Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Oct 2009

By Lori Williams:Does the GERBERA DAISY come back in the spring? What is the care during the winter?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Lori Williams,

Yes, they do come back in spring. The Gerber Daisy is a perennial or annual plant, depending on the species and cultivar.

Winter care for Gerbreras: In winter if you want to keep Gerberas daisy plant indoors over the winter, dig them up well before freezing temperatures arrive and plant them in a free-draining soil mix. Then do not fertilize over the winter, and give water only when the soil is seen quite dry.

By Flora:How to get rid of the smell of marigold in arrangments?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Flora,

It is true that marigold flower fragrance is not so great in an arrangement.

Drying up of the marigold flowers will change the smell of the flowers in the arrangement.

Otherwise if there is any perfume similar to marigold, like an expensive cologne to be used in arrangements..

By Cindy Henderson:We just purchased a house in Palm Desert. Will portulaca grow well? l as a ground cover with the desert landscape area of our yard? Can I plant in the fall here?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Cindy Henderson,

Yes, Portulaca can be grown in your place as a ground cover. They grow well in desert areas. IT can also be grown in containers.

Seeds are sown only after the last chance of frost has passed.

By Patty:My mom has a huge calla lily plant in a pot in her den. It's beautiful and healthy, but the leaves have water in them each day - and they drip off the ends, as if the plant is weeping. Why does it do this?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Patty,

Its a common course during the photosynthesis of the plant. I do not think there is any problem with the dew drops on your healthy calla lily plant.

By June rickets:We have a orange flower 10 feet tall looks something like a cosmos or daisy flower with leaves that are tripinnate...It came from a packet of seeds of wild flowers?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear June rickets,

Yes, it is Orange cosmos growing upto 4-7 feet.

By Estefania Fernandez:How do you create a flower bouquet with a mix of flowers native to the U.S. and foreign flowers?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Estefania Fernandez,

You can create a variety of bouquets, with the combination of cacti, Sunflowers, yuccas, mariposa lilies, Tulips, Roses, Hyacinths, orchids, Gerberas, poppies, violets etc, depending upon the sizes and the color combinations favoured by you.

By Julie Wilson: I have a lower level walkout and on one side there is a 'planter' built into the retaining wall. Overhead is our deck. The area receives no sun and is very damp from the snow/rain coming through the decking. What flower can I plant that will be easy to care for and thrive? I'm in Zone 4, USA

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Julie Wilson,

Since you are in a cold area,

Hostas can be a very good choice for the Northern parts of USA.

Heucheras also do well in my damp shady garden areas.

By Verna Kyles:What part of the cell gives flowers their color?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Verna Kyles,

The Three different pigments chlorophyll, flavonoids, and carotenoids mixed in different proportions, in a plant cell give color to flowers.

Chlorophyll, responsible for green color, is located in small packets called chloroplasts.

The carotenoids that impart yellow through orange colors are found within other small cell packets called chromoplasts.

Flavonoids are placed within the vacuole in the cell, or water-storage area at the center of a plant cell. They make up three-quarters of each flower cell and responsible for red through blue colors.

Flavonoids are divided into two groups called as ?pigmented anthocyanins and colorless co-pigments.

By Candy lapeer:i recently read that when making mother's day corsages, there is a color guidline to follow...red if the recipients mother is alive, white if her mother is deceased and yellow if she has a child that is deceased...when making these corsages, say a red one, is it ok to use other color flowers along with the red, for filler? such as white baby's breath,etc?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear candy lapeer,

You said right

Mother's day corsages have a color guideline, like,

red if the recipients mother is alive,

white if her mother is deceased and

yellow if she has a child that is deceased.

Yes, you can use different colors in a Mothers day corsages, depending on the main flowers used.

You can use white baby's breath, in a corsage.

By Guest:Daffodils Had beautiful blooms,now what to do? I know they bloom yearly. Remove bulbs from ground. Cut tops off.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Sir,

After The Daffodils bloom, never cut the foliage until it begins to yellow.

Then dig them. Wash the bulbs thoroughly and let them dry completely.

Put them in onion sacks and hang them in the coolest place you can find until ready to plant. Good air circulation will keep the bulbs from storage rot to a minimum.

By Guest:My daughter gave me a hyacinth plant already in bloom in mid March. We live in central Illinois, I would like to know if I can transplant it outside now?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear,

Be a little more patient and dig them as soon as the foliage turns yellow. If you dig them up now, the foliage will wilt and you probably won't get any flowers next year.

By Lily Rahhal:I have had a thriving Jasmine plant for about 5 years now, and it suddenly presented itself with some red berries. What is this, are they seeds?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Lily Rahhal,

Jasmine doesn't usually have berries, it might be honeysuckle plant.

Some varieties of honeysuckle plant get red berries.

Check whether it is a jasmine or honeysuckle plant.

