J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom

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

>> That flower feeling... at home... at work... or any time.

CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," 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... >> "The Magic of Flowers" is the theme for this episode.

My friend Aimie joins me at the L.A.

Flower Market to discuss how flowers lend their magic to everything.

I'll visit with Mellano & Company as they celebrate 100 years of magical flowers.

We'll enjoy the magic of flower farming in the mountains of Southern California and more.

I'm J Schwanke.

Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

I believe flowers have magic.

And in many ways, flowers are inviting, flowers are intriguing, flowers are mysterious.

Flowers draw you into their story and flowers can draw you into the stories of others.

Why are we drawn to them?

These magical beings that emerge on plants from the earth hold an undeniable sway over us humans.

The magic that flowers hold inspire love, beauty, care, compassion, and represent life itself.

Join me today and indulge yourself in the magic of flowers.

One company has experienced the magic of flowers for a century now.

Mellano & Company celebrates their 100th anniversary in 2025, growing and selling flowers to a receptive public.

I had a chance to chat with Bob Mellano, one of founder Giovanni Mellano's grandchildren, in a business that's still run by his family today.

Bob welcomed me to their location within the Original Los Angeles Flower Market, where his grandfather began working a century ago.

So, Bob, you are celebrating your 100th anniversary.

>> Yeah.

Can you believe that?

>> I think that's amazing.

That's the magic of flowers.

That's what you guys do.

>> It is.

>> What's it like having a 100-year-old family business?

>> You know, to get to 100 years, there's not a lot of companies that do it.

And, you know, being three generations in the business, it's an accomplishment, that's for sure.

In the floral industry, there's only a handful of other companies that are 100 years.

>> Absolutely.

>> Yeah.

>> So, who are we looking at up here?

>> So, that picture right there, it's got a picture of the partners, original partners of Mellano & Company.

My grandfather in the middle is -- that's my Grandfather Mellano, and then on his left is my other grandfather, Corgiat.

>> Wait a minute.

Both of them.

>> Yep, my mother and father grew up together.

Yeah.

>> Oh, wow.

>> So, my Grandfather Mellano emigrated from Italy in 1921.

>> Okay.

>> And then my other grandfather -- he actually was a chef on the cross-country trains that went from Chicago to California.

Claim to fame -- cooked for Al Capone on his way to Sing Sing.

>> No way.

>> Yeah, yeah.

And then there's another gentleman up there.

His name's Hankemeier.

He was one of the original partners, as well.

There's another picture up there that's got a picture of my mom and dad, proving that they grew up together.

They're behind the cake there.

That's my mom.

And then my dad's the tall one on the left-hand side.

>> You're ki-- >> Yep.

>> Oh, wow!

Oh, my gosh.

>> So, my grandfather was older when he emigrated over here.

So in the '60s was when my father started to buy -- You know, he bought him out.

And then and then my uncle graduated college, and he came into the business.

And then my aunt married my uncle from Italy, who she met in Italy, Battista.

And so he became -- They became partners.

So there's three families that have been involved in the business for that many years, yeah.

>> Wow.

>> Yeah.

>> What do you think were their biggest challenges back then?

>> You know, back then, it was different than -- different world.

>> Correct.

>> Just getting availability of product.

I mean, they didn't have any problem selling product.

I mean, there was demand for the flowers.

There was demand for the greens.

It was really a matter of sourcing and getting them.

And that's why it's a different world now.

We source flowers from all over the world.

This is our receiving cooler and where we actually process orders.

This alstroemeria right here is from our farm.

>> Right.

>> We're in our ranunculus season.

This is our ranunculus right here.

The local flowers we tend to move around in these carts here.

Much of this is from our farm.

And if not, it's from another local producer.

We keep the flowers on the outside from the outside growers, because it comes in from international flowers, because they come in boxes, you know?

So we get flowers from everywhere, everywhere we can.

>> So, Bob, it's full circle.

I mean, this is where you started 100 years ago, and you're still here.

>> Yeah.

I mean, we actually -- My grandfather started in the Flower Market in a counter, but right here, you know, three generations later.

>> That's amazing.

That's amazing.

So, what do you think is the most magical thing about flowers?

>> I mean, I still love flowers.

I mean, I just -- I mean, how can you not?

You know, I wish people loved them as much as we both do, right?

And I think that people are starting to learn that, you know, and understand the value of flowers.

