Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Jun 2009

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 Kelli: I recently bought an oriental lily plant and one of the flower blooms on it is wilting and dying. is there a spot on the stem i should cut this off or do i just leave it?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Kelli,

If the lily flower is in its usual process of wilting, then don't panic.

Look for some more spots on the stem, if not present, then cut the part of stem with the spot.

By Pat: Can I transplant my anthemis tinctoria marguerite daisy-kelwayi in the fall?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Pat,

Marguerite daisy-kelwayi is a 24", lemon-yellow daisy-like 2 inch flowers that bloom all summer long and into the fall. They are Strongly scented with attractive gray-green foliage.

Flowers are used for yellow dye.

Not sure, but it is said that they do not transplant well.

By Roxanne: I have grown a moon flower vine successfully in Hoboken, NJ (North Jersey) over the summer and about 6 weeks ago about 5 large green pops started growing (definately different in structure to the flower bud). Are these seed pods? Should I have removed them prior to the first frost (last week) or do I can I still do so, successfully? how do I store and/or maintain same?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Roxanne,

If you want to collect the seeds then,

You can gather the seed from seed pods in late winter or early spring.

Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade.

Allow the flowers to dry.

Allow pods to dry on plant.

Then break open to collect seeds.

Storing the seeds:

If you're worried about frost before the seed pods dry out completely, remove them and finish drying them inside.

The seeds can be dried, and then stored them over winter in paper bags.

By John mel bernardo miraña: what are the benefits of daisies flowers?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear John,

Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) are useful as cut flowers, pot crops, and bedding plants when planted outdoors in full sun.

By Alisha: What is the most beautiful flower in the world?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Alisha,

Ofcourse,The Rose is the most beautiful flower in the world.

Kimjongiliain of begonia family is considered as the most beautiful flowers in Asia.

But in other continents many flowers are given due importance.

Such flowers are The Tulips, The Gerberas, The Lilies etc.

By Dan: What are Pink Willows?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Dan,

They are GrafteAdenium "Pink Willow".

This Vietnam hybrid is a light purple flower wich looks like Beauty of Taiwan. Light darker pink lines inside each petal and longer and sharper point leaves of Pink Willow differs this from Beauty of Taiwan.

By Lesley: I live in Spain and planted a young jacaranda tree last year, it had one main small trunk with a couple of leaves on it. This year the main trunk has died and there are many leafy shoots growing from the bottom of it, many people in the area seem to have the same experience. Has the tree died or do I just leave the leafy shoots to grow and eventually a trunk will form?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Lesley,

You all had some problem in your area i suppose.

Anyways, Leave the leafy shoots to grow and eventually a trunk will form.

By Jackie: What is the easiest way for me to dry gerber daisies?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Jackie,

I think Drying Flowers with a Microwave is the best one for the gerbera daisies.

Method of Microwave Drying.

1. Find a microwave-safe container that will hold your flowers and fit into the microwave. (Do not use a dish you might want to use for food again after this project.) Your flowers will dry to the shape of the bottom of your container if you do not support them, so you will need to use silica gel in the container to help the flowers maintain their shape. Cover the bottom of the container with about an inch or two of silica gel (more for larger blossoms), place your flowers in the gel with the flower blossom opening upward, and then gently pour gel over the flower to ensure all petals are positioned to dry properly. If you are not careful with the gel, you can flatten your petals. Still, be liberal with it for best results. Don't worry; your silica gel can be used over and over again.

2. Microwave temperature and time will vary from flower to flower, so find the right recipes by trial and error. Place your uncovered container in the microwave. A safe bet is to start the microwave on one or two levels above defrost for 2-5 minutes. Roses can withstand more heat; daisies prefer lower temperatures. Start with a short amount of time, checking your flower's progress periodically. If it doesn't seem to be drying, you can increase heat and time accordingly.

3. Once your flowers have dried, open the microwave and immediately cover the container. Remove the covered container from the microwave, open the top a quarter of a centimeter, and let it sit for 24 hours. Once the flowers have cooled, clean off the petals with a fine brush and mist them with an acrylic spray.

By Sari: I live in the Pacific Northwest and I have a large, beautiful Kangaroo Paw plant on my deck. I would like to save it for next summer. Can you over-winter them indoors? Any info would be of help?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sari,

It's unlikely for Kangaroo paw to survive the winter in the Pacific Northwest.

