Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Sep 2007

By Carolyn: What are some common name flowers we can grow in nitrogen rich soil

Answer By Webmaster: Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen captured from the air. Planys growing in nitrogen rich soil are carrots, brassicas, beets, and cucumbers. Some plants are heavy nitrogen users like corn and grain plants, Pole beans, sweet corn and melons.

By Juacki: What is the national flower of spain

Answer By Webmaster: National flower of spain is Red Carnation.

By a LHendri: How can we propagate Phlox

Answer By Webmaster: Stem cuttings are frequently used for propagating the low growing shrubby perennials such as Phlox. Cuttings should be made in mid-summer from spring blooming.

Take cuttings of 2 to 3 inches in length in early or mid-morning.

Dip these in a root-promoting hormone and plant into rooting medium.

The cuttings may be kept out-of-doors in a shady, protected spot where they can be kept moist.

After top growth extends several inches, the plants can be set into permanent garden locations.

You can also propagate certain plants like Phlox by bending a branch down and covering with soil. The part of the stem which is buried will produce new roots.

By A Visitor: Does each bud bloom only once for that day

By Webmaster: Generally, flowers grow, open and then close permanently.

By Nancy:Why do Annabelle Viburnum change colors

By Webmaster: The flowers of Hydrangeas like 'Annabelle' and, to a lesser degree, 'Grandiflora' shrubs (3 to 5 feet high and wide) emerge green in spring and turn white in early summer and finally brown. (Many hydrangeas go through a color metamorphosis during the growing season.) They're generally tolerant of most soils but are extremely sensitive to drought, often wilting under a hot summer sun.

By A Visitor: Why does a Morning glory not bloom

Answer By Webmaster: Lack of bloom is the number one problem we hear about. The reasons of nonblooming of flowers are:

This is usually caused by lack of sun, overly rich soil,

too much fertilizer or

a combination of these factors

Rainy summers are hard on morning glories

The excess water and cloudy days can lead to prolific morning glory vines with very few flowers.

Remedy:

Morning glories like full sun,so if the plant isn't getting enough sun to flower,they will produce alot of vegetative growth,but will not flower...sometimes using mirrors and other reflective materials can help to increase the amount of reflected light to the plant.

Sometimes high Nitrogen levels can impair early flowering. Sometimes using a bloom boosting macronutrient like Phosphorus(which will not cause excessive leaves growth or impair flowering) can stimulate blooming...if you can't do anything to give the plant more sun,perhaps some of the other B-vitamin based bloom boosters may help...

By A Visitor:Why does sunflowers shrivel up

Answer By Webmaster: If you mean the sunflowers are shrivelling up, that means the flowers are ripe for the harvest.

If you mean leaves of sunflowers are shrivelling up, then , it might be that leaves rolling upward are an indication of some type of physical condition is not being met. It is possible the excess rains have inhibited the roots by forcing out available oxygen. Once the roots are able to get some much needed oxygen for good plant health, the plant perks back up.

By Mary: Why does a leaf gets riddled in Physalis

The leaves of Physalis (Chinese Lantens) were suddenly riddled, may be because of flea beetles of the family Chrysomelidae.

Probably A light dusting of Rotenone powder every other week takes care of the problem.

By a Visitor: How can Bleeding Heart Vines are propagated through clumps and seeds

Answer By Webmaster: Clumps can be divided in either spring or fall.Do it early in the spring so they have the whole season to prepare for next winter. Dig the entire clump out, gently shake most of the soil off and look for a logical place to cut with a sharp knife. Don't worry about pieces of root that break away...save them to bury about an inch or so deep near your new divisions. You could also harvest a few seeds late in summer, and sow them right away in a prepared bed. By spring you'll have more bleeding heart seedlings than you'll know what to do with.

By a Visitor: How to grow and buy common varieties of Lilacs

Answer by Webmaster: It usually takes at least three years before you get blooms on your lilacs. Most people buy lilacs from garden supply stores or catalogs. Most buy common varieties of Lilacs as small bushes that are already 2 to 3 feet tall. Two to three years later, you will see your first bloom.

