LivRio May Issue 2018

{ PRE-FATHER’S DAY ISSUE }

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ISSUE No.15

Dear Dad, You’re the BEST! In this issue: W E D D I N G S E A S O N P. R . E . P. - 2 018 W E D D I N G C O L O R T R E N D S FAT H E R ’ S D AY P. R . E . P. - G R A D U AT I O N A N D P R O M P. R . E . P - B R E E D E R ’ S C O R N E R

LIVRIO

THE E-MAGAZINE OF RIO ROSES Issue No.15 MAY 2018 PEOPLE OF RIO BLOOM OF THE MONTH WEDDIN G SEASON P.R.E.P. WEDDIN G COLOR TRENDS SUMMER WEDDIN G COLLECTION FATHER’S DAY P.R.E.P. RIO ROSES NEW C ATALOG GRADUATION AND PROM P.R.E.P. BREEDER’S CORNER C A RE & HANDLIN G COMMUNIT Y OUTREAC H FOR INQUIRIES marketing@equiflor.com

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HAVE YOU RECEIVED OUR NEW POSTER YET? Con t act your local w holesa le f loris t or if you are a wholesa ler con t act your Rio f loral consulta nt.

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PEOPLE of RIO

RIO FAMILY TALKS FATHER’S DAY WHAT T YPE OF FLOWER REMINDS YOU OF YOUR FATHER THE MOST, AND WHY?

RAUL MARRERO > SALES Hibiscus.

My father loves hibiscus and my grandfather loved hydrangeas. My Grandfather was a master designer for 25 years at Milagrosa (Miracles in Spanish) in Cuba. Funny, I didn’t know my Grandfather was a designer until I started in flowers in 1980 and from there on we had a bond that would never be split.

Love you dad and grandfather. < S TEVE S TEINBERG SALES Sunflowers.

They remind me of when my dad would give my mother flowers for special occasions. < RICARDO SANGIO SALES White Roses.

My great grandmother always purchased white roses while my father was growing up.

JIM BENSON > SALES Liatris.

This flower reminds me of my father because he has always been straight and to the point.

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^ D I E G O TO R R E S SOURCING Alstroemeria.

My father died 8 years ago; he lived in a beautiful small farm in the countryside, far from the city, surrounded by a spectacular view. He always had alstroemerias in the vases.

BLOOM of the MONTH handpicked, fresh from our farm

Rio Roses

When you want a spectacular rose, Rio Roses provides it with the best value in stem length on the market. We measure stem lengths without including bloom heights, and use a two-tier bunching process and grade all of our roses using the bottom of the lower tier. When we add in the bloom height from the top tier, we get an average additional height of 10 cm. By using a double grading process to grade the bloom height independently from the stem length, we ensure a uniform appearance. This exacting process makes for an incomparable Rio Rose, which will fill ever yoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart with joy.

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WEDDING SEASON P.R.E.P. (PLAN, REVIEW, EXECUTE, PROFIT)

Wedding season is upon us, and it’s going to be a busy one. Make sure you’re fully prepared to reap the benefits by knowing what the modern bride is looking for, and how to exceed her expectations. Here are a few tips to help you say “I do!” to increase sales and profits.

Know current wedding trends When it comes to success this wedding season, knowledge is key. Learn as much as you can about current wedding trends. For example, beiges and pinks are popular colors, so roses like Mother of Pearl and Quicksand will be in high demand this wedding season; the 2018 Pantone Color of the Year is Ultraviolet, so there will be a large demand for lavender varieties such as Ocean Song and Avant Garde; living greenery bouquets and succulents are also more common now, as well as textured foliages like jasmine, acacia, dusty miller, and foxtail grass. These are just a few of the trends, so make sure you do your research!

Prepare your staff Prepare your buyers and sales team this season by educating them on current wedding trends. You may want to create a “Wedding Season 2018” binder that includes information from your research on floral trends as well as examples of ceremonial design trends like archways, wall decorations, and floral chandeliers. With a thorough understanding of this season’s trends in floral color and variety, you will be prepared to deliver what your customers will be requesting and even offer things they didn’t know were possible!

Partner with others in the wedding industry Connect with wedding planners in your area, who can be an excellent partner to your shop. Wedding planners can recommend your flowers to brides, and you can keep the wedding planner’s information on hand for any brides who enter your storefront. It’s a great way to increase wedding season business for years to come!

