The bouquet versus the humble flower pot...
By vanny
@vandana7 (100617)
India
March 26, 2013 11:56am CST
I know flower bouquets look good, and are ideal on may occasions. But I do feel that
a. Flower bouquets kill those flowers and the leaves that go into enhancing their beauty;
b. Flower bouquets also result in organic waste that is often not recycled properly
c. Flower bouquets imply storing the flowers in refrigerated conditions and flying them from one country to another...NOT A GREEN OPTION...
d. Flower bouquets also have some temporariness about them. I mean, they die within a couple of days and its like temporary feelings of love, affection, concern, whatever.
In contrast, the humble flower pot has more to offer.
It can hold more than one plant if planned well.
It can help the plant and flowers to survive for their entire life.
It will last long so is a perpetual reminder of the goodwill of the other.
Tending to the plant and watching it survive is surely a pleasurable thing. It must have therapeutic effect I suppose...
So would you not say flower pot is a better way to express feelings when compared to the bouquet?
3 people like this
12 responses
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
26 Mar 13
hi vandy oh indeed I would much rather have a potted plant an have the fun of tending it, talking to it
and watching it grow.this is a lasting gikft that just keeps on giving. I used to have a whole array of potted plants in my apartment but the last time we moved someone managed to take them all and store in our garage while we were moving and it was hot and dry. I lost all my potted plants as they were not watered or fed at appropriate times. Now of course I live in a retirement center but have thought about getting several pots of African
and raising them,. Its really good therapy to have something living to care for
here.
here.2 people like this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
26 Mar 13
I also like a potted plant Auntie. It hurts me to see cut flowers.
1 person likes this
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
28 Mar 13
Vandy
If you ever visit my home, you can see how many flower pots with various types of flowers are in my home, besides on the roof and at the entrance we have many flower plants, also aloe-vera, black tulsi etc, we never pluck those flowers nor do we allow our renters or neighbors
for daily puja i buy fresh flower daily, infact it is delivered at our door at 5am, they are certainly plucked.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100617)
• India
28 Mar 13
Professor saheb, I dont like plucking flowers for anything, including pooja...by being on the plant, it is already praising god, if we pluck it, it must be cursing god, if it were not you, I would be alive for longer ...just trying to set my imagination free. :)
1 person likes this
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
27 Mar 13
Everyone will not have place to keep pots. Further pots cannot be kept everywhere. Whereas,
flower vase can be kept on small table too inside your room or in the hall and it gives
fresh feeling to you. So convenience of usage is more for flower vases.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100617)
• India
27 Mar 13
I wonder if similar effect cant be achieved with artificial flowers? :) I have some artificial ones. Asters. They look so great that everybody who comes to our home asks where did I buy them. lol
And they are ...something I bought on the street..lol
I agree flowers enhance the overall freshness of the room. But I do feel it is not necessary to put a live one there. :) And I agree not everybody has the right place for the plant. But that is where the art of selecting the right potted plant, and right type of objects lies I suppose. If we can have a corner in the house by the side of a window such that we can include some of those artificial fountains and some of those pots...with plants that do not need much light...wont it all be great? :)
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
27 Mar 13
I, too, prefer a potted plant to a flower arrangement, unless it is made up of silk flowers. However, there are times when potted plants are not appropriate, or not allowed. For instance, the national cemetery nearest my home does not allow potted plants to be placed on graves.
1 person likes this
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
28 Mar 13
In today's society, offering only one or two flowers when a bouquet is expected would make one look chintzy. It's a matter of ccustom.
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
28 Mar 13
Oh yes. you are right on this one. I have noticed that the flowers you buy at the florist do not smell. Flowers are supposed to smell. I wonder what they do to them to make it that way. The results are that the florist's flowers seem artificial to me. Yes, give me that potted plant. If you are going to give me flowers, pick some from the wild where they will at least be real.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100617)
• India
29 Mar 13
There is beauty in everything that nature offers. I feel we must take from nature, only as much is necessary. I can express the same emotions with a simple card, or one flower. We can attach symbolism to flowers, as if it is not already...but say one lily...I am sorry, one red rose, I love you, one yellow rose a sign of friendship and so on. Two or more of any of those must mean showing off, nothing more.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100617)
• India
27 Mar 13
But few flower varieties last long. I remember, one of my cousins flew in from Australia, and they gave him a large bouquet of orchids. The guy didnt know what to do with it, so he gave it to me..and that was the first time I'd ever seen orchids that beautiful but the guy didnt appreciate...oh what is the use!!!
