Archive for the ‘flowers’ Category

The Brief History Of Giving Flowers As A Gift

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Flower gifting is commonly seen for nearly all holidays and special events. The flower is a lovely plant that has the power to brighten a mood and liven a room. This tradition has been going for over 3 centuries, and isn’t slowly down anytime soon.

In the 17th century a European brought flowers back from a far away nation and gave them as a gift. This began the tradition of giving flowers as a present and has since turned into something extremely popular around the world. The art of floral studies is called “Floriography”, which discusses the language of flowers.

Every flower that can be purchased and given has its own unique meaning. For example, Bird of Paradise flowers are typically given for a 9th wedding anniversary gift. Other flowers like roses can mean different things based on their color. Yellow roses generally symbolize friendship, while red roses symbolize love.

In Latvia there are abundant amounts of flowers and plants that flower. The environment here is perfect for plants to grow thick and full without harsh weather conditions. Latvia is a unique little nation that has a rapidly growing economy and strong tourism. Here you can find plenty of daisies as well, which are Latvia’s national flower. These are often added to arrangements too boost the meaning and significance of a specific bouquet.

Five Pieces Of Advice For Growing Orchids Indoors

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

1. The right choice of orchid is paramount to success and satisfaction of a novice grower of the plants. Many breeds are simply more durable and grow better indoors than others. There are over 22,000 acknowledged species of the flowering plant. Moth (Phalaenopsis) and Lady Slipper (Paphiopedilum) are two species that adapt especially well to indoor conditions.

Both species have long lasting blooms. The flowers of the Moth orchid bloom twice a year and are a wide range of colors from white to lavender. The blooms of the Lady Slipper can last as long as three months, and are known for their exotic and dynamic appearance. The plant can bloom all through the year multiple times. This allows the grower to enjoy the blooms even in the winter and fall when so many other flowers are dormant.

2. Direct sunlight is not recommended for the plants. This must be taken into consideration when deciding on window placement. Filtered light is preferred and sheer curtains are the simplest solution. They can be place next to an east or west facing window as long as direct sunlight isn’t allowed to scorch the leaves.

Designing And Presenting Bouquets

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Bouquet is a French term meaning a certain arrangement of flowers. It is essentially a form of designing and wrapping done with a bunch of flowers to act as a gift on a special event.

Bouquet preparation is recognized as an art that needs considerable patience and perseverance to acquire and cultivate. Commonly known as floristry, bouquet making involves clustering flowers, stems, leaves etc in unique patterns.

Bouquet making starts with selecting the appropriate flowers for clustering and then trimming them to fit an arrangement in a bouquet. Then the dry leaves are separated and a particular floral pattern is created, after which they are tied up and wrapped.

The flowers can be assorted in different patterns depending upon the occasion; however every florist has his distinctive style. The design is also dependent on the availability of flowers in that season and what price the bouquets can fetch in the market.

It is also worth noting that the same type of flowers can assume opposite meanings in some cultures in various parts of the world. Therefore, a bouquet must be chosen sensibly if you want to present it to a person who belongs to another culture.

Different Kinds Of Canadian Flowers

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Canadian Flowers are found on the sides of country roads and in meadows as well. They are all very beautiful and are definite things to snap a picture of in its natural environment.

A rare beauty that grows in the Saskatchewan area is called the Western red Lily. These flourish in the meadows of the countrysides and in areas that are forested but smaller. Their color is very noticeable as it is a bright red with tine flecks of golden centers to draw your attention in to them.

Spread over the miles between Quebec and British Columbia you will spy dazzling Wild Roses. These are found in many lovely colors and are mostly seen in roadsides and forests naturally.

Did you know that instead of a country flower the Canadians use the brilliance of the Maple Leaf to signify their country and it adorns everything from flags, hats, shirts and even tags for cars.

On the exquisite Island of Prince Edward you will spy dainty Lady’s Slippers which are in full array in the spring seasons. These grow in shady places and in the forests of the island. The petals of this flower look like delicate slippers a lady might wear, hence its name.

Orchids – Everyone Loves Them

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

While you may already have a certain flower that attracts you, orchids offer a variety that appeals to anyone. For more than one hundred years since it’s introduction to Victorian society, orchids have become one of the most exquisite choices in flowers available.

Orchids are available in four different varieties. Epiphytes – cling to the tree as they grow Lithophytes – known for growing on rocks. Saprophytes – grow in leaf litter. Terrestrials – grows in sand.Between these four categories, you will discover that there is an abundant number of distinct plants.

Native orchid species number more than 20,000 known species, which leaves us to believe that may be many not discovered yet. In addition to the native species, over 100,000 hybrids have been created artificially with cultivators. It has been a busy one hundred years for the orchid family.

Orchids have long had a reputation for being high maintenance and hard to grow. This isn’t necessarily true. Some varieties do need more attention, but there are many varieties that are hardy. Some orchid varieties prefer heat and humidity that is the popular belief for this plant, but there are some that thrive in cool, dry conditions. The differences in light, temperature and the best growing condition is another example of the varieties of natural areas where they grow.