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Make your website “wedding friendly” Review your website and adjust your product descriptions to market them for weddings. Include the keywords “wedding”, “engagement” and “bridal” in as many of your product descriptions as possible. Feature photos of items in wedding settings, so that customers can see how your products can make their wedding dreams come true.

Be the wedding expert in your area While many brides will come in knowing what they want, there are those who will have a general idea but will need your expertise to make that idea come alive.

Why not put together a “2018 Wedding Trends” book for your customers to review? Include traditional and non-traditional flowers, as well as interesting ideas for arrangements reflecting the latest trends. Make yourself into a trusted resource, and watch the referrals roll in.

With thorough planning and knowledge, from buying to selling to creating final arrangements, your shop can become the “go-to” location for brides this wedding season!

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SPRING WEDDING C SPRING

Radiant and sophisticated, these eight color palettes will add a springtime glow to any wedding.

ABLOOM Purple, Tangerine, Beige, Peach Deep hues of purple and tangerine combine with the softer tones of peach and sandy beige to create a bold, dynamic palette. Inviting and warm with just the right amount of drama, this selection is perfect for desert, city or boho-style weddings.

MYSTICAL Hot Pink, Blue, Teal, Gray This breezy, sophisticated color palette of gray and blue-gray shades pairs beautifully with lively pink for freshness, balance and a touch of whimsy. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fresh, unexpected pairing thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal for Winter-intoSpring weddings.

GLAM Navy, Rose, White, Green Demure and romantic, this palette is preppy-meetspretty. Navy has always been a favorite color for weddings, and it works beautifully with deep green and soft rose to create a timeless, glamorous wedding look.

TRANQUIL Gray, Moss Green, Ivory, Charcoal Gray Inspired by nature, this combination of colors is calming, fresh and romantic. Shades of green, ivory and gray easily adapt to any style and budget, and are an ideal choice for boho-style or nature-themed weddings.

COLOR TRENDS 2018

TWILIGHT Beige, Brown, Blue, Teal This combination of neutrals and blues creates a harmonious, sophisticated palette. Calm and dreamy, these colors highlight Springâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budding flowers and work well for rustic, classic, or traditional weddings.

TENDER Peach, Lavender, Ivory, White This exquisite pastel color combination is relaxing, pretty and sweet. Peach is a trending, modern color that pairs beautifully with cool, soft lavender, a Spring favorite. This classically elegant palette works perfectly for any Spring wedding.

CHERISH Pink, Silver, Green, Rose Chic and lovely, these shades of pink, silver and green combine for a fresh take on modern whimsy. This palette emanates joy, setting a romantic tone with its sweet pink hues and complementary tint of eucalyptus green.

SWANKY Blush, Mauve, Beige, Brown The ultimate in elegance, this monochromatic color combination has a dramatic, cohesive feel. The variety of beige and mauve shades works beautifully with modern elegant and classic vintage wedding day styles.

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SUMMER WEDDING C SUMMER

From chic to swanky to bright and airy, you can find a color combination for any Summer wedding with these eight color palettes.

VOGUE Silver, Ivory, Orange, Gray Sleek, cool silver combines with ivory and gray to create a muted neutral palette. Add to this a sweet melon orange and you have a dreamy summer sunset vibe. This sophisticated palette is perfect for a romantic, industrial-style wedding in an airy loft.

SHINE Sage Green, Gold, White, Mauve Chic and sophisticated, sage green continues to be a wedding favorite. White and mauve tones combine with the green to create a fresh, slightly feminine look, and gold adds a modern touch. This combination works beautifully in an open, airy venue.

EXQUISITE Orchid, Hunter Green, White This soft, romantic shade of pinkish purple works well with almost any other color. Combine it with deep hunter green and white, and you have a gorgeous palette that can work equally well in casual and formal weddings.

ROSY Rose, Gray, Burgundy, Orange, Pale Peach Rich, romantic mauve rose is a vintage jewel tone and combines beautifully with burgundy and peach to create an elegant, feminine look. Metallic gray adds a punch and helps create this dazzling, slightly moody palette.

COLOR TRENDS 2018

CRUSH Plum, Violet, Orchid, Lavender Purples of every shade are hot for weddings this Summer, and are forecast to be popular for years to come. This stunning, monochromatic palette is full of depth and richness, with plum, purple, violet and soft lavender intertwining in the most romantic way.

DELIGHT Blue, Red, Pink Royal blue is back in style this year, and combines beautifully with red and pink to create a bright, harmonious palette. This approachable combination is perfect for creating the handmade look and feel of a bohemian Summer wedding.

