Ask and Answer Flower Questions Archive - Oct 2009

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.

By Jacqeline (Jackie) McDaniel: I ordered poppies last October and I need to know when to plan the bulbs?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Jacqeline (Jackie) McDaniel

Poppies plants should be planted in the fall or even in the winter if the winters in your particular region are fairly mild.

Poppies like lots of sun, but also don't mind occasional shade.

Poppies are easily maintained plants.

The best time to plant bulbs is between September and December.

It is best to plant your bulbs in an area of your yard that receives full or part sun.

By Robert Johnson: Tulip plants from Wal-mart. I need to know how to keep them In bloom until sping when I will plant them outside?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Robert Johnson,

Keep your blooming Tulip plants with foliage, to die down naturally.

Don't remove the foliage while it is still green.

When it completely yellows, you can tug the leaves off the bulbs and throw them away.

Allow the pot to dry down.

Keep the bulbs in the soil and store the bulbs in a cool location in your house until you can plant them outdoors this spring.

They will do best in a full-sun location and planted about 6 inches deep.

Give the bulbs a good watering and leave them alone.

If they are hardy bulbs for your geographic location, they will come up next spring and have beautiful flowers.

By Ralene: I have a couple of very full bushes of babies breath in the garden of the house the I just purchased and I would like to move them to a better location. Would it hurt them to move them? If not, is there a better time of the year to do so? I'm not sure if it makes any difference, but I live in Blanding, UT which I believe is in zone 6 of the USDA zone map. Also, I have a ton of plants that I have no idea what they are, if I were to sent you pictures would someone be able to tell me what they are? Thank you for your help?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Ralene,

I think its not wise to transplants those beautiful fully grown Baby's breath. You can transplant them after the last frost date.

By Brian: From what you say the bulbs are a better way to go and I agree with you, its just the labor and the money I was thinking about if I wanted to do a mass planting type of installation If the plant re-seeds by itself ,,, and you wanted to do a mass planting,,, why not just use the seeds ,,, would that save on the labor? if I wanted to do a half an acre with the bulbs, I wouldn't be able to use as many of them ,,,, then I would have to wait many years for them to multiply and cover the area with the seed, will it cover the area any faster to give it the same effect, and how much labor can the seeds take do the seeds need to be planted, sprinkled on top of the soil/grass ,,, raked in what would you recommend ? less bulbs and wait for the area to fill in ,, or do the seeds and wait for them to mature am I thinking to much about this,, does it even matter which way if you had a half acre to do ,,, which way is the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to get this accomplished?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Brian,

I think it is best to plant the bulbs of snow glories.

Growing from seeds a bit slower and spreads in the garden slowly.

By Julia: I am getting married on Sept 5. I would like to know what flowers are in bloom at that time. And also what would go good with my wedding colors of chocolate brown and army green?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Julia,

Spring Time, the time of growth and renewal of new plant and animal life. Spring comes at different times in the North and South Hemispheres.

Spring time in the Northern hemisphere is between March - May, and between September - November in the Southern hemisphere. Most flowering plants bloom during spring time. Therefore, flowers that bloom only during spring, Spring Flowers, bloom at different times in the two hemispheres.

Flowers Blooming Spring are:

Agapanthus, Amaryllis, Anemone, Apple blossom, Bird of Paradise, Brodea, Calla lily, Cherry Blossom, Corn flower, Cosmose, Dahlia, Delphinium, Delwood, Forsythia, Freesia, Gardenia, Heather, Helleborus, Hollyhock, Hyacinth, Larkspur, Casa Blanca Lily, Gloriosa Lily, Stargazer, Liatrus, Lilac, Lisianthus, Narcissus, Orchid, Peach blossom, Peony, Phlox, Poppy, Protea, Pussy willow, Ranunculus, Rose, Seeded Eucalyptus, Solidago, Statice, Stephanotis, Stock, Sweet Pea, Tulip, Viburnum, Wax flower, Zinnia.

Mostly in september flowers in bloom are :

Gladiolus, Dahlias, Maroon zinnias, white marigolds, cannas, maroon and white mums, spider lilies, belladonna lilies, oxblood lilies, hibiscus, crape myrtles, hostas, nierembergia, ivy are some of the flowers blooming in september.

