Saturday, December 31, 2011

How To Growing Orchids

Orchid plants are very fastidious, bearing the most attractive flowers having a wide range of colors. They can easily be grown both indoors and outdoors with minimum amount of care. Some of the Orchid species require to be kept in greenhouses, whereas some varieties of Orchids can grow among other house plants.
Growing Orchids indoor and outdoor could be a great fun. You just need to know some important general guidelines.
Natural light is very vital for the Orchid plants. Normally, an east or west facing window is more suitable for the growth of these plants. Direct sunlight can be harmful for them; therefore, you need to make sure that they are placed in the shaded area, having indirect sunlight. They need to have 10 to 15 hours of light everyday. Artificial lights can also be used in winter season.
Proper temperature is also necessary throughout the year for the good growth of Orchids because Orchid plants do not bear hot and unventilated conditions. They need to have daytime temperatures about 70 F in summer season and 60 F in winter season. In cold and frosty nights, keep your Orchid plants away from windows.
Watering is also very significant for the proper growth of these plants. Overwatering is fatal for them; therefore, let surplus water to seep away. You should water them when you feel that the growing medium is about to dry. Usually, watering the Orchid plants once a week would be enough.
Orchid plants flourish well in a humid atmosphere. Placing the plant on a tray of small wet pebbles would be quite helpful in increasing the humidity level. Be sure to place the Orchid pot on the top of the pebble layer, not in the water. The water around the pebbles will fade away and moisturize the air around the plant.
When growing Orchids, regular fertilization will lead the plant to grow soon and bloom well. But it should be kept in mind that over fertilization will harm or destroy the plant completely. Giving fertilizer twice a month is highly recommended. Avoid feeding the plant during winter season.
It is also important to know that you should reduce watering and fertilizing the Orchid plants once they stop blooming. Start giving water and fertilizer regularly when new leaves begin to appear.
The yellowish or brownish spots on the leaves are the indication that plant has red spider insects on it. In this situation the leaves wither away prematurely.
Re-pot the plant in new medium when you see small yellowish leaves with few or no flowers because this condition shows that the plant needs fertilizer or the medium is too damp. After repotting, water it carefully.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

An American Flower Symbols

America has a symbolic object that will represent the nation. Having an American Flower Symbols is definitely one of them.
The Marigold flower has been proposed as the United States American Flower Symbol. Back in 1967, they made a controversial argument from one of its proponent named Everett Dirksen.
The Senate Joint resolution 19 was introduced the native Marigold to designate as the national floral emblem of the United States, the suggestion was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
There is a wide support why they are designating the marigold flower as the official American Flower Symbol. Here are some of the proposed reasons.
  • An official floral symbol must be a representation of virtue of their land and posses a patriotic character.
  • Marigold shows the nations nature because it grows all over the 50 states of the country. They endure the tremendous of temperature of summer sun and the coldness of evening.
  • The native marigold heftiness mirrors the toughness and nature of the past generations that pioneered and build this land into a great nation.
  • The stunning colour of marigold suits the nation’s imaginative virtues.
  • This flower possesses some characteristics of other flowers. They are energetic as the daffodils, as vibrant as the rose, can be firm and delicate like the zinnia and carnations, proud and aggressive that a chrysanthemum and petunia strongly possess.
  • And lastly, it is a native of America, thus, this deserve to be called the American Flower.
In the 80’s, The United States of America designates rose as their official National flower. This flower naturally grows throughout North America and has been in the region for 35 million years. Some states adopted rose as their official State flower, this includes New York, Georgia, North Dakota and Iowa. Even it is not America you can use this to send flowers to Ukraine.
The fruit of the rose and petals provides many uses, apart from being edible they also has some healing properties. An element that has been found in the rose hips are vitamins, pectin, beta carotene and bio flavanoids which are good sources in producing antioxidants that defends and boosts immune system. The rose hips may help in reducing the cholesterol level in the blood and stabilize a normal blood pressure. In addition, they also help in improving weight management and digestive efficiency.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Tulip Care - A Should For Spring Gardens

