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Welcome to the Cutflower Podcast!
In this episode, Roz interviews Kristine Albrecht, an award-winning Dahlia hybridiser, farmer, and vice president of the Monterey Bay Dahlia Society. Kristine shares her journey into dahlia cultivation and hybridisation, as well as insights into her unique approach to developing new dahlia varieties. With over 1,800 dahlias on her urban quarter-acre farm in Santa Cruz, California, Kristine has become a sought-after expert, particularly in creating colours and forms that captivate both exhibitors and florists.

Episode Summary

• Kristine’s Journey: How Kristine turned a quarter-acre plot into a dahlia haven.
• Hybridising Dahlias: The art and science of creating new dahlia varieties, including Kristine’s techniques and goals.
• The Dahlias Genome Project: Kristine's role in an ambitious project to decode the genetic blueprint of dahlias.
• Challenges of Flower Farming: Insights on managing viruses, cross-pollination techniques, and more.
• Innovations and Inspirations: Kristine’s ongoing quest for unique dahlia colours like brown and Coco Loco-inspired shades.

Key Takeaways

1. The Art of Hybridisation
   Kristine details the hybridisation process, including hand-pollination techniques and how to create new, vibrant varieties. Hybridisers can start by letting dahlias naturally cross-pollinate or manually selecting pollen sources to reach specific goals.
2. Building Florist-Friendly Varieties
   Kristine emphasises breeding dahlias for florists with versatile colours like blush and antique tones, meeting the demand for trendy, event-worthy flowers.
3. Navigating Challenges in Farming
   Handling dahlia viruses and preserving healthy stock for clients are major challenges. Kristine shares her methods, from sterilising tools to testing for virus-free plants.
4. Community and Collaboration
   By working with licensed sellers to multiply and distribute her varieties, Kristine sustains her business. She also collaborates closely with florists for feedback on new Dahlia traits that resonate with designers.

Resources

• Follow Kristine on Instagram: @

Visit Https://audioandco.com for all your audiobook, video and podcast needs.

This podcast episode is sponsored by First Tunnels, leaders in domestic and commercial product tunnels.

• https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters
• Flower Farmers Retreat 2024 (21 &22 September): https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/businessretreat2024
• 2024 Farm Day at Field Gate Farm (10 August): https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/farmvisit
• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection

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Welcome to The Cutflower Podcast! Today, we’re diving into a deeply personal and inspiring conversation with Rosamund Dean, a renowned journalist, author, and breast cancer survivor. Rosamund’s journey and her latest book, Reconstruction, offer insights not only into surviving cancer but truly reclaiming life after it. If you or someone you know has been affected by breast cancer, this episode is one you won’t want to miss."

Episode Summary
In this heartfelt episode, Roz Chandler sits down with Rosamund Dean, author of Reconstruction, to explore her experiences with triple-negative breast cancer, from diagnosis to recovery. Rosamund shares her journey through chemotherapy, surgery, and the many stages of healing, both physical and emotional. She discusses her book's title and purpose, explaining how Reconstruction reflects the often-overlooked need to rebuild oneself post-treatment. Their conversation touches on the importance of nutrition, mental health, and the lifestyle changes that play a crucial role in managing life after cancer.

Rosamund also highlights her ongoing mission to inspire others through her writing, which includes candid discussions about wellness, the importance of exercise, and finding joy in a balanced lifestyle. From advice on navigating treatment to the significance of community support, this episode is a thoughtful resource for anyone seeking hope and resilience.

Key Takeaways

• Prioritise Wellness: Eating more vegetables, reducing processed foods, and embracing an 80/20 approach to nutrition can support overall health and recovery.
• Find Movement You Enjoy: Exercise, even simple walks, can significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
• Take Control of Treatment: Write down questions for your doctors, be proactive in understanding your treatment, and don’t be afraid to ask about alternatives to medications.
• Accept Support: Lean into the help offered by friends and family; delegation isn’t a weakness but a source of strength.
• Mindset for Life Post-Cancer: The journey doesn’t end with treatment; acknowledge the emotional and physical adjustments needed to navigate life after cancer.
  
  Resources Mentioned in This Episode
  Rosamund Dean’s book: Reconstruction – A guide to healing and self-recovery

Visit Https://audioandco.com for all your audiobook, video and podcast needs.

This podcast episode is sponsored by First Tunnels, leaders in domestic and commercial product tunnels.

• https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters
• Flower Farmers Retreat 2024 (21 &22 September): https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/businessretreat2024
• 2024 Farm Day at Field Gate Farm (10 August): https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/farmvisit
• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection

Send us a text

Hi, I’m Roz Chandler, and welcome back to The Cutflower Podcast! Today, I'm thrilled to welcome back Dr. David Bek, a leading researcher in sustainable horticulture and creative economics at Coventry University. A lot has changed since David's last visit, and we're diving into his latest work on sustainable practices in the cut flower industry, including insights on the global supply chain, eco-friendly packaging, and the challenges we face in the push for sustainable floristry.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Roz Chandler sits down again with Dr. David Bek to explore the complex world of sustainable cut flowers and the economics behind them. David shares his journey from childhood experiences with nature to becoming a prominent researcher in sustainable horticulture, with a particular focus on flowers. They discuss his work with the Sustainable Cut Flowers Project and the intricate supply chains that transport flowers across continents.

David highlights the environmental challenges of the cut flower industry, from high carbon footprints to issues with plastic packaging, and how he and other experts are working to find solutions. The conversation touches on sustainable floristry practices, labeling transparency, and efforts to reduce plastic waste. David also shares stories about the impact of economic drivers on sustainability, including how consumer demand shapes market practices. Together, Roz and David discuss the future of sustainable floristry, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among growers, florists, and consumers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding the Environmental Cost: The global journey of flowers involves significant carbon emissions, packaging, and preservation efforts that impact sustainability.
2. The Role of Consumer Demand: Change in the industry often comes down to consumer awareness and demand for sustainably grown, local flowers.
3. Importance of Transparency and Labeling: Clear labeling can inform consumers about flower origins and sustainability practices, helping to shift demand.
4. Collaboration Across the Supply Chain: From growers to wholesalers, collaboration is essential to improve sustainable practices in the flower industry.
5. Innovative Solutions in Eco-Packaging: Research

Visit Https://audioandco.com for all your audiobook, video and podcast needs.

This podcast episode is sponsored by First Tunnels, leaders in domestic and commercial product tunnels.

• https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters
• Flower Farmers Retreat 2024 (21 &22 September): https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/businessretreat2024
• 2024 Farm Day at Field Gate Farm (10 August): https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/farmvisit
• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection