Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Jul 2009

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 Lautrell: I am growing white gingers in my yard. I live in Alabama and I need to know, is it necessary to cut back the top growth and cover my plants in the winter? A friend of mine wants a root for edible purposes, can this root be eaten?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Lautrell,

Hedychium gardnerianum is whihte ginger lily.

It can be eaten.

By Karen: Hi, I have a POINSETTIA that I have been growing for almost a year now. I have done Everything to take care of the plant and it looked healthy with strong stems and leaves, but a week ago the plant went really sad and the leaves started curling and drooping. I live in London, England and it's a little cold now, but I put the plant in the sun in the morning, try to keep it out of the light at night and keep it moist. Am I doing something wrong or missing a step? Please help, as I would like to see the plant look nice for Christmas?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Karen,

Drooping and curling leaves on the poinsettia plant has been observed when the plant gets too dry. That is becasuse when the plants gets exposed to cold temperatures (as it is in your case).

So, therefore it is essential that the plant is protected from drying out.

Keeping the poinsettia evenly moist is your best one.

By Susan G. de Leon: What rose varieties are suited for growing in a tropical country like the Philippines?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Susan,

Roses are suited very well for the tropical and sub-tropical places.

French and Dutch variety of Roses are grown in Phillipines.

By Lisa yetman: How do i use a vibrant jasmine plant to make more for transplanting. we live in spring hill Florida. Ty in advance?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Lisa,

Cestrum nocturnum is the Night Blooming Jasmine Florida has warm and excellent climate through out the year.

Jasmines grow very well there.

I think they can transplanted anytime of the year but best to do in early spring.

By Kelly: What do hyacinth, crocus, grape hyacinth and tulip bulbs/tubers/corms look like? I dug up my flower bed and now I don't know one from the other. How deep do each one get planted?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Kelly,

Hyacinth, Grape Hyacinth, Tulips are Spring Flowering bulbs.

Hyacinth, Grape Hyacinth, Tulips are true bulbs but Crocus is a corm.

Planting depth of the bulbs are:

Hyacinth - 6 inches deep

Grape Hyacinth - 6 inches deep

Tulips - 6 inches deep or more

Crocus - 6-8 cm deep

By Anne: I just put pansies in the ground and I noticed that something is eating them! Is there something non-toxic that I can put on them to prevent them from being dinner? Also, squirrels are eating my hibiscus- I have caught them in the act! Can I put something on it to keep them off?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Anne

What are the symptoms you can see on the pansies. It is very difficult to diagnose the pansy problems.

But the remedies are almost similar.

Look at this site for further info

http://www.gpnmag.com/Diagnosing-Common-Pansy-Problems-article80

You can use the oil of mustard with extracts of chili and lemon mixed in, which has a very strong, lemony smell that squirrels, dogs and other critters do not like.

Spray on and around the pots, but not on Hibiscus plants.

By Shirley Ritchey: My magnolia tree is not growing like I think it should be. I bought it about 3 months ago and planted it according to directions. It has large brittle tan spots on most of the leaves and is not growing at all. Can you help?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Shirley,

Make sure the soil is acid. If not then forget it.

These plants are too expensive to take a chance with.

Leaf spots are caused by fungi or bacteria.

Reasons may be like:-

Overwatering. (do not overwater).

More watering helps develop fungus or bacteria.

Pour the water from below the lower leaves.

By Danielle Warren: Can you please tell me where the followig flowers are grown?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Danielle,

The flowers grown or nativity of the flowers is :

Tulips - Netherlands

Roses - Asia and South East Asia

Alostoemeria - South America

Freesia - Africa

Lisianthus - Southern United States, Mexico, Caribbean and northern South America.

Brunia - Africa

Gypsophila - Central and Eastern Europe.

Gerbera - Madagascar, tropical Asia and South America

Anigozanthos - Australia

By David: I purchased a few cut Bird of Paradise flowers that were not opened?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear David,

The blooms of the Bird Of Paradise are actually a succession of blooms that open together instead of one large flower as many people think.

We do not have the information about how to open the birds of paradise flower to open.

Shelf life of Birds of Paradise:

Bird-of-paradise flowers were harvested and stored at 10 °C for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The flowers were recut at 2 cm from the stalk base and pulsed with 40% sucrose for 24 hours before or after cold storage, while control stalks were treated with distilled water.

