Post #238949 by tikiwinebear on Wed, Jun 21, 2006 1:54 PM

I have very good luck with Hawaiian Tropical Flowers- http://www.hawaiian-tropical-flowers.com/index.html . I believe they had a shortage over Mother's Day, but I placed my order a couple days after, and everything arrived perfect. I got all kinds of mixed flowers (proteas, gingers, birds, heliconias - I ordered bouquets and created 5 flower arrangements myself) as well as loose denbrobium flowers (a mixture of beautiful greens and whites) so I could make my own leis. My order arrived the day I had requested in my on-line order, and was still very fresh. They packed the boxes with cool gel packets and wrapped stems with tissue soaked water in baggies. I have a set of lei needles from my previous trips to the islands, so I was able to create 4 fresh leis from the 200 loose orchid blossoms I got, and used the leftovers for table accents. I am going to be placing another order with them in the next week or so.

I have found a mixture of tropical orchids (denbrobiums) and local / domestic blooms (carnations or roses) work out well, and help keep the cost down. But, if at all possible, you should get a bunch of tuberose to use in your leis so you get the fantastic island smell!

• Myke