Today on Behind the Bloom – I’m honored and pleased to introduce you to one of the Kindest and Wonderful Humans on the Planet… Tessie Amore Ph.D. – as I visit the Magoon Research Station- at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

When we were planning our filming visit- and production that would take place in Hawaii… I had many wonderful friends that came to my aid- to help Kelly and I craft four different shows- that would span two seasons (7 and 8) of J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom.
One of those people was Tessie Amore Ph.D. – we visited on the phone- and immediately – I knew we were kindred spirits… and in this week’s Free Video on uBloom.com – you will get to know this amazing person that I am so proud to call my Friend.

The Magoon Research Station – is part of the University of Hawaii at Monoa – a major teaching and research university, providing affordable, quality higher education to the people of Hawaii and beyond. Tessie leads the hybridization facility for Anthurium and Orchids- as well as teaches Horticulture and Flower Design.

During our visit- Tessie and I talked about their methods behind hybridizing New Anthurium Varieties- including the NEW “Phil” and “Cathy” Varieties – that were shown in Season 7- Episode #701 Flower Icon (you can watch that here)… and In Season 8- we will be premiering a NEW Episode about The Flowers of Hawaii- where I dive deeper into this process with Tessie… we also arrange flowers in tandem… and she is – of course- the recipient of one of my Famous Flower Crowns.
 
Spending a Day with Tessie – is incredible… her knowledge and mentorship is always evident… in fact she received an Award of Merit for her Mentorship at the University of Hawaii… that we discuss in this video. Tessie is so knowledgeable and kind… and learning from her… is a very special experience. She introduced me to so many people- and helped us coordinate a Visit to Green Valley Nurseries- *(you can watch that Video visit here)… and also got us involved to many other amazing Locations on Hawaii- that I hope to share in the future.
 
In this episode of Behind the Bloom- Dr. Tessie shares more about the Magoon Research Station… the Colors of Anthurium they produce, how the plants are grown- the specific elements of the flower- including the Spadex (“Nose”) and Spath- and even a Fragrant Anthurium Variety… I had the opportunity to arrange some of the varieties that Dr. Tessie has helped hybridize – in this Video- watch it now- and had the honor of arranging on Location at the Magoon Research Station… WOW!

Today you get to Meet the Wonderful Tessie Amore Ph.D. and learn more about her Flower World… I hope you enjoy this visit- just as much as I did- and that you can experience for yourself- this wonderful Mentor, Educator and one of my Favorite Flower Friends!