Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Oct 2008

By Deb: How do I make my morning glories bloom?They are about 5 to 6 feet tall but no blooms.

Answer By The Flower Expert: It just depends on which kind you are growing. Be patient, they will bloom for you. Don't Water and Don't Fertilize.

By Barbie: We have a small palm tree that is seeding, how do I plant the seed. They are still green on the tree. I know that they have many types of palms?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Growing Palm trees.

1. Soak the palm tree seeds for 24 hour soak in clean water.

2. Provide your seeds with the warmest area possible with good humidity and away from direct, hot sunlight.

3. Soil should provide a root substrate, moisture, nutrients and aeration.

4. Watering once a day in a greenhouse environment is usually adequate. Outdoors, keep the medium mildly moist.

5. For most species, soil temperature of 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit seems to be ideal.

IF these conditions are satisfied, palm trees grows to its fullness.

By Chris: Once daisy flower is finished blooming, should dead flower head be removed to promote further growth and flowering?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yes, It is better to pinch the spent flowers off the plant as this will help to promote new blooms. The daisies are great for making cuttings for your favorite flower vase.

You should plant your colorful gems in well-drained soil in a sunny location.

Water your plants daily and sometimes twice a day during the hot summer months.

You should also feed your plants once a week with a good all purpose water-soluble fertilizer.

By Genell: What is the best time of the year to plant iris bulbs? Which variety is best for North Dakota?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Iris bulbs are planted in the fall, generally before the first frost, and can survive the cold winter months. Louisiana irises can be grown in North Dakota.

By Donna: I love to use fresh magnolia blooms in my flower arrangements, but they seem to turn brown and die faster than my other flowers. What can I do to preserve them a bit longer.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Tips for Magnolia bloom to remain fresh longer in arrangements:

Keep the vase filled with water containing floral food provided by your florist.

If the solution becomes cloudy, replace it entirely. If possible, recut the stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife.

Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial growth that can harm the flowers.

Cut the stem with sharp pruning shears. Place in warm water containing fresh floral food to promote flower opening.

Floral food is a combination of additives that help to nourish the flowers and discourage bacteria from growing in the water. It is one of the best and easiest ways to extend the life of your flowers. It is very important to follow the directions on the package correctly. Improperly mixed floral food can do more harm than good.

By Phil: Have planted anemone`s for the first they are in flower now but i don`t know how to deadhead them could you please help me out

Answer By The Flower Expert: Prune the spent Anemone flowers and stems back to a point where there's a new lateral flower or bud. If no new flower is apparent, prune the stem back to a lateral leaf.

By Georgina: what is the Georgina flower and what does it look like?

Answer By The Flower Expert: This name stuck in Russia until the nineteen thirties, and even today, in parts of old Soviet Union, the dahlia is still called Georgina

By Kay: My morning glories have produced long vines and growing huge, but have not bloomed any flowers...why?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Probably to much nitrogen is present in the soil. Reduce the content of nitrogen in the soil. Wait till the end of summer, you may few blooms

By Margie: I just brought flowers home from the farmers market and they wilted before I arrived. Would it help to refrigerate them?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Once wilted, i think they may not come back.

Neverthless you did not specify the type of plant.

But you can give them a try, by keeping them in water or sprinkle on them.

By Gino: How to grow nelumbo nucifera on pots and caring tips?

Answer By The Flower Expert: When growing Lotus in a tub, add 2 - 3ins of water, and then as the juvenile foliage emerges, progressively add water.

Depending upon the variety or species, Lotus will grow happily in 4 - 30ins of water.

During the summer, either support or remove any top-heavy foliage.

As fall approaches the leaves fade.

In cold winter areas where Lotus are temporary pond inhabitants, or when cultivated in tubs, the rootstocks are lifted.

They are then washed and stored in damp sand in the cool for the winter months.

The propagation of named Nelumbo varieties is by division of their extensive banana-like rootstocks, each portion with a bud.