When you love to see the gorgeous tulip flowers in April and May, then tulip care throughout the growing season in your garden is a serious priority for you. You spent good cash and poured your time in planting new bulbs within the fall. As spring unfolds, you need to see these yellow, crimson, white, pink and other tulip flowers. They're saluting you as they wave in the breeze for taking care of them. Assessment this article to ensure that you're taking excellent care of your own tulips.
Tulip flowers are a hardy species, but when you do not know the right way to take care of the principle challenges, your garden will suffer. Here are the highest considerations and issues with tulips earlier than flowering.
Fertilize your tulip crops twice a year. The perfect time to feed tulips is within the early spring (before they bloom again). One of the simplest ways to feed them is to add a tablespoon of a granular fertilizer on the soil around every bulb. This needs to be executed earlier than flowering as a result of feeding your tulips after flowering may cause a disease.
Tulips want lots of water. In case your backyard will get loads of rainfall nature will maintain the watering. If you live in a very heat area all-12 months-round be certain that to water your tulip backyard at least as soon as a week.
Watch out for animal pests, like rabbits and squirrels. Rabbits eat the inexperienced shoots and can destroy the tulip plant in order that no flowers blossom. Stop rabbits from consuming breakfast in your backyard by utilizing a physical fence like chicken wire, a deterrent like cayenne pepper, or non-poisonous commercial merchandise like Liquid Fence.
Squirrels can hurt the tulip plant by digging and eating tulip bulbs. Shield the bulbs by putting in netting over the bulbs when planting them. This will maintain squirrels from reaching the bulbs. Upon getting planted tulip bulbs, sprinkle blood meal on prime of the soil across the tulip shoots. You too can set up hen wire over the top of the garden to guard the small shoots after they emerge.
Voles are another problem. Voles are small rodents that burrow and dig tunnels underground. Voles see tulip bulbs as food and can eat the bulbs, destroying your tulip garden. Unfortunately, there usually are not very many effective methods to take away voles.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Marigold Is Also Called In India As Banti Pool

The elimination of all plants as they began blooming, bearing single, semi-double and strong-odored blooms began at once to be beneficial. The first Summer, at least, 60 percent of the plants were destroyed before the bees and insects had an opportunity to cross pollinize the best blooms with pollen from the inferior ones in the garden. Each year the operation was repeated so that during the first five years, the number of inferior plants was reduced to about 18 percent. The next five years, by actual counts, the per cent was lowered to 12, and the last five years not over five per cent have been inferior producing plants. This first season produced a large harvest of fine blooms. The very best ones in size and color, and those of artistic form that stood erect on strong long stems, were saved for seed. They were bunched as to color and hung up to be thoroughly dried before the seed was taken. The color range following all the original varieties, from a very light, pale yellow, through gold to a very deep orange, has been maintained and their brilliancy intensified. While intensely full, or complex, the blooms are unexcelled in artistic beauty.

The selection of best seed plants, year after year, has produced outstanding qualities of color, odor, general size of blooms, the length and strength of stems and large strong plants. These features began to manifest themselves in a small way from the very start. They have increased in degree throughout the whole trial. It can endure in harsh weather, soil and water conditions and barely need tending unlike other flowering species. These strong features allow the flower to occur more commonly in many Indian gardens, homes, and along the road. The flowers are also broadly used in several cultural, traditional, and religious ceremonies in India. It is rarely absent in the midst of any celebration. Its prominent form and color gives a bright merriment and jovial ambiance to the dreary parts of weddings, housewarming, and poojas. The flower can be found pitted alongside oriental lilies and carnations in any floral ornament.

