Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Sep 2008

By Pat: Iam gardenia plant sitting. Why are the leaves turning yellow?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yellow leaves (particularly seen in spring): Leaf yellowing in Gardenias and other bushes has generally been attributed to a magnesium deficiency and treated with applications of Epsom salts (sulphate of magnesium) but the plant is probably more in need of an all purpose fertiliser and a good watering.

Apply fertiliser in spring when weather begins to warm and yellow leaves begin to show.

By Coretha: How long does it take for sweet pea seeds to germinate? I have not soaked them beforehand and it seems like they are not germinating. I planted them about 9 days ango and has kept the soil moist ever since.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Many Sweet Pea seeds are very hard and germinate slowly, if at all. It is better to have some sort of treatment to insure prompt sprouting.

How to do it:

Some soak the seeds in acid for a half hour.

Or Cut off a small piece of the seed coat on the side opposite the growing point.

When such seeds are sown a half-inch deep in sand, they will germinate readily because they can soak up water easily.

If so treated that way, they germinate in a week and may then be placed in small pots to grow.

By Ron Davis: When is the best time to prune the gardenia plants that are now blooming?How far down can they be cut?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Gardenias bloom in summer and set flower buds in the fall. As soon as they finish blooming, prune--but only if needed.

They can be pruned as far back as you like but first, cut plants back when they are dormant ( depending upon where you live).

This will allow the stems to -heal their wounds- when the plants are not actively growing. This way you can still enjoy flowers the next year.

While pruning, do not cut all the leaves off. Some leaves need to be left so the plant can still produce food for the root system.

By Jeff:we want to plant something above a 5 inches 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 Rosina: My new potted gardenia is fading fast. It is in excellent light, was fed lightly with Miracle Grow which came with the plant and since it tends to dry out quickly, I lightly water it almost daily. Bottom leaves are turning yellow and large brown areas form mostly at the tips before dropping. I have the urge to give it a large dose of water because if anything, it seems to be on the dry side, but I'm not sure that is best. Please help me.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Leaf yellowing in Gardenias and other bushes has generally been attributed to a magnesium deficiency and treated with applications of Epsom salts (sulphate of magnesium) but the plant is probably more in need of an all purpose fertiliser and a good watering.

Apply fertiliser in spring when weather begins to warm and yellow leaves begin to show.

By Dear x: 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 Heidi: How should I prune gerber daisys so they continue blooming all summer? Thank you Heidi

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

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

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

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

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

Answer By The Flower Expert: Generally Clematis plant needs lot of watering during growing season.

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 Sherbear: Does forcing flowers like geraniums, stop them from blooming later on in the season. I bought beautiful ones from the nursery and they have not had a bloom since and not one in sight?

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

When the geraniums growing shoots reach 4-6 inches long (and the plant will throw new shoots slowly over the next few months) pinch out the growing tips. This is forcing.

This will force the plant to stay a little bushier and will give you many more cuttings next spring when you need to repopulate your garden than if you let it get tall and leggy.

I think you have not forced your Geraniums, therefore they look leggy.

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 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, but no direct sun, I check it with my moisture meter daily and water when below the moist reading. I also mist it several times a week. We are in Orange Park, Florida, near Jacksonville?

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

Answer By The Flower Expert: Kansascontinental 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 Claire: I have been looking for a small plant to put in my husbands bathroom, and I was wondering if a coleus would be a good choice. There is not a window in there, so I need a plant that will do well in low light?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Apart from Coleus, you can also have Aspidistra (Cast iron plant), Calathea (Peacock plant)as a houseplants in your husbands bathroom.

By Karla: My peoney always gets a bud on it but then dries up what am I doing wrong?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Peonies are best planted in early fall, from September to October.

Peonies generally bloom during May - June. Those species with side buds are disbudded leaving only the central bud to ensure flower size.

Newly established peonies may not bloom for up to 2 years.

Failure to bloom may also be due to :the use of immature plants, planting too small tubers or planting too deep, insufficient sun, less nutrition, or winter dormancy.

In this case, probably due to its movement or transplanting several times might have caused the peonies not to bloom.

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.

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.

I think, If you go with a reputable, larger florist though expensive, they can get ANY flowers for you.