This can be done during spring, although when the rootstocks are lifted and stored during the winter it can be undertaken at that time.

From Seed:

Nelumbo species can also be raised from seed. These should be sown individually in small pots in an aquatic planting compost and placed in a shallow bowl.

The water should be an inch or so above the pots.

Juvenile leaves float on the surface of the water initially, but as the plants develop they thrust up foliage in typical fashion.

Pot the seedlings on regularly until they are large enough to be planted in their permanent positions.

By Diana: Almost 20 years ago I bought a red amaryllis plant, and it has bloomed regularly since - until this past year, when I unpotted it and took apart the many bulbs and planted them separately. The leaves grow luxuriantly -- but no buds form! Instead, a stalk with what looks like a long cluster of white blossoms/seeds appears. I have removed these as soon as I realized they were not buds -- but how can I get buds to form again?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Check the following conditions before the amryllis bulbs were planted. Your Amaryllis bulb might have produced offsets, or small bulbs alongside the original bulb. Taking a few roots along with the offset and potting it in a peat mix in the smallest plastic pot and did you fertilize it with peat mix. did you repot the offset only when it is utterly pot-bound. Did it go dormant in the fall. Generally Amaryllis need Lots of sun, a tight pot, and a proper dormant period which makes the amryllis bulbs bloom. If everything has been done well, then see that the amaryllis is getting full sun or not , as it is very essential for the amaryllis bulbs.

By Melissa: I have NEVER planted anything before so I am literally garden stupid. I wanted to know if I can plant various flower seeds in pots even though its the first part of July, or is it pointless because I'm too late

Answer By The Flower Expert: First you should know, which type of seeds are there with you to plant.

If you want to plant them, see the seeds with similar structure and plant them in a pot. If the seeds are different, then place them in another pot.

After when the seeds sprout, then transplant them according to the specifications.

Some of the seeds can be planted in july. Butr first know the names of the seeds.

By Rhonda: Hi, canyou name me some flowers that I can use in a vase in my home, but I have someone with bad allergies, so they must be not have too much of a smell.

Answer By The Flower Expert: There are flowers which have no pollen or less pollen.

The Banksia roses

Baby's breath

Hydrangeas

Lilies

Golderods

Daisies

Camellias

Orchids

are some of the low pollen producing flowers, which can be arranged as arrangements.

By Elias: my wife had her gardenia plant for about two or three years. the plant does not produce flowers. in the summer, we keep it outside (our friends do it too). during the winters we keep it inside the house. my wife and i do not seem to know why it does not produce a flower or buds.can you tell me the possible causes? could it be the soil, water, weather?

Answer By The Flower Expert: A steady supply of water and nutrients, should be given to Gardenias. A proper balance of water, air and nutrients is all it needs. And give gardenia plants plenty of bright light, preferably direct sunshine for at least half a day. Prune after the blooming cycle has ended, or when the plant is actively growing and needs a trim. Don't prune during winter. This way gardenia will bloom consistently.

By Ross: the leaves on my morning glories get yellow spots on them then the yellow spots turn brown and then the leaves get an odd shape to them . what am idoing wrong ?

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.. This way probably your Morning glories will be benefitted.

By Brigitta: What type of flower is the Holly Hock, Queen Anne Lau and Balloon?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Queen Anne's lace - (Daucus carota) The white flowering flat-topped umbel is the Queen

Anne s lace flower. Queen Anne's lace is a wildflower related to the carrot.

The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife.

Hollyhock - Hollyhock are perennials, there are some annual varieties also. The flowers are borne on long flower spikes.

Each flower is Tall spike of large simple flowers.

We do not know about another flower, as the name is not clear.

By Carol: Can you tell me a flower that looks similar to a Gardenia. Iam getting married in 9 days and the florist said that Gardenias are expensive right now. I would like a fragrant flower that has the size and shape of a gardenia that would look good with red roses.

