Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - May 2007

By Mrs. Wood: Daisy plant turning its color and becoming sick?

Answer By Webmaster:The plant is slowly dying of some bacterial or fungal disease. It sounds like they were potted in either the wrong containers and/or soil. I would suggest replanting in new freely draining containers. Use fresh potting soil that has some good drainage characteristics. Gerbera daisy is an easy container plant to grow. Any problems that arise are usually the fault of either the container, potting soil mix, or the owner's over-watering.

By Marie: My Peonies turn brown and never open.Why?

Answer By Webmaster:The growth buds, the dark red eyes at the top of the roots of Peonies, should be planted about 1? inches below the soil surface no more than two inches. Planting deeper will eliminate flowering, or buds will turn brown and never open.

By Alexandra: Tulip arrangements for a wedding shower.

Answer By Garry: A Flemish-Style Bouquet with a beautiful flow of colors and longer green foliage makes a stunning wedding altar arrangement.

Lavender colored Tulips are the wedding tulips.

By Marie: What is spain's national flower?"

Answer By Daniella: Pomegranate flower is the national flower of Spain.

By Carol: How can I prevent poppy plant from yellowing?

Answer By Webmaster: Poppies are spring-flowering, cool-temperature plants. Their lower leaves could be yellowing for a variety of reasons. Heat will cause cool-season hollyhocks and poppies to be more susceptible to insect, bacterial and fungal problems.

Poppy leaves yellow after flowering. Poppies may also lack nitrogen, Iron and Magnesium, due to which leaves are turning yellow.

By Esther Marr: Do you know if Way Over Yonders need to be watered every day and if they need full or partial sunlight?

By Webmaster: Hemerocallis or Daylilies needs water and sun. Daylilies need in average 4 to 8 hours of direct sun.

By Esther Marr: What is “Way Over Yonder.” Does anyone know about the proper care/shade these plants need?

Answer By Webmaster:“Way over yonder” is otherwise called Hemerocallis, which is a small genus in Daylilies. Originally from Eurasia, native from Europe to China, Korea, and Japan, their large showy flowers have made them popular worldwideThe flower blooming period is Early-Mid season, Reblooms, Tetraploid, Evergreen.

The meaning of in greek Hemerocallis is for “day and beauty”. Way Over Yonder is a cream yellow flower with a yellow green throat and a narrow, slightly etched purple eye. The form of WAY OVER YONDER is especially full and rounded...

By Zunker:“I have a bird of paradise brought from Hawaii in 1988, It has grown to be 7 foot tall, in a pot. Can it be planted in the ground in Uvalde County, Texas, How do I propogate it, root 4 inch trunjk layer or what”

Answer By Garry:Repot young plants to larger pots as needed each spring, but once a plant begins flowering refrain from repotting it as this may keep it from flowering for a year or two. Instead, topdress the plant with fresh potting mixture each spring...

By Sheila Ion: Why does the leaves of Birds of Paradise goes brown and dry, and temperatures can reach 75/80 degrees.

Answer By Garry: Bird-of-paradise plants require bright light with at least 4 hours a day of direct sunlight to produce blooms. Normal room temperatures will suffice during active growth periods, but they need a long, cool rest at around 55 deg F day and night during the fall and winter. During active growth water the plant thoroughly, but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering.

Therefore due to very high temperatures leaves are turning brown and dry.

By Kathy: Is there a bulb with bright orange with multiple blooms and it was identified as a sun star?

Answer By Garry: Sun Stars are a perennial bulb a hybrid of a common cut flower called Ornithogalum.

They are deciduous bulbs, they will die back and come up again next year.

By Porscha: Give some information about Zinnia.

Answer By Daniella: Zinnia is a genus of 20 species of annual and perennial plants of family Asteraceae, originally from scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the American Southwest to South America, but primarily Mexico, and notable for their solitary long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colors.

Some of the Zinnia species are : Zinnia acerosa (DC.) A. Gray -- desert zinnia, Zinnia angustifolia Kunth -- narrowleaf zinnia, Zinnia anomala Gray -- shortray zinnia, Zinnia bicolor, Zinnia elegans Jacq. -- 'Profusion Orange', Zinnia grandiflora Nutt. -- Rocky Mountain zinnia

By Jan Verner: Why does Gerberas fall off?

