Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Jan 2009

By MEl: my hydraniums are nice at the beginning of their flowering season,and in the middle they turn to a brownish then green. what do do to keep them pink or blue?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Generally, maintaining an acidic or low pH will induce blueness; whereas, maintaining a higher or alkaline pH will induce pinkness or redness.

Another way you can change the color of hydrangeas from pink to blue is to add a small amount of aluminum sulfate to the plant. This should be done to mature plants only, with extreme care since the chemical can cause irreparable root damage.

By Ginny: Is the jasmine plant poisionus to dogs?

Answer By The Flower Expert: No, Jasmine plants are not poisonous to dogs

By rainy yang: Would this cockscomb be comsider a 'creamy' colored cockscomb or a 'white' cockscomb?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Its a white colored cockscomb, which are very rare in nature. We do not know about the white colored cockscomb.

By Joanne: My Morning Glories are not producing flowers at all. I have a lush, big beautiful green vine and that's it. Do I need to add something to the soil?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Probably the nitrogen is excess in the soil, as such the pnats became Remove the excess nitrogen.

Sprinkle the Compost the Ringer fertilizer on top, otherwise, use only half as much of the Ringer fertilizer. (composts with wood products will feed your lawn for a week or two and then start sucking the nitrogen back out)

By Rainy: Is there such a thing as a white colored cockscomb?

Answer By The Flower Expert: I do not think that a true white colored cockscomb exists, rather creamy, yellow, pink, red, gold, orange, colored cockscomb exists.

By Ann: Can you tell me how deep the roots of obtusa frangipani grow?

Answer By The Flower Expert: It is a well known fact that frangipanis have a desiccated root system. We do not have such information about the roots system.

By Betty: When is the best time to dig and transplant daffodils, peonies, tulips and Asian lilies? I live in Rapid City

Answer By The Flower Expert:daffodils - Fall is the time to transplant Daffodils.

peonies - Fall is the time to transplant peonies

tulips - Fall is the time to transplant Tulips

Asian lilies - Asiatic Lily can be transplanted in Spring.

By Lisa: My Morning Glories are not flowering. They have completely covered my trellis but are not flowering. They are in full sun in soil that drains well. I have tried Mircle Gro (blooming version), no luck. They thrive but will not flower! What am I doing wrong?

Answer By The Flower Expert: You have provided everything to your MGs .

Problem might be that, Morning Glories can exhibit delayed blooming from a number of different causes like, if the soil has excessive Nitrogen levels in conjunction with temperature and lighting variables, they will not bloom at all.

Even if there is an adaptive genetic diversity present in the plants, that means the plant that blooms well in one environment may not bloom well in another and vice versa, such plants do not bloom.

Check for the soil nutreints and then act accordingly.

By Michelle: do I need to dead head the flowers on my gloiosa hebe plant?

Answer By The Flower Expert: If you meant Gloriosa daisy, then yes, you can dead the flowers.

Dead heading is the removal of dead or faded inflorescences from bedding plants.

By this there increases the attractiveness of plants, reduces the chances for diseases such as Botrytis, and stimulates flowering in many species.

Bedding plants that benefit from dead heading include gloriosa daisy, celosia, marigolds, coleus, dahlias, geraniums, salvia, and zinnias.

By Nora: have planted some Zinnias in my garden and they are doing very well. When can I cut them for bouquets?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Cut Zinnia flowers when they are fully developed and when pollen begins to show. Leave two to three leaf pairs on each stem for the cutflower look.

By Toni: When is the best time of year to prune hydrangea? Is it OK to cut the large flowers off of the bush to use in flower arrangements? Is it a good idea to cut the dying flower off so more blooms will appear faster?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Prune the stems and flower heads of Hydrangeas and as soon as they begin to fade for splendid foliage.

Pruning of established plants should be kept to a minimum.

Yes, you can use the large flowers in arrangements.

Yes, you can cut the dying flower off so more blooms will appear faster.

By J: I would like to know what type of flowers i can plant in Las Vegas, NV that will not die in full sun? Can I plant Zinnias in the summer or wait until fall?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Las Vegas has very extreme heat conditions. Therefore mostly tropical plants like cactus and succulent plants will be able to thrive in that region, like Giant Saguaro Cactus Plant.

You can plant Zinnias in Las Vegas in full Sun.

Zinnias are drought toelerant, and they can be planted in fall.

By Toni: When is the best time of year to prune hydrangea? Is it OK to cut the large flowers off of the bush to use in flower arrangements?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Prune the stems and flower heads of Hydrangeas and as soon as they begin to fade for splendid foliage.

Pruning of established plants should be kept to a minimum.

Yes, you can use the large flowers in arrangements.

Yes, you can cut the dying flower off so more blooms will appear faster.

By J: I would like to know what type of flowers i can plant in Las Vegas, NV that will not die in full sun? Can I plant Zinnia's in the summer or wait until fall?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Las Vegas has very extreme heat conditions. Therefore mostly tropical plants like cactus and succulent plants will be able to thrive in that region, like Giant Saguaro Cactus Plant.

