>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... ♪♪ At home.

♪♪ At work.

♪♪ Or anytime.

♪♪ CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following... PassionRoses... Suntory Flowers.

♪♪ >> In today's show, we have a crush on the color orange, a plentiful color as far as flowers are concerned.

We'll arrange with orange flowers in orange by orange fruits and vegetables.

"Orange" you glad to be here?

♪♪ ♪♪ I'm J Schwanke.

Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

What's your least favorite color?

Is it orange?

Some surveys tell us so.

Why should it be?

Maybe it's because orange is perceived as the color of change.

Few people care for change.

Many children of a certain age, however, prefer orange, attribute it to times when they are going through changes physically or emotionally.

The color horoscope tells us that people who like the color orange are creative.

It also means they may be a little fickle, attracted to change.

Whatever the case, you may say I have a crush on orange because I love color.

All colors, really.

So let's enjoy the color orange today on "Life in Bloom."

♪♪ Interestingly enough, orange is one of the most popular colors in flowers, especially when we add in peaches and oranges, those tonalities together.

Pink flowers are number one, but orange is number two.

So I thought it would be fun for us to go deep into the orange and make an arrangement with all sorts of different orange-colored flowers.

We have a container here with flower foam in it.

I've soaked the flower foam and stacked the blocks.

I've secured them by sticking bamboo skewers into them, and then we'll arrange with our foliage first and add our flowers.

As I add them, see if you can figure out what all the different types of orange flowers are.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ "Orange" you glad I asked you >> Ba-dum-bump!

[ Laughs ] >> I know, right?

So, you are my good luck charm.

>> I am, yes.

>> Yes, and so you've been on every season of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," which I am so thankful for.

When I invite someone over to make flowers... >> Uh-huh.

>> ...I always think it's great that we start with a cocktail.

>> I love that idea.

[ Laughs ] >> We're gonna fill our glasses with ice.

We're gonna use orange liqueur.

You can use any type that you like.

And then we're gonna do a blood orange ginger beer.

>> Love it.

>> Okay, we're gonna garnish with an orange, and we're gonna garnish with calendula flowers.

>> Okay.

Mmm.

Yeah, baby.

Okay.

Good morning.

>> There's nothing better than arranging flowers and having a little cocktail >> I agree.

>> Yeah.

Well, you know what?

There is also good things -- There's, like, doughnuts.

[ Both laugh ] >> Orange doughnuts?

>> Orange doughnuts.

Yeah, exactly.

So, I thought it would be fun for us to work with some vegetables.

And obviously, orange vegetable -- carrots.

>> Okay.

>> Right?

I mean, we can do oranges, but we can also do carrots, which is great.

We've got two different styles of how to use carrots... >> Yes.

>> ...in an arrangement.

With yours, I've put the carrots around the outside.

>> So unique.

>> And we have a vase on the inside.

>> Okay.

>> So, vase inside a vase.

In this one, I'm gonna use carrots, and I'm gonna stick them up in the bottom of this.

>> What do you mean?

So it's upside -- Oh, so it looks like it's standing up!

>> Yeah!

So, here, I will -- Let's see.

Here we go.

So, we're gonna use them... >> Oh, that's cute.

>> ...like this, right?

>> That's very cute.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

>> So, that's the drill with that one.

And then we're gonna arrange flowers in here.

With this wet foam, I took my flower foam, I wet it, and then I wrapped it with tape.

The reason that I did that is because I'm gonna be making a lot of insertions inside there.

>> Okay.

>> Okay?

And so when we do that, it could make it explode.

>> Oh.

>> So we're just wrapping it up.

>> So, how long do you have to soak that?

>> That is soaked -- It probably -- It takes about 30 seconds to soak.

Doesn't take a long time to soak.

However, watering it -- >> Yeah.

>> 'Cause here you're gonna reach in and water that vase, right?

Here, turkey baster.

>> [ Laughs ] >> Best way, best way to do it.

>> Okay.

>> So, take your turkey baster, and then squirt it in there.

>> Okay.

>> Or you could go -- You could take it out and take it to the sink and run water over it because there is no water supply.

So, these both are kind of like an event-type centerpiece... >> Yeah.

>> ...as opposed to something that you would leave on the counter for six weeks.

>> Well, and I would never have thought to use vegetables as kind of, you know, the decor around the base.

I really love that, J. That's a fun idea.

>> I think it's fun.

>> Yeah.

>> And I thought, you're always fun, so there's that.

We've got dahlias.

We've got roses.

We've got gerberas.

We've got all sorts of different things.

And I'm just gonna let you have at what you want.

But I've added some greenery.

>> Oh.

>> These are the tops off the carrots.

>> I love that.

So, you're using them still, right?

>> So that's really fun, too.

>> Alright.

So, we're gonna get to it?

>> Yeah.