Another popular way to grow new bushes is to take small shoots from an existing plant. Select shoots which 1-2 feet tall. Look for good root systems. Dig deeply to extract as much of the root as possible. The main root will be attached to the mother plant. Use clippers to cut it from the main bush. Plant the new shoot in the location. Add compost to the soil before planting. Plant three to five shoots in each area. Water thoroughly. Like all transplants, the survival rate is higher if transplanted in cooler weather. Keep the soil around your transplant moist, but not water-logged.

You can also grow Lilacs from seed, although this is an exceedingly uncommon approach.

By a Karla: Can we put fresh cut Zinnias on a cake

You can put fresh cut Zinnias on a cake. But do not eat and put florists zinnias, as they may contain pesticides and other things.

By a LHendri: When can we divide fall-flowering plants

Answer By Webmaster: Divide fall-flowering plants in the spring, and spring and summer flowering plants in the fall. Phlox should be divided only every three or four years.

By a Visitor: Write about Ideridifolia flowers

Answer by Webmaster: It is a flower called Ideridifolia flowers or otherwise called as Swan River Daisy.

The Swan River Daisy is a low-growing annual, with pretty purple and white flowers on delicate stems. It's foliage is serpentine, and light green. So why should you grow it? Well, it really is pretty in an unprepossessing way. It is a flowering plant for borders and container plantings.

They come up easily from seed and grow reasonably well in partial shade and better in light sun. Their growth habit is a lot like lobelia, and the two plants share a tendency to grow out from the root, leaving behind a mat of dry, undergrowth. You can cut them back, but in a shorter season, they don't tend to grow back well. Flowering is continual once they start blooming in midsummer.

By Cheris: What orange blooms go best together in boquets?

Answer aby Webmaster: Flowers like orange callas, Daffodils, Geranium, Gerberas, Lilies would be best for the bouquets.

By Nancy: If Gerbera Daisy could be replanted outside. If so, at what time of year?

Answer By Webmaster: Your Gerbera Daisy plant flowers best when it is growing in a small container and is slightly pot bound. Repot growing Gerbera Daisies in April. Use an open, free draining soil mix. When repotting ensure that the crown of the plant is above the level of the soil.

By Peggyquist: How to remove and care for the seeds of sunflowers

Answer By Webmaster: If you wish to save your Sunflower seeds for eating or planting next year you need to protect them from the birds. Cover the heads of the flowers with paper bags or cheesecloth. When the back of the Sunflower turns brown the bloom can be harvested. Cut the seed head with a few feet of stalk attached. Hang the Sunflower upside down in a cool area to let it dry.

The seeds of Sunflowers are edible and attract wildlife, especially birds and squirrels.

By Peter DeBrino: How to care for a dahlia bulb for the winter

Answer By Webmaster: Dig and store Dahlia bulbs if that has not been done.

When the foliage has turned yellow or brown on your tender bulbs, and before first frost, you will need to protect or dig them up and store them for the winter.

A blanket of mulch should protect tender bulbs through winter in the Southern coastal regions, the Soutwest or coastal areas of California. In other areas of the U.S. these tender bulbs should be dug up and replanted after the danger of frost has passed.

Cut tall stems back to a few inches so you can work with the base of the stem.

Using a digging fork for large clumps, or a hand trowel for small bulbs, loosen the soil around the plant so you can easily lift the bulb.

Shake excess soil from the roots and spread the bulbs on newspaper to dry in a cool, shady place out of the reach of animals.

Once the bulbs have dried for a few days, you can store them in a perforated paper or mesh bag, or in a box with damp peat moss to keep them moist. Experiment with which storage method is best for you.

Store the packaged bulbs in a dark, cool and dry place that maintains a temperature of 50 to 60° F. A basement, cupboard, crawl space or an attached garage may be appropriate.

By Harry: How can i take care of my Christmas cactus plant

Answer By Webmaster: Never keep Christmas cactus plant to sit in water, but keep the soil moist. Usually, if the plant is extremely waterlogged, the roots and other parts gets infected and slowly the plant dies.

The major disease in Christmas cactus is root rot, which can be prevented by avoiding excessive watering. Insects and related pests include mealybugs, soft brown scale, red spider mites and aphids also affect them.

In my opinion, your plants may not survive as they have been waterlogged, where in the plant does not like that condition.

