Stems Market Update 

Fresh from our farm are these fabulous potted tulips for $18 including gift wrapping.  Beautiful  colours available yellow, orange or pink.  Come in store this week to grab yours of phone through and have some delivered to someone or if you  want click over to online shopping and go from there.

Market Report Thursday 26th August

As many of you would know tommorrow is Daffodil day an annual fundraiser for the Anti cancer council and associated charaties.  At stems flower market we choose to support the local Ballarat Support for Cancer organisation.  Support for cancer is a resource center for anyone affected by cancer and provides councilling or just a chat as well as many resources and services thaty I'm not 100% certain of.  So Stems is full of fresh Daffodils for tommorrows fundraiser.  Our grower Paul from Rosslyn farms has had a very busy week fullfilling orders all around Australia.  So please drop in and help us raise some funds for SFC as we are donating $1 from every bunch we sell.

Even though the cold weather is persisting spring is somewhere around the corner and the market is starting to see some increased lines for sale.  Todays market buy would have to be either the locally grown Fresias at 2 bunches for $10 or our home grown Stocks at 2  bunches for $15.  Our stocks are magnificent at the moment and make an excellent inclusion in your next flower purchase with a lovely sweet ciniman/clove fragerance. 

Home grown potted tulips are also arriving in store.  These are only $18 gift wrapped and will bloom for 3-5 weeksafter purchase.

As always the shop is packed full of fresh premium cut flowers for perusal.  So please give us a call or drop in to store and treat yourself to some flower plesure.

Until next time stay safe

The Stems market team

Despite the dismall weather, the flowers were on full display this morning at the Melbourne Flower Market.  What Victoria is currently lacking, we are receiving from the other states...Gladioli, asiatic lilies (some), various foliages, statice, and a wide range of new natives in from Western Australia to name a few.

 Its hard to beat the locally grown Freesias at the moment and also the beautiful tulips grown up in the hills of Monbulk.  With daffodil day next Friday the supplier (Rosslyn Farm) is madlt taking orders.  We have ordered 200 bunches and are hopeful that our loyal customers come in support the worthy cause.

 The tulip pots from the farm are filling the shop.  They offer great value for a gift, or for home. The potted hyacinth were snapped up quickly, but do not despair - the pink ones are only a week away.

 Carnation production is still slow, but the day length is getting longer so there is some hope for the near future...as for the ranunculi - first stem will be picked in the next 2 weeks...watch this space.

Thats all this week. Happy flower buying.

The stems market team 

Its official. I'm over winter...Bring on Spring...a small glimpse of spring at the start of the week, and then back into the depths of Winter.  The carnations at our farm were not exactly sure how to react to the balmy top of 12 degrees on Monday, so maybe it could lead to a spike in production...

We are now relying on the Queensland production coming into Victoria to ensure supply and quality that we are used to.  In a similar way through the heat of summer, the Victorian farms send a lot of product to the wholesalers in Queensland to meet their demands when it is too hot for good flower production.  Things such as the chrysanthemum, Gladioli, statice and of course many of the tropicals are coming in from Queensland in good numbers.  The winter favourites such as the tulips, stocks, and iris are of brilliant quality and make up our advertised specials this week...

3 bunches of iris, stocks, or orchids for only $20.00 have proven to be very popular to brighten up the home through this cold period.  The daffodils, and erlicheer are also very popular.

The Kale is nearing its end for another season.  People have really warmed to the ornamental cabbage variety.  In a large vase, 3 to 5 stems of kale simply look stunning, and can last for weeks (be warned - make sure you change the water regularly - can produce an unpleasant aroma...)

Next week from the farm in Ballarat the tulip pots and the hyacinth pots will begin.  Last year these were very popular, mainly for a simple cheap gift that flower for several weeks.  The bulbs can then be planted in a suitable spot for the following year...if you can be bothered, or better still come into stems and buy some more?

We received a large quantity of Green Trick plants this week, so we have been busy planting for christmas production.  The ranunculi continue to forge ahead despite the cold weather...the first of which will be available by mid August.

 I believe this is all.  Please come on down to Stems and see what bright wonders we have in store to brighten up the winter dreariness.

Thanks again.

The Stems Market Team  

With the wintery conditions continuing we are relying on the interstate stock to meet the Victorian demands.  With the extreme cold at nights, the Victorian Farmers are struggling to meet the orders, so stock is coming in of terrific quality from the other states to fill the void.  Chrysanthemum  and gladdies from Queensland, natives from WA and a wide range of foliages from NSW ensure we can load the van to the roof, to bring you the flowers for your next event. 