Marigold is more usually called in India as Banti Pool. The striking edge of this beautiful flower is the burst of color glowing for the bunch of petals. A single flower is enough to add outstanding color to any floral centerpiece. However, marigold is not as fragrant or as sweet-smelling compared to other flowers but its distinct smell is helpful in keeping pests and insects away from the table or any arrangement. The leaves can be inserted or just be placed next to the flowers. In whatever way, it would still look good. Two shades of marigold flowers can be used but a single shade would always look better. Marigold may be considered as a meager man's flower but would still appear classy and elegant in any elite occasion. Although there are a few types of moths which do have larva that will eat them, for the most part bugs tend to stay away from marigolds. This indicates that Marigolds are able to be grown immediately next to the other plants which grow in your flowerbed that you wish for bugs to keep away from. They are also said to keep rabbits and deer away from other flora.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Best Time To Plant Wisteria

Wisteria are slow to start growing after they are initially planted, however, if planted in full sun, in deep, moist, well-drained loam, they can become established fairly quickly. Once established, they can be vigorous growers and in southern states especially, can consume anything they grow on. Trellises, arbors, fences, pergolas, even parts of houses have been lost under the weight of the vine. Planted too close to a house, and left unchecked, the vine has been known to have ripped gutters off a house. A well established Wisteria that is in bloom can be breathtaking. It's large clusters of white or lavender flowers are well worth the effort needed in the initial planning stages, the patience required, and the time needed to prune. Proper planning before planting can also save you a few headaches later on.

Before planting a wisteria, consider the fact that these vines can grow between 30 and 80 feet long. The limiting factor other than geographical location is essentially how large of a structure it has to grow on. If planted next to a large arbor, the plant will eventually cover the arbor, but it growth will be limited if it has no other place to grow. However, if planted next to a house or tall tree, the vine can wrap around the roof line of the house, or climb the entire height tree. Occasional pruning can keep the vine in check, and limit it's advance. The best time to plant it is in early spring. During the first year, don't be surprised if there is little growth. Wisteria will establish it's roots before giving energy to the leaves. Patience is the key with Wisteria. Plants don't usually bloom for 3 to 4 years after being transplanted. During it's initial growth, train the vine over your structure. Remember that the flowers will hang down and can be quite long.

Some garden centers sell them already trained, but you can train your vine into a tree too. By providing a strong vertical support and training your vine up it, you can turn your vine into a small tree. At the desired height, simply cut the end of the vine to force it to fill out from that point. Your tree will need to be supported until it can support it's own weight. This can take a few years for the vine to grow in diameter enough to stay vertical. Your tree will need to be pruned occasionally to keep it in good form, but when it blooms, you will be greatly rewarded with such a beautiful tree. Wisteria seedlings can take a few years before they produce blooms. Because I grow seedlings, that is what I use. Using seedlings does allow me to control and train the plant's development, emphasizing root and early main trunk growth. A strong framework is necessary to support the weight of the mature vine and flower clusters as the plant becomes a bloomer.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Narcissus Is A Kind Of White Trumpeted Flower

Narcissus is a kind of white trumpeted flower with strong scents. Although originally cultivated in Europe and Asian, it is currently planted all around the world. As a member of the whole Narcissus family, Paperwhites can not compete in size with other family members like Daffodils and Jonquils, but its fragrance make it outstanding in all Narcissus members. Most paperwhite narcissus have white flowers while some species have trumpet shaped flowers in yellow too. Before you plant your narcissus bulbs, you should prepare yourself a shallow container and put a layer of pebbles or other decorative that is at least deep on the bottom of the container. Then you need to put bulbs root side down into the pebbles so that the bottom centimeter is surrounded. At last, put some water in the container to reach the top of the pebble. Note that the bulb should just contact the water surface, otherwise, too much water will cause it to rot very soon. You should keep an eye on the water surface and make sure the bulb can absorb water when it is growing. After a few days, your Paperwhites will keep blooming all winter long!