By Wasil Sayuti: Guide line of chrysanthemum cultivation

Answer By Webmaster: Chrysanthemums are just about the easiest of all of the perennials to grow. They should be planted in early spring after all danger of freezing, however they can be planted almost any time, as long as they have time to establish their root system before the hottest weather. They grow best and produce the most flowers if planted in full sunshine, and respond to plenty of food and moisture.

There are hundreds of varieties of Chrysanthemums, giving you the options of height, color, flower size and time of bloom, so you can pick and choose to fit your needs when you visit the nursery. In northern climates it is wise to purchase the earlier bloomers.

By Myrna: How can we make indoor rchids bloom

Answer By Webmaster: Selecting varieties suitable for the growing conditions in your house improves chances of success. Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) and some Paphiopedilum varieties (slipper orchids) are especially suited for successful home growing. Flowers on these two types of orchids are very long lasting. Phalaenopsis flowers last from two to six months!

Like any other houseplant, orchids require proper water, fertilizer, light, temperatures, and humidity. Plants should be grown in an east, south, or west window, but should be protected from direct mid-day sun.

Requirements of Orchids to bloom:

Give the Orchids light only as long as the natural day length.

A relative humidity level which is very important to Orchids must be of 40-80% is suitable.

Frequency of watering depends on the size of the plant and pot, type of pot (plastic or clay), potting medium utilized, relative humidity, and amount of misting.

Orchids like a diet of fish and seaweed.

Orchids generally prefer to dry out well between waterings.

Satisfying these conditions, one can make the Orchids bloom indoors.

By a Visitor: Scientific name of Sago Palm is Cycas revoluta.

Answer By Webmaster: The Sago Palm prefers bright light, but will also tolerate moderate levels as well.

It also is a good idea to turn the plant slightly every couple of days to keep the plants shape.

You should allow your Sago palm to dry out in between waterings.

The plant do not have any humidity requirements. During dry months, a daily misting may add some extra lift to your plant. The only downfall to this houseplant is that they are extremely slow growers; so do not be discouraged if your plant doesn't appear to be growing.

The lower and older fronds usually yellow and die off as the plant ages. Most palms only support a certain number of fronds. When they reach their quota, a new one replaces an old discolored one.

By Abigail Chan: What do flowers of heliconia psittacorum look like and can you describe the flower texture, colour, shape?

Answer By Webmaster: Parakeet Flower (Heliconia psittacorum) is one of the most popular type of Heliconia, probably due to the fact that it is one of the easier heliconias. It is also one that resembles most to the birds-of-paradise.

The inflorescences of parakeet flower are very striking. The reddish pointed structures are called bracts. These tough, leathery structures protect the actual flower, which is yellow and quite delicate. The hummingbird that comes to this flower has a bill precisely shaped to fit into the flower. The heliconias bloom all the summer and they are great cut flowers, lasting 2 to 3 weeks. Heliconias are heavy feeders, and need rich humic soil. They also make great container plants.

By Rosemary: Name the popular flowers according to their ranking

Answer By Webmaster: Rose is the most popular flower in the world followed by other flowers such as Chrysanthemums, Tulips, Lilies, Poinsettias, Narcissus etc.

In the ranking order Rose, Chrysanthemums, Tulips, Lilies, Poinsettias, Narcissus are the most popular flowers.

By Sharon Wolfe: When is it safe to replant rose of Sharon

Answer By Webmaster: Replant Rose of Sharon in a spot that gets full sun or part shade, in early morning or evening. It is not fussy about soil. Once established, this plant will tolerate summer drought, but it flowers best when given ample water. To ensure a good flower crop and vigorous growth, fertilize on the same schedule, with the same plant food, that you use for other flowering shrubs.

By A Laura Woodburn: What is the meaning of receiving 3 Yellow Roses with an orange/red tip flower bouquet

Answer By Webmaster: The meaning of recieving 3 Yellow Roses with Red Tip means - Friendship, Falling in Love. This means the giver is falling in love with you.

By A Visitor: Is Yarrow an inforescence, Umbel or a Corymb

Answer By Webmaster: Yarrow has dense flower clusters standing in flat-topped umbels 2-3 feet tall. It has 4 to 9 phyllaries and contains ray and disk flowers which are white to pink.

