The Natural Way To Grow Organic Flowers

Organic flowers have risen in popularity largely due to Fair Trade practices that promote small farms in other countries growing organic produce or fruit to earn their own income. The typical bouquet that you would have delivered by a florist or one that you pick up in the supermarket has been grown in a foreign country where the crops are sprayed with large amounts of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers exempt from U.S. regulations.

The result is that many of the workers have suffered terrifying illness to the extent that their very DNA has been altered permanently and their immune systems no longer function adequately. There are also links to various forms of cancer associated with repeated exposure to these toxins. Remember that the next time you lean in close to those flowers and take a deep breath and inhale!

It sounds preposterous I know, but some of these same chemicals are used right here in the United Stated on our own crops, just in smaller doses. Think of it as a slow bullet. One such chemical is Glyphosphate. It is marketed in the United States under the brand name Round Up. Have you read the warnings on the label? It is there for your protection, that alone should be a warning to you. This chemical is designed to kill, the only problem is that is continues to do so long after the weed is dead.

The United States is facing a crisis and apiarists have been aware of this growing problem for years now. Our honey bee population, butterflies and even hummingbirds have been decimated. Now there is new evidence that the use of cell phones disrupts the bees innate navigational system and they die before ever finding their way back to the hive, leaving the queen and eggs abandoned. It is so common now that is has been termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Strange as it seems parasites and other wildlife that normally raid honey, after a colony dies refuse to go anywhere near the abandoned hives. Leave the cell phone in the house may be god advice.

Changing to an organic way of life has huge benefits, in this article I will discuss how it is possible for the gardener to grow plants & flowers the natural way and the benefits that this brings.

Liquid feeds

Compost tea is easy to make, pick your compost (stinging nettles, goat/sheep manure or homemade compost) then fill up an old pillowcase with you organic material. Tie the pillow case and attach a weight, a couple of bricks will do nicely.

Sink this in a large water filled container, cover the container and leave for a couple of days. Hey presto you now have a light liquid feed, you can leave it longer if you need a strong liquid feed, the left overs in the pillowcase can be used as a bedding mulch

If you go fishing or are creating large quantities of good compost you will probably be using lots of worms or maggots, the liquid build up in worm colony containers can be used as a liquid feed, it needs to be diluted though ten parts water to one part worm excrement. This feed is an excellent source of phosphorus and potassium.

Organic fertilizers

Bird manure is a super source of nitrogen the catch is that fresh bird manure can burn the roots of your flowers, you need to leave for a couple of months and then mix with hoof and horn, alternatively you can use the bird manure pellets that are now being sold.

This mix is ideal to create strong growth the best time to apply this is in spring or early summer, you will get a gradual release of nitrogen and in turn create strong shoot and leaf growth.Wood ash is a great source of potassium it can be added directly into your soil or your compost heap. Bone meal creates very good root growth it is best used as a base dressing prior to planting, good source of phosphate

Propagation of seeds and cuttings

Making an organic potting mix is quite easy and most importantly does not need any additional fertilizer.
One of my favorite organic materials is coconut coir sometimes called coconut peat, you can save on watering by as much as 50% if you use this I also find it is far superior to common products like peat moss.

Let Ranunculus Flowers Beautify Your Flower Garden

A single ranunculus bulb can produce several beautiful ranunculus flowers. The bulb contains all the nutrients that the plant requires for its growth cycle in the next season. Being a perennial flower, you wouldn't have to replant it every season. Seeing them grow in beautiful hues is definitely a sight to watch. Once you see these flowers, you might want them to be a part of your home. These can be arranged beautifully and will add color and charm to anywhere you place them. These could be grown as houseplants. Once they bloom, use them as cut flowers. Their long stems make them a very enticing and attractive fit in a vase. Their vibrant and amazing color scheme will enchant not only gardening enthusiasts, but will interest anyone who has a good aesthetic sense. No wonder, these can be used beautifully in wedding flower arrangements.

Have you seen a ranunculus bulb? You might be surprised when you actually see one. It resembles an octopus. So, if you are planning to plant it, remind yourself to place it correctly in the soil. Well, the spiky legs of this unusual octopus-shaped bulb will be pointing downwards. So, don't make your octopus go topsy-turvy and keep the legs pointing downwards.

Growing Ranunculus Bulbs

Ranunculus needs to be planted in a place where there would be good soil drainage. Are you new to gardening? Knowledge about soil drainage, watering, selection of a right site are the most essential gardening tips for beginners. We tell you a method to determine whether you have selected a right planting site for your ranunculus bulbs. You must check out the site after a few hours of rain. If you notice puddles of still water, your bulb needs a change of place. Another option would be to go for soil testing and create a sterilized soil medium by replenishing your soil with decomposed manure, organic material and compost. This might elevate the level of your soil by a couple of inches and improve drainage. Maintaining a pH level of 6-6.5 is recommended for the growth of ranunculus. Ensure for conditions conducive to the growth of your ranunculus, find a place where they receive sunshine. Let the surroundings be cool, a 45-50 F temperature is ideal for the night. As for the day, keep it around 60 F. Before you plan about planting the ranunculus bulbs, be aware that they need 6-8 weeks of cool weather. This is conducive for the bulbs to sprout.