A pulsing treatment following storage for 7 and 14 days improved flower vase life by increasing the number of open florets. They can have a best stored longevity after storing flowers up to 14 days at 10 °C, followed by pulsing treatment with 40% sucrose for 24 hours.

Do they open after being cut? If so, is there any special treatment for keeping them for a long period of time?

Yes, they do open when placed in a container with water after being cut as a cutflower.

For long life as a cutflower in a vase, Keep the water fresh, cut the stems with a sharp knife and put flowers directly in water.

By Todd: when to plant rooster combes?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Todd,

Plants like Celosia plumosa are planted indoors 4 weeks before the last frost.

By Linda Bunker: Should Jasmine be brought into the house or garage when winter begins? Before a bad freeze?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Linda,

There are several vines called jasmine: Jasminum (Jasmine), Trachelospermum (Star Jasmine), and Stephanotis (Madagascar Jasmine or Bridal Veil). There is a Gardenia called Cape Jasmine, and I'm sure there are still other flowers sharing the name.

Although, Jasmines should be protected from frost in winters.

By Lori Gronewold: I live in the Chicago area; I have my purple passion plant, planted outside by a fence. It has spread over 2 trellises and before I try to untangle or trim it, I wanted to see if I could leave it in the ground heavily mulched over the winter or do I need to dig it up and bring it in?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Lori,

Firstly prunning of Passiflora is essential as it has covered the trellises.

It is best to cut some stems back nearly to the base, rather than just trim the tips.

The Passifora blossoms are bisexed, each having male stamens & female pistil within the purple corolla.

Usually the Passiflora vine should be cut back to about 6-8 inches when bringing it inside for the cold season.

Get it indoors before the first hard frost.

Keep it in a sunny window

By Tariq Usman: I want to grow Chamomile Flower in Karachi, Pakistan please me tips and idea. Where from i buy a seed?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Usman,

Camomile flowers are miniature daisy-like flowers, half-hardy perennial with many uses.

Growing Chamomile

Give chamomile full sun and light,

well-drained soil.

Likes mildly acidic conditions, and the liberal addition of sand is welcome.

Keep it moist in the heat of summer.

Plant seedlings at least six inches.

Grows to a height of 12 inches, useful for borders and along walkways.

Propagating Chamomile

In temperate climates, chamomile self seeds.

In areas with cold winter temperatures, sow chamomile seeds indoors in spring.

Chamomile can also be propagated from cuttings.

By Cheryl Owen: How long does it take a young bird of paradise plant to bloom?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Cheryl

It may take 4-7 years for the a young bird of paradise plant to begin blooming if the conditions are met.

But once they bloom they are worth a wait.

By Barbara: I was asking about a jasmine plant and how to keep it over the winter? Waiting for a reply.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Barbara,

Jasmine is a tropical plant. It can be grown in nashville.

Winter Care of Jasmines:---

In winter, you can bring in and place Jasmines faces south, as receives abundant afternoon sun.

By early spring, it has already started to push new foliage and blossoms indoors.

In early May, you can put out on the patio (full sun).

Prune hardly to the point where very little foliage remains.

Fertilize it liberally with osmocote and give it plenty of water.

In about 4 weeks, it comes back beautifully with much thicker foliage and denser blossoms than it had before I pruned it.

By John Farnik: I am living in the chicagoland ill area, must i take the dahlia flower out of the grond and store it inside much like i do with glads, or can i leave them in the ground over the winter?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear John

In warmer climatic places, Dahlias can be put outside in the garden through out the year.

In colder climates they should be dug up and stored during winters.

Digging Dahlia Tubers in the Fall

For digging the dahlia tubers, wait until about a week after frost kills and blackens the top growth.

Cut the dahlia stalk down to six inches.

For digging, use a garden fork or spade.

Start digging about a foot away from the stem because they might have become larger by now.

Dig around the clump in a circle, then pry it up from the bottom.

Do not to damage the tubers.

Remember to leave the stem intact with the clump.

By Rebecca: I want tulips for my wedding but the local florist is trying to discourage me. Will tulips open flat in bouquets and boutonnieres? This is the of the only things I really want for my dream wedding, I would like to find a way to make it work?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Rebbecca,

Tulips are famous for their being almost a close flower. They do not open fully like a Rose.