Answer By Webmaster: Achillea millefolium or Yarrow (other common names Common Yarrow, Gordaldo, Nosebleed plant, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Soldier's Woundwort, Thousand-leaf (as its binomial name affirms), Thousand-seal) is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae

By Stephanie: Why does a Sunflower droop over from the weight

Answer By Webmaster: Sunflowers do not droop down. They just turn towards the Sun, and look as if they are drooping down. They swing towards the Sun's direction.

By Linda: How can we make the potted gardenia bloom

Answer By Webmaster : The flowering period of gardenias is spring-summer. Generally, Gardenias require high humidity to perform their best. Use a humidifier or a humidity tray indoors, especially in the winter.

If the plant appears healthy, the most common reason for a gardenia to fail to bloom is not enough humidity. They also cycle in and out of bloom with the seasons.

By Linda May: What are the reasons for the closing up of the Shasta Daisy flowers closing

Answer By Webmaster: Probably, moles might be the cause for the Shasta Daisy flowers closing up.

From the main tunnel, moles push a short shaft straight up to the surface. As moles push soil out through this hole, the soil forms a nearly circular mound, which may contain "ripple marks" or concentric circles of dirt.

Thus, they eat up the bulb, robbing the plant of its food.

By A Visitor: Light requirements of the Morning Glories

By Webmaster: Morning Glories needs to be in partial shade or on the east side, or it will perform best in spring and fall, while struggling in the summer.

By Elaine: Is a Diplidenia plant child friendly?

Answer By Webmaster: Dipladenia are the species belonging to the Genus Mandevilla. Known for its showy flowers, the genus Mandevilla includes plants that were formerly called Dipladenia.

There are about 100 species of this tropical American woody vine.

Dipladenia is Synonym with Dipladenia splendens/Mandevilla sanderi/Mandevilla boliviensis.

The parts of the plants are poisonous. If they are injested, they may cause skin irritation.

By Tom: Light requirements of the Christmas cactus

Answer By Webmaster: The Christmas cactus grows best in light shade. Full sunlight is beneficial in midwinter, but bright sun during the summer months can make plants look pale and yellow. Ideal growth occurs at temperatures between 70 to 80 °F during its growing season from April to September. Do not let temperatures rise above 90 °F once the flower buds are set in the fall. Continuous warm temperatures can cause flower buds to drop.

By Lisa: Can you grow daisy flowers by cuttings

Answer By webmaster: Yes, daisy flowers can be grown by cuttings. Its long vase life also means it is an excellent plant for cuttings.

Propagation is by division or from basal cuttings, both in spring. Divisions should be either planted immediately into well-prepared soil or potted up and grown on until big enough to plant. Cuttings should be struck into 9cm (3.5in) pots and placed in a cold frame or sheltered spot.

By A Visitor: Can we move several black eyed susans and coneflowers in Aug

Answer By Webmaster: Generally, if Black eyed susans bloom in the fall, divide and transplant them in the spring. If they bloom in the spring, divide and transplant them in the fall.

Black-eyed Susans are one example of a perennial that stands up well to the stress of being relocated.

Technically speaking, the best time to transplant them is when they are dormant (early spring or fall). This will cause them the least amount of stress.

Planting them in the fall has its advantages, because it gives their roots time to become established before winter sets in, which will get them off to a faster start in the spring. Not-so-technically speaking, you can probably transplant Black-eyed Susans almost anytime as long as you do it during the coolest part of the day and give them plenty to drink. They may not bloom the first year after you transplant them, but they always seem to come around eventually.

In my opinion, black eyed susans or coneflower are not advisable to transplant in August, as it is the time between spring and the fall.

By A Visitor: Does dead heading daises promote new flowers during the growing season?

Answer By Webmaster: It is not advisable to dead head daisies during growing season.

Generally, Divide spring and early-summer blooming perennials in the fall. Divide late summer and fall-blooming perennials in the spring. Peonies and true Lilies should only be divided or moved in fall. Bearded Iris and Oriental Poppies prefer to be moved in early August.