Answer By Daniella: Probably, your gerberas are not receiving the sufficient light it needs. Gerberas need full sun throughout the day to perform at their best. It needs to be a minimum of 4 hours direct sunlight. They dislike the shade, and the cool conditions that come with the shade.

By Joyce: Show blooming problems in Fritillaria.?

Answer By Webmaster: The pest Lily Leaf Beetle drops the flowers and destroys the plant. This pest will only lay its eggs on true lilies and Fritillaria species. Although, researchers in Rhode Island have found it feeding on such other host plants as: Soloman?s seal (Polygonatum sp.), Bittersweet (Solanum sp.), Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Hollyhock (Alcea), and various Hosta species. This pest does not attack daylilies.

The lily leaf beetle is an imported pest that attacks all true lilies. It was first discovered in the United States in 1992 in Cambridge Massachusetts. Most likely, it arrived in a shipment of lily bulbs from Europe. Since this time, it has spread throughout eastern Massachusetts and is now in the central part of the state. They are strong fliers and can also be moved from one area to another on host plants. Both the immatures and adults are capable of causing great harm to their host plants.

By Mik n Tam: Give information about Moon cactus?

Answer By Garry : Moonlight cacti or Moon Cactus belongs to the genus genus Selenicereus, which is a poorly defined cactus genus found in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America.

Clambering plants with flat to angled stems, producing aerial roots. Areoles may be with or without spines. Flowers are large and nocturnal, pollinated by moths or rarely bats. The receptacle bears small bracts, hairs and usually spines. Fruits bear numerous spines.

There are number of species like , Selenicereus atropilosus, Selenicereus chrysocardium, Selenicereus grandiflorus, Selenicereus anthonyanus etc.

By Sarah: Name the large & rather well sented dark pink lily used even in weddings?

Answer By Daniella: You might be looking for Oriental lilies varieties. They are highly fragrant. Among them are : Pink Stargazer or mix for white, pink and other seasonal colors. They are beautiful and perfect, even for a royal wedding.

By Kyriaki: I just bought a beautiful mandevilla which i keep outside in shade and direct sun light at 4 pm. when i first bought it it had many buds and since a few days they keep dying and the leaves fall. i heard i should keep the soil quite moist so i water it almost every day.?

Answer By Kyriaki: It grows best in full sun conditions with moist soil and a medium rate of fertilizer. Blooms appear approximately 10-12 weeks after pinching.

Mandevilla needs adequate moisture, but can survive short droughts. and prefers well drained soil. So, do not keep the plant too much moist.

Potting: These vines can be grown in tropical, frost-free climates only. Choose a warm, sunny location in moist, fertile soil. They should be grown in full sun, but will tolerate very light shade. Water them frequently, allowing the soil to become slightly dry between waterings, and feed with a bit of 20-20-20 fertilizer throughout the summer every couple of weeks. Keep them drier during the winter and don't fertilize. The stems may be pinched to encourage bushier growth.

By Kath: Name some tropical flowers commonly found in dominican republic suitable for use in a wedding bouquet.

Answer By Daniella: Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, Cattleyas, Vandaceous are some of Tropical Orchids grown and used in Wedding bouquets in Dominican Republic.

By Robin Carter: Do you know the origination of the sun flower, would you know any meaning of the sunflower?

Answer By Webmaster: Sunflowers make up the genus Helianthus. In Greek helios means sun and anthos means flower, thus Sunflower.

The genus, Helianthus contains about 67 species, and is thought to be native to the Americas. Sunflower was domesticated around 1000 B.C. Sunflowers are grown or cultivated as ornamental plants.

They are originated as a stout, upright perennial native to Texas extending north throughout the central plains states.

By Kathleen: Give some information about the flowering in Birds of Paradise, and why does it wilt sometimes?

Answer By Garry: Strelitzia reginea is the species best for growing indoors. Patience is a virtue here, as plants take between 4-6 years to mature before flowering, which occurs in the spring and sometimes later in the summer indoors.

Bird-of-paradise plants require bright light with at least 4 hours a day of direct sunlight to produce blooms. Normal room temperatures will suffice during active growth periods, but they need a long, cool rest at around 55 deg F day and night during the fall and winter. During active growth water the plant thoroughly, but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering.

