Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Jul 2009

By Sue: This is my first year having a Cactus Dahlia. I live in Ontario Canada, the southwestern region (Kitchener) and I would like to know what I should do for my cactus dahlia for winter care?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sue,

After spent flowers and foliage is dying-back, dahlia tubers can be left in the ground for the winter or dug-up and stored.

If they are left in the ground, they are prone to rot and freezing.

As most tubers survive most winters.

If you dig them, dig them up, and store them in a paper bag or in Ziploc baggies with wood chips or peat to absorb moisture.

Try to keep them in a cool, dark storage area until ready to re-plant them in April.

By Muriel Shand: I live in Minnesota, and have purchased two Hibiscus plants this past summer. I put them in pots that I knew I could take in in the fall. They did very well out side, but when I brought them in, the leaves are turning yellow and droping off. What am I doing wrong?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Muriel,

When bringing Hibsicus plants indoors after time outside, bring them indoors more gradually so the plant can become accustomed to the lower light levels indoors otherwise they shed and yellow their leaves.

Same Case with your plant.

Start by placing the plant in a sheltered spot outdoors, out of direct sun, for a few weeks.

Then move it indoors to the sunniest place you have.

Hibiscus need a place with bright light.

Check water requirements.

By Kathy Wojewoda: I have a purple cosmos plant growing outdoors, what can I do to prepare it for winter so that it will re-grow in the spring?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Kathy,

Annuals (cosmos, zinnias, marigolds, etc.) can be planted in the spring and will be in full bloom by June.

After your cosmos have their first flush of blooms, cut them back for another one. Ater the flower are finished, cut them off. Pruning helps to prompt new growth and tidy up the plant. Afterward, fertilize, water and await a whole new crop.

As generous reseeders, you can either save the seed for next year's garden (remove the dried flower heads to get the seeds) or let nature scatter the seeds for you.

When Cosmos plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, transplant them to a bed 1 to 2 feet apart.

By Jennifer: What is the best day to preserve and mount a white stargazer lily (oriental lily)?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Jennifer,

Be specific in your query. We could not follow. IF it is about the "best way to preserve and mount a white stargazer lily", then i can say that "freezer dry method" is one of the best ones.

By Karen: I am writing a research paper on a career for my ethics class. We were told to write about something we were interested in and I thought of a florist. I need to write a code of ethics for the profession and wondered if you have any advise?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Karen,

A Florist is a person between the sender and the reciever. He would be the perfect reflection of the sender's emotions.

His act is the ultimate projection. His act can enhance or spoil the recievers mood. A florist's profession is an important and learned profession. A florist is expected to exhibit high standards of honesty and integrity. His services require impartiality, fairness, and must be dedicated to serving customers in a timely manner. We must perform under a professional standard of behavior and adhere to the highest principles of conduct.

Florists, in their fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

1. A Florist should hold value to the safety, health and welfare of their customers.

2. A Florist should avoid deceptive acts.

3. A Florist should treat each customer fairly and equally.

4. A Florist should conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

By Sanlok: So...white and red roses together meaning welcome home or welcome back?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sanlok,

Yes, White and red rose together shows the meaning of unity for the loved ones.

As you are welcoming back your loved one, you can present a "White and red rose together".

By Donald knueven: I have red pink and yellow Celosia plants that come up every year due to just cutting them down in the fall or me taking the seeds off the top of the dried up flower and mixing these in top soil and spreading them around in bare spots.These are supposed to be annuals that you would plant new every year.I have not bought new plants for four years.What am I doing to make these come up every year,which I enjoy,and what else can I do to multiply this annual growth?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Donald,

Celosias though are Annuals, sometimes act as perennials. Celosias thrive very well when exposed to favourable conditions

Here as you are mixing up dried up flower in top soil and spreading them around in bare spots, they are emerging, as the conditions are very much suitable to them.

Celosia are grown from very fine seeds. They can be directly seeded into your flower garden or seeded indoors for transplanting later.

