This week's presidential debate broke new ground when it featured questions generated from YouTube.com. But if you're among a growing number of florists posting informational -- and downright fun -- programming to the popular video site, you probably weren't surprised by the formatting twist.

A year ago, a YouTube user searching for "florist" videos on the site would have been hard-pressed to find videos about cut flower selection, care and handling, and buying tips, not to mention event-specific advice on big-ticket items such as weddings. Today, that's no longer the case. (See what we mean by visiting www.youtube.com and searching for "florist." Beware: As with many social networking sites, you'll have to sift through some prank entries to find the high-quality gems from legitimate florists and news outlets.)

Victoria Wenstrup, a floral and custom silk designer and buyer at H.J. Benken Florist & Greenhouse in Cincinnati, landed on the site in May after being interviewed by Meghan Carter, the freelance writer and aspiring decorator behind Askthedecorator.com. In the six-minute clip, Wenstrip and Carter dish about the importance of flower food (and why it's better than bleach) and talk about when and where to cut stems, among other care-and-handling topics.

"We did it all in one take," Wenstrup says. "It was very impromptu. [Meghan] grew up in this area and she was familiar with our store, but it was kind of scary because there was no prep work" before the interview.

While the shop hasn't heard much about the clip from customers, Wenstrup did manage to surprise her 23-year-old son with her appearance on YouTube.

"He's in the Navy, in Virginia, and he called me one day and said, 'Mom, I think I just saw you on YouTube,'" she says, with a laugh.

See the clip.

--Mary Westbrook
mwestbrook@safnow.org

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