Department of Corrections

In the 6/07 issue, we published a profile of the Red Hook-based wedding, floral, and event design studio Stems Inc (“Better Blooms: Stems Inc.”). In the article, we quoted Stems Inc. owner Maggie Oyen at length about various techniques she uses in the handling and storage of flowers that diverge from mainstream floral industry standards, for example, never putting her flowers into a cooler for storage. (Kurt Schroeder, director of marketing and quality assurance for the Delaware Valley Floral Group, states that 33 degrees is the ideal temperature for floral storage, though tropical flowers should be kept between 55 and 60 degrees.) After speaking with a number of experts in the floral industry, we realize that while Stems may be using alternative floral storage practices, there is no damage done to flowers that are shipped and cared for via conventional means. The article implied this mistaken impression. Our apologies.

In late June, we received a letter from Jim Reardon, owner of E.A. Coon Florist in Rhinebeck, in response to the Stems Inc. profile. Reardon’s letter is printed in its entirety on the next page.

—Brian K. Mahoney