Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Apr 2008

By Val: What happens to flowers at night and why?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Many flowers have petals which are open during the day, and close up at night. These flowers are reacting to light or temperature changes.

Other flowers, however, remain open around the clock, while still others have unusual opening and closing habits.

All these habits are all related to light or temperature changes.

That is because, Heat makes the inner surfaces of a flower's petals grow. So when the temperature goes down, the outer surfaces grow faster than the inner ones, thus making the flower close.

By Patti: What fresh cut flowers live the longest?

Answer By The Flower Expert: As a cut flower, Anthuria live 2-3 weeks, making them one of the longest lasting tropical flowers in arrangements.

By Lee: How and When to cut Butterfly Bush back?

Answer By The Flower Expert: You can cut back the butterfly bush in winter but not in spring. In cold climates cut back around November.

How close you cut it depends on where you are. If you have a lot of heavy snow it's better to trim back to around 3 foot or so and mulch. If your snow if light then even a foot is okay.

It will grow back the next season, and it helps keep it under control.

Otherwise at least prune well each year and remove the old woody branches. In warm climates you may cut it back after blooming to encourage a second bloom. Deadheading the blooms can also extend the bloom time.

By Ziya Stansberry: What is list of exotic and regular flowers thta come in purple for friend's wedding?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Purple colored Exotic Flowers

Musas

Lilacs

Calatheas Heliconias

Tulips

Roses - Lavender colored Roses are existing but not true purple Roses.

Birs of Paradise

Callas

Regular Flowers coming in the purple color

Iris

Hyacinth

Freesia

Anemones

Lilac

Sweet peas

Liatris

Larkspur

Monkshood

Hydrangea

Trachelium

Asters

Veronica

Alliums

Phlox

Stock.

Now a days Carnations are also made into Purple colored carnations.

By Corrie: Can I get Calli lilies and Roses in August 2009 for my wedding?

Answer By The Flower Expert: In comparison to the traditional white calla lily bulbs, colored calla lilies are spring planting, summer blooming, and continue to die down in the fall (referred to as senescence).

Well-known summer flowering bulbs are Dahlias, Begonias, Lilies, Gladiolas and Callas. Summer flowering bulbs are planted late spring.

A couple of months later they will bloom. Summer flowering bulbs will bloom in most climates but most of them are not winter hardy.

Hence in cold climates most summer flowering bulbs should be lifted and stored to be used the next season.

Availability of the flowers can be talked, only when you disclose your address.

By Tina: When my daffodils have finished flowering should I cut them back or leave them to die?

Answer By The Flower Expert: If you have a nice sunny spot in your yard then you can plant them. Just make sure you leave all the leaves and greenery on the bulbs because they need to absorb all the sun they can get in order to rebloom next spring. The greenery will eventually die back after the bulbs have absorbed the energy.

As long as you experience a cold winter then you can put them in the ground and leave them there. If you do not live in an area where it gets cold then can leave them in their container and set them in a sunny location so they can absorb the light energy and then you will to keep them in the refrigerator during the winter months if you want them to bloom again.

Then it should be just fine for you to find a sunny spot in your yard to let them soak up the sun, die back, and then reemerge next Spring.

By Jo Prevatte: How do I get new poinsettias from existing plants?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Poinsettias are short-day plants.

To rebloom your existing poinsettia by Christmas, you need to expose it to natural day lengths from that point on. That means no extra light because excess light delays blooming (and the turning of green bracts to red).

Poinsettias are temporary houseplants purchased before the holidays in full bloom and discarded after New Year's Day. They can be kept and induced to bloom again the following winter, but this is a difficult process. To make poinsettia bloom for the next holiday season, propagation of the plant is necessary. You must take some special steps because of the sticky latex inside the stems.

Keep the plant alive through the winter and into spring. The best time to begin propagation is in the spring.

Cut a three- to six-inch section of the stem way from the end of a branch. Remove the bottom set of leaves from the cutting. If you intend to keep the parent plant, mist the area where you took the cutting with water to help prevent excessive sap from leaking out of the plant.