By Chris: now i dont know if this is a myth or not, but i have heard (or possibly read somewhere) that there is a flower that can withstand extremly cold climates? maybe its just in the movies, but some movie has a flower that grows through the snow?

Answer By The Flower Expert: 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 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?

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 Dave: Do Dahlias need acid or alkaline soil? What should the ideal Ph be?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dahlias love a well -drained and slightly acidic soil, rich in nutrients.

Dahlia beds should be well prepared several weeks prior to planting, with rich in organic matter, good drainage and located in an open sunny location.

Dahlias do not require large amounts of nitrogen, but they do require ample amounts of phosphorous and potassium.

The preferred soil pH for dahlias is about 6.5, just to the acid side of neutral.

If the soil ph is not appropriate, add lime to elevate pH and aluminum sulfate to lower pH.

By Mini: details about the national flower of italy?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Italy did not specify the particular national flower but has traditional and religious symbolic flower.

The traditional symbolic flower for Italy is Rose while, White Poppy or White Lily serves as religious symbolic flower and according to popularity Violet is considered a flower symbol in the country.

By Kate: This is year 2 for our rhododendrom. It is full of blossoms but I am noticing the leaves look they are being chewed on. What can I do?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Growing Hyacinths

Plant hyacinth bulbs in fall, 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected and when soils are below 60 degrees F.

This is usually during September and October in the North, and October and November in the South.

Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost.

Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep.

Set the bulb in the hole, pointy end up, then cover with soil and press firmly.

Space bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart.

Water thoroughly after planting.

By Molly: I have noticed a growth inside the Calla Lilies... Looks like a pod of some sort... How do I care for them or should I just let them alone and just water and fertilize as I do the other plants?

Answer By The Flower Expert: When the seed pod of Calla lily matures, it should turn yellow and become soft and mushy. This can take several months. They are usually ready in the fall.

If you pick it before it matures the seeds will not be viable. You can remove the seeds by pinching or squishing each berry between your fingers which can hold 1-5 sticky seeds.

At this point you can either plant the seeds in moistened potting soil or store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant.

Another way is to let the whole seedpod dry until it turns a orange, gold or light green color.

Clean off the fleshy coating and take out the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place (frig) until you are ready to plant.

By Laure: 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.

I think, If you go with a reputable, larger florist though expensive, they can get ANY flowers for you.

By rmj: I just got a rose bush.I got it a reputable nursery.It looks like some thing is eating the leaves.They have little holes in them I'm not sure how to take care of it,or what to feed it,Please help

Answer By The Flower Expert: The pest destroying the Rose leaves is rose sawfly.

There are three sawfly species which brings Rose bush damage. They are: roseslug (Endelomyia aethiops), curled rose sawfly (Allantus cinctus), and the bristly roseslug (Cladius difformis).

1. The pale yellowish-green roseslug feeds as a skeletonizer on the upper leaf surface.

2. Curled rose sawfly larvae are dark green in color. Early instar larvae feed on the lower leaf surface, and produce characteristic skeletonizing damage with veins remaining untouched.

3. The bristly roseslug is pale green in color. Larvae feed between the main veins which produces holes in leaves. Plants covered with "see-through-leaves" is a good indicator of this pest.

Control:

To manage rose sawflies, keep the surroundings clean, and clean up all debris and remove weeds. You can also use a hard burst of water from the hose to knock the sawfly from the plants. Sawfly larva are unable to crawl back up plants. However, if you use the water method, make sure that the leaves have a chance to dry before dark, to avoid conditions favorable for the development of fungal diseases.

By MJ: How do I get the seeds from gerbera daisies? I bought a gorgeous color gerbera daisy and let them dry so Ican plant them but I don't know which part is the seed.

Answer By The Flower Expert: If your Gerberas are from cut flower bouquet, chances are that the flower was picked before it could mature enough to develop seeds.

If you have a fuzzy center on one of your flowers then there is a slight chance of seeds.

You can plant them pointed end down, it takes 15-25 days to germinate. It takes 6 months from germination to blooming.

By Vanessa: When is the best time to prune potted frangipani in North Queensland

Answer By The Flower Expert: North Queensland has a diverse climate conditions, with tropical and sub-tropical climatic conditions.

Speciality Prune frangipani any time of year to retain shape and keep plants compact.