OASIS Lime Green, Beige, Peach, Brown Think of beaches and palm trees, and you have this palette: subdued peach and neutral tones combine with pops of lime green to create a bright, cheery feeling. Sophisticated and fun, this is a perfect combination for a casual outdoor wedding.

COMFY Brown, Rose, Blue-grey This warm, caramel-brown tone is everywhere in the fashion world these days. Add a creamy rose and dusty light blue, and you have a soothing, comforting palette that would look wonderful in a wedding merging vintage and modern.

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RIOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 2018

SUMM E R WEDDI N G CO L L E CT I ON Hand-curated by our Floral Designer

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Lush, natural and free-flowing, the trend this Summer is all about unique color combinations and gorgeous greenery.

From bright, intense bouquets to hanging floral installations, brides are looking to celebrate their individual style in their wedding arrangements.

This collection celebrates flowers from a variety of blooms.

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RIOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 2018 SUMMER WEDDING COLLECTION 1.

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Rio Rio Rio Rio Rio Rio Rio Rio

Million Star Gypsophila Red Alert LA Hybrid Lily Geraldine Amsterdam Proud Whistler Alstroemeria Freedom Carolina Rose Lily

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FATHER’S DAY P.R.E.P. (PLAN, REVIEW, EXECUTE, PROFIT)

As we head into the Summer months, the focus is on weddings and graduation ceremonies. But don’t forget Father’s Day! This is a gift-giving holiday that can be used to your advantage in many ways.

Spouses, children and grandparents are always looking for a new, interesting gift idea for the Dad in their life, so why not make things a bit easier by showing them how flowers fit the bill?

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CREATE A FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE To make customers think “flowers” when they think “Father’s Day”, create a gift guide featuring a few interesting arrangements that any father would love. Share the gift guide on your social media sites, your own website, and in tailored emails to targeted lists. Offer a discount to any customer who mentions the gift guide when they make a purchase.

PROVIDE EXTRA INCENTIVES TO PURCHASE FLOWERS Promote to those who will be buying the flowers, in a way that makes them want to purchase from your store.

One example would be to offer a BOGO promotion (“Treat Dad and Yourself Too!”), where anyone purchasing a flower arrangement for Dad would get an arrangement for themselves at half off. What better way to create a long-term customer?

PARTNER UP WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES Form partnerships with other local businesses, for example a menswear shop or a restaurant, and offer a “Father’s Day Bundle” with a percentage off of both the flowers and a menswear purchase or restaurant gift card. This is also a great way to make a lasting connection with other businesses in your area, which can profit you for years to come.

GET THE KIDS INVOLVED Hold an event in your shop where children can come in and select their own bouquet or arrangement just for Dad. If you have the ability, create a workshop for the kids to make their own arrangements; there is nothing more special than a handmade gift. Promote the event through email and on your website and social media pages, and make sure to take lots of pictures on the day of the event to share across social media.

Father’s Day marketing ideas that work must be interesting, unique and give your customers a reason to come into your store and purchase. With these ideas and your own creative input, you can be a big winner this Father’s Day!

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Our beautifully redesigned company catalog

EL E GA N T. S OPHI ST I C AT E D. SL EEK. D I S C O V E R S O M E O F O U R N E W F E AT U R E S >

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OUR FARMS AND OUR STANDARDS Get an inside look at our farms through our panoramic and greenhouse pictures.

PRODUCT PRESENTATION To give you all the information and tools you need to sell our roses, we provide detailed information for each rose: petal count, vase life, stem length and color.

NEW PRODUCT LINES

Our new catalog introduces three new product lines, all beautifully presented.

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GRADUATION AND PROM P.R.E.P. (PLAN, REVIEW, EXECUTE, PROFIT) It’s that season again: the caps and gowns, the dresses and tuxedos, and of course the flowers. Graduation and prom season is always a wonderful time of year, and with the right preparation and marketing, it’s a great opportunity for your floral business. Following are a few tips to graduate your business to the next level.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK Graduation ceremonies are held at all levels, so make sure you do your homework and find out when graduation ceremonies will be held at high schools, colleges, elementary and middle schools, even preschools in your area.

Proms are held at different times of the year for different schools, so gather this information as well. Make a calendar of dates, and prepare targeted emails to go out in advance to the planners of the ceremonies or dances. Offer them a discount on their flower order as an incentive to order from your store.