So, you fill your vase.

I'm gonna work on this over here.

>> Okay.

Going to the farmer's market and picking out some veggies to use as decoration -- that's a fun idea.

>> When I see them always, I'm just always like, "I want somebody to see the pretty carrots."

>> I love these.

What are these?

>> Gomphrena.

>> Gomphrena.

>> Uh-huh.

>> Do they smell?

>> No.

>> Oh.

>> But they dry.

They dry beautifully.

>> They dry.

Okay.

Am I supposed to cut these ends just as I go, right?

>> Yes, you are.

>> Look at how good you are at that.

>> These are so unique.

♪♪ I love these, too.

What are these?

>> [ Gasps ] Pincushion protea.

Because it looks like a pincushion, right?

>> True, true.

♪♪ Okay, what are these?

I learn so much about flowers when I'm with you.

>> Hypericum.

>> Okay.

>> So, that is the fruit of St.

John's wort.

>> Like the vitamin?

>> Yeah!

>> Oh!

Oh, my goodness, this is so cute.

And then the gerbera daisies.

Right?

That's what this is.

>> That is a gerbera daisy.

>> Mm-hmm!

>> Yes.

People love them.

They're so popular.

>> They really are.

>> I mean, it's just such a popular flower.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> I'm gonna leave that one for you.

>> Are you sure?

You can have it.

Please use what you like.

>> I don't want to use it all because I think that sometimes I can go overboard and I need to learn simplicity is maybe a good thing sometimes.

>> You can use it all.

I promise.

>> Okay, well, let's stick one more flower in then.

>> Okay.

Yeah, absolutely.

♪♪ ♪♪ You did a beautiful job.

>> I'm very proud of it.

>> I think you did a great job!

>> I know.

I did.

>> So, just carrots.

Carrots is the inspiration.

Of course, we have a tradition.

>> We do.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And it involves a flower crown.

>> Oh, I will proudly wear it all day long.

[ Laughs ] >> It matches your outfit, too.

>> It does.

Yeah.

Let's see if I can keep my head straight and take another sip.

Look at that.

>> Oh, ta-da!

>> Aren't you glad you invited me?

>> I'm so glad I invited you.

I couldn't do it without you.

I really couldn't.

And that means so much to me that you've always been here, you've always come back, you always do that, and it's wonderful.

>> Well, I always support you, J. I love what you do, and I think you're changing people's lives.

I know that sounds silly for some, but honestly, you've changed my life in making sure that I can bring some joy.

And it just takes one flower at a time, really.

>> It's true, one flower at a time.

I love you.

Cheers.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Tritoma is a perennial plant with striking fiery-colored flower spikes resembling a red-hot poker.

Tritoma is also known as red hot poker, torch lily, rocket flower, and poker plant.

There are many different cultivars with varying heights, bloom times, and flower colors.

All species are native to Africa.

They make excellent cut flowers.

Tritoma plants have long, narrow, grass-like leaves and produce tall flower spikes with densely packed tubular flowers.

The flowers typically come in shades of red, orange, yellow and green, often with a two-tone effect as the lower florets fade to yellow, while the upper ones are still in bloom.

Tritoma can be planted in the spring or early fall, and seeds can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors.

♪♪ Sometimes having a television show about flowers I got a call the other day from a wonderful friend, Lottie Nys.

Her and I are both members of the American Institute of Floral Designers, and we've been friends for years.

And she said, "J, I wondered if you'd be interested in my uncle's Czechoslovakian glass vases."

And of course I was very interested.

And she said, "I have these, and my uncle would travel the world and look for these Czechoslovakian vases.

They're all marked on the bottom.

They have tags that are a secret little code of how much he paid for them and where he bought them.

And rather than these just sitting here or me selling them in a garage sale, I thought it would be great for them to come to you so that you could have them and they could be appreciated by someone who loves flowers and loves vases."

I had this one already.

That was a gift to me from another friend, Jim DelPrince, who is also a member of AIFD.

These are incredible, and they all have the indicators of Czechoslovakian glass.

And that's a wonderful friend, when they want to make sure that you have something that was special to them and they get those memories off the shelf and send them to you so we can fill them with flowers.

So, let me tell you more about these vases as I arrange in them.

♪♪ In the 1920s and 1930s, most decorative glass came to America from Czechoslovakia.

Small Czech flower vases in intense reds, yellows, or oranges were popular with Americans after World War I.

♪♪ ♪♪ Before World War I, there was no Czechoslovakia as a country.

Border areas with the rights sands and ores had produced rough-glass items for hundreds of years and then some Venetian glassblowers emigrated there and Bohemian glass became known all over the world for its fine etchings and elaborate paintings.

♪♪ After World War I, Czechoslovakia was formed.

Their decorative glass was soon recognized for its extraordinary innovation.

