So when invited to officially launch the book, 'What Cut Flower Is That?' at Taree TAFE, Jim said he "needed to make it fun".

Jim announced to the crowd of around 100 people on September 10 that "book launches are typically boring affairs" and so rallied the crowd to watch him physically launch the book into the air by method of resting a plank of wood on a log, placing the book on one end of the plank and then dropping two bricks bound together with string on the other end of the plank.

Co-author Del Thomas watched with delight as her book, wrapped in cellophane and ribbon launched into the air and then returned to ground on the grass with a 'thud'.

The official launch of 'What Cut Flower Is That?' is another chapter in the story of Del Thomas of Forster and a life that is rich with experiences of working and teaching in horticulture and floriculture.

From weaving pots, to packing flowers, to buying for chain stores, to running a small business, to tending a foliage farm, to teaching floristry ... the multitude of experiences lead Del to co-author the book that has been approved for study in all registered training organisations and TAFE campuses.

The genesis for the book concept came from her experience as a student of floristry and then as a teacher of floristry.

"All through that time I always wished there was one comprehensive book. You could get a little bit of information out of this book and a little bit of information from that book. There were so many books but not one that had it all," Del explained.

So began a collaboration with Bettina Gollnow that saw the creation of 'What Cut Flower Is That?" and it currently holds the honour of the most downloaded resource on the Rural Industries Research and Development (RIRD) website.

The book is a national first and according to RIRD, the "publication contains everything the successful florist needs to know about sourcing, buying, storing, preparing and selling 116 flower products and 30 foliage products. Each full-page entry gives the common names, botanical names, availability, vase life, stem length, typical bunch size, colour range, buying tips, care and handling, which floral preservatives to use, ethylene sensitivity, storage temperature, design uses in floristry and special advice. Each product is illustrated with a beautiful colour photograph to aid recognition. This is an essential resource for all florists, floristry students and anyone with a passion for cut flowers."

That's the official take on the book, however its usefulness was beautifully described by Elwyn Swane, who introduced Del and her book to the crowd of people at its launch.

"As a recipe book is to a cook, 'What Cut Flower Is That?' is the definitive text book for the florist," Elwyn explained.

"It is written for the times in which we live, dealing with fact rather than older notions about keeping flowers way back when. 'What Cut Flower Is That?' is due to become the florists' bible, the ultimate textbook of post-harvest care of flowers ... and it has been cleverly printed on waterproof paper.

"Producing this book has been a labour of love for Del, to enable her to pass on to others her love for the beautiful world of flowers, her passion for her trade so all who use it will gain the benefit of her years of experience."