Answer By The Flower Expert: We do not know the availablity of Ranunculus now, but they can be a look alike for Roses and can replace gardenias.

Ranunculus can be a rose look-a-like but much less expensive, and can come in reds, pinks and yellows.

By Rich: I have a 4 year old Poinsetia and have just sprayed it with Polysect due to pests on the plant. All the leaves on the plant have now shrivled up. Can you advise what has happened and can i save the plant?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Polysect contains bifenthrin. bifenthrin is used as at least two applications sprayed once every 7 - 10 days are usually necessary.

Bifenthrin is used control spider mites, scale, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, aphids.

Probably your amount of applications might have varied due to which all the leaves on the plant have shrivled up.

By Liza: I wanted to know if it is possible to grow another hibiscus off of the one I have?

Answer By The Flower Expert: You can very well grow another hibiscus form the old one.

Simply cut the old branch form the plant and plant during the rainy season. It takes some time to get established. But if once established you can enjoy the flowers for many years to come , as it blooms through out the year.

By Mumsie: TSince my begonias are rather leggy now should I just follow your advice and see what happens. Or should I cut them back, and if so how much do I cut them.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Begonias do not like a position that is too dry as this will cause the buds to drop. So a moist, partially-shaded position is ideal, especially if it is shaded from the mid-day sun. If exposed to the sun most of the day, water the plants frequently to prevent bud drop and keep the flowers blooming.

As the plants are growing profusely and buds are forming, start giving the plants a regular liquid feed that is high in potash such as a rose, tomato or seaweed fertiliser every ten days. This will promote good growth and an abundance of flowers, if taken proper care.

Later, when begonia leaves start to yellow, usually about October, reduce and stop all watering and feeding to allow the pots to dry out. When the pots are dry, empty them and save the tubers. Store the tubers in a dry position preferably in dry sand in a frost-free place for the winter season to grow again next year.

By Anna: I have planted twenty morning glories, germinated from seed... I am losing alot of the bottom leaves to yellowing and black spots

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 Jenny: My bleeding hearts are basically done blooming for the year. They are crowding out other flowers. Do I cut them down at this time or do I just tie them up. Please let me know.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Bleeding Heart Vine is a twining, evergreen shrub, and are sun loving summer flowers.

The flower blooms throughout the year, but mainly during spring.

As they are obstructing other plants, you can trim them. They produces tons of flowers and can be trimmed to just required size.

By Julia: I am working on a homework paper for my horticulture class at college. I can not find one ofthe questions in my Home Gardener's Problem Solver. I am looking for Leaf spots on Zinnias. I need fungal and bacterial. I have not been able to fine it on the internet either

Answer By The Flower Expert: There are two important zinnia leaf spots, one bacterial, caused by Xanthomonas zinniae, and the other fungal, caused by Alternaria zinniae.

Bacterial leaf spots on Zinnias are small, angular, brown spots often surrounded by a yellow margin.

Alternaria leaf spots are larger and reddish brown with grayish centers.

Damage caused by them: Both diseases result in leaf blighting, and death of foliage, and eventuallly plant death.

Use of Fungicides may not be beneficial to control bacterial leaf spot.

Prevention can be to, Avoid wetting foliage while watering.

Fall garden clean-up will help to reduce carry over of inoculum for next year's plantings.

Powdery mildew, covering leaves with grayish white superficial growth also causes foliage to die. Some of these zinnia diseases are seed-borne, so purchase healthy seeds from a reliable source.

By Mumsie: I love my angel wing begonia plants, but they are getting "leggy:. Do I cut them back or just let them grow? I live in Florida and I keep them outside. They get some sun in the afternoon.

Answer By The Flower Expert: 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, and also as there is no proper fertilization, thats causing the excessive growth of the plant.

Water it regularly, but Water the plants only when the soil is dry.