Dip the tip of the cutting in a jar of water to help prevent sap from leaking out of the stem.

Fill a three-inch pot with a mixture of sand and perlite. Then add a half inch layer of sand to the top of the mixture. The sand helps prevent the propagation from rotting.

Add some rooting hormone powder to the tip of the poinsettia cutting and insert it into the potting mixture. Water the propagation well at first. After the first watering, water only when the potting mix dries out. Too much water can cause stem rot.

Wait about two months for the poinsettia propagation to take root. When new growth appears, treat the poinsettia as a mature plant.

By Diana: Is There a Specific Flower for Each Month?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yes, there is a specific flower for each month

By Ahmed: Is There any Remide for Dayabitis in Aroma Therphy?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Essential Oils are used in Aromatherapy. Although essential oils cannot claim to cure diabetes, they can be used to reduce the side effects of diabetes related ailments such as ulcers, loss of skin integrity, and skin infections.

The use of essential oils can reduce inflammation, encourage cell regeneration, and eliminate infection. Some of the common essential oils that may be used are Palma Rosa, Rosemary, Juniper, Lavender, Tea-tree, and Peppermint.

Essential oils can also alleviate the stress of coping with a chronic condition such as diabetes and ease the burden of living with such a debilitating disease.

Aromatherapy is a known antidote for relieving stress. Some of the essential oils that can be used for reducing stress are lavender, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Lemon, Bergamot, Neroli and Germanium.

By Tanya: Can you give me a list of flowers and plants that come from Africa?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Tanya,

List of flowers in Africa

Lampranthus and Mesembryanthemum

Crane flowers

Bird-of-paradise

Watsonia

Haemanthus

Cape-honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis),

Cape-chestnut (Calodendrum capense),

Cape-primrose (Streptocarpus),

Cape olive (Olea capensis),

Cape-myrtle (Myrsine africana),

Cape fig (Ficus capensis),

Cape-fuchsia (Phygelius capensis).

butterspoon tree (Cunonia capensis)

Cape leadwort (blue Cape plumbago),

Plumbago auriculata (known as Cape leadwort or blue Cape plumbago

Bush lily, Clivia miniata), kaffirboom coral tree (Erythrina caffra), and kaffir-plum (Harpephyllum caffrum)

By Barbara: How to grow Pansies in April in Northern New Jersey?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Barbara,

Pansies like sunny moist conditions.

They bloom best when there is ample water, but do not tolerate wet feet.

They are also heavy feeders, and a fertilizer formulated for blooming flowers should be applied every two or three weeks. Dead-heading your pansies will promote more blooms for a longer period of time.

Few pests bother pansies, slugs are the worst.

In the southern U.S states, pansies are planted in September and October to give us color throughout the winter. Even in the Upper South, here in west Kentucky, pansies are planted.

Not only can pansies provide color in the winter, but they can also be a part of the landscape during fall and spring months. In some cases, pansies can provide color in the landscape for as long as 6 months.

By Tanesha: Where to buy Peonies for a May 10, 2008 Wedding?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Tanesha,

We are only the ecommerce site, but not the suppliers.

In my view, there are number of online sites which provide the flowers.

By Rae Goldberg: How to prevent Leaf yellowing in Gardenias?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Rae Goldberg,

Yellow leaves (particularly seen in spring): Leaf yellowing in Gardenias and other bushes has generally been attributed to a magnesium deficiency and treated with applications of Epsom salts (sulphate of magnesium) but the plant is probably more in need of an all purpose fertiliser and a good watering.

Apply fertiliser in spring when weather begins to warm and yellow leaves begin to show.

By Lily: How to save Gerberas leaves from rust?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Lily,

Gerbera Rust - Albugo tragopogonis can attack Gerberas and is not a true rust. On the upper leaf surface yellow-green spots appear, directly below these on the underside emerge cream coloured blisters containing the fungal spores. The disease is more prevalent in spring and can completely disappear in hot dry weather. Some species of Gerberas are more susceptible than others.

It will disappear completely in hot dry summer weather.