By Tina: I looked up the Dasymutilla occidentalis and it's really not what I saw in my gardenia pot. They looked more like fire ants but from their behavior, it doesn't look like them either. They are underneath the soil of my gardenia pot and when I water the plant they come out. Fire ants are supposed to be building mounds around the yard right?

Answer By The Flower Expert: The large ants under gardenias might be

* small ants

* carpenter ants

* fire ants

* leafcutter ants

* white footed ants

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 Cheryl: 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 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 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.

Annual morning glories close very soon.

Where as Perennials stay open most of the day.

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 Ron Davis: TWhen is the best time to prune the gardenia plants that are now blooming?How far down can they be cut?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Gardenias bloom in summer and set flower buds in the fall. As soon as they finish blooming, prune--but only if needed. They can be pruned as far back as you like but first, cut plants back when they are dormant ( depending upon where you live). This will allow the stems to "heal their wounds" when the plants aren't actively growing. This way you can still enjoy flowers the next year.

While pruning, don't cut all the leaves off. Some leaves need to be left so the plant can still produce food for the root system.

By Deb Rossi: We planted daffodil bulbs under a group of deciduous trees six years ago,however, the last two years the majority did not flower. Is there anything that can be done to ensure they flower?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Daffodils can be grown in the shade of deciduous trees because they have finished flowering and the foliage has begun to mature by the time deciduous trees leaf out. However, it is better to grow them outside the drip line of deciduous trees rather than under them. Also, deciduous trees with tap roots are preferable to shallow-rooted trees.

Daffodils will not long survive under evergreen trees and shrubs.

There are several reasons why a daffodil does not bloom

The most common reasons why daffodils fail to bloom are that

- they are in too shady a location

- or their foliage has been removed before it has browned so the bulbs are weak,

- or they are of a short lived variety or not suited to your local climate.

Additional reasons can include lack of fertility in the soil, and dry weather stunting foliage growth in previous years.

Lastly, they may be too crowded and need to be lifted, divided and replanted.

So, the reason for not blooming daffodils might be overcrowding since they are 6 years old, and might need division.

By Banks: I have two large Lilium Tigrinum I recently noticed round dark brown ball like stuff all over the long stems of the plant. what is that?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Tiger Lilies have round dark brown ball like stuff all over the long stems of the plant, called leaf axis bulbils. Tiger Lilies are well known for their stem or leaf axis bulbils.

Bulbils may measure about 0.5 inches (1-2 cm)depending on the variety and stage of development.

By Molly: I have noticed a growth inside the Calla Lilies... Looks like a pod of some sort... How do I care for them or should I just let them alone and just water and fertilize as I do the other plants?

Answer By The Flower Expert: When the seed pod of Calla lily matures, it should turn yellow and become soft and mushy. This can take several months. They are usually ready in the fall.

If you pick it before it matures the seeds will not be viable. You can remove the seeds by pinching or squishing each berry between your fingers which can hold 1-5 sticky seeds.

At this point you can either plant the seeds in moistened potting soil or store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant.

Another way is to let the whole seedpod dry until it turns a orange, gold or light green color.

Clean off the fleshy coating and take out the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place (frig) until you are ready to plant.

By Rosina: This is year 2 for our rhododendrom. It is full of blossoms but I am noticing the leaves look they are being chewed on. What can I do?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yellow leaves (particularly seen in spring): Leaf yellowing in Gardenias and other bushes has generally been attributed to a magnesium deficiency and treated with applications of Epsom salts (sulphate of magnesium) but the plant is probably more in need of an all purpose fertiliser and a good watering.

Apply fertiliser in spring when weather begins to warm and yellow leaves begin to show.

By Coretha: How long does it take for sweet pea seeds to germinate? I have not soaked them beforehand and it seems like they are not germinating. I planted them about 9 days ago and has kept the soil moist ever since.

Answer By The Flower Expert: Many Sweet Pea seeds are very hard and germinate slowly, if at all. It is better to have some sort of treatment to insure prompt sprouting.

How to do it :

Some soak the seeds in acid for a half hour.

When such seeds are sown a half-inch deep in sand, they will germinate readily because they can soak up water easily.

If so treated that way, they germinate in a week and may then be placed in small pots to grow.

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.