Since you a flat opened Tulips, then there is a rare type of Tulips where there are 4 tulips, sligthly more open than the normal tulips.

As your wedding is a special one, i think you can afford these special ones for even a higher price.

By Gail Russell: I just took my dogs out for their final potty break of the night and the yellow mums on my front porch are covered, and I mean covered with slugs. I have never in my life seen this!!!! What is it? Will they kill the mums? What should I do?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Russell,

There are many household remedies for removing slugs form your gardens.

They are:

Keeping a cup of beer near the plant, may attract them and drown in it.

Handpicking of slugs is good but tiresome and time consuming.

Another idea is to mixing vinegar, ketchup and water and spraying.

Snail bait from a local store may be best one for eradicating 99% of slugs.

Try these methods, they may help you.

By Alena O'Donnell: I'm fairly new to the whole growing experience with potted flowers...I recieved a package of 4get-me-nots attached to a local polaticians flyer in the mail and thought why not? I originally had kept the pot outside in a partial sunny location. About a week a ago I had brought it inside and put the plant in a window best suitible. I am currently concerened that I am not attending to its needs during this time of transition. The leaves are wilting and brownig @ the tips. How often should I be watering? Is the flower/plant outgrowing its pot(10in high & 16in wide)? I also mist every other day with a spray bottle. Help!!! The only other plant I have ever tried to maintain was a cat nip plant.?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Alena,

Depending on the area you reside, Water deeply and less frequently for forget me nots.

With container grown plants, apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes.

That may solve the problem.

By Shirley Belknap: Most of my bearded iris are blooming with white flowers, even though I planted mostly blue, pink and purple iris. We live in Southern California where the soil is mostly clay. Before planting our garden, we added lots of top soil and mulch. Is there a certain nutrient that they may need?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Shirley,

Irises do not change color - not on a permanent basis, anyway. May be a herbicide drift can cause temporary changes in iris pigmentation. If that is the case, soon they may return to normal color.

I do not think that there are any nutritional factors which can completely change an iris's color pigment, though growing conditions can certainly influence color saturation.

The amount of available sunlight and ambient temperature can also influence color intensity to some degree, though not to the point of turning one color into an entirely different one i.e. purple irises turning white.

Probably your original irises may have been bee-pollinated within the last few years. The seeds from those crosses may have ripened, dropped, and germinated among the original plants, and now you have a bunch of new seedlings blooming within your original clumps. Iris seed does not grow true to the parent plant and may well have produced some new colors in your iris bed.

By Joyce wood: Need name of flower that looks like brain coral. It's an old plant that usually grows in the fall. It doesn't have a bloom as many plants have blooms, but instead has a tight cluster usually red/garnet in color and looks more like brain coral?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Joyce,

I think you are talking about this flower - Cockscomb or Celosia

Cockscomb flowers are also known as Wool Flowers or Brain Celosia, suggestive of a highly colored brain. The flowers belong to the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae.

By V.Marshall: Do you know if the fracipani sap has any herbal uses? I have heard an old theory that it was once used to remove warts. Can you help?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Marshall,

It is known that Frangipani sap is a stunningly effective first aid treatment for ray stings . By applying on wound you can be back in the water within hours.

In Caribbean cultures the sap is used as a liniment for rheumatism.

We do not know about removing warts.

By Renee: I have a potted Jasmin plant and live in Denver Colorado. Colder / snowy months are approaching and I wanted to know how to care for the plant during the cold months. Should I bring it inside for the winter or just when we are expecting snow, etc...?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Renee,

Place potted jasmine can be brought indoors into a room when snowing outside.

It can have indoors, with a temperature of 10-16ºC, choosing a bright, well-lit position away from direct sun which can cause scorch and drying out.

Caring in winter

Keep moist

Feed regularly (weekly) with a good quality houseplant fertiliser during the flowering period.

Repot annually in a loam based compost such as John Innes No 2

It can be moved outside for the summer months and likes to be kept well fed and watered.

In winter, it can be brought indoors, in the coolest but frost-free position and watered very sparingly.

By Cindy: Can you tell me the name of the flowering vine that is in the attached pictures. The pictures were taken in the Riveria Maya, Mexico.?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Cindy,

I think the yellow trumpet shaped flowering vine is Cat's Claw or Macfadyena unguis-cati, or

Doxantha unguis-cati, Bignonia tweediana from Family: Bignoniaceae.

