The Common Knowledge About Chrysanthemum Care And Disease Control

The chrysanthemum seems to have fallen out of fashion in modern gardens. One reason why this has happened is that chrysanthemums are perceived as too much hard work or troublesome. But there is less care involved than you may think and they offer many positive attributes to gardens. They are great plants to choose for this time of year, providing bold splashes of colour in the garden in late summer and autumn.

Some varieties, such as florists' chrysanthemum, produce large impressive flower heads on strong, upright stems, with colours that range from pure white, through every shade of pink, burgundy, bronze and mauve to bright lime green.

The forms of these pretty flowers are even more diverse than the colours, with more than 10 classifications, including: single and semi-double; regular, irregular and intermediate incurved; quill; spoon; pompon; reflexed; anemone; spider; decorative; and brush or thistle. The plant itself has a sturdy, upright habit and attractive lobed, aromatic leaves. The flowers are long-lasting cut flowers that can easily look good for up to three weeks in a vase. To get the best from a bunch, change the water regularly and re-cut stems every few days.

Chrysanthemums can be grown in the ground almost anywhere – at the front of shrubberies, in perennial borders or under roses, to name just a few. Some dwarf forms look great in rock gardens. Chrysanthemums grow well in pots and even indoors with bright light.

Most people acquire a chrysanthemum when they are given a potted plant on Mother's Day. In a pot, a chrysanthemum plant lasts for a few weeks inside. Keep it in a brightly lit position and water when dry. Pick off any dead flowers or discoloured leaves. When flowering has finished, take it outside, cut it back to 15cm and plant it out in your garden.

When choosing a spot, bear in mind that potted chrysanthemums may have been treated with a growth regulator to keep them dwarf and compact, so they are likely to grow much taller in the ground. Even though they can be grown from seed, most chrysanthemums are propagated by cutting or by dividing clumps of an existing plant.

Chrysanthemums grow best in an open, sunny position, although they can tolerate partial shade, especially if it provides protection from afternoon sun. They tend to prefer well-drained soil that has been improved with the addition of compost and other organic matter. To perform well, they also must be fed regularly with a liquid fertiliser every four to six weeks. At planting, add some organic, slow-release fertiliser such as pelletised chicken manure.

Although they can be grown in the subtropics, chrysanthemums prefer a cool to mild climate and a spot where they are protected from wind. If you are growing them specifically to use for cut flowers, space them 60–75cm apart.

Chrysanthemums can be attacked by a range of pests and diseases, but they are not hard to manage. Earwigs, snails and black aphids are all partial to the flower and need regular control. If you spot caterpillars, such as the small green loopers, spray with a biological insecticide such as Dipel or Success.

Although you can spray for leaf nematode, a problem that causes the lower leaves to brown and die, picking off and disposing of damaged leaves at the first indication of the disease is usually sufficient to stop it spreading.

Treat mildew with an organic-based fungicide, such as wettable sulfur or eco-rose. If mildew proves simply to be an indication of poor air circulation, improving this prevents it reoccurring.

Brown rust may affect leaves so pick these off by hand if the infestation is bad, disposing of them in the rubbish bin. White rust is more troubling and it is best to pull out the whole plant and dispose of it also in the garbage.

How To Care For Beautiful Butterfly Orchid

Phalaenopsis, butterfly orchid, is perhaps one of the orchids grown as indoor plants and is one of the favorites of those who have emissions. Plants will bloom often well developed, even several times a year, although their season starts in late winter and lasts until spring. Ambient temperature and under ordinary conditions of houses seem to be sufficient, in general. Flower stems, to some hybrids can be forced to bloom again if they cut the top, after making the first flower. Only healthy plants should be induced to continue flowering.

Butterfly orchid does not require special conditions. It grows very well if it is placed in a bright window which receives little or no direct sunlight. An east oriented window is ideal and south shaded windows or west are acceptable locations. Also, if any, the orchid can receive artificial light: four fluorescent tubes are required by incandescent bulbs attached to a support to 15-30 cm above the leaves, the butterfly orchid is exposed to this light 12-16 hours a day, following the normal course of the day. In the greenhouse, the flower should be placed in the shade, make a simple test: if put your hand at 30 d cm above the leaves should not see any shadows on their surface.

Temperature - to butterfly orchid is recommended 16-18 degrees Celsius at night and between 21-29 degrees Celsius during the day. Although higher temperatures lead to faster vegetative growth, high humidity and air circulation is absolutely necessary if the temperature is increased. Maximum acceptable temperature is 32-35 degrees Celsius. Autumn, during the nights, it is recommended the maintenance of temperatures of 12 degrees for several weeks to produce some flowers. Temperature fluctuations can cause the fall of buds, if they are about to open.

Watering - Water is a critical factor to butterfly orchid. Since does not have specialized organs to retain fluids, the plant should not be let to dry never. The orchid should be watered abundantly, and then left until the land dries. When it is very hot and the humidity is low, the soil can dry overnight, in the greenhouse in a cold climate, this can happen every 10 days. Butterfly orchid should be wet only in the morning, as the leaves start to dry until nightfall to prevent decay.

You Can Try Eating Flowers Like This

I remember eating flowers as a small child. I recall the pure, sweet flavor of a rose petal and the clovelike spiciness of a dianthus flower plucked from the garden. My father, who had shown me how to suck the sweet nectar from wild honeysuckle blossoms, was nonetheless upset when he caught me eating garden flowers. He didn't realize that many flowers are edible and, in fact, have been esteemed as food throughout the world for millennia.