Rose Bush Care Secrets

Friday, November 6th, 2009

There is in all probability no blossom as pretty or as popular as a rose. They have been around for 1000s of years and are identified in almost every country. Growing rose bushes is rewarding and easy. All you need is a little piece of gardening know how to get started. Through understanding a little bit more about horticulture care the more productive you will be with your rose bushes.

There are numerous different species of rose bushes. There is literally a rose to suit every taste, orientation, color, shape and anything else you can think of or they can come up with. Rose bush care is somewhat simple when you understand what roses need. Roses like to be established in sunny spots. They require at least 6 hours of unfiltered, direct sunshine a day. Even those rose bushes that are said to do really well in the shade still require about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunshine a day. Roses also require good ground to grow in. You can always change the soil in your garden with a little bit of compost.

Rewarding Organic Rose Gardening

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Organic rose gardening is becoming progressively popular among rose enthusiasts. Roses have been grown by individuals for 1000s of years before artificial chemical substances were ever invented and hence these chemicals do not have to be depended on to have a exquisite garden of roses. By maintaining an organic yard you are able to increase the longevity of your roses and keep your family, pets, and wildlife away from damaging chemical substances.

The earth, plants, and wildlife has been about millions of years doing ok on its own without the support of mankind. It is only when mankind gets it in his mind that he can do greater than nature when matters start getting out of balance. Ordinarily, plants draw nutrients and water from their roots. The leaves of the plant go through photosynthesis which is the process of using water and sunshine to create energy. Soil by nature contains bacteria, fungus, nematodes, worms, plus other organisms. These organisms breakdown dead stuffs that enrich the soil. Applying chemical substance plant foods, herbicides, and pesticides destroy natural land organisms and disrupt the natural relationship of the roses and the soil. Without helpful bacteria to protect rose plant roots, damaging fungi can go in and harm the plant. Plus, it is viable to get your roses addicted to chemical fertilizers. The more you utilize chemical to invigorate your roses, the more the roses will depend on the chemicals.

Where Did The Tradition Of Giving Flowers Started

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

Down the ages, human feelings have found great expressions through the custom of gifting flowers or bouquets. Flowers and bouquets are made use of for varied purposes, from congratulating someone on the occasion of his or her birthday or anniversary to expressing an apology, or even to just cheer up someone.

Archaeological evidence collected from excavated sites hints at the beginnings of this custom to the prehistoric era. Ancient Greek mythology, Chinese stories and history surrounding the Romans and Egyptians all display that flowers had an indispensable role to play in their culture. In these civilizations, it was thought that emotions could find their most appropriate expression through the giving of flowers. The ancient Greeks even considered some flowers to be related to divinity.

The custom of gifting flowers continued through the Middle Ages, with the French and the English keeping the custom strong. Today as we have assigned meaning to each flower, we are actually continuing an ancient Turkish custom imported into Europe by the French and the British.

The custom of flower giving reached new heights in the Victorian era. Victorians, as we know, never expressed their feelings openly and therefore the practice of gifting flowers or bouquets was regarded an excellent way to communicate feelings without using a lot of words.

Care of the Flower Garden

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Knowing how to care for your flower garden can make a big difference in the look and over-all health of your plants. Here are some simple hints to make your garden bloom with health

1. The essentials must always be given major consideration.

Your flower garden must have an adequate supply of water, sunlight, and fertile soil. Any lack of these basic necessities will greatly affect the health of plants. Water the flower garden more frequently during dry spells.

When planting bulbs, make sure they go at the correct depth. When planting out shrubs and perennials, make sure that you don’t heap soil or mulch up around the stem. If you do, water will drain off instead of sinking in, and the stem could develop rot through overheating.

2. Mix and match perennials with annuals.

Perennial flower bulbs need not to be replanted since they grow and bloom for several years while annuals grow and bloom for only one season. Mixing a few perennials with annuals ensures that you will always have blooms coming on.

3. Deadhead to encourage more blossoms.

Flowers Make A Perfect Gift

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Did you have a fight with your very dear friend and feel awful about it? Don’t wait for her to take the first step; you do. Send her a beautiful flower bouquet to show her you are sorry. The fragrance of these flowers and the sentiments contained in them will reach out to her and bring a smile on to her lips. It will have her reaching for the phone the next moment.

“Your Day” flowers would be highly appreciated if you gift them on important occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings. To me, these flowers are the best way to woo your partner as they have the power to transform a dull environment into a romantic one.

My husband and I travel a lot because of our work. We spend days or sometimes even weeks apart not seeing each other. Those are the times that I miss him the most and I’m sure he feels the same. I just order a lovely gerbera daisy bouquet, as daisies are his favorite, from OnlineFlowers and send it to him when he is least expecting it. It is this element of surprise that keeps our relationship alive