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT Make sure your shop prominently features “Class of 2018” signage, to show your support for the new graduates.

It’s a great way to connect with parents who may be planning graduation parties. If space permits, set up a “Class of 2018” area in your store where customers can receive consultations or review a lookbook of graduation flower ideas.

MAKE ATTENTION-GRABBING PROM BOUQUETS Prom night is a big occasion for flowers, and while corsages are a traditional and lovely choice, the newest trend is for the young ladies to receive a small bouquet of flowers. With these tips and your own creativity, you’ll graduate with high honors, and big profits, this season!

FEATURE SCHOOL COLORS IN YOUR ARRANGEMENTS Again, it’s all about the homework: Make sure you know the school colors in your area, and feature arrangements with these colors. If the school colors are blue and yellow, create a bouquet of blue iris and yellow tulips; if the school colors are white and red, perhaps a bouquet of red roses and white lilies. Be sure to order enough flowers in these colors ahead of time, so you have plenty on hand for last-minute orders.

LET YOUR CREATIVITY SHINE There are so many ways to use flowers in graduation ceremonies and for proms. While bouquets and boutonnieres are always a lovely choice, why not take it to the next level and create something more interesting? Flower crowns for graduation caps, for example, are a new, fun way for graduates to make their cap stand out in the crowd. Take a few photos of a graduate with a crown of flowers on their cap and share it on social media. Make a few creative graduation party displays and share those as well. The possibilities are endless!

With these tips, and your own creativity, you may be surprised just how rapidly your shop becomes the go-to place for graduation flowers!

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BREEDER’S CORNER

Rio Roses from Equiflor is excited to introduce our fifth breeder, Danziger.

HISTORY Founded in 1953 by a young immigrant couple Ernest and Zehava Danziger, the company has grown into a leading global floriculture organization, with over 500 million cuttings of varieties planted around the world each year, in more than 60 countries. Today, Danziger’s team of more than 1,500 worldwide is engaged in the research, breeding, development, propagation, production, sale and marketing of cut flowers, annuals and perennials.

Danziger’s continuous product innovation is powered by one of the largest R&D departments in the field. The company’s breeding team consists of an advanced R&D unit, scientists and researchers with PhDs, Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from the Hebrew University Faculty of Agriculture. Working closely with Hebrew University and the world-renowned Volcani Center of Agricultural Research in Israel, the team stays at the forefront of advances in scientific breeding and improvements in varieties of cut flowers and ornamental plants.

Danziger operates advanced propagation facilities and nurseries in Israel, Guatemala, Kenya, and Colombia; via their in-house production, R&D and diagnostic laboratory, they supply approximately 1,000 customers in over 60 countries. With production facilities spread across three continents, Danziger customers benefit from continuous supply and exceptional availability of vegetative propagation material from nearby geographies. All Danziger products meet rigorous propagation and distribution standards, and strive to adhere to strict environmental, fair trade and fair working practices.

BREEDING

Breeding

Research

Clean stock maintenance; pathogens analysis of bacteria, viruses and viroids

Danziger strives to bring innovative genetics that will add value to the market, from growers to consumers; they maintain close relationships with growers all around the world, plus retail buyers, wholesalers and designers. The insights collected from all parts of the value chain are then transformed into breeding goals, from higher productivity or adjusted genetics for a certain climate condition, to stronger stem, larger head, more petals or new colors.

Through cutting-edge technologies, their breeders use precise techniques to try to bring a specific trait in focus in the shortest amount of time. As a global breeder, their varieties are chosen based on several trials in different locations, starting with their labs and facilities in Israel, Ecuador, Kenya and Colombia, on to joint trials with their close partners.

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Propagation of in-vitro materials

BREEDING

BLACKBERRY SCOOP™ : -

With this process, they are able to bring significantly better varieties, like the COSMIC™ Gyp, which has bright white flowers and a strong, yet very flexible stem that helps florists by enabling an easy use (untangles easy, lower shrink), or the SKYLER™ Veronica which has an extra-long spike, to serve the market need for unique accents.

Based on the deep market understanding, they are also able to bring game-changing newer versions of traditional crops such as the SCOOP™ Scabiosa, taking a rather pale blue, weak stem, and through advanced breeding, making it into a strong, colorful, richly textured and cushion-style flower series that is rapidly growing all around the world.