We have loaded up on tulips this week - simply magnificent quality and brilliant in the vase.  The daffodils have had a reasonable late start this year, but are now entering the market in good numbers, as are the erlicheer, which fill the house with their unmistakable aroma. 

Roses in general remain very popular with our customers, however the low light levels in Victoria  might mean that there will be limited production in the coming months.  Although heating is beneficial to most crops, if there is insufficient light it is impossible to maintain high levels of production simply by heating alone.  Having said that, we enjoy a good relationship with Grandiflora,  Victorias leading quality rose grower, and will be able to supply your needs....

Feingold flowers, our supplier of premium orientals has relocated to their new premises, and has the latest in growing technology.  Their quality remains second to none.

 From our farm in Ballarat, production is very light... if only the sun would pop out, we might enjoy some production.  Until then we supply what we can, and try to keep our customers happy...the quality is fantastic however, and the crops are very healthy waiting to explode in the spring months...

 Thats it from the Market Team this week.  Keep your eye out for the crazy specials next week on tv.  Its the 3 for $20 deal to include stocks, iris and the singapore orchids.

Happy flower buying

The Stems Market Team

Market Report Thursday 15th July

Well we are just back from a very busy Victorian Flower market today.  Quality Victorian grown product is in short supply due to the current wintery conditions we are experiencing.  There was still a very good range with supplies from South Australia and Queensland bolstering stocks.

QLD Gladdies are an excellent choice today nice and tall and strong. 

Potted Cymbidium orchids are an excellent choice at present.  These will flower on for another eight weeks bfore the flower stem dies off and the plant can then be put outside under a tree until next year when another flower should be produced.  Potted cymbidiums, potted tulips and potted cyclymens are all great for a sympathy gift as they usually last a lot longer than cut arrangmements and allow your token of support to be remembered for longer.

On a trivial note the flower market cafe operator Angelo had his last trading day today before passing the bussiness on to new owners.  We don't know who they are yet but we hope there coffee making skills are as good as Angelos!! and we wish them the very best.

As always Stems is packed with the largest and freshest range of cut flowers for your next floral occasion.  Don't wait brighten up your day now and drop in or give us a call so we can help you.

Bye for know

The Stems Flower Market Team 

Market Report Monday 28th June 2010

Cold cold cold.  Thats what it is at the moment.  Although today was not a market day I started the day at the flower nursery at 6.30 a.m.  Pitch black dark and very cold -2 degress a monster frost.  This will slow the flowers down in there growing eve though they are barely moving at the moment.  Because we are in the depths of winter the best flowers at the moment are the traditional winter blooms.  All in excellent quality are Iris, Tulips, Hyacinth, Violets, Jonquils and erlicheers.  Although most other products are still available these winter wonders are in their prime at the moment.  My favourite is the Tulips a peresent.  They are simply unbeatable in quality and colour choice at the moment.

Gymea spears from the Sydney basin are in stock.  These spears are six feet tall the a ruby torch like head.  They last for three to four weeks and are very fitting for a modern display.

Good quality Philanopsis orchids have been hard to get lately so we haven't had any in stock for the last month.  However last week I found some from our grower in Warrnambool that we were happy with.  These giants have at least one open flower with three to five to come.  Philanopsis's like little watering, a warm humid place that is well lit like the bathroom for the best results.  The most common mistake for care is overwatering.

Thats all for today 

Its beginning to feel a bit like winter at the Melbourne Flower Market.  The first daffodils of the season are in stock this week, along with the jonquils and the erlicheer.  Next week begins the winter favourites - the callandula...  The cold nights will start to have an impact on the production of a lot of the flower farms in the Monbulk hills, who traditionally do not heat their hot houses, silmilar to our farm in Ballarat.  Having said that the quality of the product is second to none, because the plant is not under any heat stress throughout the day...anyway enough of that...

The tulips are another winter classic, and the quality is unbeatable.  Just inside the coolroom we have a display of tulips that need to be in your vase at home. People get a bit scared of buying tulips, because they want to move about in the vase and bend over and carry on - but dont be scared - get them in the correct vase - about half the height of the bunch - and they will look stunning.

Also selling brilliantly at the moment are the Oriental lilies. At $11.99 per bunch they offer outstanding value.  Buy a bunch of spear grass as well and for $15.99 you have a brilliant gift...

