you are planning your wedding, why not make it a "green" wedding? Make it organic! If you're in New Jersey or the New York City area, we would be happy to consult with you on how to do this. Call us at 201.287.1800 or visit us on the web at http://www.enckeflorist.com/.

Fair Trade and Flowers

2008-08-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

Most of us don't associate flowers with exploitation. Or environmental degradation.

Unfortunately, the cut flower industry has a lot to answer for in this regard, having drawn its profitability from exploiting workers in Latin America and elsewhere for many years (low wages, poor working conditions, no labor organizations, toxic exposure to pesticides and herbicides...). However, the Fair Trade movement has changed the face of floral wholesale and retail in the European Union, and it is gaining a foothold stateside.

So what does Fair Trade mean? What can it mean for those of us in the US who want to design and sell cut flower arrangements without participating in the abuse of workers and the environment in the developing countries?

The Fair Trade movement was initiated by activists in Holland in 1988, responding to a plunge in international coffee prices. While European and American coffee drinkers enjoyed the benefits of cheaper coffee, small farmers in developing countries were devastated. Concerns for their welfare led to the establishment of a system of Fair Trade certification to ensure that coffee and other economically vulnerable agricultural workers were not exploited. However, Fair Trade certification is not just about paying farmers and workers fairly. It is also about promoting education and developing more sustainable trade ties with other nations. Fair Trade certification involves voluntary cooperation with a certifying organization and usually reflects an international effort between companies and their suppliers. Today, coffee and cacao are the two most commonly certified crops, because both industries traditionally exploited their workers. However, any crop or product could be Fair Trade certified.

What does Fair Trade certification mean? Is it just about prices? To be Fair Trade certified, a company must guarantee that their suppliers do not use child or slave labor, that workers are paid a fair living wage, that employment opportunities are available to all workers and that everyone has an equal opportunity for advancement, and that healthy working and living conditions are provided for workers. In addition, producers must agree to support the educational and technical needs of their workforce, while promoting active and healthy trade agreements and being open to public accountability. Fair Trade certification also often involves environmentally sustainable production and harvest practices, encouraging a stable market and a healthy Earth. Fair Trade certification also usually involves a respect for cultural heritage and encourages cultural exchange between nations rather than the smothering of traditions. Many Fair Trade products include information about the people who grow them and the world they live in, making every cup of coffee an education.

Who determines whether products meet Fair Trade standards? Most Fair Trade certification is governed by Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), a group of 20 Fair Trade labelers around the world who have set mutual standards and agree to certify and enforce them. In the United States, TransFair USA represents FLO, and numerous companies work with TransFair to achieve Fair Trade certification. Fair Trade products are sometimes more expensive on the shelf, although they probably cost less in terms of human suffering and environmental damage than conventional products. As more companies are working towards Fair Trade certification, the cost is beginning to come down, encouraging consumers to make ethical, healthy, and sustainable choices about the source of their food.

TigerFlower's First Posting

2008-08-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to TigerFlower. We are based out of Tiger Lily Flowers and Encke Flowers in Teaneck, New Jersey (right across the George Washington Bridge from NYC). Tiger Lily is a new shop with a new concept - merging innovation in floral design (or floral sculpture) with a commitment to Fair Trade and environmental sustainability. (This is the attitude part of "Flowers with an Attitude.") You can find us on the web at: http://www.tigerlilyflowershop.net/ and at http://www.enckeflorist.com/.

We are first and foremost artists, coming to the trade out of different design backgrounds (fashion and graphic design). We come to flowers with a sculptural sensibility but we also understand the importance of helping people celebrate their lives' great events and rites of passage. We are privileged to participate in our community's customs, their celebrations, courtships and reconciliations, illnesses and mourning. We genuinely enjoy the role we play in our customers' lives, however fleeting or tangential. It has become a rare thing for artists to enjoy this kind of daily direct role in such intimate rituals. It's not "retail". We're not just part of some abstraction called the "service sector." We dig it. It's got a different kind of glow altogether.