By Wayne:I have a bed of Iris's that have not produced blooms for the last 3 years.does the plant need a more acidic soil or less acidic to produce blooms?I tried the 10-10-10 fertilizer but still, no blooms.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Wayne,

There might have some problems during transplanting. Only 60-75% of Iris bloom the first year after planting. Sometimes they need an extra year to become established.

When you plant your irises, make sure the top surface of the rhizome is level with or just slightly below the soil surface. Do NOT mulch directly over the rhizomes. To improve your chances of bloom, add fertilizer and divide large clumps.

Reasons for non-blooming of Irises:-

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

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

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

By RiCH HARPER:When is the best time to plant morning gloy, and is it ok to use them as a ground cover as opposed to hanging.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear RiCH HARPER,

Sorry for being late.

They can be planted now.

Morning Glory if planted in March, will bloom in July.

It is excellent as ground cover as well as hangings.

By Mark:where are the best chrysanthemums grown in the world

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Mark,

In my view, chrysanthemums are best grown in Japan. Japanese hold spectacular annual chrysanthemum exhibitions.

By Cheryl:Do I need to root a pussy willow branch before I plant?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Cheryl,

Pussy willows are extremely easy to multiply. They root so easily that stems of almost any size can simply be stuck into moist soil in the spring, and they will take hold within a few weeks.

The cutting must be set the right end up (as it originally grew). Cuttings should be from new growth, at least as thick as a pencil, and a foot or more long for direct sticking. At least one or two buds must be above ground when the cutting is set.

By Christine:I have this cactus growing in my office.Friend said it looked like part of the Christmas Cactus family.Do you know what it is?? And how should I takecare?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Christine,

Please, send us a clear picture of the plant.

Anyways, the cactus family needs direct sun.

I think since it is in window its growing long with no blooms.

Place it in a direct sun with water less water and observe the difference.

By Roberta:Two years ago I had a riot of white and gold/yellow freesias. They filled our yard and house with their fragrant sent.The following year, I had a profuse amount of flowers but they did not smell.Am I doing something wrong or is that a common happening with freesias.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Roberta,

As a general rule the reds, yellows and whites give the strongest scent, the blues and deep pinks less. The yellows, blues and whites have a longer vase-life than the reds and pinks, with some lasting three weeks if they are cut in bud.

By Guest:I bought a couple of hyacinths and they are blooming when done can I plant them in ground or in a pot so they will come back next year and do they only bloom once

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Sir

You can plant them in the ground, at exactly the same depth as they were in the old garden. Do not cut any leaves off - they'll need that to replenish the bulbs. You can cut off any flower stalks.

Water them well when you replant them but then pretty much ignore them. Again, don't cut those leaves off until they're well and truly yellowed in the new planting area.

They will bloom again.

By Robert:My Christmas cactus is many years old and has been doing great until just recently. The life just seems to be draining out of it. It has not been repotted in many years, would that help?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Robert

Christmas cactus needs a lot of sunlight.

Christmas cactus is definitely rootbound. You can repot it. It may help the plant.

By Guest:I need to identify each and know the best chance to keep hanging and med till spring. I have a hot water tank room that would be freeze proof -How much water, if any..Do they need a grow light on a timer ...?Which will dormant in a cold dark place...?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Sir

You need to bring the potted plants indoors in winter.Before the frost arrives, create soil mounds around the base of the plant.You can adjust the candles lights for the plants as light.

Some plants can be protected even by a sheet of plastic.

By Julie Davis:I have always been told that if you cut daffodils for a bouquet, they won't produce as many flowers the next year. Is this correct, or just an old wives' tale?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Julie Davis,

No, The daffodils will return every year along with the rest of your daffodils at the normal blooming time.

You can look at this site for further information.

http://www.bulbandbloom.com/earlicheer.shtml

By Sue:Pussy Willows have started to root, but they are also starting to look like the soft part of the willow is now getting a hairy like look. Show I pluck them off ? If not what is it and what happened?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Sue

I think they are the young pussy willows coming like hairy structures, which would grow into.

twigs which would be stout, shiny, reddish-brown; and hairy.

Pussy willows are extremely easy to multiply. They root so easily that stems of almost any size can simply be stuck into moist soil in the spring, and they will take hold within a few weeks.

The cutting must be set the right end up (as it originally grew). Cuttings should be from new growth, at least as thick as a pencil, and a foot or more long for direct sticking. At least one or two buds must be above ground when the cutting is set.

By Guest:I would like to know if the Narcissus bulbs are poisonous to dogs. I'm hoping you can give me any information about this flower and what it will do to this dog.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Sir

Narcissus bulbs are poisonous to dogs.

Its better to visit a vet.

For more information on plants, visit the American Animal Hospital Association website.This site has useful information.

By Twyla:I planted a maximilian sunflower last year. I left the stalks and seeds on to dry. But now I don't know if I should remove them for this years growth. I wanted to try and save the seeds.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Twyla

You can save sunflower seeds by putting each seed head into a grocery back and tying around the stem.