They are native to central America.

By Cheryl Owen: How long does it take a young bird of paradise plant to bloom?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Cheryl,

It may take 4-7 years for the a young bird of paradise plant to begin blooming if the conditions are met.

But once they bloom they are worth a wait.

By Mark crater: I live in Va. I need to move some gladious to a new spot in the yard. They were here when I move here 2 years ago, and are not in A good spot. They didn't bloom well this year at all? Need Help!!!

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Mark,

The best time is after flowering is done and the flower stem has died back. You can replant gladioli corms which are 1.5" or larger in diameter (2.5" is flowering size). Smaller than 1.5" will take years to become flowering size. 1.5" corms will flower next year.

Unless it is mandatory, do not transplant Glads.

Your Glad corms might have problems during planting. If your glads were planted at the proper depth, given ample water and sunshine they will grow and flower well.

Transplanting the Glads:-

Dig deep to get at least 6" of soil below the level where you planted the corms.

Take the root ball and transplant to their new home which must be pre-prepared.

Water in well after transplanting.

Avoid removing soil around the stems (e.g. keep the entire root ball, including the soil around the stem, intact)

Glads thrive well Virginia as it has Very hot and dry in summers.

Extra -

Gladiolus can bloom from spring to fall, depending upon kind. They like full sunshine and average soil, with regular watering during the spring and summer months. The problems with your glads might be how they were stored, when and how they were planted, and what kind of aftercare they've been given. Obviously, if you planted mishandled corms, the results, as disappointing as they were, were typical. Standard garden variety gladiolus corms can be planted November through March in your gardening region. If planted every two weeks, you'll have a succession of blooms. Glads normally bloom 65-100 days after planting. If you planted January - March, the corms sould have had time to bloom before the weather got too hot for them. Glad corms should be planted about four times as deep as they are wide, and spaced 4"-6" apart. The soil should be amended with organic matter prior to planting, to provide nutrients and to help the soil retain just the right amount of moisture. A sunny site and weekly watering will produce healthy foliage and flowering stalks.

By Barbara: I was asking about a jasmine plant and how to keep it over the winter? Waiting for a reply.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Barbara,

Jasmine is a tropical plant. It can be grown in nashville.

Winter Care of Jasmines:---

In winter, you can bring in and place Jasmines faces south, as receives abundant afternoon sun.

By early spring, it has already started to push new foliage and blossoms indoors.

In early May, you can put out on the patio (full sun).

Prune hardly to the point where very little foliage remains.

Fertilize it liberally with osmocote and give it plenty of water.

In about 4 weeks, it comes back beautifully with much thicker foliage and denser blossoms than it had before I pruned it.

Bring back indoors in October just before the first frost.

By John Farnik: I am living in the chicagoland hill area, must i take the dahlia flower out of the grond and store it inside much like i do with glads, or can i leave them in the ground over the winter?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear John,

In warmer climatic places, Dahlias can be put outside in the garden through out the year.

In colder climates they should be dug up and stored during winters.

Digging Dahlia Tubers in the Fall

For digging the dahlia tubers, wait until about a week after frost kills and blackens the top growth.

Cut the dahlia stalk down to six inches.

For digging, use a garden fork or spade.

Start digging about a foot away from the stem because they might have become larger by now.

Dig around the clump in a circle, then pry it up from the bottom.

Do not to damage the tubers.

Remember to leave the stem intact with the clump.

By Tim: The leaves of my bird of paradise plant come out and immediately curl---what am i doing wrong?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Tim,

Curling and browning foliage points to drying out, either in the root area or in the air surrounding the leaves. 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.

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,

Angle Wing Begonias are easy to grow and wonderful houseplants year-round.

They need bright light.

Fertilize every month only between April and October with a dilute 20-20-20 mix.

Angle Wing Begonias should be placed in a bright east or west window. Bright light intensifies the leaf colorations and promotes good flower development.

Probably your Angel wing begonia is not receving sufficient Bright light, due to which the flowering is not seen.

Water the plants only when the soil is dry.

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 Ms S Golder: Can alpines grow in plastic containers?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Golder,

Alpine plants can be planted in plastic containers.

I think 3-4 inch are most suitable and plastic ones are by far easier to manage!

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.