You can plant Zinnias in Las Vegas in full Sun.

Zinnias are drought toelerant, and they can be planted in fall./

By Elaine: when hibiscus flower fades it is left with a green bulb like structure with star shape on top.could you possibly give me some imformation on this flower like how i can keep it mantained and looking as wonderful annually

Answer By The Flower Expert: China rose flowers are short-lived but if you treat the plant with care it will reward you with a succession of flowers.

China rose need bright light with some sun, normal room temperatures and moderate watering in the growth period, when they should be fed every week.

Mist and feed occasionally in the winter and water sparingly.

Prune in early spring to around 15cm (6in) of the base and repot in fresh housplant compost. Hibiscus has to be fed to flower.

By Brenda: I work for a hotel and we are about to redo all of our existing flowerbeds. What kind of Flowers and Plants can you suggest to plant that will stay appealing year around? I am in Eastern North Carolina so we have somewhat mild weather year around.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Some of the flowers which can be grown in North eastern America are

Diervilla species like

Diervilla lonicera (northern bush honeysuckle)

Diervilla rivularis (mountain bush honeysuckle)

Diervilla sessilifolia (southern bush honeysuckle)

Helenium - Sneedweed species

Hepatica americana (Round-Lobe Hepatica).

By Jessica: yellow daisies...sold as Boston daisies...are they annuals or perennials?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yellow Daisies are Anthemis tinctoria, or Golden Marguerite and Yellow Chamomile, is a species in the genus Anthemis of the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). Several common names include, Golden Marguerite, Marguerite Daisy, Dyers Chamomile, Ox-eye Chamomile, Boston Daisies, Paris Daisies.

It is a short-lived biennal, occurring in the Mediterranean and western Asia.

By Elaine: ?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Probably you are talking about Hibiscus or china rose. When the flowers fades, it is left with the green bulb like structure with star shape.

By Susan : ?

Answer By The Flower Expert: The yellowing of Morning Glories can simply be from the heat of the sun, or watering from above instead from the bottom or a calcium defiency. You can Sprinkle epsom salt at the base of the plants and then slightly water it in. Use about a cup for every 4 feet of ground that the morning glories are planted in.

By Steven: how do you pack flowers,to keep them fresh for at least 5 hours while you are traveling from India to Kuwait

Answer By The Flower Expert: Keeping the flowers fresh for many hours depends upon the type and quantity of flowers you are transporting.

Usually the cutflowers are transported in cold storage containers if they are in large numbers.

Even for the cutflowers transported for 5 hours, they are packed in containers.

Flowers are collected and tied with a rubber band. Then they are put in a cold storage containers for travelling.

Do not remove the rubber bands holding the flowers together in a bunch.

As it is only 5 hours( India to Kuwait ), there is no need to panic for the care of cutlfowers.

We do not know much about the floal food for the cutflowers.

By Susan: My morning glories are trailing beautifully, but lately the leaves are turning yellow - especially in the center of the trellis and at ground level. Any idea what is happening?

Answer By The Flower Expert: The yellowing of Morning Glories can simply be from the heat of the sun, or watering from above instead from the bottom or a calcium defiency.

You can Sprinkle epsom salt at the base of the plants and then slightly water it in.

Use about a cup for every 4 feet of ground that the morning glories are planted in..

By Karen: We are transplanting several cymbidiums from individual nursery pots into a wine barrel. Is there anything special we should do or not do during the planting? Any particular nutrients or soils we should use, etc.?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Cymbidium Orchids can be transplanted but with care and proper knowledge.

You did not specify the place you live in, but whenver you transplant, make sure they are transplanted during summer months.

Transplant the Cymbidium outdoors during summer months.

Temperature fluctuations can make a big difference in growth.

Cymbidium Orchids need moisture in the air and soil, so don't allow the soil in your houseplant to dry out.

Do not keep a Cymbidium in a dry house.

Use a humidifier if your house is too dry.

We do not know about the particular nutrients for the soil.

By William: I planted gladioluis early fromn the beginning when will the flowers start blooming ?

Answer By The Flower Expert: I think you have planted gladiolus in May. If so, you can enjoy continuous bloom for much of the summer.

Or Else if you have planted in Mid May, the flowers will come from July through August.

Larger corms bloom somewhat earlier than smaller corms of the same variety.

By Yvette: I purchased some tulips today. For some reason when I placed them in the vase and they started leaning over the rim. What can I do to get them to stand stright up?

Answer By The Flower Expert: First check the first method. Then look for the second one.

1.

ulips are particularly thirsty. Check water level daily.

Refresh or change water daily for longest vase life. With proper care, tulips should open and last from three to seven days.

But cut flower food is not necessary for tulips.

Here in this case Tulips are drooping.

Keep away from sources of heat (including direct sunlight, radiators, lamps and television sets).

2.

Tulips keep growing after being cut. The movement occurs as the stems grow upward, while the large flowers respond and grow towards the light, a phenomenon known as phototropism. The flowers open wide during the day and close at night.