COSMIC GYPSOPHILA : -

Color : White Size (Diameter in mm) : 8-11 Day-Length Sensitivity : Low Yield : High Handling : Easy Flush Duration : Medium

Criteria Used to Assess the Best Varieties

We would like to hear your opinion on the selected varieties provided by Danziger. Please send us an email to marketing@equiflor.com and share your feedback!

2015 1ST PLACE

PRINCE STAR™ :

A new product is tested not only at the farm level, but is also examined throughout the logistic chain, in order to make sure that the end-consumer will appreciate the value of the product. Danziger looks at all factors from productivity, resistance throughout the logistic chain, shelf life and of course, user feedback. For each crop and series they also have dedicated testing of the most relevant traits that they are trying to bring.

To learn more about Danziger, visit www.danzigeronline.com

Color : Black, Dark purple Height (cm) : 50-60 Growth Intensity : Very High Yield : Very High

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Flower Size : Medium -Large Color : Yellow Height (cm) : 60 Growth Intensity : High Yield : Very High Stem Length (1-short, 5-Long) : 3

KALANCHOE : -

Color : Orange Height (cm) : 55 Growth Intensity : High Yield : High 2015 1ST PLACE

SKYLER™ BLUE : - Color : Dark Blue - Spike Length (at time of harvest in cm) : 9 - Precocity : Early - Yield : Very High - Inflorescence Type: Standard

PHOTO GOLDEN GLORY™ :

- Color : Yellow - Growth Intensity : High - Yield : Very High 2015 1ST PLACE

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Gypsophila, commonly known as Baby’s Breath, is to roses as peanut butter is to jelly. They just go together! These tiny white blossoms open successively into massive quantities on multi-branching stems. Gypsophila commonly used as a filler flower can also be used to create floral headpieces, wreaths, and is the most popular filler used in all types of bouquets and design work. It mixes well with everything, adding a light and airy appearance. Small clusters of blossoms add just the right touch to wedding and corsage design but don’t let the delicate blooms fool you. This filler with proper care and handling can and may outlast the rest of the bouquet.

Despite possible imperfections, Gypsophila is quite hardy and with a few easy steps you can ensure this filler will exceed your expectations: Unpack ASAP – Gypsophila is a “hot crop” in the box

Some common defects of gypsophila include: Dehydration Discoloration (pinking) Premature browning of buds Tight cut Broken or weak stems Fungus Condensation Underweight Unpleasant smell

Prepare buckets with flower food solution that is mixed as recommended by manufacturer. Use clean, good quality water. Avoid softened water Cut or don't cut stems if using Floralife® Express Technology. Quick Dip first if product is dehydrated upon arrival Place in prepared container that has been cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized using D.C.D.® Cleaner Plastic sleeves should be removed ASAP to avoid condensation build up that can lead to flower and stem decay Allow 2 hours minimum to hydrate, placing buckets in an area with good airflow Gyspophila is ethylene sensitive. Do not store or display near ripening produce or products that produce ethylene. Make sure to check that your supplier has treated the product with an ethylene action inhibitor, such as Ethylbloc® Do not overstuff buckets; this product is prone to molding Do not "mist" Gyp, this may cause blossom browning Always remember FIFO when rotating Gypsophila

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To learn more about best practices from the experts in flower care, visit www.floralife.com

The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspirations he sets not only or himself, but for his family.

- Reed Markham

RIO MILLION STARS GYPSOPHIL A

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COMMUNIT Y OUTREACH

RIO CELEBRATES EARTH WEEK WITH LOCAL CHILDREN

Rio Roses was proud to participate in a recent Earth Week Celebration held at Barnacle State Park. We donated spray roses for the celebration, which was organized by 7-year-old Yaheli, a wonderful young lady with a passion for art, music and flowers.

Activities included creating flower crowns, decorating bikes to ride in the bike parade, and an interactive book workshop with Yajaira De La Espada, creator of the zine, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Negra Sappha.â&#x20AC;? Alana Resaul of Lotus Fields Forever, Inc., also spoke about how to work and co-exist with Mother Nature.

Our hearts fill with joy when we participate in events that support young children, and this was a beautiful way to do just that while celebrating Mother Earth.

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ANNIVERSARIES + BIRTHDAYS

“Thank you for your years of dedication to our team.

You are terrifically tireless, exceptionally excellent, and abundantly appreciated.”

“Happy Birthday. May all your B-day wishes come true on your special day.”

Andres Valdez 05/1/06 Quality Control

12 years

Maria Antonieta Peñaherrera 05/24 Administration

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