Make sure to leave some of the flower heads uncovered so that the hungry birds will not be driven to peck through the paper.

When the seed heads have dried, cut them from the stems and store them in a metal container to avoid rodents.

By Tessy:Could you advise me on how to care for the pruning of a Bird of Paradise. P.S. What's the best fertilizer to use and how often? I've read lots of different reports.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Originally from Argentina it is very drought tolerant and needs full sun and a dry environment. Its exotic blooms attract butterflies. The bloom period is May to September. It can grow up to 8 feet tall. It needs sun and very little water.

Method of Pruning:

Cut the tallest stems adjacent to the smaller ones, thereby keeping it symmetrical. Another technique, is to cut the taller stems right back to ground level and allowing offshoots to become the new main stem.

By Donna:Could you please tell me how to care for a friendship lily.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Peruvian lilies, or alstroemeria, represent friendship and devotion.

White stargazer lilies express sympathy and

Pink stargazer lilies represent wealth and prosperity.

By Judy:can you help me get Jasmine plant bloom again.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Normally, Jasmines are tropical plants. Once the flowers bloom, it is done for the season.

By Gil:I have received a small rho. in a pot. Since i have had it all the buds opened beautifully. I would like to repot it in a bigger pot and keep it inside. What do I have to do?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Usually and Generally when the plants are in full bloom , it cannot stand trasplanted.

By Ms. Deon Pantalone:white fungus looking on BOP leaves. Is that a normal thing or not?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Probably the BoP of yours is recieving more amount of water. BOP deos not need much water,, but needs sunny conditions.

You can use a fungicide like copper fungicide to eradicate the fungus on the leaves. And also BOP plants need atleast 5-7 years to get mature to bear flowers.

By Louise: The mature leaves on my ginger plant have turned brown around the edges. All new leaf growth looks OK. How can I avoid the leaves turning brown in future?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Louise,

Usually the ginger houseplants when kept inside the house, turn brown edges and eventually fall off. This is because the houseplants kept inside in winters with the heat on.

You can use a humidifier to keep the air in a room, or a section of the house moist.

You can use gravel filled saucers to allow the moisture that evaporates off the gravel to flow up around the leaves.

By Andreas: How can I prevent fire ants from eating and getting into the soil? Lately I've been noticing that they are full of fire ants....they ate all her flowers?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Andreas,

Sprinkle some black pepper powder on the plants which may help in controlling the fireants.

By Guest: I have 3 rose bushes in huge pots down stairs to store for winter. They are still growing but they are a really light shade or yellow. They are in a cool dry, dark place and I mist the soil with fresh water. I'm concerned about their yellowish color. Is there something I need to do or not do till it warms up and I can get them back outside?

Please help! They was given to me by my fiancee' since I said I would rather have a rose bush for Valentine's Day that I can watch re-bloom then a fresh cut ones that would die in a few weeks. They are Very sentimental to me. Any info would be Greatly appreciated. Thank you so much, have a great day.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sir/Madam,

Since the rose bush is not recieving sufficient light, in my view, it is becoming yellow.

Rose bushes need atleast 6 hours of sunlight for it to thrive.

Winter care of Roses:-

Many roses, including most Shrub roses and Old Garden roses, require little or no winter protection, except in very cold winter regions.

However, tender roses, such as Hybrid Tea roses and Grandiflora roses, should have winter protection. In Zones 5-8, tender roses need to have the graft union and roots protected from changing winter temperatures. When soil keeps freezing and thawing, it can twist the graft union and break feeder roots.

Winter protection also helps keep soil evenly cool in the late winter or early spring.

The best way to winterizing roses and provide basic winter protection for tender roses is by mounding soil over the crown and lower stems to a depth of 8-12 inches.

The sloping mound of soil will also protect the surrounding root system.

Protect roses with soil mounds from mid to late fall after one or more freezes. Bring the soil in from another part of the yard, or purchase it. Don't scrape up soil from around the rose plant since this will damage the roots and expose them to the cold.

For additional protection in zones 5-6, pile straw or dry leaves around the roses. To keep mulch in place, when winterizing roses, form a corral around the rose plant using chicken wire or other mesh fencing secured by stakes. Then fill in the corral with loose mulch. In spring remove the mulch and soil gradually as the weather warms up.

By Ryan: I was wondering if you planted the same flower (2 different colors), if they would eventually make a third flower of a mix of the colors? Are there any flowers that do this, and if so which ones?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Ryan

I do not think that can happen to plants.

Though Hydrangeas can be well made to change the color by adding some amounts of acids or alkalines.

"Generally to Hydrangeas, maintaining an acidic or low pH will induce 'blueness'; whereas, maintaining a higher or alkaline pH will induce 'pinkness or redness'.

Another way you can change the color of hydrangeas from pink to blue is to add a small amount of aluminum sulfate to the plant. This should be done to mature plants only, with extreme care since the chemical can cause irreparable root damage.