And we could be innovative blending small flowers with small crotons in such a way that they look attractive. Phlox for one, steal my heart, and so do carnations. :)
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
27 Mar 13
Morning, vandy...I guess I am the spoiler here, as I think there is a time and place for each!
The first thing that comes to mind, is that flowers~~~potted or bouquets, have healing features, just because of their beauty! So, for some-one whom is hospitalized, it is sad to see them denied "flowers" ....as potted plants are not allowed in hospitals here....BUT watch their eyes light up, when delivered a bouquet of cut flowers!
I grow a "cutting garden"...so that I can have the outdoors inside, and of course, they are composted!
I also have many flowering potted plants, indoors....but for many whom do not have the proper lighting..they can be saddened when these plants won't grow indoors! To me, there is a win...win, when flowers are involved!
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
29 Mar 13
RE: your response below; here is a sign that I have made for our Provincial Park....."Take nothing BUT pictures....leave nothing BUT footprints!"
Because I grow a lot of flowers, especially for giving, and brightening some-one's day...I like to give a bouquet, as each flower has it's own specific language or denotation! HAPPY EASTER...a Chocolate Bunny for you!
@allknowing (137781)
• India
30 Mar 13
The thought of gifting a potted plant is indeed appealing. But there are problems. If hundred guests come with 100 pots what possibly can the receiver do with them. What if they have no proper conditions in their homes to tend to these pots. What if the receiver has no interest in gardening.
@vandana7 (100617)
• India
1 Apr 13
Oh she has interest in gardening alright..in fact, she laments that she cant roam about in her garden..they have an independent house which has been let out and she is now in a smaller flat. The reason for letting out that flat...obvious...she is alone, and security is an issue. So flat seemed the right thing for her. But pot will force her to walk to the balcony more often. Nowadays, she is not walking much and that is disturbing me helluva lot. :(
@allknowing (137781)
• India
2 Apr 13
I thought this was a general question. And you have not said anything about everyone coming with pots!
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
26 Mar 13
It really makes me sad to see cut flowers Vandi. It's like murder to me. I would much rather have a pot of living flowers.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100617)
• India
26 Mar 13
I hate plucking flowers. I dont wear them, though most women out here wear them in their hair. I feel its so wrong...unnecessary stuff...my pleasure would be for a few minutes thereafter I would be lost in some other thought or activity and the beautiful flower with all its fragrances would be forgotten. But if it is a potted plant...I would think of it everyday...I would notice a new leaf and a new bud...and I would be prompt in watering it, and keeping it safe from pests, right? Meaning...it is similar to giving life...PQ...wish others would think like us. :(
1 person likes this
@habibti320 (925)
• United States
26 Mar 13
I definitely see your point about flower pots and used to make the same argument myself. However, on some special occasions, I can't deny the beauty of flower arrangements--mixing colors, fragrances, and lengths to create a work of art. Also, some flowers are difficult to care for, especially if you don't have an apartment with adequate lighting.
I hardly ever get bouquets (I think I can count the number of times on one hand that I have been gifted a flower bouquet) but I like growing flowers when I can.
1 person likes this
@yume11 (183)
• Romania
26 Mar 13
In past years, in my town began to appear in markets more flower pots too and sincerly I'm very happy of this. When I buy something, I want to buy something little, beautiful , with essence and if it's possible, to havea good price too. Flower pots give me everything I desire, they're little, with various species of beautiful ,delicate flowers and they're at a good price too. And beside this I think that when that person will see the flower, maybe he/she will reamind about me :D. And if that person it's a teenager[like me] maybe it will give him/her a little responsability ^^.
I, personally , I preffer the flower pots. :)
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