But for a safeside, spray a general fungicide through out the season. Otherwise it reappears.

By Keeton: Are kaleidoscope four o'clocks on a vine or they a shurb?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Keeton,

Yes, Mirabilis jalapa is a Perennial herb.

Kaleidoscope four o'clocks are a perennial from tropical America, the Mirabilis jalapa is cultivated in the United States as an annual except in USDA Zones 8-11 where it thrives as a perennial. Heat- and drought-tolerant, four o'clocks are easily grown from seed and will often return from tubers year after year where winters are relatively mild. Growing two to four feet in height, the plants prefer full sun and tolerate a variety of well-drained soils.

By Alexis: Which Type of Seeds plant this Spring in Michigan?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Alexis,

It's better to wait for the season to settle down, so that we can plan the type of flowering plants to be planted.

This is only my suggestion.

Since adverse conditions in weather may not be favourable to the plant planted, or it may not survive.

By Cassie: Which Flower Decorated For Beach Wedding In Florida?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Cassie,

Brazilian peppertree or Christmasberry, and many native varieties of Orchid flowers can be decorated for your beach wedding in Florida.

By Cathey Borowski: I got several hyacinths for Easter. The flowers are dying off and I am waiting for the leaves to wilt. How do I keep these plants over the spring & summer for fall planting?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Cathey,

Hyacinths are perennials. The plants do die off and the bulbs are stored.

In colder climates, plant hardy bulbs as soon as possible after purchase.

In milder climates, plant hardy bulbs in late October or early November after the soil has cooled.

Keep them in the refrigerator or some other cool spot until you set them out.

In warm-winter climates you may need to pre-chill bulbs before planting to trick them into a dormant state. Simply place them in a container with a lid and put them in the refrigerator for 8 - 10 weeks.

By Stan: When is the best time for tulips in lawrenceville in Georgia?

Answer By Webmaster: Tulips will bloom best when planted in the autumn months before the first frost, typically around October or November.

That means Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils must be planted in the fall or early winter to bloom in spring because they require a long period of cool temperatures to spark the biochemical process that causes them to flower.

By Samantha: When Do You Plant Daffodils?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Samantha,

Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils must be planted in the fall or early winter to bloom in spring because they require a long period of cool temperatures to spark the biochemical process that causes them to flower.

By shannon: I have a bird of paradise. It is very leggy. Just wondering if I can cut it back or will this kill my plant. The stocks are so tall that when the leaves start to unfold the stock starts to bend. Help please, I don't want to loose my plant.

Ansewr by The Flower Expert: Dear Shannon,

You can now trim or prune the plants which are leggy in spring.

Curling and browning foliage points to drying out, either in the root area or in the air surrounding the leaves. Having problems with browning and curling leaves on Bird of Paradise and other tropical plants may be avoided by misting the foliage numerous times per day (especially early morning before direct sunlight and early evening). This will cut down on the amount of moisture the leaves lose and keep them happier. Water twice each week depending on weather and amount of wind and fertilize monthly with a balanced plant food.

There is no need to panic, as the trimming will not kill the plant.

By angie: received a pot of tulips for Easter - how do I prepare them for planting in the ground to obtain flowers next spring - live in South Florida

Ansewr by The Flower Expert: Tulips will bloom best when planted in the autumn months before the first frost, typically around October or November.

That means Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils must be planted in the fall or early winter to bloom in spring because they require a long period of cool temperatures to spark the biochemical process that causes them to flower.

When to plant the bulbs:

Ideally, you should plant six weeks or so prior to hard ground frosts in your area to allow ample time for fall root development.

Store the bulbs in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Even if planted late, bulbs will spring into action and try to start root growth. They are pre-programmed to grow and will do their best no matter how late you plant them.

As a general rule you should make the planting hole two to three times the height of the bulb. Be sure to plant the bulbs the right way: the root system down and the pointed part up.

By Gordon: I have a white lily in a pot would like put in bigger pot and keep it going how is best way?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Gordon,

You can transplant in spring.

It may suffer from transplant shock. But it will come over.

It may bloom or not the next year remains a question.