By Kasumi: what do pink roses with dew on them mean?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Kasumi,

We do not have such information. But if you have the info you can share with us, the flower community.

Anyways, pink rose means Perfect Happiness, Secret Love, Grace & Sweetness

Indecision.

By Robert: Is it possible to grow heather in Desert conditions? our heat can be as high as 40 to 50C and humiditiy up to 80%, I am also trying to grow Fuscia, but it always seems to fail?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Robert,

Yes, Heathers can survive temperatures around 40 degree centrigrade.

It is possible to grow Heather at that temperatures.

By Linda Mennella: I bought a plant that is called, per the label, "Mexican Heather". According to the internet, it does not exist. Help! Is it a perenial? Zone 7 If I have to bring it in (it's in a pot) alot of water?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Linda,

Mexican Heather is also called as False Heather.

Scientific Name is Cuphea hyssopifolia Kunth

Synonym are Parsonsia hyssopifolia, Cuphea carthaginensis

Mexican Heather Plants are readily available in the spring and would probably give you quicker and healthier results, but due to curiosity, you may want to try and overwinter your plant.

You can overwinter it indoors or under your house--protecting it from freezing.

Mexican Heather are not hardy, so it will either need to be replanted every season, or take cuttings for new plants from your old, before a frost.

By Michelle: I purchased a Bird of Paradise in a 2 foot pot, plant stands 8 feet tall. Can I leave in the pot or transfer to bigger pot?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Michelle,

Yes, You can transfer your Birds of Paradise to a bigger pot.

While transferring, remember to go down ot the rootball and safely plant it again into another pot.

By Michelle: I am planning a wedding for May and to cut costs I would like to know what pink flowers are in bloom in Georgia in May?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Michelle,

Cherokee rose, Helleborus orientalis, Begonias are some of the pink flowers blooming in late spring in Georgia.

By Andrea Kalmes: I am thinking of having my wedding in April and I was wondering what would be good combinations of flowers and colors?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Andrea,

Spring flowers are in season during April. They are:

Alstroemeria, Agapanthus, Allium, Amaryllis, Anemone, Carnation, Antirrhinum, Aster, Bouvardia, Chrysanthemums, Cornflower, Crocus, Lily of the valley, Gypsophila, Daffodils, Daisy, Delphinium, Euphorbia, Gerberas, Freesia , Iris, Tulips, Rose, Mimosa Nigella, Orchid, Peony, Poppies, Ranunculus, Rose, Stock, Sweet pea.

Red color is the symbol of Love and Romance, White is for purity, Orange Blossoms for fertility. You can use the flowers with red and white colors combined with green foliage in the decorations.

By Bonie: Can I cut my cosmos down and will they grow back again?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Bonne,

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.

Yes, they will grow back.

By Lucy Mercado: Could you please tell me every exotic flower grown in puerto rico? I know the hibiscus is the stste flower but i would like to see others as well?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Lucy,

Its difficult to give every flower name. so some of them are

Bananas

Gingers

Heliconias

Birds of paradise

Prayer plants

Cannas

Anthurium

By Fermin Navar: Please advise me of where I can find a list of commonf fragrant flowers by country. i.e., Rose is a world wide flower, Tulips are common Europe and North America. I need this information for a project?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Fermin,

Apart from Roses, Tulips, some countries with fragrant flowers are

Germany - Narcissus

USA - Azaleas

UK - Heliotrope

Japan - Lilium auratum

France - Acacia farnesiana

China - Rhododenfron luteum

Australia - Golden Wattle

Africa - Gardenia

South America - Amaryllis

Iran - Jasmine

By Nancy: I live in New York, and I would love to have flowering fruit stems for my upcoming wedding in the spring. Can you tell me if I should be expecting higher prices per stem for apple, peach, orange and cherry blossoms than for tulips, daffodils or other more traditional spring flowers? Also, I'm near NYC, and I believe that the trees were in bloom around the end of April and beginning of May last year. Can anyone confirm or deny this faulty memory of mine?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Nancy,

If you are talking about the fruit and flower basket arrangement, then yes, defintiely they are costlier than just the flowering cut flower stems even if they are in the season.

By Emily: Cosmos -

Are they very likely to reseed themselves? Does it work to save the seeds to replant?

