Planting Summer Bulbs
Many encyclopedias maintained by Forster florists
specify details for each bulb, but as a general rule, hardy summer
bulbs should be planted at the same time as spring-flowering bulbs,
that is, in the fall. All summer bulbs that in cold climates must be
dug up and stored each fall (a category that includes gladioluses and
dahlias as well as caladiums) must be planted in the spring, the
precise time depending on the plant. Caladiums and tuberous begonias,
for example, are so tender that they cannot safely be set out until
night temperatures remain above 50°. Since this late planting time
leaves far too short a summer for the plants to mature in the garden,
they should be started indoors two months before dependably warm
weather is due, then moved out in pots or planted in outdoor beds in
the garden when the weather has become reliably mild.
A pretty flower - Zinnia
Characteristics:
Zinnias, which come in many radiant colors, are the glory of the summer
garden. The flowers range in size from 2 inches to 6 inches. Some have
ruffled petals and others are open like daisies. They bloom in a few
weeks from seed and withstand hot dry weather. Zinnias make wonderful
cut flowers and also dry nicely when placed in silica gel.
Cultural Information:
Zinnias like well-drained garden soil enriched with rotted compost.
They are prone to mildew, so it is best to water at the base rather
than overhead. You can also buy one of the new mildew-resistant
varieties such as Burpee's 'Pinwheel' Series from Tasman florists,
which comes in wonderful colors. To encourage bushy plants, remember to
pinch the blossoms back. The more you cut, the more zinnias will
produce. My favorites are the dahlia-like double-flowered zinnias such
as 'Burpee's Big Tetra Mixed' and 'Giant Flowered Mix', which dry
beautifully.
Harvesting/Drying: Collect flowers to
be dried at their peak of bloom, and before they have started to fade
in color. Check to make sure the flowers you pick are not discolored by
mildew.
White rose myths and legends
There are plenty of myths and legends behind the white rose. As one myth has it, the first rose on Earth was a white rose, and it miraculously transformed to other hues. The pure white rose was said to have been tainted by blood, making it red; and it was also made to blush from a kiss, making it pink.
Another myth came from the Ancient Greeks. It was said that roses
were originally white until one day Aphrodite the Goddess of Love and
Beauty pricked herself with the thorns of a rose. The blood that
dripped from her finger turned the white roses red. Pretty strong stuff
when all you really want to do is send flowers Laguna Beach.
These myths indicate the loss of innocence, which is the absolute
opposite of what the white rose symbolizes – innocence and purity.
Berries, Fruits and Vegetables
Berries add
interest and texture to floral designs and can be used as excellent
design fillers. Smooth round berries provide a bit of color and shine
to arrangements, while highly textured blackberries finish off a woodsy
design nicely, enhancing its natural feeling. More intricate berries
with vines and branches are also available from a florist Feltham,
adding elements other than berries. Berries are available as picks, on
stems or as vines, with or without leaves and sometimes mixed with
flowers or greenery.
Polysilk, vinyl or latex fruits and vegetables
can add unexpected bits of realism and color to designs. Latex fruits
and vegetables (found on picks, stems or individually) are the most
realistic; they have natural colorations, a matte finish and often a
dusty surface look. Latex fruit stems usually include natural-appearing
leaves and “woody” stems, often making them the stars of designs.
Longer picks will include a large and a small fruit along with leaves
and branch sprigs; the variety provides a natural look. “Loose” fruits
and vegetables are also available and usually do not have a pick or a
stem long enough to attach to a design. If a pick is needed, glue one
to the object and hide it within the design.
Floral Ball or Kissing Ball
Traditional kissing balls were covered with mistletoe. They hung in
doorways or from chandeliers during the Christmas holidays. Many Horfield florists
sell round floral forms to use as a base for these quaint balls. Cover
the form with a base material such as sweet Annie (or, of course,
mistletoe). Then add colorful flowers and possibly ribbon. If you'd
like to hang the dried flower ball from a doorway or chandelier, tie a
length of ribbon or string around the ball or secure it to the ball
with a long, straight pin. The floral ball can also be used sitting in
a pretty bowl or dish. Remember to keep the flowers in scale with the
size of the floral foam ball and the container that it will finally sit
in.
The message card
When you send your flowers to your girl, don't just say, "Happy Birthday! Love, John." (particularly if your name is not John). The right words will be the perfect accompaniment for your floral gesture. Include a romantic phrase or two to really set the pulse racing.
Sending flowers is a great way to get out of trouble, stay out of trouble, or score extra points for the next time you get into trouble with your girlfriend. A flower delivery Nuneaton is a guy's best friend!
Get some seedlings
Hopefully, many of your
gardener friends will have spare plants and will be happy to give you
seedlings and cuttings, and I do advise you to accept these even if
they are not exactly what you want, for they can always be replaced at
a later date.
I tend to plant much too close together, pessimistically assuming that
not everything is going to grow, but I suppose the ideal would be to
plant each subject with enough space to grow to full maturity. Seeds,
of course, can sometimes be included within a flower delivery Llanedeyrn
instead of you having to take a trip to the nursery. If you are
strong-minded and can do this, I suggest filling in during the early
years with annuals, especially those like atriplex and moluccella,
which are also lovely for picking and drying.
The Roses of an Ancient World
The rose was an
ancient flower long before the first men appeared on earth. Fossil
specimens indicate that the flowers bloomed in what is now the American
West millions of years before the oldest known picture of a rose was
painted on a Cretan wall during the Bronze Age 36 centuries ago.
In ancient Greek literature, the rose acquired a powerful mystique.
Homer wrote in the Iliad that roses decorated the shield of Achilles
and the helmet of Hector when they fought their mortal duel during the
Trojan War. King Midas of Phrygia, legendary possessor of the golden
touch, is said to have grown magnificent 60-petaled specimens in his
gardens and would send flowers Yew Tree
to many of his followers. It is believed that many islands of the
Mediterranean were once covered with wild roses, including several
varieties of Rosa gallica, the oldest identifiable rose and the basic ancestor of all modern roses. The name of one island, Rhodes, in fact comes from rhodon,
the Greek word for "rose." Early in their history, the seafaring
Rhodians adopted the rose as their symbol, and stamped it on many of
their coins, which were widely circulated and used as currency
throughout the length and breadth of the Mediterranean.
Your florist should . .
- Store the flowers in an upright position for, preferably, no more than 2 days. If flowers are to be stored for more than 2 days, extra handling steps should be taken to assure good postharvest quality.
- Before selling the flowers, cut off the ends but leave the wrapping on the bunch. Bunches should remain in an upright position and tightly wrap during rehydration (6 to 8 inches of lukewarm water) to prevent stems from becoming wavy.
By following these guidelines any of the reputable Converse Florists will ensure that your flowers are delivered to you as fresh as can possibly be!
Further reading
Thanks
for reading the post, we hope you enjoyed these great flower facts and
tips. If you're a florist, or looking to become one, you may also enjoy
Flower Heaven which has even more information for you.