By Dan: I am looking for a flower to welcome back someone...so what flower and what color shouild I buy?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Dan

meaning for Welcome = gladly received

Synonyms: acceptable, accepted, agreeable, appreciated, cherished, congenial, contenting, cordial, delightful, desirable, desired, esteemed, favorable, genial, good, grateful, gratifying, honored, invited, nice, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, refreshing, satisfying, sympathetic, wanted

All the words with the above meanings can be taken.

gratitude - Pink Carnation

pleasure - Tuberose

Roses are universal symbol of Love, so you can gift your loved one with Roses.

You can gift your love with Rose, White and Red - Meaning, "We are inseparable, or Roses", Bouquet of Mature Blooms - Meaning Gratitude, 9 Roses - Meaning , We'll be together forever, 12 Roses - Meaning , Be mine.

In my view, Red is the ideal color I think.

By Kuthbuddin gulam hussain: This is a plants picture about 30 years old.what you see is a new branch and it effects the leaves of the plant.as i looked closer i don't see insects both side of the leaves. At the moment I'm see grass nutrient .I'm not using pesticides at the moment?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Hussain,

If you need the Jasmines to grow well, remove the other greener parts, it gets new leaves.

Reasons for yellowing of leaves:-

Over crowding, also cause yellowing of leaves.

Inproper drainage also cause yellowing of leaves

Over watering also cause yellowing of leaves

See that plants aren't sitting in water, overcrowding, improper drainage are the causes, and do not fertilize Jasmines when not in need (when actively growing)

I hope this will solve your problem.

By Josh: I am looking for proof (in writing) that the bird of paradise flower grows in fiji. I have found lots of pictures, but nowhere in writing.

Can you confirm this for me?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Josh,

Castaway islands is the heart and soul of the Fiji Islands.

In this site, its is written that birds of paradise are seen in Fiji Islands in Castaway Islands.

http://www.newsviews.info/travel10.html

By Volindah Costabell: I was given an angerl wing begonia which belonged to my late grandmother and then my aunt. My aunt told me it would grow and bloom, etc. Well, one of the stems came off. We have had the plant for two years. It has gotten leggy but no new shoots or blooms. I really want to make this plant thrive. What do I do?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Volindah Costabell,

We can propagate angel wing begonias from stem cuttings in the spring.

You can plant the cuttings in the ground but Cuttings should have at least 4 leaf joints, two of which will be planted under ground.

You can very well plant the broken stem into a pot.

Pruning the tips is essential during the growing season.

Fertilize with a slow release product for best blooms.

By Kass: It is fall in Minnesota. How do I prepare my morning glory's for winter?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Kass,

Morning glory is an annual and would not survive winter.

Cut down all the dead Morning glory vines before winter to make room for the new ones in the Spring.

By Ashley: My friend is getting married and she is doing a beachy theme wedding. We are trying to start looking for flowers but we have no idea where to start and we want something that sticks with the beach theme. Her wedding colors are pool (aqua color), sand and possibly white. I did find a picture of a sand lily online but I was hoping that you could point us in the direction of some other choices we might have so we kind of know what we are looking for when we walk into the flower shop?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Ashley,

A Beach Theme puts everybody in a tropical mood. So, using tropical flowers enhances the surrounding mood.

You can decorate with orange, pink and green flowers. String tiny lanterns across the ceiling and use brightly colored flowers in vases for the centerpieces. Play some Hawaiian music which may enthrall everyone.

By Virginia: A friend gave me two moon flower pods. I was embarassed to ask her, do I open the pods before putting them in dirt?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Virginia

Moon flowers seedpods should turn papery brown and become hard. Mature Moon flower seed pods have to be opened for the seeds. They should be soaked overnight in water before planting them in the soil.

By Ashley: I am a freelance event planner, however I also occasionally help clients with design and decor. I have a client who is having a bat mitzvah for her son in June and wants to use a tall flower. She doesn't want a large arrangement, just a pilsner vase with something either internal or slightly protruding from the top. What can you suggest in terms of affordable price and something in season?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Ashley,

You can have Gerberas and Lilies for the occassion. They are tall and can be put in a vase little protruding outsdie.