Daisies should be dead headed after the flower blooms, but not during the flowering season. That means after the spent blooms, dead head the daisies, which will promote more blooms the next year.

By Melissa: How is the bark of the Jacaranda tree not green

Answer By Webmaster: Usually, the stem or bark of the Jacaranda tree is thin and grey-brown in colour, smooth when the tree is young though it eventually becomes finely scaly. The twigs are slender and slightly zigzag; they are a light reddish-brown in colour.

By a Visitor: Notes and Care on Mandevillas

Answer By Webmaster: Genus Mandevilla includes plants that were formerly called Dipladenia, which are very showy. There are about 100 species of this tropical American woody vine. Most species overwinter only in the tropical South. In South Carolina they can be treated as annuals or grown indoors. They can be brought indoors before the first freeze and treated as a houseplant during the winter months. In the spring, mandevilla can be returned outside after the last spring freeze or after the threat of freezing weather has passed. Mandevilla is great trellised in containers or in hanging baskets.

The flowers are produced in early summer and again in early fall, even when plants are very young.

Caring of mandevillas can be of 2 methods.

Winter Care of Mandevillas:

In the first method, bring the Mandevillas indoors and brought indoors and place in a sunny location. A greenhouse is ideal. Water about once a week. Trim as needed to maintain the desired size. Mandevillas will not bloom through the winter due to the shorter days unless you supply supplemental lighting. With this method don't be alarmed if the plant insists on going dormant and loses its leaves. Be sure to keep the plants on the dry side if they go dormant.

The other method is the "just don't die" method. Dig the mandevilla from the garden or bring in the container before temperatures get below 60 degrees F. Trim the plant back to about 8-10 inches. Wash plant thoroughly. Drench container soils with water to encourage any critters like ants and sowbugs to vacate. Store the plant in a cool dark basement, garage or crawlspace. Anywhere where the temperatures stay about 55-60 degrees is adequate. Do not fertilize during the winter. Keep the soil on the dry side, but do not let it dry out completely.

By a Visitor: Write about ?Endless Summer?

Answer By Webmaster: Hydrangea macrophylla ?Endless Summer? is a mophead type hydrangea with a delightful solid mass of sterile flowers, different from the Lacecap Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla normalis) which has a center of non-showy fertile flowers surrounded with an outer circle of sterile showy flowers. It is a spectacular deciduous shrub with a rounded habit growing 1-2 meters tall and as wide with huge ball shaped flower clusters (13-20 cm. across) at stem tips! These mophead blooms can be pink, blue or lavender, depending on the soil pH and maturity. Foliage is luxuriant with medium to dark green leaves measuring 7-20 cm long that are opposite, ovate and serrated.

Endless Summer Hydrangea is unique and keenly sought after! It is the first Hydrangea macrophylla that flowers on both new and old wood, thus extending color virtually throughout the season, delighting endlessly with repeat blooming!

By Jessica: How can we know if a flower is an insect pollinated or a wind pollinated

Answer By Webmaster: Some plants are pollinated by wind. These have small petals, no scent, no nectar, smooth pollen as there is no need to stick to insects and large anthers that hang outside the flowers to be carried away by the wind. The members of the grass family are examples of wind pollinated plants.

Flowers pollinated by insects like butterflies and moths have tubelike flowers where the insect can dip their long proboscis in to reach the nectar. The pollen in these flowers is large and sticky i.e. Lilac and Buddleia.

So blindly, we can say that flowers with brightly colored petals and attractive chemical scents attract insects that act as agents of pollination.

Reproduction in plants without these features, such as significant flowers, is through wind-pollination. Wind-pollinated plants include grasses.

By Jacqie: How do I care for Thunbergia

Answer By webmaster: Care & Tips: The removal of dead/old flower heads to extend the flowering season.

Care of Thunbergia species:- Common names of this species are : Gloriosa Daisy, Black-eyed Susan

Needs full 6 hours of sunlight

Normal Watering for Outdoor Plants

Keep weeds to an absolute minimum, especially around desirable plants.

Protect the plants from Fungi : Leaf Spots, Pest : Slugs and Snails, Fungi : Powdery Mildew.

By Pam: When is the lotus flower and stem cut off?

Answer By Webmaster: Late in the fall, the yellowed foliage should be cut off and the plant lowered to the deepest part of the pond.