And, you know, during COVID, they always talked about essential and nonessential, and I really felt flowers were very essential for the happiness of people.

>> And people proved that.

People proved that.

They gravitated towards the flowers.

My grandfather always told me that, in tough times, the flowers are always there.

>> Yeah.

>> And I think that that's a very meaningful way to think about it.

>> Yeah.

>> I appreciate it.

I love spending time with you.

I love the story.

I love the family.

>> Thank you.

>> I love everything you guys do.

>> Appreciate everything.

>> Alright, thanks, man.

Flowers have long been employed to embellish products in catalogs and advertising.

Manufacturers seem to hope the magic, beauty, and grace of flowers will translate such attributes indirectly to their products.

Which brings me to my guest, Aimie Vredevoogd, a talented product-photography stylist in Los Angeles, who often includes flowers in her work.

Aimie is a dear friend and also happens to be my former makeup and wardrobe stylist on the show.

Do you suppose her affinity for flowers and styling work was influenced by all her time working with me on "Life in Bloom"?

We'll chat about flowers and her styling work as we explore a wonderful resource in the Original Los Angeles Flower Market.

So, you are a successful stylist and you create these styling things for different types of makeup, for food, for things like that.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And so you're behind the scenes.

Tell us a little bit more about what you do for that.

What is being a stylist?

>> Being a stylist is -- I am in charge of setting up the background, the props, how the product looks.

>> Okay.

>> And then I'm arranging it, doing the composition.

I work with a photographer to shoot the image.

>> And, so, many times, when I look at these, I see that there's flowers in it.

>> Yeah.

>> So I'd like to think that "Life in Bloom" helped influence that, because, I mean, you were my wardrobe and stylist person and did my makeup for many years.

>> Yes, yes.

>> And, so, then, when you moved out here, you started doing this.

So I'd like to think that maybe "Life in Bloom" kind of got you that -- flowers to be part of it.

But is that part of it or no?

>> I mean, definitely.

I think working with you for so many years, I got to see you create these beautiful arrangements and I learned so many tips and tricks.

So it made me a lot more confident working with flowers on set, how to cut them properly, how to store them, and just, like, learning all the different products.

>> When do you come down here?

What's your favorite time to come down?

>> I don't know it's is my favorite time, by the time I come down here, is usually between 5:30 a.m. and 7:00, because I like to get my flowers fresh the day of the shoot.

And so I get them here and I need to be here around that time to get to set by 8:00.

>> Okay.

When you come down here, do you have, like, a favorite place you go or are you looking for a specific flower or how does that work out?

>> Yeah, I mean, there are some of my favorite vendors.

So I'll hit them first for sure.

>> Okay.

>> But a lot of times, I kind of just walk around the market, see what's in season.

Maybe something different catches my eye.

>> Sure.

>> And then I'll go from there.

If there is one flower that I'm looking for, I'll definitely get that, maybe in a few different colors or sizes, but then I'll find things that might -- the texture would work together, the color would work together.

So I'm always getting more than just that one flower.

>> Well, there's so much to choose from here.

>> Yeah.

So it's like you can't go wrong.

>> So, it's a form of inspiration, as well.

>> Oh, definitely.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And then, you know, it's hard to be here for work and just be like, "Oh, I want to grab this for my house" or "I want to grab this for my..." >> Because I think flowers are magical, right?

>> Yeah, definitely.

>> So, what do you find that is magical about them?

>> I mean, I think there's just something about looking at a flower.

You can't really look at it without a sense of awe.

>> Right.

>> You know, and it just brings joy to your life, in whatever capacity you're in.

Having them in your home when somebody gives them to you, you feel so good.

I think there's just something magical about the way they make you feel.

>> Right.

>> And the variety.

I mean, you're always getting to see different seasons, different florals, and that's just exciting, too.

This is one of my favorite places to go.

This is one of my first stops.

Just, I mean, if you see, there's so many to choose from.

>> I know.

Like, there's jasmine.

There's peonies.

There's butterfly ranunculus.

There's hydrangeas.

>> Let's see what they have and then kind of do a peruse around, and then come back and do my purchases at the end.

>> Wow.

Yeah.

I mean, I think it's amazing, because they do -- And it is global.

I mean, they grow many of their flowers and then they focus on California flowers, as well, so local flowers, but then they're also bringing stuff in from all over the world.

I mean, they grow all these foliages, too, and that's amazing.

>> You need the foliage.