Do the seeds need to dry on the plant to work next yr? Do you know if they pose a threat to wildlife? (IE. DEER, we live in the country)

What about farm animals? (IE, Sheep, Goats, Cows, Pigs, ETC.) There is a posibility that the garden area will be part of th epasture in the future.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Emily,

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.

Yes, It does work to save the seeds to replant.

As of flowers, Cosmos are non-toxic, but the Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.

So, therefore advice is to keep away the pets away from these plants.

By Paul: I have had some Iris buylbs in the ground for about 7 or 8 years and this season the flowers just didn't really happen. Do bulbs only last a few years? Should i dig them up each year and store them in a dark place until next winter?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Paul,

Irises need 7 - 8 hours of direct sunlight for them to thrive, check weather it is receiving that.

However dig and reset clumps of iris that are crowded, usually every 3-4 years growth.

Reasons for non-blooming of Irises:-

Lack of full sun, good drainage, lots of space, and quality soil to bloom consistently.

Unfavourable weather conditions or late spring frosts can also harm bloom.

If you bury the rhizome too deeply, the plant may refuse to flower.

Have patience , Irises will bloom after division of clumps, as they are overcrowding.

By Toni: I live in Central NJ and I have a beautiful hybiscus tree plant. It has thrived in a pot on my deck but soon it will be too cold to leave outside. How should I care for this plant so it will survive the winter indoors? How much sunlight / water / fertilzer and other care is needed? The plant is about 3 1/2 - 4 feet in height?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Toni,

In winter watch out for cold drafts that can give hibiscus frostbite. In the winter you also need additional light. I use simple fluorescent bulbs, often referred to as low energy light, which screw into regular sockets. For best effect, place the light as close to the plant as possible. In summer it is wise to protect the roots from excessive heat by using planters.

By Rose: What type of flowers can be like cone like?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Rose,

These flowers look like Gingers. They are very rare.

They can look like a beehive or grains of wheat.

By Guest: I would like to open a flower shop in Delhi.Could you please advice me about few things i need to take care.I would like to know where i can get the expert flower arranger/florist.Could you advice?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Guest,

Cutflower industry is an ocean in itself. Do an extensive research before plunging into it.

Know what flowers are in seasons (availability).

Their native flowering plants

Their lifespan.

Their care

Their prices in the market.

Thier usage in the arrangements

Have to attend seminars, flower exhibitions etc, to know more about the flowers.

By N.G.Hodges: My jasmine has developed white powdery patches on the leaves and to a lesser extent on the stems.I can see small black ?insects but this ? infestation is not responding to insecticide?advice?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Hodges,

Its better to remove the infested part from the healthy part of the plant.

Depending upon the local conditions, any advice can be taken from a local gardener.

By increasing the natural enemies like ladybettles in the garden we can check the spreading of this disease.

Try this:

A Remedy is to try is 1 Tbsp. of baking soda

Then add 1 gal of water, drench the soil and let the water drain out of the bottom.

Let the soil surface dry before watering again.

By Mel Taylor: Planting Hyacinth. I am planning to plant 9 bulbs in our back yard in a newly contructed flower bed. Have read somewhere that they cannot be planted in full sun. Our landscape area is subject to full sun at least 6-7 hours a day. We live in the Northeast corner of Tennessee near the Holsten Mountains on the Virginia border. Am confused, need guidance and direction?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Mel,

Hyacinths need full sun to partial shade.

Yes, they can be grown in full sun.

By Ms Golder: Can I grow heather plants in plastic containers?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sharon,

Yes, Heathers can be grown in containers.

IF any of your plant needs less water, then use terracotta clay pots, as they dry faster than the plastic containers.

Terra cotta pots are used for only drought tolerant plants.

Using the proper soil mix and attentive watering, plants do well in plastic pots.

If you tend to underwater your plants, plastic is a better choice than terra cotta for you. However, plastic containers may need to be weighted down to stay in place on windy days.

Plastic pots are inexpensive, lightweight and functional, and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

By Guest: I would like to open a flower shop in Delhi.Could you please advice me about few things i need to take care.I would like to know where i can get the expert flower arranger/florist.Could you advice?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Guest,

Cutflower industry is an ocean in itself. Do an extensive research before plunging into it.

Know what flowers are in seasons (availability).

Their native flowering plants

Their lifespan.