White Roses, Ivory color, pink colored flowers may go good for your chocolate brown and army green.

By Arzu Tekinbas: I am a Dutch student of the University of applied sciences in The Netherlands. I am studying International Marketing Management. For a project called 'Project International Orientation', we have to research the flower giving/ buying in Ireland. I was wondering which special events/occasions are high-demand for giving flowers. Is it true that red or white flowers symbolize death? and that you cannot give lilies as a gift unless it is a religious occasion.?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Arzu Tekinbas,

Undoubtedly, Mother's day, Valentines, and Christmas are the events/occasions which have high-demand for giving flowers.

Although there is a difference in the meaning of color in different parts of the world, Universally, black is considered symboliing death.

Red symbolizes: action, confidence, courage, vitality

White symbolizes: Purity, Cleanliness

Black symbolizes: Death, earth, stability.

It is false about lilies givien only for occassions. Lilies can be given at any time of the year.

By Steve Stover: How can the bulbs be saved for planting outdoors after paper whites bloom inside in February in Nebraska?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Steve Stover,

After Paperwhites finish blooming, people discard the bulbs. They won't bloom again indoors.

Usually it may take several years before the bulbs build up enough reserves to bloom again. Paperwhites and other tropical narcissus will not rebloom.

Just keep trying. Keep watering the pots and start adding some fertilizer. When the foliage yellows (usually after a month or two), you can remove the bulbs and plant them outdoors.

By Joel Osborne: If there are any flowers, preferrably lillies, that are indigenous to both Canada and Mexico?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Joel Osborne,

Canada lily (Lilium canadense),

Wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum),

Michigan lily (Lilium michiganense,

Turk?s-cap lily (Lilium superbum) are the lilies indegenous to Canada

Rain lilies - Zephyranthes grandiflora

Queen?s rain lily - Zephyranthes reginae - are the lilies indegenous to Mexico

By Collins: why has my bleeding heart died way down. Does it need fertilized or more water? I cut it back and it just started to die down Did I do something wrong?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Collins,

If its bending more, then plan for the support of the stems to be a decorative element. A bush of twiggy branches stuck into the pot, or a small wire obelisk will be a support for aging stems.

By Chris: My daughter is having a wedding cake and would like to incorporate some of the flowers she is having in her wedding on her cake as well. Can you tell me if green hydrangeas; alstro, caspia and small daisies would be ok to have on her cake. The flowers are for decoration only and will not be eaten?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Chris,

Daisy - The flowers have a mildly bitter taste and are most commonly used for their looks than their flavor. The petals are used as a garnish and in salads.

Alstromeria - never keep in eating material

Hydrangeas - never keep in eating material

Its better you decide on something more important, than face difficult consequences.

http://www.marketfresh.com.au/flowers/2_flowers_guide/Edible_flowers.asp

This site gives you an idea to arrive at.

In my view, do not spoil the mood at that festive mood by keeping flowers which are not edible.

By Guest: What do you do with them after they bloom and start bending? Can you keep them and replant for next year or put them outside?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Sir,

The bulb stores all the food it needs for next year's bloom.

Adding a little fertilizer will help the bulb to absorb energy for next year's bloom.

Grown outdoors, they will bloom every year.

Paper Whites and Amaryllis can both be easily forced into bloom without any cold treatment, but unlike amaryllis, paper whites cannot be saved to bloom again.

New Paperwhite plants are propagated by separating bulbs.

After the plant has died back, dig up the bulbs. Separate new bulbs from the mother bulb, and replant.

By Collins: Why has my bleeding heart died way down. Does it need fertilized or more water? I cut it back and it just started to die down Did I do something wrong?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Collins,

Bleeding Heart Vine is a tropical plant and does need protection from freezing. If grown outdoors, move inside when temperatures fall below 45ºF.

When temperatures are cool enough (even indoors), the plant will shed its leaves.

Probably your plant is also undergoing the same thng.

New leaves will resprout from the roots or what looks like dead wood in spring.

If it goes dormant in the winter, withhold water until the new growth starts (water just enough to keep the soil from drying out and do not fertilize).