The plants should be watered and fertilized according to growing conditions. Most often the Strelitzia is underfertilized. When you do water thoroughly wet the entire potting mix and allow to it dry out slightly before the next watering. Use discernment in the amount of fertilization you use. Overfertilization will lead to excessive foliage and little or no flowering.

By staci nugent: Give some info about Duranta repens alba, and whether it is perennial or Annual.?

Answer By Garry: In cooler locations where it is likely to freeze back, stems can recover the next season, so it is used as a flowering perennial. And in areas farther up north, Duranta are being marketed as annuals, designed to freeze-out during winter. Smaller dwarf Duranta varieties are being selected for use as patio plants or hanging baskets that take advantage of its drooping habit.

By Nan: Why wont poppys blooms open?

Answer By Garry: Yes, poppy blooms open. Poppys bloom in their second year of growing.

By Sally: What is the thrush flower?

Answer By Shyly: There is no flower like Thrush flower.

There are few meanings for thrush like: Thrush (bird), common name of the bird family Turdidae or Candidiasis, fungal infection commonly known as thrush or yeast infection, affecting the mouth or vagina.

By Sai gautam: What is the colour of Aaqool?

Answer By Garry: Al Aqool, is the plant of the year, grows in rigid areas and has the capability to adapt to the dry environment.

The plant is used as food for camels. It is spread in GCC countries, Asia, East Europe and America, Canada and Australia.

Aaqool or AlHagi Maurorum, which is also called the camel thorn (shouk e-gamal), has virtually disappeared from the country Qatar.

The plant is being promoted under the annual 'A Flower Each Spring' campaign to create awareness of the local flora. A small, shrubby herb, Aaqool grows up to 70cm tall in the wasteland and saline habitats. This perennial plant has many branches and pinkish purple to reddish spiny twigs. Its leaves are simple and oval.

By John Jenkins: When can I trim my Gardenias? They are growing too tall.?

Answer By Webmaster:

Gardenias can be large plants, and most gardeners place them where they can grow with minimal pruning. There are some gardenias growing to a height 18 feet, like Tahitian Gardenias.

Make your pruning and trimming decisions after the plants have produced their midspring display of flowers. The buds are forming now, and it would be a shame to miss their fragrant white blossoms.

You could remove any branch that is in the way of traffic or appears to be declining at anytime. Major pruning usually occurs around May or June when spring flowering is over.

Then the plants might get a light trimming to encourage additional shoots and reduce the height and width just a bit.

By Buna: Which flower is good for yearround commercial purpose?

Answer By Garry:The African Violet, Saintpaulia ionantha, is among the most popular of house plants with wholesale sales in 1995 exceeding 25 million dollars. This popularity is due to its ability to thrive under conditions commonly found in most homes, and its usefulness as a specimen plant, center piece, or feature in dish gardens.

By Carole:What flower would I send for a diamond wedding Anniversary?

Answer By Webmaster: Violets are the flowers which can be sent for a diamond wedding Anniversary.

• 1st Wedding Anniversary - Carnations/ Pansies
• 2nd Wedding Anniversary - Cosmos
• 10th Wedding Anniversary - Daffodils
• 20th Wedding Anniversary - Day Lillies
• 30th Wedding Anniversary - Sweet Pea
• 40th Wedding Anniversary - Nasturtiums
• 50th Wedding Anniversary - Violets

By maryam: Give info about anthurium cultivation such as space of flower planting ?

By Webmaster:

Growing Anthuriums

Anthuriums can be grown by 4 methods. They are by Vegetative reproducation, Seeds, Tissue culture, and Fertilization.

• Anthuriums grow on a wide range of soil types ranging from sandy loams to heavy clays.
• Anthuriums need a highly organic soil with good water retention capability and good drainage.
• A well-drained soil is important to prevent rotting of stems and roots.
• Anthuriums should be planted in raised beds of 1.3 to 2 metres wide and 20 cm deep.
• Anthuriums should not be planted more than 5 cm deep, as deep planting results in rotting of stems and roots.
• Stake the anthurium after planting for support.
• Water the anthuriums immediately after planting.
• A layer of coconut husks, semi-rotted wood, or sugar cane baggasse may be used.
• Mulching is needed for the anthuriums plants.
• Anthurium plant roots grow into the mulch and spread.