From the farm things are slow on the carnation front, but as mentioned the quality is great.  Some of the varieties of sims are getting to 10cm across the heads when fully open. The 'stocks' are continuing to be popular as Richard the plant guru has got these to flower out of season, so we have no competition in the market... The ranunculi have been planted and are taking off, but will be some time before we see them.

I think thats all.  Bye for now, and may your flower purchase be a good one..

The Market Team

The Market is picking up steam again after a slow week post mothers day.  Some nice oriental lilies are entering the market after what seems to be a period of short supply.  The triumphadore lilie and the Christmas lilie are great value at the moment with a brilliant vase life once you get them home of around 10-14 days.  The gerberas have recently been in short supply, however we were able to get our hands on a few buckets which are terrific quality at the moment - nice strong stems.

The price of roses in the market still has not dropped in the market since mothers day, as the quality is good and demand very high.  We continue to stock them and have absorbed much of the increased costs so that you can enjoy these at home, as they are great quality, and welove people buying them because they will have a good experience with the product...

From the farm - things have slowed up somewhat due to the long cold nights.  This time of year brings the great quality but very limited production.  The sim carnations are at their peak in quality at the moment, as are the sprays and the chinis. This year we are gowing stocks - out of season, and are delighted in the quality.  These are much sought after in the market as we appear to be the only grower with any production at present... As always these exclusive lines are always made avail;able to our valued customers at Stems...

Thats it this week.  May your flower purchase be a good one - see you at stems..

 The Market Team

Market Report Thursday 13th May 2010

Post mothers day.

What a massive week the Stems team had last week.  Four days in a row of 18 work hours each made sure we were ready with the freshest and biggest range of flowers available for Mothers day.  Which is by far the biggest event day on the flower calender.  Stems was full of eager shoppers on Saturday and all of Sunday with people choosing from our entire range.  Tulips, Oriental lilies and of course Chrysanthanums were among the most popular choices.  Overall it was a fantastic day and every one has been enjoying taking it a little easier since Sunday!!

Todays market was no different with a few vendors taking a break and some buyers missing form the market, it was all a bit quiter than in recent times.

The recent cold weather has slowed availabilty of product but at the same times increased quallity. 

Erlicheers made their season debut today as well as Jonquils and paperwhites.  These highly perfumed bunches are great to perfume the Kitchen or hall way. 

Ornamental Kale is in strong supply with long stem purple blooms a long lasting modern addition to your next bouquet.

Finally the cold weather makes purchasing tulips and Iris the perfect choice as cooler conditions adds to vase life of these winter wonders.

Any way please give us a call and discuss how we can help you fullfill fyour flower dreams.

Bye for now

The Stems Market Team

Market Report Wednesday 5th  May

Mothers day is this Sunday so it is all go go go at the farm and shop.

Where do I start.....

Well 14 -16 hour days preparing our home grown disbud and spray chrysatnums, greentrick, simcarnations, Gyp,emile, Alstromeria  and Stocks. All these lines are flowering in perfect time for the freshest selecion of cut flowers available in all of Ballarat this weekend.

Tomorrow we are picking up our magnificent Gradiflora roses, Feingold Orienal lillies an Asiatics from Tulip Gardens.

All in all we will have the biggst and FRESHEST range of fresh flowers, bouquets and arrangments to treat every special mum this Sunday.

Update again soon.

Market Report Thursday 22nd April

We are currently experencing unseasonally warm weather for late April so the market is full to the brim of Quality fresh flowers.  Of special interest today was some majestical Calla lillies we sourced.  This is late in the year for callas which naturally flower November/December.  These Callas which are grown by Coolwyn nursery at Monbulk are programmed to flower out of their natural season.  We have in store some White, Copper and yellow tones a definate impressive choice.

Disbud Chrysanthanums which havce the large pom pom head are starting to come off the crop at our Ballarat flower farm and we have bougth some straight in today.  You won't find fresher than these classics at mothers day time!!  Yes Mothers Day only 17 days away!!

Locally grown Gladdies are in their last weeks before we switch to supply out of Queensland, they should hold on until mothers day.  Frost knocks the Victorian crop from now on. 

While our locally grown Lissianthus may have finished our  home grown stocks are starting to flower and should be in store Saturday. 

All things flowers in AUtumn are of great quality due to ideal growing conditions so please drop in and treat your senses or give us a call so we can chat about our instore delights.