Far more flowers show up on dinner plates now than they did ten years ago, when I first started working with edible flowers. Edible flowers are found in restaurants from coast to coast, featured in magazines, and included in cookbooks, but most people still regard them only as garnishes. Rarely are flowers appreciated for their unusual, varied flavors.

Flowers with a simple, sweet flavor as well as those with a perfumed or floral taste are unbeatable for flavoring beverages, fruit salads and cake batter. Pineapple sage flowers have a hint of spice; dandelion flowers are sweet when they first open but become bitter as they mature. Honeysuckle's sweet flavor is as magical to me today as it was when I first tasted it more than forty years ago. I make a luscious sorbet with the flowers, strawberries and water—no additional sugar is needed.

'Sensation', a showstopping lilac cultivar with deep purple flowers edged in white, is extremely flavorful and fragrant, but some varieties have a grassy flavor. My favorite of all edible flowers are the succulent, fuchsialike blossoms of pineapple guava, a tropical tree that I grow in a tub and move outdoors is summer; they taste like ripe papaya. Flowers with a sweet, perfumy flavor, including lavender and sweet violet, can be overpowering, so use them sparingly.

Sweet flowers can be an interesting addition to fruit salsas and fish dishes. Try flavoring vodka with the citrusy flavors of lemon or orange blossoms or tuberous begonias; the orange, yellow or red begonia flowers color the vodka as well.
Use only the individual florets of elderberry flowers; the flower stems are toxic. Coumarin in sweet woodruff's mild white flowers, a staple ingredient of May wine, can slow blood clotting; people with a clotting disorder or those taking a blood thinner should not eat the flowers.

How To Keep Your Red Roses Fresh

Red roses are a unique gift that you can give to someone who means alot to you. While typically these are used for romantic purposes, there are other times that you can give red roses as a gift to someone in certain instances. If the person that you are going to give roses to loves them, you know that you have the perfect gift. But there is a big problem that some people face. Whenever you get the roses early, sometimes they wilt and start to die off looking bad by the time that you present them to someone. This is why you need to do a few steps to keep these red roses looking their very best for .

First of all, you are going to have to cut the roses. This isn't a tough process at all. Take the roses out of the wrapping or vase they in and make sure that you cut the bottom of each stem at a 45 degree angle. You don't have to cut off much but just enough to produce this angle. What this does is allow the water to travel into the rose much easier. Whenever the rose can soak in more water, it is able to look much nicer and retain the good looks longer. This one step alone will help their appearance stay much fresher. If you are keeping them for more than a day, be sure that you change out the water daily for best results.
Get some rose plant food to mix in with the water. Sometimes this comes with the roses when you order them. You should ask for it if you didn't get some. This provides some nutrients for the roses so that they will end up looking nicer than with just water alone.
When you water the roses, don't actually put water on the flowers. Whenever water is left on the flower, it can cause some water spots and it will actually break down if left there too long. To look their very best, water the vase they are in but don't put any water on the red roses themselves.
Store these roses in the refrigerator. This is best since they will remain in better condition whenever stored at around 50 degrees. While your refrigerator might not be exactly this temperature, it's a much better place than room temperature. Just make sure they have plenty of room and aren't smothered in there else they will look bad.

Calla Lily Theme Wedding Favors

The lighting of the unity candle is often the most poignant moment of a wedding ceremony. Unity candles featuring calla lilies will be the centerpiece of the wedding altar. Set in a silver candelabra stand, these elegant wedding favors are often one of the first items a couple purchases for their wedding.
The calla lily theme is often used with the pre-wedding parties such as the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner. Calla lily shaped candles and candle holders add a unique touch to any table. Calla lily tea light holders feature three calla lilies that are hand painted with gorgeous detail. The base is sage green. This calla lily wedding favor comes with one tea light candle.
Frosted votive candle holders come with a candle with a rose scent. The candles have a single lily etched on the frosted holder. You can get the holders with a standard thank you tag or a personalized designer tag to individualize the gift for your guests.

One of the most elegant gifts for the wedding party or to adorn the reception table is a 6" scented gel candle with a calla lily. The candle is in the tall glass topped by a scented votive. The candles are great gifts packaged in a silky, white organza bag with a ribbon. You can also attach a thank you tag.
Another calla lily wedding favor sure to impress your guest is a unique bouquet candle. The candle had black base with a seven ivory blossoms arising form the stem. The candle is surrounded by a silver bow. When lit, the candle has a pleasant floral scent. This candle is packaged in a corsage gift box--a gorgeous way to show your appreciation to special guest.
Candles are not the only way to embellish your reception tables with calla lily wedding favors. Place card holders are also available. This can also be given to guest as keepsakes of your wedding day. Some place card holders can be used later to hold a small photo from the wedding. Another place card holder decorated with calla lilies is a magnet with an erasable surface. Guests can use these place card holders to write their own messages later.
If you want to send you guests home with a keepsake that will collect their memories of your wedding, a calla lily photo album is the perfect gift. The album is adorned with a fabric calla lily in the front window of the album. It holds 40 4" X 6" pictures.
A popular wedding favor and thank you gift for bridesmaids and other female members of the wedding party are scented satin pillows with a hand rolled calla lily at its center. These pillows are double stacked and tied together with a white satiny ribbon. To add to its elegance, the pillows come in a showcase gift box that is printed with a silvery calla lily design.
The popularity of calla lilies had led manufactures to create unique wedding favors. These include calla lily bottle stoppers, spreaders and bookmarks. Depending on your guests or wedding party's personal taste, you can find the perfect calla lily wedding favor for them.