If they like their care, they are very likely to bloom next year.

How to go:

Dig up the soil and mixed in cow compost, humus and potting soil.

When you transplant, keep as much root matter as possible intact.

If the roots are getting hurt, it takes them longer to recover.

By Jessica: I started my zinnias indoors. I would like to transplant them out doors as soon as the threat of frost has passed. I live in Northeast Mississippi so I think it has, but I need to know how large the plants should be before I transplant them. Right now they are about 3 inches tall. Is it okay to transplant them now.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Jessica,

Yes, You can transplant Zinnias, outdoors when they are 2 to 4 inches high.

Place them or transplant to 8 inches apart.

Transplant Zinnias into your garden after the last frost date for your area.

Spacing depends upon size with miniature varieties spaced four to six inches apart, and Giant varieties one to two feet apart.

By Bruce: after the paper white blooms and dies how can you make it rebloom?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Paperwhites (narcissus tazetta), 'Soleil d'Or', 'Chinese sacred lily' and colchicum are among the most popular forcing flowers that don't require the 12-week rooting period. They are easy to start and can give you indoor blooms from Thanksgiving until late March, if planted successively, batch after batch in late fall.

By Rhonda Urdang: I'd like to order Paper Whites to send to my niece. How much would they cost to send to Atlanta.

Answer by The Flower Expert:Dear Rhonda,

Cost of an order depends on the distance from where it is being sent. Please give us the postal address, so that we can tell you the cost of the order.

By Howard:I live in a ground floor apartment in Brooklyn, New York. In front of my windows are the garbage and recycling cans, and sometimes rats. A friend read that scilla, daffodils, and hyacinths are good repellents of rats. If I wanted to put a plant on my windowsill that could sit there all year long, and might discourage rats from ever coming close to the windows, would you recommend one of these flowering bulb plants, or is there another plant I could buy? This may seem like an unusual question, but if you have any thoughts on the subject, I would appreciate reading your ideas. Thank you for your time.

Answer By Padmini:Dear Howard, Groing the bulbs like daffodils, scilla, and hyacinths may repel the rats but not for 100 %. Insteadyou can use some organic powders (Shake Away) which are safe to use to repel the rats.

By Carol: Does the narcisscus (paper white) need to be changed to a bigger pot when it gets bigger

Answer By Webmaster: Eventually, after 3-5 years, Narcissus bulbs will become overcrowded, with reduced flowering and smaller flowers. It is now time to dig up and split your Narcissus bulb clumps.

This is best done in spring when the foliage is brown and still present, so that you can still see where the bulbs are. Remove all the loose soil, and allow the bulbs to dry in shallow trays, or mesh sacks where there is good air circulation for drying off.

When dry, the clumps can be split up. Remove the old, dried skins and roots.

By Keeton: Are kaleidoscope four o'clocks on a vine or they a shurb?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Keeton,

Yes, Mirabilis jalapa is a Perennial herb.

Kaleidoscope four o'clocks are a perennial from tropical America, the Mirabilis jalapa is cultivated in the United States as an annual except in USDA Zones 8-11 where it thrives as a perennial. Heat- and drought-tolerant, four o'clocks are easily grown from seed and will often return from tubers year after year where winters are relatively mild. Growing two to four feet in height, the plants prefer full sun and tolerate a variety of well-drained soils.

By A Visitor: Write about Cyclamen

Answer By Webmaster: Cyclamen are a genus of plants containing 20 species, which are part of the family of Primulaceae, the Primrose family. In the wild, their distribution is centred on the Mediterranean, being natives of parts of Europe, western Asia and parts of North Africa.

By Sondra Howel: Where can I order a book with pictures of various floral designs?

By Webmaster: Mastering the Art of Floral Design by Paula Pryke's is the best book it gives good information and pictures of various floral designs. You can buy them at Amazon. Mastering the Art of Floral Design by Paula Pryke's is the best book it gives good information and pictures of various floral designs.You can also look at these books also The Complete Book of Floral Design and Wedding Bouquets: Over 300 Designs for Every Bride.