By Tina: Do you cut the Flowers BEFORE or AFTER Pods have Emerged to Ensure more production of Flowers.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Beneath each Iris fading flower a large green seedpod rapidly develops.

This green pods have a spent blooms still adhering at their tips.

Iris pods are formed after the flower has finished blooming.

Iris seed pods contain seeds in them.

These seed pods have to turn from green to brown before they open to disperse seeds, which inturn help in producing small plants.

By Joanne: What are multicolored bracts of Bougainvillea?

Answer By The Flower Expert: The colorful, papery "blooms" of Bougainvillea are not flowers as we usually think; but they are bracts.

The true Bougainvillea flower is white, trumpet shaped and almost unnoticeable present within the bracts

This is some special characteristic of bouganvillea.

Bougainvilleas are available in a variety of species, each having its unique characteristics.

By Smith: This summer my Hibiscus tree did not develope flowers. Why?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Give a little of Epsom salts after the advice of the the local gardener.

By Danielle: I am hosting my daughters baby shower and we are giving away iris bulbs that we have dug up and placed into baggies with dirt and a little water, to store for the next two weeks is this the right thing to do or should we lay them out on the garage floor to dry them out first ,Also We left about a 5 inch green top on them and would like for them to stay green for the shower center peices is this possible ?

Answer By The Flower Expert: First dry the bulbs on a garage floor.

Keep the box in a cool location such as a basement.

Store you Iris bulbs in a ventilated container with some peat moss.

We do not know about a 5 inch green top.

By Jim: Our morning glory flowers are not producing flowers. We have had lots of rain this year, could that be the cause?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Ipomeas s or Morning Glories, need Normal watering.

That means the soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly, as conditions require. Usually 1 inch of water a week during the growing season is needed.

But take care not to over water.

The first two years after a plant is installed, regular watering is important for establishment. First year is critical. It is better to water once a week and water deeply, than to water frequently for a few minutes.

In your case, due to rain there is overwatering to the plant. That's causing the plant with no blooms.

If the plant is healthy, then use a little compost or a slow release organic fertilizer mixed in with a quality soil.

By Maria: My sister is getting married in late Aug. in the San Francisco area and wants to know what flowers are in season there for that time of year.

Answer By The Flower Expert: There are twenty-five species in the genus Rudbeckia, all native to North America.

Rudbeckia has both perennial and annual forms, with golden daisy-like flowers and long blooming period.

All species of Rudbeckia look good in flower beds and meadow gardens, and shorter forms do well in planters, they are an excellent choice for butterfly gardens.

The long, strong stems make Rudbeckia a good flower for cutting and is also a good dried flower.

As it is good dried flower, one can make dried flower arrangement as Keepsakes for their lifetime , as a memory of their wedding.

By Jenny: How frequently do kangaroo paws bloom and in what months in coastal San Diego County, CA?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Kangaroo Paw is a traditionally non-woody plant that lives for two or more growing seasons. Blooms late spring to fall in San Diego COunty in California.

By Darlene: Hello, I have a camelia in a pot on my patio. It's full of blooms, but the blooms are starting to turn brown. Do I cut this off and if so, how far down the stem do I cut them off.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Do not cut them back totally as they may not flower the next year.

You can prune as much as one third of their height at one time, which should be done within a month of flowering.

You can cut them back just a little to stimulate new growth and shape them up, you can cut back by as much as one third, or you can remove the lower limbs to create a treeform shape - tall and bushy at the top with thick trunks supporting them.

By Robert: The California Poppy after blooming numerous times, has stopped blooming. Should I cut it down to ground level. These flowers are in a small flower bed and now has become somewhat unattractive. I want to see them bloom again next year. Should I let them stay like this.

Answer By The Flower Expert:

The California Poppy plant grows vigorously in dry places. It especially likes areas where soil has been disturbed.

If there are favourable conditions they thrive well and really good, they will continue to flower over several years.

If they are not blooming, it means that now they will set seed.

California Poppy seeds have an impressive seed dispersal mechanism.

Those long, slender pods explode when ripe, scatter tiny seeds useful for planting.

Sow the seeds and enjoy the Poppy flowers again for the coming years

By Wendy: How does thinning down the foilage on Gerbera Daisies affect the plant?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yes, you can thin out the Gerbera Diaises.

Thinning the Gerbera Daisies will not pose any problem to the plant.

By Bill: What are Micronutrients?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Micronutrients are plant nutrients that are essential for plant growth but are only needed in small amounts to be effective. There are six micronutrients:

Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Zinc (Zn) .

These micronutrients are essential but in a lesser quantity. They should be given in high quantities. If they are given in excess, then the plants are susceptible to salts injury.

Micronutrient toxicities can occur if substrate pH is too low.

Excess micronutrients on the plants can cause dieback of the growing tips, marginal necrosis of leaves.

New Guinea Impatiens need only moderate levels of micronutrients.

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.