Their care

Their prices in the market.

Their usage in the arrangements

Have to attend seminars, flower exhibitions etc, to know more about the flowers.

By Garry Robinson: I planted sun flower seeds with my 5 year old son early in the year. 5 managed to grow fully, however one of them split about 4 feet up the main stem creating 2 stems both now have beautiful sun flowers at the top. I always thought sunflowers were solitary flowers so was surprised when we had "twins". Is this kind of thing common? will the seeds from these flowers create more "twins" next year?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Garry,

In a very few cases, we can see the twins on sunflower plants

I don't think the seeds from this plant will bear more plants with twin heads.

By N.G.Hodges: My jasmine has developed white powdery patches on the leaves and to a lesser extent on the stems.I can see small black ?insects but this ? infestation is not responding to insecticide?advice?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Hodges,

Its better to remove the infested part from the healthy part of the plant.

Depending upon the local conditions, any advice can be taken from a local gardener.

By increasing the natural enemies like ladybettles in the garden we can check the spreading of this disease.

Try this:

A Remedy is to try is 1 Tbsp. of baking soda

Then add 1 gal of water, drench the soil and let the water drain out of the bottom.

Let the soil surface dry before watering again.

By Nan: A friend gave me several Montauk Daisy (Nippon Daisy) plants. They have lots of foliage and buds on the upper part of the plant, however the bottoms are very woody. Shoud I cut them back (after they bloom) or leave them as they are?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Nan,

Montauk daisies, get leggy, floppy, and out of control.

You can cut them back twice during the growing season:

(1) is during the middle of May when you see the growth starting to swell( cut them to 4 inches,)

(2) is during the last week of June (cut one half of what has grown since the May cut).

Don't do anymore trimming after the last week of June.

In your case, after the spent daisy flowers, the leaves will turn yellow in June and start to die back.

But now do not cut away the foliage but allow it to die naturally.

By Ruth Dermott: Do Liziathis do well in the house during winter?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Ruth,

Yes, they can be brought indoors, and place in a good sunlight position like south facing window.

By Judy: I have a beautiful hibiscus that will not bloom. It had aphids, and we got rid of them, cut it way back, and it has come back beautifully this summer, but no blooms. Can you tell me what that is about and what to do?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Judy,

Check weather the hibiscus plant recieves sufficient light. Insufficient light is also the cause of poor flowering.(give as much direct sun as possible)

Prunning vigorously.(this has been done in your case)

Hibiscuses need direct sunlight as possible at least 4-6 hours a day, but eight hours of sun is preferred.

This will occur when newly purchased plants are repotted into a larger container or planted in the ground.

This also will occur when plants are cut back severely.

Short days and low temperatures also reduce flower production.

Usually the recommended fertilizers for the Hibiscus are 10-4-12, 9-3-12, or 12-4-18.

By Saqualia: Hi, I am trying to find the name of a flower that blooms either at night or during a different time. I also want to find the name of the flower that blooms daily. Can you please help?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Saqualia,

Blooming of flowering plants in a place differs from place to place.

Ex, a plant blooming through out the year in one place may not bloom the same way in another region.

So, specify the place, and we can try to identify the flowering plants blooming through out that place.

An advice is to visit a local nursery during various times of the year and make a note of what plants are in bloom at the time. Then, plan your garden accordingly.

By Bill: Morning glory, how can you cut a vine and transplant it somewhere else?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Bill,

Morning Glories do not survive transplanting.

But they have a great reseeding capability.

You can plant them by sowing in favourable conditions.

Mature Morning glory seeds have pods which turn papery brown and become hard and they should be planted after soaking overnight in water.

By Guest: What parts of the plant cosmos are poisonous? / follage or root ?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Guest,

It has been seen that all parts of the Cosmos plant like leaves, roots, flowers etc, are poisonous in nature.

There has been information regarding the parts of cosmos plant are poisonous, but there is no definite indication regarding which particular part of the Comos plant is poisonous.

By Lawrence: I wanted to kindly know if the flower morning glory has the attribute in changing colors? I found some next to our yard they seem growing all over (wild), I dont know when we clooect them they are purple blue and when we carry them home they get pink?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Lawrence,

The Morning glory flowers start to fade a 2 hours before the petals start showing visible curling.

Probably because of that they start to lose their color from blue to pink.

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.