By Milly: Why does an Annual Dianthus leaves turn yellow and die

Answer By Webmaster: The reason for the leaves of Dianthus turning yellow is Red spider mite.

The first indication of the mite's presence is usually the appearance of pale blotches on the upper leaf surface. The leaves lose their waxy covering, become dull, turn yellow and die.

Once the plant has been infected, mite spreads and the plant dies.

By Pam: Can Mandevilla plants be grown in containers

Answer By Webmaster: Mandevilla plants are tropical plants and can be grown in containers, and are Full Sun lovers. They need plenty of sunlight.

It may grow in between the wall and the fence, but needs full sun. Try to provide full sun and it will grow to its fullest.

By a Visitor: Can you change the color of a hydrangea's flowers.

Answer By Webmaster: You can change the color of a hydrangea's flowers by adjusting soil pH.

Hydrangeas with bloom colors that range from pink through blue and purple belong to the hydrangea cultivars known as mopheads and lacecaps. These types of hydrangeas have the interesting ability to change the color of their blooms based on the chemistry of the soil.

Alkaline soil changes the bloom colors to pinker. Acidic soil alters the bloom colors toward blue.

By Janice: Write about Ipomopsis longiflora

By Webmaster: The white long flower might be Ipomopsis longiflora, of Polemoniaceae - Polemonium Family

The white flower is Ipomopsis longiflora which Stalked; calyx 5-lobed, tube 1/8 to 1/5 inch long; corolla trumpet-shaped, white to pale blue; tube 1 to 1.75 inch long; lobes 5, .25 to .5 inch long; stamens 5, unequal, included or at most only two exserted.

By Nancy: What is a Linnaea borealis flower

Answer By Webmaster: Linnaea borealis flower belongs to Caprifoliaceae (Linnaeaceae) family. They are also called as Twin flowers, as they are paired.

The stems are slender, pubescent and prostrate, growing to 20-40 cm long, with opposite evergreen rounded oval leaves 3-10 mm long and 2-7 mm broad. The flowering stems curve erect, to 4-8 cm tall, leafless except at the base; the flowers are paired, pendulous, 7-12 mm long, pale pink with a five-lobed corolla.

Its common name is from the paired flowers. It is one of few species to be named after Carolus Linnaeus.

By Nayan: What is a Silica gel

Answer By Webmaster: Silica gel is a granular, porous form of silica made synthetically from sodium silicate. Despite the name, silica gel is a solid.

Silica gel is a thirsty, granular compound that offers the best method of preserving the natural beauty of fresh flowers. Silica gel actually absorbs the moisture of the flower with little damage to the flower's color and form. Since ancient times, flowers have been air-dried and sand-dried. These methods, however, produce a shriveled look and faded colors. Now, with Silica Gel, it is possible to preserve nature's beauties. There is no limit to the bouquets you can preserve.

You can preserve the fresh beauty of flowers for years in their natural vivid colors without a great deal of work or expense.

Simply mix a combination of four parts of borax to one part of silica gel.

By Cindy Ehrhardt:Should we cut the Kangaroo paw after they bloom?

Answer By Webmaster: In fact, Kangaroo paw plant is often burnt back to the roots to generate fresh foliage free of black ink spot disease, which is also very common on older plants here, and eventually disfigures the plant and weakens it. So losing top growth annually to frost shouldn't be an issue if the plant has strong roots.

By Paul: When an orchid loses its flowers do they grow back?

Answer By Webmaster: Orchids bloom profusely and then the older ones get faded away and new ones bloom. The whole plant remains dormant after the blooming season is over. The next season, the blooms appear if the plant is in the same condition as it was in the previous year.

By A Visitor: How do I get rid of mealy bugs?

Answer By Webmaster: Mealy bugs develop a white waxy coating that is impervious to water and secrete sticky honeydew which attract ants. Mealy bugs reproduce in hot dry conditions, causing yellowing leaves, premature leaf drop and weak, slow growth.