Definitely need a foliage.

And variety.

There's so many varieties here.

>> So, you know, you've worked on the show, you've done stuff.

You know we have a tradition with our guests is that we have flower crowns.

>> Very excited.

>> And I have a flower crown for you.

So, yeah, here we go.

>> Okay.

I get to be crowned?

>> You get to be crowned.

>> Ta-da!

>> Whoo!

>> Oh, it's pretty.

>> Thank you.

>> Do you like it?

>> I love it.

>> Yeah.

That's the best part about it is, when you put a flower crown on somebody's head, they always smile.

It's fun.

Thank you so much.

>> Thank you.

>> Alstroemeria is a genus of flowering plant, often called the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas.

Alstroemeria have also become known as the restaurant flower, so named because they're often in vases at restaurants, presumably due to their long-lasting properties.

Plants grow from a cluster of tubers.

The leaves are variable in shape, and blades have smooth edges.

The flowers are solitary, or born on umbels.

The flower has six petals each, up to 5 centimeters long.

However, this variety has a multitude of petals.

The flower, which resembles a miniature lily, is very popular for bouquets and flower arrangements as a cut flower.

These delicate flowers survive up to 14 days in water without any signs of shriveling.

In my opinion, there's nothing quite like the magic that's found at a flower farm.

It doesn't matter what kind of flowers or the location.

If you have a desire to indulge in nature and the beauty and connection of flowers, a flower farm is the perfect place.

Today, we're in San Diego County, in California, at FBI Flowers, keeping it fun.

FBI stands for Francis Biddle International, an exceptional flower farmer and an exceptional friend to myself and "Life in Bloom."

Your farm is positioned on top of a mountain.

You're at the very, very, very top.

>> We're at the top.

We have 360-degree views from this very high point right here.

>> So, ocean... >> Ocean.

>> ...mountains.

>> Palomar Mountain.

>> What do you grow here?

>> We grow waxflowers.

We grow a lot of different foliages -- eucalyptus, different species of myrtles, and boxwoods.

We grow pincushions.

We grow Leucadendrons.

We grow boronias, Leptos, Sterling Range.

The list is long.

>> Right, right.

And, so, this all takes place in how much area?

How big is your farm?

>> We have four farms.

>> Four farms.

Okay.

>> This one we're on right now is about 100 acres.

>> Okay.

>> And combined, they're about 200 acres total.

>> Wow!

How do you determine what goes where and what grows where?

>> Very -- Well, certain crops are very demanding.

A protea, for instance, needs almost virgin soil.

So you can't go in with protea where you've had something previously.

Waxflower is also somewhat sensitive.

You can't come in with wax after avocados because of all the soil that will be contaminated with the residual fertilizer.

>> Oh, interesting.

Okay.

>> So it depends on what you had before it.

It really depends a lot on, what do you need?

So what have you got to plant, and where have you got to plant it?

And are those two then compatible?

>> Right.

>> So, on one side, it's what's ideal for the plant, and the other, really, it's what do we need and where have we got to put it?

>> You have a second generation here now.

>> I do.

My son George.

>> What's your favorite part about the flower business?

>> This right here.

Similar to, I think, most people who own ranches in Southern California, being able to walk around.

>> Right.

>> Tool around on a tractor.

>> Yeah.

Are you afraid of heights?

>> No.

[ Both laugh ] Great question.

Some people are scared up here.

I don't know why.

>> This is -- When we were driving up here today, it's just amazing.

It really, truly is amazing.

Why be a flower farmer and not, like, an astronaut or a policeman or an accountant or... >> I remember I was at dinner with my girlfriend saying, "Oh, my dad's doing this today.

It's so cool.

He's having -- He's out at the farms with the dogs.

He's doing this.

He found some rattlesnakes."

Yada, yada, yada.

"He's living the dream."

And she says, "You know you could do that, right?"

I said, "Oh, you're right.

I could do that.

I think I'm gonna do that."

>> I think that's amazing.

>> And then I jumped in.

>> Well, I am glad that you're doing this.

I think, number one, you got big shoes to fill.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> I know you know that.

But at the same time, I don't think there's anybody better.

I think you will be a great guy to run FBI Flowers and I want to watch and see what you do, because I think it's going to be amazing.

Frank's wife, Jennifer, is an integral part of this family flower farm, directing essential commerce and distribution for the flowers they grow.

She's also a whole lot of fun.