If the occassion is a special one, then a little more or less price, should not matter.

By Sw: I want some flowers that are reallyblue for the sun?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sw,

Some blue flowers are Morning glories, Violets, Hydrangeas, Clematis, Salvias, Blueberries,

Globe Onion (Allium), Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon semp.), Blue Star Creeper (Laurentia fluviatilis), Bellflower (Campanula), Delphiniums, Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)

Lobelia (Lobelias), Monkshood (Aconitum), 'Nikko Blue' Hydrangea (macrophylla type) are some of the blue colored flowers.

By Janie: Will pansies grow within pots?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Janie

Yes, Pansies can be grown in pots.

By Guest: Do daisys have to be cut back in the spring?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Guest,

Cutting daisies back to the ground is not a good idea unless it is very early spring.

That is Once you've had a few hard frosts or the leaves on the trees start to change colours, you can be sure the perennials are ready to go dormant. Then at that time we can cut perennials back in late September.

So, you can cut them only in late fall or early spring.

By Dan: Can Passion flower be grown year round indoors or do they need a dormant period to rest ? will either way effect the fruit and flowering of the next season?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Dan,

Passion flower is a outdoor plant as well as an indoor plant.

Young plants are usually kept indoors until the following Spring, and then put outdoors.

Passion flowers make excellent container grown plants in the home, but keep them in bright light, ever full sun.

With the on coming of hot summer heat, the plant does not thrive, but it will survive but the growth seems to go dormant

Purple passion fruits are self pollinating but we do not have much knowledge regarding the fruit.

By Sondra stout: I am transplanting my iris i have about 100 bulbs

We moved into a home recently and the old owner planted these beautys in full sun Can i plant these now for spring? I have a spot along a fence that gets partial sun but mostly shaded will it be a good spot? the soil is dark black relly good?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sondra,

The best time to plant or transplant Iris is right after they have finished flowering or during the fall and winter.

Iris needs Full sun to partial shade

Iris prefer sun but will tolerate partial sun, (no more than 2 hours of shade per day).

Irises in shade may grow a bit stragglier, but flower just fine. But it can be planted but not recommended.

By Diane: When does the bird of paradise bloom?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Diane,

Bird of Paradise blooms in Spring.

Bird of Paradise blooms best when clumps are crowded, and the soil is watered deeply and frequently.

It needs 3-5 years for the plant to begin blooming.

By Mrs Beattie: My [white]orchid has finished flowering now,so i'm wondering if it will bloom again, or shall i just have to dispose of it?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Beattle,

If the white Orchid finishes floweirng, then the cut off flowering stem about an inch from the base, or as close to the base you can easily get to.

This is for health of the plant and to encourage it to bloom well again, the following season.

By John: I am a student and i live in a departement.in my balcony i have pots with plants and i am wondering which flowers are ideal for a small space.i plant freesias and i am looking forward to see them bloom..could you please tell what flowers fits the most in this situation?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear John,

Freesias can be grown for as a potted plants for fragrance and beauty.

Freesias can be planted in the spring when the soil warms up. You can dig up the corms after the foliage turn brown and dies back. Store in a cool, dry place until the following spring.

If you are growing freesia indoors (greenhouse) you can plant them now in pots and enjoy flowers 10-12 weeks later.

There can be whole range of plants for a small balcony. Here are a few

Annuals like geraniums, impatiens, zinnias, marigolds, petunias and pansies can be preferred.

By Sondra stout: I am transplanting my iris i have about 100 bulbs.

We moved into a home recently and the old owner planted these beauty's in full sun Can i plant these now for spring?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sondra,

The best time to plant or transplant Iris is right after they have finished flowering or during the fall and winter.

Iris needs Full sun to partial shade

Iris prefer sun but will tolerate partial sun, (no more than 2 hours of shade per day).

Irises in shade may grow a bit stragglier, but flower just fine. But it can be planted but not recommended.

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.