By Ruth: I planted some Cosmos in a tub this year and they are coming up good. Can these be transplanted into my flower garden, if so when would be the right time to do this? Also when can I transplant an Asiatic Lily?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Cosmos need a very little space for thriving. There is no need for them to get transferred.

Is best to transfer them when you have lot of plants to get into your flower garden.

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 Karen: About Wintering frost tender bulbs?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Wintering frost tender bulbs is not difficult so long as you keep them dry and cool, and do not let them get too cold before storing them.

They may perish at cold northern winters

Steps to store the Gladiolus bulbs.

Remove your Gladiolus bulb (or tuber) from the ground.

Cut off the top material.

Rinse the Gladiolus bulbs to remove excess dirt and debris.

Allow the bulb to dry in the open.

Put the dry bulbs into the garage or other dry placeand layer them in sand or peat moss.

Use large plastic storage bins that have a lid on them.

Put a generous layer of dry material at the bottom

Place the bulbs into the material.

Make sure that the bulbs do not touch and that are dry.

Check for that the rotten material on the bulbs, and discard them.

Cover each layer with a layer of dry packing material.

Cover with a final layer before putting the lid onto the container and moving it to a permanent cool, but not cold, storage

area like a basement.

Plant the bulbs later.

By Mary: how to keep passion flowers bloowing longer

Answer By The Flower Expert: The Passion flower needs some basic requirements t obloom continously.

1. To bloom, they will need lots of bright light like several hours of direct sun each day.

2. They all like to be consistently moist when actively growing and blooming but prefer to dry out slightly between waterings in late fall and winter.

3. Fertilize vines every other week during the growing season with a water soluble or liquid fertilizer

4. Cut back to once a month during the winter.

5. Keep in mind they are all tropical in nature and must be indoors as soon as temps get down into the 50ºs.

By Some one: What are the reasons a Hydrangea does not bloom.

Answer By The Flower Expert: In general, the mostly likely cause of the shrub not flowering is frost damage during winter or early spring. The buds on the plant over the winter season, so they are vulnerable to frost damage.

There are few reasons why a Hydrangea does not bloom.

1. Avoid planting hydrangeas on a site facing east as the rising sun can damage new growth after a frosty night. If its in east, move it in late autumn to a more sheltered position. Some varieties of hydrangea are more vulnerable to frost damage than others..

2. Another , the most common reason for lack of blooms is pruning at the wrong time during the season and eliminating the flower buds.

3. Too cold of a climate for successful hydrangea flowering.

4. Hydrangeas planted in heavy shade causes non flowering simply because of the lack of energy from the sun. So, select a sunnier location.

5. Severe dry spells the season before can and does cause the hydrangea to not flower.

By Rae: How do you prune morning glory vines and keep them under control are taking over the garden and choking out other plants?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Morning glory vines are annuals and among the most popular seasonal vines. (check if it is not Bindweed, as it is the nuisance morning glory vine.)

To keep a vigorous Morning glory vine healthy, you must:

* Remove any dead, damaged, diseased, or unproductive stems.

* Remove overly tangled stems.

* Remove errant stems, especially those growing away from the support.

* Direct its growth.

* Limit its growth.

By Toni: My pansies are facing west in windowsill boxes. They are the blue variety. They are not looking bright and overly healthy. The leaves at the base on turning yellow and they are drooping. What is the cause of this?

Answer By The Flower Expert: A location south or southeast of the house or will receive most sunlight. Maximum amount of sunlight is recieved in south or southeast of the house. This area is ideal for the Pansies to thrive. Because ...

Pansies like sunny moist conditions.

They bloom best when there is ample water, but do not tolerate wet feet.

They are also heavy feeders, and a fertilizer formulated for blooming flowers should be applied every two or three weeks.

Dead-heading your pansies will promote more blooms for a longer period of time.

Few pests bother pansies, slugs are the worst.

Pansies are the flowers blooming in winter.