Give plants ample spacing to allow for good air circulation. Avoid condensation with the use of fans. Avoid hanging plants above your Anthurium crop.

Plant spacing is commonly 1 x 1-1.5 m (3 x 3-5 ft).

By Margot Mley:What Christmas flower does not bloom in December?"

Answer By Garry: Christmas cactus is the christmas flower usually flower in January after the christmas.

By amanda: What is a flower that starts with the letter “a”?

By Daniella: There are many flowers with starting “A”. They are Amaryllis, Anthurium, Aster, African Asters, African Moon, Amazon Lily etc.

By john godin: Give information about Exacum flowering plant.?

Answer By Garry: Exacum is also called Arabian or Persian Violets. They grow in a mounded shape.

Exacum is a small bushy plant with light lavender flowers and a bright yellow eye. Place your plant in bright filtered light. Keep the soil moist at all times... but never soggy. Do not allow your plant sit in a saucer of water. There is no need to feed your plant. Usually after the plant has finished blooming it's overall health will decline and the plant should be discarded. check for watering every other day.

Production Time: Timing of the crop is seasonably variable with a marketable 6” flowering plant being produced in seven to eight weeks in the Summer and up to twelve to fourteen weeks in mid-Winter. Smaller plants grown in 4 1/2” or 5” pots for mass market sales can be produced in less time and on less bench space, since Exacum can be forced to flower at an early stage. No pinching is necessary, because they are a self-branching plant. In case of premature budding of small Exacum, larger plants can be produced by removing the earliest flowers and increasing fertilizer.

By Karen: What kind of flower looks like a chinese lantern only is purple and is open on the bottom?

By Webmaster: Physalis franchetii is the flowering plant which looks like, and with a common name as Chinese Lantern plants.

Physalis ixocarpa is the species with flowers yellow with purple markings and yield to the tomatillo fruit which is technically a berry, as is the tomato fruit. The fruit develops inside a green and purple bladder-like calyx that looks like a small Chinese lantern hanging from the stem.

By Tesh: When can the For Get Me Not plant be planted.?

Answer By Daniela: Forget me not need sunny or shady areas and an average garden soil.

Forgetmenot is Planted in the fall, Forget-me-nots bloom the following spring.

By Adrene: What is the National flower of Kenya?

Answer By Daniela: As per our knowledge there is no national flower declared for kenya. Although Kenya is a large exporter of Tropical Orchids there is no reference to a specific national flower for that country.

By Efinley: What is happening when an amaryllis bulb is showing small babies on it?

Answer By Garry: After the rest or dormancy period remove any remaining dead foliage. At this time either repot the plant or continue growth in the same soil. Your bulb may have tiny bulbs growing off the main bulb at this time. You can remove these tiny bulbs and pot them in a new pot to grow a new generation of amaryllis plants or you can also leave them to grow off of the mother bulb until they mature. Water the bulb (or new immature bulbs) once and place in a warm sunny location. Wait two or three weeks until growth sets in and continue the cycle again for another year. Do not give up on your plant if it does not bloom this year. Starting from a dry bulb is a rigorous process for a plant and it may need until next year to gain back its resources. However, as time goes on your amaryllis will not only continue to blossom year after year, but it will produce new amaryllis bulbs for you to do with as you please.

By Judith Burr: Can Jasmine be grown as a house plant?

Answer By Webmaster: Yes, Jasmine plants can be grown as houseplants.

By Amy: When to transplant the perenenial flowers?

Answer By Webmaster: The ideal weather to transplant is when it is cool and overcast. Avoid planting during hot or windy periods or provide some shading after planting. Soak bare root plants in water for about a half hour before planting. Water container grown plants before removing them from their container. Turn the pot upside down and slide the root ball out. Roots may have difficulty growing into the surrounding soil unless the roots and soil mixture are cut, loosened, and spread out. Fill the hole and firm the soil lightly around the plant. Be sure the crown is at the soil line. Drench the soil around the planting hole with a liquid fertilizer (16-12-10 or 20-20-20 mixed 1 tablespoon per gallon of water) to stimulate root growth. Check reference books to determine optimum spacing between plants. After planting, apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch without covering the crown. Plants will need to be watered frequently after transplanting until new roots are produced into the surrounding soil.

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.