The classic Czech-style vase can be described as a modest-sized vase holding just a few flowers, produced in molded glass of an intense red or yellow or orange, with an applied glass snake and often a ruffled edge.

Even today, the color palette of these older vases often remains bright and strong.

Decorations are applied to some vases in styles ranging from vaguely Asian to Art Nouveau to Art Deco.

♪♪ Czech artists have since captured world attention with dramatic glass installations and constructions, gaining many top awards around the world in the modern era.

♪♪ ♪♪ How can collectors tell if a Czech-looking vase is vintage or modern?

First look at the bottom.

There may be a stamp saying "Czechoslovakia."

It can be difficult to read, but if it's present, the vase is a real period piece.

Modern pieces may say "Made in the Czech Republic."

Look inside.

Vintage vases are likely dirty at the bottom in a way that is almost impossible to clean.

Old vases sat around for most of a century accumulating cooked-in dust.

Also, consider the surface.

Modern glass is perfect, with no flaws.

Old glass has bubbles and small flecks from firing in more primitive ovens.

Small flaws are good evidence.

♪♪ ♪♪ If you're looking for old Czech vases, flea markets, antiques stores, and museums.

I have also heard that church sales are a great place to find old vases.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ I love my mother-in-law's recipe for cheesy cauliflower.

She would serve it all the time.

And it's just really basic, but it's really delicious.

And it's orange!

And it's orange because of sharp cheddar cheese.

So, I have blanched my cauliflower in nice big pieces.

So, then we'll move them into our glass baking dish.

I've used some butter inside there too, just to make sure we have a nice cooking surface inside there.

So, then we need to make a simple white sauce.

And I've got 2 tablespoons of butter in there.

I'm gonna add 2 tablespoons of flour.

We're gonna mix it up into a little roux.

I think it's interesting 'cause people say it's hard to make a roux.

I don't seem to think so.

It's just butter, flour.

And then we'll add a cup of milk.

And 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Then we just need to make this come to a boil.

And we keep stirring it the whole time.

There, it's starting to come together.

I've stirred this for probably five or six minutes.

So then we just add our shredded sharp cheddar cheese so that it's nice and orange.

♪♪ I just stir it till my cheese is all incorporated.

And then we pour it on.

♪♪ So now we put it in the oven at 350 for about 30 to 40 minutes.

Keep your eye on it.

When it's bubbly and got a nice brown topping, that's when it comes out.

♪♪ Wow, it looks great.

Just like Mary Lou used to make.

It's perfect for our orange theme.

♪♪ And now it's time for my favorite part of the show -- flowers from you, the viewers.

Today I have a few creations by Mary Gilbert of Oswego, New York.

Mary has several flower projects for us to enjoy.

She writes, "My granddaughter models flower crowns and bracelets, bridge party flower rings as favors, and assorted floral arrangements.

I love your show so much.

You make Tuesday one of my favorite days.

Thank you for all the great information and inspiration."

Thank you, Mary.

You are so kind, and I love all the creative ways you are enriching everyone's life with flowers.

Keep up the good work, my friend.

Please send me pictures of flower arrangements inspired by "Life in Bloom."

after a viewer's nickname.

Send them to J@uBloom.com.

That's the letter "J," "@," the letter "U," Bloom.com.

And watch for more "Schwankies" on upcoming shows.

I hope you've enjoyed our trip into the orange today and maybe find your mood a bit brighter.

For "Life in Bloom," I'm J Schwanke.

>> I want to put little mini baby carrots on a stick and do something like have a... >> Oh!

Wouldn't that be cute?

>> Wouldn't that be cute?

>> That would be so adorable.

>> Okay.

Alright.

>> I think that's a great add-on.

I love it.

>> That would be hilar-- >> Little baby carrots.

And then it could be, like, part of your buffet.

[ Both laugh ] >> Well, you know I like food, so... >> Just come grab a -- >> Those moments.

>> Come grab a carrot or two from our stuff over here.

Okay, hold on.

I gotta get something out of the fridge.

>> I'm really proud of my bouquet.

>> I think it's really pretty.

>> Ah!

Do I get a flower crown?

[ Laughs ] >> Of course.

"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

>> J's flower-arranging tips, helpful hints, and arrangement recipes are available in J's two books, "Fun with Flowers" for $25 and "Bloom 365" for $20 plus shipping.

To purchase these books and any of our additional products, visit uBloom.com/Store.

To learn more about flower arranging and J, access to videos, and to get recipes, tips, techniques, and much more, visit us online at uBloom.com.

Follow J on Facebook and Instagram at J Schwanke's Life in Bloom.

"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... ♪♪ At home.

♪♪ At work.

♪♪ Or anytime.

♪♪ CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following... PassionRoses... ♪♪ Suntory Flowers.

♪♪ Closed-caption funding provided by fabulousflorals.com.