Change the direction, and see the difference. All the Best

By Linda: How do you take care of an indooor tropical plant arrangement of torch ginger, red ginger and another kind of ginger?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Gingers are tropical plants.

We do not have much information about Torch Ginger. But the general care for the plant are:

Give them partial shade and a lot of moisture.

Keeping them under the canopy of other plants will protect them during winter cold snaps.

By Jeff: we want to plant something above a 5' rock wall. We want the flower to grow over the wall and drape over the wall...what would you recommend?

Answer By The Flower Expert: 1. Phlox subulata - or Creeping Phlox is ideal for rock gardens, topping retaining walls, edging pathways, banks, and slopes , a spectacular ground cover. Grows vigorously forming dense spreading, spilling mounds covered in candy-color blossoms.

2. Aquilegia canadensis - or Wild Columbine - The plants grow well in rocky soil.

These are the ideal plants for the rock gardens.

The plants successful existance depends upon the whether conditions it suits in.

By Tasha: Im getting married in Janurary in Tahoe .. my colors are eggplant and turquoise .. and i was wondering what flowers you would reccomend beside the Rose?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Weddings usually in the winter & fall should always be done in black, brown, dark burgundy.

As you asked the type of flowers for your wedding apart from Rose, would be like Tulips, Morning Glory .

By Allen: This is the first year I have grown gladiolus. The first ones to bloom were gorgeous but now they seem to be weak. I am seeing bulbs for sale at great prices right now and wonder if I should purchase for next year and if so, should I go ahead and plant them now since I live in zone 7, Dallas, GA or should I store them and wait until next spring?

Answer By The Flower Expert: If you are intended to buy the bulbs in sale, make sure that the bulbs are healthy.

If you buy the gladiolus corms, finish them planting gladiolus corms by early July.

The summers at Dallas are extremely hot. The months of May, June, July and August are extremely hot. The months of July and August are especially very hot.

Even if you buy the bulbs and plant them, you dont get the flowers to enjoy immediately. In my view, If you are more patient, store them and wait until next spring.

By Elias:What are reasons for non-blooming gardenias?

Answer By The Flower Expert: 1. So to get lots of flowers, you should give your Gardenia 8 hours of light. But it needs need a rest, and between flowering, the cool night is traditionally recommended.

2. Rain water/tap water which can be acidic.

3. Fertilize during flowering having more phosphorus.

If these are satisfied, your gardenias will bloom profusely.

By Tasha: Im getting married in Janurary in Tahoe .. my colors are eggplant and turquoise .. and i was wondering what flowers you would reccomend beside the Rose.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Weddings usually in the winter & fall should always be done in black, brown, dark burgundy.

As you asked the type of flowers for your wedding apart from Rose, would be like Tulips, Morning Glory.

By Allen: This is the first year I have grown gladiolus. The first ones to bloom were gorgeous but now they seem to be weak. I am seeing bulbs for sale at great prices right now and wonder if I should purchase for next year and if so, should I go ahead and plant them now since I live in zone 7, Dallas, GA or should I store them and wait until next spring?

Answer By The Flower Expert: If you are intended to buy the bulbs in sale, make sure that the bulbs are healthy.

If you buy the gladiolus corms, finish them planting gladiolus corms by early July.

The summers at Dallas are extremely hot. The months of May, June, July and August are extremely hot. The months of July and August are especially very hot.

Even if you buy the bulbs and plant them, you dont get the flowers to enjoy immediately. In my view, If you are more patient, store them and wait until next spring.

By Elias: What are the reasons for non-blooming gardenias?

Answer By The Flower Expert: There are few reasons for non-blooming gardenias.

1. So to get lots of flowers, you should give your Gardenia 8 hours of light. But it needs need a rest, and between flowering, the cool night is traditionally recommended.

2. Rain water/tap water which can be acidic.

3. Fertilize during flowering having more phosphorus.

If these are satisfied, your gardenias will bloom profusely.