To treat this problem Dip a Q-tip or small paintbrush in alcohol and dab each white mass. This will not completely elliminate the insects because they do not all develop at the same time. They are most vulnerable in the crawler stage. A repeated spray of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% water is a more effective way to treat mealy bugs. A pump sprayer with pressure works best in penetating the waxy coat and getting into the crevices of the plant. In addition, an ultrafine oil or Neem oil will work on the crawlers. Both alcohol and oil treatment will control mealy bugs safely indoors. Be sure to apply once a week for a month even if you do not see any sign of the insect.

By Pam: Can the mandevilla be grown in container and its required sunlight

Answer By Webmaster: You can plant the madavilla in proper sized container.

You can plant in the area where it doesn't get direct sun until about 4 or 5 p.m. It can be planted outdoors in a shaded area.

By a Visitor: Botanical name for the parrot tulip.

Answer By Webmaster: The botanical name of Tulip is, Estella Rijnveld Parrot Tulip.

The Parrot Tulip is an unusual colored tulip that has been bred from late flowering tulip mutations. Generally, the petals are fringed or serrated. The flowers open so wide they are almost flat.

By Steve: What can be done if flowers burn

Answer By Webmaster: Unfortunately, over-watering symptoms look almost the same as under-watering. This is why amateur gardeners very often start watering over-watered plant even more, once they see it looks wilted. Leaves become "papery", thin, fade, very often turn yellow starting from lower branches. Tips of leaves may turn brown and dry and look as if they are burnt.

Stop watering. Only water the plant after you feel the soil is dry to touch.

By Teresa: When can we cut statice for drying

Answer BY Webmaster: For drying statice flowers, select and cut the flowers before they fully open.

How to Dry statice flowers: Hang the Statice flowers upside down in a dark dry location that receives plenty of air circulation. Hanging them upside down in a dark area will help statice flowers retain much of their vivid color. After your statice flowers are fully dry, you'll be able to enjoy their color and beauty for many years to come.

By Carol: Questions posed by a florist to the customer when taking a floral order

Answer By Webmaster: There are some questions to be answered by the customers before an order booked by them.

Questions by a florist to the customer when taking a floral order:-

What type of flowers do you need?

To which place should the order be sent and their address?

The date of the delivery of the order?

The mode of payment of the order?

By Kathy: Blooming problems in Jasmines

The blooming period of jasmine flowers are early summer and summer. They bloom profusely in summer.

It is natural that the plant remains without flowering at this time of the year.

By Kath thompson: Some notes on Calatheas?

Answer By Webmaster: Some tropical foliage plants die down in winter so this is a good time to divide clumps or trim back dead or untidy growth of spathiphyllums, anthuriums, alocasias, ctenanthes and similar clump-forming plants. Mussaendas can also be trimmed now. Gingers and calatheas disappear completely in July, so put in a stake to mark the spot! Treat gingers like bulb plants and don't clip off the leaves as they die down. Just let them wither away, because this helps feed the plant through its dormant period. And some cool-climate bulb flowers should be appearing now, while others gear up for spring. If you plant gingers and bulbs such as freesias, babianas and daffodils in the same place you will have colour there for most of the year.

By Donald: When and how is the ideal time to transplant Asiatic Lillies?

Answer By Webmaster: In my opinion, Asiatic Lilies form bulblets along the portion of stem that's undergound. There will be baby bulbs along the stem near the surface of the soil. Lily bulbs will actually pull themselves deeper into the soil as they grow. If you want to divide them, now is a good time.

When replanting, the bulbs should be planted at a depth 2 to 3 times the height of the bulb.

By Robbie: Are zinnias edible?

Answer By Webmaster: To my knowledge zinnas are not edible. Some of the flowers that I know are edible.

Flower................ Flavor

Calendula............tangy to bitter

Pansy..................mildly minty

Viola...................floral

Scented Geranium......Floral

Borage.................Cool, cucumber-like

Nasturtium...........Peppery

Daylily (petals only, not the buds).....Sweet, grassy

Rose....................Floral

Hollyhocks (petals only) .......nutty

English Daisy..........Tangy to bitter

Chives.....................Oniony

By Pamela: What is the birth flower for july

Answer By Webmaster: Larkspur is the flower of the month of July and its meaning denotes Fickleness.

However, The lotus, after all, is the flower for July in China. And the water lily, the flower of July in England.

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.