By Roy: I have a 15 ft or more bird of paradise, I could not cover it due to it size.Some of the leaves turned brown and were burnt.What should I do for this plant?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Dear Roy,

During the winter months, plants should be watered only when the soil is fairly dry. The Birds of Paradise plant should receive adequate moisture during the establishment period (i.e., the first six months). Dry or soggy conditions will cause leaves to yellow and eventually die.

Remove the burnt leaves and trim the plant.

You can Cut back to once a month in fall and winter.

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.

The plant will grow back.

By Nancy: It's always OK to cut back stems that have finished flowering at the tip and aren't producing any new buds there?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Nancy,

Jasmine is a tropical plant.

Yes, we can prune Jasmine plants.

Prune the plants leaving 45cm from the ground level and defoliate the plants completely. This will induce flowering profusely.

Usually Jasmine plants can be pruned in the late winter months, that is begining of the summer months, so that they can be pushed for flowering.

The thing to remember is pruning will delay flowering on the cut stem, since it will have to produce new stems with flower buds at the tips, it will usually put out two or more new growths when clipped back.

By Gloria McInnis: I received some tropical cut flowers without care instructions. I've just placed them in water, can you tell me if I should add anything to keep them fresh longer. The types of flowers I received are ginger, bird of paradise and orchids. Is the floral fresh for roses was O.K. to use or not?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Gloria McInnis,

Floral fresh can be used for cutflower roses.

These are the gerneral tips for any cutflower to remain fresh longer.

Here are some tips to help you get the maximum life span of any cut flowers.

1. Add a floral preservative such as Crysal, Floralife to a clean vase and fill half way with tepid water. If you don't have any make your own 1 tsp. sugar, 1 tsp bleach, 2 tsps. lemon juice to 1 qt. of lukewarm water.

2. With a sharp knife or clippers recut 1-2 inches off the bottom of the stem and place immediately in tepid water. The preferred way is to cut the stems under water.

3. Remove any foliage that will be underwater. Deteriorating leaves can generate more bacteria shortening your flower life.

4. Check the water level and be sure all stems are in water. Add more water when needed. Change the water and recut the stems every 3-5 days. If it gets cloudy change more often.

5. Display your flowers away from direct sun, heating vents or cold drafts.

6. Store your flowers in a cool room and cover them with a plastic bag to increase humidity. You can also store them in a refrigerator at temperatures of 40-50 degrees but be sure that you don't have any fruit or vegetables that can emit ethylene gas causing them to wilt or die rapidly.

When you purchase your flowers don't store them in too hot or too cold temperatures.

Some flowers may have a discoloration at the bottom of the stem, this indicates that the flower underwent a pre-treatment by the grower to further extend vaselife. It is not a disease.

By Guest: Can you please tell me the name of the flower/plant that looks like a cauliflower? I have seen them in green and purple?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Guest

Probably you are talking about Calabrese and Broccoli.

Like Cauliflowers, Calabrese, and Broccoli also come in green and purple.

Calabrese is a summer vegetable with one heavy central head, while the sprouting broccolis have masses of small florets, purple or white, which are produced over a long season.

By Teymur Mamedov: I'm looking so long for the name of this flower in attached picture. I was writing too many Botanic Associations but no one of them answered me. No One knows name of this flower.Please if you have any idea or if you know what is botanical name of this flower answer me?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Teymur,

The flower is Tacca

chantrieri or commonly called as Bat flower.

They are huge flowers which resemble black bats.

These plants are native to China.

By Tara: My bird of paradise plant has never bloomed. I got it from another plant five years ago. what do I need to do?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Dear Tara,

The Birds of Paradise plant should receive adequate moisture during the establishment period (i.e., the first six months). Dry or soggy conditions will cause leaves to yellow and eventually die.

Once established, bird-of-paradise prefers frequent watering from rain or irrigation during the warm growing season. During the winter months, plants should be watered only when the soil is fairly dry.

One of the most common reasons mature Strelitzia do not bloom well is insufficient light. They require nearly full sun in the summer and as much light as possible in winter to bloom. Be sure that your plant is getting that!