By Sherbear: Does forcing flowers like geraniums, stop them from blooming later on in the season?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Many gardeners like to keep their geraniums from one year to the next.

By Jennifer: I wanted to naturalize a small dirt slope at the edge of our yard with bulbs and grass. I was looking into Red fescue for the grass. Is this a good choice? Is there a better grass to use for this?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yes, it is a good choice.

Red fescue is a cool-season grass used in cool, shaded, mountain sites, such as camps, resorts, and cabins where low-input of mowing, fertilization, and irrigation is desired.

It does not do well in hot climates, except in shady, dry situations. In areas where Kentucky bluegrass does well, red fescue forms an excellent companion grass to increase shade tolerance. Red fescue germinates and establishes slowly. It is moderately wear resistant.

By SOME ONE: Iam wondering after the iris flowers die can I cut off the dead flower?

Answer By The Flower Expert: The spent Iris blooms should be cut off at the stem below the flower.

The part of the iris that bloomed, will no longer produce blooms.

Instead, There will be two new plants on either side of it, that will bloom during their second year.

By Mary: What are the leaves of the statice plant? Are they sharp?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Foliage description.-- Leaf arrangement: Alternate. Leaf size, fully expanded,

Leaf shape: Ovate. Leaf apex: Obtuse. Leaf base: Acute. Leaf margin: Serrated. Leaf texture: Leathery, adaxial surface slightly pubescent.

Leaf attachment: Sessile.

Venation pattern: Pinnate.

They are not sharp.

By Linda: What would make a climatis plant not bloom after it has in previous years?

Answer By The Flower Expert: There are three main reasons why a clematis doesn't flower:

1) The plant might be still immature and hasn't reached flowering size yet. Clematis will take up to three to five years to become a fully mature plant, but they should carry a small number of flowers even while still young.

2) The most common problem with clematis that produce an over abundance of green growth and no flowers is caused by a nutrient imbalance, usually too much nitrogen. It is best to fertilize clematis with organic, slow release fertilizers when you prune group three clematis, usually in late February or early March.

3)Pruning at odd times can also result in the loss of flowers, especially with the early flowered cultivars (these types include C. alpina, C. macropetela, and early large flowered hydrid types).

These types of clematis form their flowers on the previous years growth. If pruning removes this new growth, the plant will not flower.

By Ralph: Can Gardenias be planted outside in Kansas, and will they stand the winter weather that we have?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Kansas s continental climate is highly changeable.

If the climate is extreme, then gardenias will not survive in the frost, as they are frost tender.

If such situation arises they can be grown in a heated greenhouse

I am not sure but, In Kansas Gardenias can be grown in greenhouses during winters.

By Judy: My angel wing begonia is dropping flowers--is this normal or am I doing something wrong. It is a hanging plant where it gets plenty of light?

Answer By The Flower Expert: 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.

Even if Angel wing begonia does not recieve sufficient Bright light, then flowering is not seen, and also if there is no proper fertilization, that results in the excessive growth o2f the plant.

By Lucinda: After my lotus has flowered and the seed pod remains on the stem what should I do? Do I need to cut the stem back for more blossoms to grow?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yes, you can cut the Lotus stem back.

The pods/seed heads contain the Lotus seeds within little circular chambers on the flat surface of the top of the pod.

These circles appeared to cradle the seeds, which are round, within the pod until fully ripe.

Both the chamber of each seed and the seed itself got larger and larger until the pod bent over to finally release the seeds into the water.

By kylie: I would like to use cherry blossoms in my wedding. It is planned for June 6, 2009. How can I find a florest that carries cherry blossoms on a branch that late in the season? Is there any way?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Cherry blossom is a spring flower. They will flower only when the winter chill is over and there is a warmth in the atmosphere, sun.

You did not specify the place you reside, and we do not know the availablilty of the flower in June.

Give us the details and we will let you know the details of the florist and also the availability of the flower in your place.

