Blooming for the Holidays & Into the Future… Thanks to Support from CalFlowers!

A Letter from J:

One of the things I always tell people, at places we are filming, is that producing segments for Public Television takes time. It’s certainly not a fast process… therefore we have to get a jump on Seasonal or Trending Flower Topics ahead of time. Then we can have it ready in the months or sometimes Years (translated to Seasons) that are coming in the future.

These past two months are a great example of keeping Future Projects and Seasons of “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom” in the production pipeline. In November and December of 2025 - we filmed incredible content … allow me to set the stage… 

Floral Trade Distributors

There are two projects coming up. The first one being a Public Service Announcement for the Flower Industry regarding the Importance of the Cold Chain for Cut Flowers. It came to our attention from our wonderful Flower Friend Kami, who works at Floral Trade Distributors. Kami and I had chance to visit during the CalFlowers Member Meeting. Kami has noticed that many newcomers to the Flower Industry - and even some long time flower industry folks - might not be familiar enough with the practices or benefits of the Cold Chain - which was suggested by Dr. George Stabby decades ago.

Following the Cold Chain - and keeping it intact - results in LONGER LASTING FLOWERS! It’s that simple! When I Interviewed Chip Fox - at Floral Trade Distributors - I asked him “what does the Cold Chain mean to you?” Chip gave the Best Answer, “The Cold Chain is Community… it’s everyone doing their part, to ensure that ALL the FLOWERS arrive in the best condition, and are able to last as long as possible!”

That’s a Heavy Quote, and it was very eye-opening for me, personally. 

I’m excited about this PSA - which we will be releasing to the Flower Industry in early 2026 - which will review what the Cold Chain is and how it’s benefits are maximized when all members of the flower community play their part. Look for several familiar face and places - flower farms, transportation companies, wholesalers and more, in the forthcoming video. It’s a Gentle Reminder to Implement, Monitor and Maintain the Cold Chain. It’s our duty as a Community of Flower Industry Professionals! (P.S. We will also introduce the Cold Chain to our Public Television Viewers in Season 9 of “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom”… airing in April 2027!)

Speaking of viewers, our “Life In Bloom” Holiday Specials have become a popular staple for stations across the country. These special episodes from Seasons 5 & 6 are airing on stations over 1,980  times in December 2025! That’s Very Impressive!!!  Therefore, we have decided to create a new Holiday Special for Season 9 titled “Making Christmas” that will feature some of the most Popular Flowers, Foliage and Items for the Christmas Season.

Continental Floral Greens 

In November, the “Life In Bloom” Crew visited Continental Floral Greens to learn more about Noble Evergreen which is harvested at the base of Mount St. Helens. We filmed stories about how Continental crafts evergreen into over a Million Christmas Wreaths, as well as enough Garland to stretch from Seattle, Washington to Tijuana! WOW!! We also talk to the Hybridizer and the Grower of Ilex in California and Oregon - and a Multi-Generational Foliage Harvester. Talk about a Life Experience… I can wait to show you what we experienced on this production in the Pacific Northwest.

Neal Mast Greenhouses

Then it was off to Neal Mast Greenhouses - conveniently located in West Michigan (8 miles from my backdoor) to see 650,000 Poinsettias in bloom.  My Friend Noah Schwartz was just starting to ship all over the country! There’s nothing like a Sea of Red Poinsettia to get your HoIiday Spirit into High Gear! What a Beautiful Sight! 

The special show will also feature both Green and Variegated Holly, hand picked and grown by my Flower Lifer Friend Sandra Laubenthal, at Peterkort Roses! This show will Knock your "Christmas Stockings" off! I can’t wait to share this “Making Christmas” Special - that will premiere with Season 9, in April of 2027! 

The Life In Bloom Crew is always busy collecting Incredible stories that inform consumers about our Great Flower Industry, and the value that is created by the people that grow transport, broker, stock, and arrange Flowers. We are able to educate and inspire the public at large about flowers – because the Generous Support of our Underwriters, CalFlowers, Albertsons Companies,  Passion Roses, Suntory Flowers, and FabulousFlorals.com - keeps the Flower Fires Burning Bright- allowing Life in Bloom to keep on Blooming!

We look forward to the Premiere of Season 8 - in April 2026 - which will include our 100th Episode of Life In Bloom. This is indeed an honor… and also a Testament to the popularity of FLOWERS as well as ‘Life In Bloom’s’ Popularity and our shared commitment to More Americans Enjoying More Flowers - More Often! Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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We encourage everyone to subscribe to our weekly Life In Bloom & uBloom Newsletter. Each week J gives a quick rundown of episodes on the Create TV schedule, NEW video bonus content that premieres each week on uBloom, the new Behind the Bloom podcast of the week, plus handy links to projects, recipes, the ‘Share Your Schwanke’ Sweepstakes with Ocean Breeze Farms, and more! Sign up for the Newsletter at the link - uBloom.com/remindme.