The narcissus is a flower that belongs to the daffodil family. It is a beautiful flower that comes in numerous colors in the wild such as; white with an orange center, white with a yellow center the most attractive color is all yellow with the center a deep yellow and the petals a lighter yellow color. It is a very common Easter flower. A beautiful crepe paper narcissus for Easter is not difficult to make if you are a beginner at paper flower making you can use the artificial centers to make it a little easier on yourself and if you have several to make using the artificial centers will also cut down on the amount of time you have to spend making them. Each child will need a pint size clean milk carton with the top removed. Cover the outside of the milk carton with crepe paper and then attach the flowers (as many or few as you would like) to the outside of the carton. Fill the inside with jellybeans or whatever candy you want. This is also a great project for kids to make with adults at home. They can be made and brought to a senior citizen home, nursing home or even a hospital to help spread some Easter cheer throughout the community. It is a great project for any adult or child who enjoys making paper flowers and has a giving spirit.

A small centerpiece made of paper narcissus is another wonderful idea for your home, as a gift, for your pastor, mail carrier, babysitter, housekeeper or your pastor and church congregation. It is nice to be remembered on Easter, why not remember all the important people in your life with a beautiful paper flower narcissus gift. There have been some reports that narcissus bulbs have been kept successfully in open paper bags in a cool, dark place over winter and planted just as soon as it is possible to get them into the ground in very early spring. These bulbs bloomed in a normal manner at the usual time later on in spring. This practice however, is not a safe one because there always is a great possibility that the bulbs will dry out and deteriorate so much while in storage that they would make very poor plants and fail to bloom after being planted. These potted bulbs can be forced into growth for flowering in the house in late winter or kept in cold storage and planted in the garden as soon as it is possible to do so.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Camellia - The Queen Of Plants

To me, camellias would have to be the queen of plants. The glossy foliage never seems to wilt or die no matter how hot and dry the summer gets. They are covered in flowers that range from a petite baby's fist size to that of a man's outspread hand, and colors range from a red that's nearly black, through all shades of pink to white and even yellow. Some are multi-colored with white spots on pink or pink edging purest white petals. The camellia plant size itself can vary from a tiny groundcover to a splendid bush way over headhigh, and many can be trained to climb over an archway, even though they are not technically climbers. To do this prune off all but the two most vigorous shoots and tie these to the arch as they grow. But some of the newer ones do now boast a light, delicate fragrance. So there you are. All you need is a bit of dappled shade to grow the most stunning camellia display you could imagine. Some don't even need dappled shade, usually the darker pink the bloom, the less shade it needs.

Camellias are beautiful garden evergreens that provide blooms throughout the winter months in southern areas. Camellias have a lot of fragrance and the dark green foliage provides a sustainable background for your landscaping needs. In southern states where temperatures rarely drop below freezing, camellias keep their blooms all winter. They love to grow in shady areas and thrive in humidity. They can withstand winter weather down to fifteen degrees Fahrenheit without cover. Simply covering them with a sheet or plastic on nights when it may drop below fifteen degrees will keep your winter camellias looking fabulous. Camellias grow best in acidic soil, which is another reason they are well suited to the south. Pine needles, pine mulch and coffee grounds can be worked into the soil to lower the pH of alkaline or neutral soil down to an acidic state.

They grow about a foot a year, so in as little as five years you can have a substantially sized shrub, even if you start with a baby camellia. Remember that you will need at least partial shade for camellias to flourish. Water often and not too much at a time to help your camellias succeed. Keep the garden hose handy on a garden hose reel, which can easily be kept out of site behind your camellia. The high content of these two substances contribute to the penetrative power of camellia seed oil capable of permeating deeply into the lower layers of the skin to significantly enhance the beneficial effects of elastin and collagen, thus restoring the skins elasticity and considerably improves skin texture by the elimination of fine lines and small wrinkles. Since this oil is very similar to skin oil, it works in synergy with skins own natural system to nourish cell membranes and accelerate skin rejuvenation. Human skin will not reject these substances thus boosting it's ability to utilize them and hence replenish itself, restoring moisture balance to dry skin, softens wrinkles and tiny age lines and reduces and heals scars.