By Sonya: I am looking for the name of a flower that only grows in the mountains of Tawian, and only when it snows. It grows on the ground from what I was told and I cant find it anywhere! If you have any helpfull hints on what the name is, or where I can find it?

Answer By The Flower Expert: I think you are talking about, Cypripedium segawai (Lady's slipper)

This is the flower exclusive to Taiwan.

Cypripedium segawai is known only from Taiwan, South East Asia.

They can withstand extreme cold, growing under the snow and blooming when the snow melts. But, in the wild, most have become rare and close to extinction.

By Lauren: Is there ANY way I could have tulips; preferrably pink, in September? I'm looking to get married NEXT september and I absolutely LOVE tulips and I would love to have pink tulips at my wedding because my colors are pink and green and they would be perfect?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yes, Tulips are not in season in Sept. You can have other alternatives like some pink snaps, pink delphinium mini pink sweetheart roses , mini pink carnations ,pink heather, stargazer Lilly's would be very pretty for a wedding or infact calla lillies.

By Judy: Do you cut just the dead agapnthus flower off at the base of the flower or do you cut the entire stem off at the base of the stem?

Answer By The Flower Expert: It is better of cut the Agapanthus flowering stock close to ground level. In this way, plants pick up a bust of energy and perform best.

By Laurie: I have 2 day lilies that have not flowered for two years. Can I get them to flower again or should I pull them

Answer By The Flower Expert: The reasons for non-blooming Daylilies are

1. They might be new plantings, which need time for maturity.

2. They might be growing in a really shady area. (If so, put them in a suuny spot)

3. They might be getting over fertilized.(It needs only a shovel of compost per year per plant).

By Roger: Iam trying to grow morning glories and they seem to be doing good except when i get flowers on them after they open once they close and then fall off. what seems to be my problem. I feed them erery two week with plant food

Answer By The Flower Expert: The Morning glory flowers start to fade a 2 hours before the petals start showing visible curling.

Some of the varieties are fast growing perennials and some are annuals.

Where as Perennials stay open most of the day.

Probably yours might be an annual.

By Phil: I have dwarf sunflowers and the bloom have matured do I dead head to promote new flowers?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Remove old flowers to encourage rebloom on perennials. Many perennials should be cut back to ground level after blooming is finished to encourage new leaf growth from the base.

But if you want your Sunflowers to create seeds, stop deadheading at the end of the season. To gather seed for re-planting, when the flowers are dead, cut them and allow them to dry. Remove the seeds by crumbling the dried flower head into an envelope or other container. Some plants are noted for their seeds (sunflower) so make sure you let them mature.

By Phillipine: how do i take care of lilies?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Taking care of Lilies.

1. Fill a vase with clean cool water and add half of the flower food. Cut at least two inches off of each stem at an angle which improve the re-hydration process.

2. Place immediately into vase full of water.

3. Keep your lilies out of direct sunlight and away from any heat source.

4. As earlier blooms begin to wither and die, cut them off so as not to distract from the later blooms as they open.

5. Your Lilies will drink a lot of water during the first few days, add water daily and don't allow the vase to run out of water.

6. For an long vase life, re-cut the ends (one inch) every second or third day and use the other half of the flower food for the first water change in four to five days.

By Kizzie: When given yellow carnations what does it mean?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yellow Carnations mean Disappointment and Dejection

By Chery: How long can you leave iris out of the ground?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Iris Rhizomes : - Ideally, you need to plant the Iris rhizomes as soon as possible. Otherwise, protect the Iris rhizomes from the sun and from drying out. For example, cover with damp burlap in the shade, not with plastic that can get too hot.

Iris Plants : - If you talking about Iris plants, then :- Keep them cool (put them in the shade) and dampish (cover them with an old damp sheet or wet newspapers and spritz them with the hose once a day) they'll keep for several weeks. As long as you do not leave them out in the sun to bake, they will be fine.

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.