Bye until next market

The Stems Market team

Market Report Saturday April 10th

The focus at todays market now that easter is over is mothers day.  Our Chrysanthanum crop at our Ballarat flower farm is starting to bud into colour.  We are frowing some of the newest Chrysanthanum varaties this year including the spray Arctic Queen which is a lovely white chrys with a green center.  we also have the new White spider disbbud Shakira white growing and it is actually flowering now so unfortunaltley won't last until mothers day but will be enjoyed now.  Five bunches went into Stems this morning.  Be quick because I think they will be gone by lunch time!!!

We have some lovely roses in today with a bucket of Fiesta(the lolly pop one) and a bucket of Advance (Pure White) on todays market truck.

First of the years Stocks have come in.  Grown by our friend Dominic Agresta at Cranbourne.  This Italian family farm in its second generation of growers always grings the first stocks of the year in.  They are limited in numbers so we are very lucky to get some.

In Potted lines we picked up the first flowering Cymbidium orchid plants of the year.  Only limited colours but this will improve in coming weeks.  Also cyclamens are excellent at this time of year and we have a great range in store to choose from.

We have launched our enewsletter sign up today so if you would like a quick email update of whats happening and available at stems please send us an email and we will put you on to it.

On a bit of a down note after an excellent season our farm grown Lissianthus have finished with us picking off the last bed this week.  We will now stock Avonlea grown Lissianthus from now until mothersday.  We will certainly miss these buetiful flowers in our hothouses.

Bye for now the Stems Market Team

We are back on track finally with the market news.  Apologies to the loyal followers, who have missed our weekly update.

 With Easter upon us, the theme is Easter Daisy, and the range of lilies that are unbeatable.  We also picked up some beautiful quality Roses.  We have them at great prices of $15 or 2 for $25.00 for both the 40cm and the 50cm roses.  The Easter daisy comes from the fields at Torquay, where the recent rains have seen the bud size increase dramatically, and the quality very nice.  As a straight bunch, the Easter daisy is very popular to pop straight into the vase at home, or for a nice gift.

Other specials include Alstromeria at 2 for $10.00.  'Easter' Lilies at 2 for $20.00 (great value) and Easter Daisy is in store at $9.00 per bunch. 

The carnations from the farm are also in high demand.  We recently displayed our range of carnations at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in Melbourne, along with the Green Trick.  The stand was very well received, and if interested, you should look at the U-Tube video by entering 'Ballarat Carnations' into your u-tube search.  We also have asters being produced as well as the tail end of the lisianthus, which have been brilliant quality this year.

Our chrysanthemum for Mothers Day is coming on beautifully, as are our glasshouse grown stocks.

The shop is closed on Friday and Easter Monday, however normal trading hours apply over the weekend, so come on down to enjoy the varieties currently in our coolroom.  Thanks again, and have a wonderful Easter.

The Market Team

Market Report Thursday 4th Feb 2010

Valentines day is just around the corner.  Here at Stems flower market your LOCAL Ballarat florist/flower market the team are all busy preparing for the big day of love.  Roses are of course the most popular choice for both  the traditional and modern lovers.  Darren and his team at Grandiflora roses are eagerly awaiting the flowering of their premium red roses.  "Adrenalin"  Grandifloras premium red rose is our rose of choice for our 2010 Valentines day collection.  These magnificent long stemmed thorn less roses are the perfect choice to impress your valentines this year. Darren expects to start picking Adrenalin starting next Wednesday and continuing right up until Saturday night before Valentines day on Sunday.

General flower sales continue to be good with a general tight flower availabilty for this time of year resulting in slightly higher prices than normal.  Gerberas from Buncha flowers are excellent in quality at the moment as production from a new 6000m2 patch of Gerberas gets into full swing.  Flowers are little bigger than other growers and stem strength is excellent.   

At our flower farm in Daylesford road Lissianthus production has commenced with an excellent crop coming in.  By far the best value and quality line that we are stocking at the moment at $12.90 per bunch or 2 for $10.  Be sure to include some of these in your next Stems floral creation.  Our Lissianthus crop was planted exactly the same as last year however flowers have come three weeks earlier.  We think this can be attributed to our new fertigation system which automatically waters the  crop as per the plants needs not when Harry or I feel like it should be watered!!  So the plants seem to have been a lot happier this year. Its great to have these stunning flowers for Valentines day.

As always Stems is packed with premium FRESH cut flowers for all your floral requirements, so please call or drop in and let us help you today.

Happy flower shopping

The Stems Flower market team.