Method of Planting Ranunculus Bulbs

You must get the method right. The spiky legs should be pointed downwards and then, place the bulb in a hole, the dimensions of which should be 2 inches as far the depth is concerned, and it should be spread 4-6 inches apart. Selecting an appropriate site is absolutely essential for the growth of your ranunculus. So, the flower bed must be such that ample space is provided for the growth. Don't rely on the size of the bulb as the parameter for your planting site. The ranunculus grow into big flowers and you wouldn't want them to get less nutrients because of the cramped area restricting their development. After you finish planting, cover the bulbs well in the soil and water them. Don't go on a watering spree, go easy when it comes to watering. Keeping it moist would suffice, excessive watering might wipe out your plan to see them bloom. You could use liquid fertilizer after you have finished planting.

Once you see these gorgeous flowers bloom, you can go ahead with cutting them and making them a part of decorating ideas for your home. They make great wedding flower bouquets. You can use them in outdoor flower arrangements. Once the flowers bloom, don't be afraid to snip them. It will not affect the plant. Snipping will actually facilitate another cycle of its growth. After the blooming season is over, the yellowing of leaves will follow. The plant will enter the stage of dormancy. Remember that watering during the dormancy period must be avoided. The amazing fact is that after some months of rest, it will begin its growth cycle again. Ranunculus growth cycle is such, that the roots begin to sprout in autumn. In the winter season, the plant starts gaining height and you will be ready to welcome your beautiful ranunculus in the spring. You could also grow them as potted plants, but make sure you get a clay pot that allows good drainage. A 12-15 inch pot would be a good choice if you are putting around 10 tubers.

This was some information on how to get beautiful ranunculus flowers to bloom in your garden. Use these tips to grow ranunculus bulbs and let ranunculus flowers beautify your flower garden.

April Birth Flower-Daisy Characteristics And Meanings

Daisy is a sunlike flower appearance which has ray flowers (commonly called petals) surround a golden center of tiny disk flowers, an arrangement typical of the composite family. Daisy is the second largest family of flowering plants, in terms of number of species. Its plants make up nearly ten percent of all flowering plants on earth, and its arguable as to wether it or the orchid family holds more genera and species. Some daisies open thier petals in the morning when the sun comes up and close them at night when the sun is down (that is why daisies are sometimes called "day's eye"). Daisy flowers include not only the blooms most people are familiar with, but also popular health herbs such as echinacea and arnica, and many edible plants such as artichokes and endive.

Physical Appearance and Characteristics

A daisy is a mix of two flowers called a disk floret and a white ray floret. The ray florets are at the periphery and the disk florets are at the center. It is the arrangement of these florets that gives it an appearance of a single flower. This arrangement on daisy is a type of inflorescence known as a capitulum.

The plants have 3 – 4 inch flower stalks, its evergreen leaves form a basal tuft or rosette. The texture of the leaf varies and may be hairy or smooth, narrow at the base and slightly lobed. The stalks of the flower are generally longer than the leaves. Daisies are most commonly found with bright yellow centers and pure white petals.

Daisy belongs to the Daisy family of Compositae, known now as Asteraceae in flowering plants and they are native to central and north Europe. Daisies are perennial bloomers, meaning they bloom yearly. The plant grows in prostrate fashion, and it can be propagated either by sowing seeds in spring or late autumn or by division in spring. These beautiful flowers can last up to several weeks when placed in fresh water and exposed to the appropriate amount of sunshine.


Uses of Daisies

The leaves of daisy are consumable and are often used in salads and the flower itself used in making honey and herbal tea. The flowers are used by children to make daisy chains. They are often used as corsages for weddings and proms and are an excellent choice for arrangements and flower vases. When used in floral arrangements, daisies go well with almost every other kind of flower. White daisies make excellent fillers and are used to create a dramatic look alongside other colorful flowers. The common daisy has astringent properties which used in traditional medicines. Certain types of daisies were also known to have medicinal properties that could give relief from indigestion, cough and even heal wounds. They are an important form of nutrition for worms and cattle. It is rich in vitamin C and other minerals.

Colors, Meanings and Types of Daisies

The most common daisies are white but they can also be found in red, yellow, and purple, along with various shades in between. The gerbera daisy (also known as the African daisy, transvaal daisy, gerb, and Barberton daisy) is a perennial favorite. The gerbera daisy has large colorful blooms, it has become the most prized daisy variety due to its bold and striking appearance. Among the daisy varieties, African daisy and Shasta daisy are the most popular varieties. Gerbera daisy is also the fifth most used cut flower in the world (after rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, and tulip). Its leaves and petals are edible and it can also be brewed as a tea to sooth sore throats and stomach aches.

This april birth flower has the flower meaning of implicity, modesty, innocence, stability, sympathy and cheerfulness. An alternate birth flower for april is the sweet pea. Summer (when thundershowers occur very often) is the peak blooming season for daisy flower, therefore daisy flower is also known as ‘thunderflower’ in some regions. The famous “she loves me, she loves me not” method where people pluck out the petals to tell love’s fortune was first used with the daisy.

Daisies are found in all types of trampled, mown or grazed calcareous and neutral grassland, it thrives best in areas thet become fairly wet for some of the year. This species also known as weed of lawns, pastureland and roadside verges, it also occurs on dune-slacks, riverbanks and lake margins.

Daisies are not often bothered by disease or insects, therefore they do not normally need any fungicides or pesticides. Because the daisy’s needs are very few, the flower survives successfully even under difficult urban conditions. Daisies also tend to spread quickly and can grow like weeds. In the northern United States, English Daisy is a serious weed.