>> One of the main reasons I bought this farm was because I would come up here when it wasn't mine, and we bought the flowers off this property.

>> Okay.

>> And my dog so enjoyed and I so enjoyed being with my dog as he enjoyed running around and chasing birds that I said, "You know, we should have this as ours to enjoy and to farm and to watch things grow and to just --" Yeah, again, it's -- What brings me joy every morning is being able to come up here.

>> What's your favorite part?

>> My favorite part is walking the farms with my dogs and looking at the plants and inspecting to see, do we have any kind of disease issues?

Do we have -- When can we expect to cut a crop?

>> Uh-huh.

>> So I just enjoy getting up to the farms and walking and looking, and not sure what I'm going to see, but I'm going to see things.

And I carry my little notebook around with me, and all my notes go into my little Dummen Orange.

>> I like that.

I like it.

I like it.

>> And so that's -- I just enjoy being up here.

>> What do you think is the most magical thing about flowers?

>> I think that the way flowers make people feel is amazing.

It just lifts people's spirits and it brightens up the room.

It brightens up the day.

It's just a special -- And it's a perishable, fleeting product, but that's also the beauty of it.

You go and you experience one thing now and you experience something else later.

>> Yes.

Well, thank you.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your invitation, your hospitality.

I love seeing you.

Every time I see you, it's a treat.

>> It's always a pleasure, J.

You're always welcome, and it's great to see you.

>> I appreciate it.

Thank you.

The magic that flowers possess is magnified in gardens where they're grown.

Held in seeds, corms, and bulbs, flowers of all kinds patiently await their time to grow and unfurl, even if I'm sometimes impatient for them to bloom.

Each season, month, and week is anticipated, as new beauty is continuously revealed.

Today's bounty includes zinnias and dahlias.

We have sunflowers and hydrangeas.

These Celosia right here were sent to me as seeds by my friend Claire, and my friend Craig grew them on for me.

We have scabiosa, yarrow, coleus, and all sorts of foliages from the garden.

Let's make a beautiful bouquet today from the bounty of the garden.

Part of the magic of a garden bouquet is the serendipity colors.

We have all sorts of flowers and all sorts of color.

Another magical piece is the fragrance that comes along with it.

With scented geranium and sage, our butterfly bush.

all of those give this a fragrance ambiance, as well.

It's a perfect way to capture that magical moment in time in the garden for a bouquet inside our home.

Now it's my favorite part of the show -- "Flowers from You," the viewers.

Today, I have beautiful flowers and fauna to share from viewers Barry and Lindy Van Sickle.

They write, "We live in Washington State, on Camano Island, and we have created our gardens with heritage plantings, alstroemeria seeds from my mother, cuttings of floribunda roses from my grandmother Agnes, delphinium seeds from neighbor Bill.

Shasta daisies grow hardy, and all seem to like it, even the deer.

We have quite a show of color, starting with the rhododendrons, columbine, and lupine.

The true blast of color is in June and July.

It's a love of nature to be shared."

They even offered to send me some alstroemeria seeds.

I love seeing pictures of your flower arrangements inspired by "Life in Bloom."

We call them "Schwankes" after a viewer's nickname.

Send them to [email protected].

That's the letter "J" at the letter "U"-bloom.com.

And watch for more Schwankes on upcoming shows.

I hope you've experienced the magic of flowers vicariously through our show today.

Flowers have a way of commanding attention in the best way, creating a positive vibe through association.

The next time you're in need of some extra magic, remember the flowers.

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

so, they say that first generation is, like, the visionary.

They're the person who has the idea and they start it.

The second person, the second generation, they typically say, are, like, the PR people.

They're the ones that market the idea and grow it and make it bigger, right?

The third generation reinvents it.

And the fourth generation is the most likely to sell it off.

[ Both laugh ] Um...sorry.

I lost my train of thought.

>> Take a moment for the -- >> Do you want him out of there?

>> The dog's really going after that.

>> Come here.

Jackson really likes his role.

>> He does.

He was like -- >> He's all in.

>> "I'm completely in."

He was all in for it.

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

>> Visit uBloom.com to access all episodes of "Life in Bloom," plus exclusive flower videos, J's newsletter and blog.

Find recipes, flower tips, techniques, and much more.

Be sure to follow "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" on social media.

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

>> That flower feeling... at home... at work... or any time.

CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," 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... Closed caption funding provided by fabulousflorals.com.