Flowers A to Z - Paper-White Narcissus

Paper-White Narcissus

Botanical Name :	Narcissus papyraceus
Common Name :	Paper-White Narcissus
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	nar-SIS-us pap-i-RA-see-us
Family Roots :	As a member of the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis family), its common relatives include Agapanthus, snowflake, snowdrop, Nerine, kafir-flower, Amaryllis and Lycoris. Native to the western Mediterranean.
Personality :	It is a monocotyledon produced from bulbs. From 10-20 very fragrant florets are produced on a leafless stem (scape) 15 inches or more in length.
Availability :	Late fall to early spring.
Flower Color :	Mostly bright white. However, the subspecies "polyanthus" has pale sulphur-yellow flowers when they are young, becoming white as they age.
Decorative Life :	5-8 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Medium
Ethylene Comments :	Recent research (Reid, et al., 2000) have shown that MCP treated daffodils last longer even when no external ethylene is present. Therefore, treating with MCP or STS will produce benefits, including protecting flowers from external ethylene sources.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Recut stems and place into a fresh flower food solution or plain water as some brands of fresh flower foods do not extend vaselife and can even be detrimental. Run tests to determine which flower food brand or water is best. Cut stems exude sap that can be detrimental to other flowers therefore store separately in water for about 6 hours before mixing with other flowers. Do not recut again when arranging without foam if at all possible or else the 6 hour wait would have to be repeated. However, if the flower food solution being used has a good germicide, the sap may not be harmful to other flowers. See the recent research findings below for more information in this subject area.
Storage Specifics :	Can be stored at 32-33F for up to 10 days or 36-38F for up to 8 days. Dry (preferred) or wet store but keep stems upright to prevent stem bending (geotropism).
Tidbits :	Some references say this plant was named after Narcissus of Greek mythology, who turned into this plant after killing himself because he could not reach his reflection in a pool. Narcissus is a Greek name said to be derived from "narke" (numbness, torpor) in reference to its narcotic properties. Very often grown in homes using just gravel and water. The bulbs contain essentially all of the nutrition and therefore only need water, light and carbon dioxide (from air) to grow and flower.
Recent Research Findings :	Van Doorn (1997) demonstrated that when freshly cut daffodils (not paper-whites) are placed in the same tap water with freshly cut roses, the roses wilted very rapidly due to the slime that is exuded from the cut stem ends of the daffodil. However, if a germicide was added to the water such as bleach, this negative effect on roses can be eliminated. It is therefore important to hydrate daffodils in a solution that contains a germicide such as found in flower foods or the bleach example noted above. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Mokara Orchid

Mokara Orchid

Botanical Name :	X Mokara spp.
Common Name :	Mokara Orchid
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	mo-KAR-a
Family Roots :	Member of the Orchidaceae (orchid family). Native to Asia. Common relatives include cymbidium, oncidium, paphiopedilum and cattleya.
Personality :	Classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. Flower petals similarly shaped, flowers star-like with reduced column in the center. Stems wiry, 7-15 flowers per stem.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	Red, gold, purple, blue, pink, orange and yellow.
Decorative Life :	14 plus days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	High
Ethylene Comments :	Treat with anti-ethylene product.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. Avoid damaging the pollen cap as this begins the wilting process.
Storage Specifics :	Chill sensitive, store at 55-60F.
Tidbits :	This orchid is the result of crosses among three genera (Arachnis x Ascocentrum x Vanda). The "X" in front of the genus name indicates that it is a cross between two genera. It is unknown if the genus name Mokara is botanically correct. Orchids have long been highly sought after, probably for the unusual beauty of their design. Orchid hunters in the nineteenth century collected them by the ton, and chopped down as many as four thousand trees at one time for the Orchids growing on them. As an epiphyte, it is a plant that grows upon other plants but is not parasitic. It obtains its moisture from air. Chilling injury or ethylene damage appears as translucent or dried patches on petals and sepals. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

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Flowers A to Z - Larkspur

Larkspur

Botanical Name :	Consolida spp.
Common Name :	Larkspur
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	con-SOL-i-da
Family Roots :	Member of the Ranunculaceae (buttercup family). Native to the Mediterranean region. Related species include buttercup, clematis, anemone, monkshood, peony.
Personality :	Flowers are 1/2 inch wide, cup-shaped with a spur at the back and many occur in a long terminal spike. Stems leafy, 24-36 inches long. Plant is an annual, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Flowers are not fragrant.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	Blue, lilac, pink, white.
Decorative Life :	4-12 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	High
Ethylene Comments :	Flower shattering easily results from ethylene exposure. It is therefore important to treat with an anti-ethylene product.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	For maximum bud opening, remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. Plant parts are poisonous so handle with care.
Storage Specifics :	36-38F (three days or less), 32-34F (more than three days), dry storage not recommended.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Harvest when 2-5 flowers are open.
Tidbits :	Consolida is from the Latin "to make whole" referring to possible medicinal properties. As a garden plant it is often plagued with insect and disease problems. The species often used for cut flowers are C. ambigua which is branched and in colors of light pink or blue and C. orientalis which is more upright and in bright pink and purple. Morphologically, it is different from a delphinium in that its two upper petals are united into one and is lacking the two lower petals. Regardless of this distinction, most cannot tell the difference between these two genera. Suitable for drying, hang upside down in ventilated area at 70-80 F for 2-4 weeks. When purchasing, try to avoid hollow-stemmed ones and those infested with mildew (leaves look gray). Harvest when 2-4 flowers are open. With hundreds of dainty flowers clustered on a single stem that swoops dramatically upward as if reaching for the sky, the Larkspur makes a stunning addition to any arrangement. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - King Protea

King Protea

Botanical Name :	Protea cynaroides
Common Name :	King Protea
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	pro-TEE-a sin-a-ROY-deez
Family Roots :	Member of the Proteaceae (protea family). Native to South Africa. Common relatives include Grevillea, Leucodendron, Leucospermum and Banksia.
Personality :	Numerous flowers in dome-shaped heads, 12 inches across, surrounded by stiff colored bracts, giving a crown-like appearance. Stems with leathery leaves, cut to various lengths. Plant is an evergreen shrub, classed as a dicotyledon. Flowers are not fragrant.
Availability :	Year-round of one type or another.
Flower Color :	Range from pink and white to red.
Decorative Life :	10-20 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. Leaf blackening due to low light, keep in well-lit situation.
Storage Specifics :	32-34 F, provide light during storage to prevent leaf blackening. Use fresh flower foods before storage also to reduce/prevent leaf blackening.
Tidbits :	Named after Proteus, a Greek sea god with the power of prophecy. The species name of cynaroides refers to the plant's resemblance to artichoke whose Latin name is Cynara. In 1976, the King Protea (P. cynaroides) was designated the national flower of South Africa. Need very little care in the landscape. King types can grow as large as 3-4 feet tall with flowers 8-10 inches in diameter with white centers. Pink Ice is one of the most popular cultivars. Spectacular focal points in contemporary arrangements, the durable Protea will often bloom for several months. Suitable for drying. Leaves can turn black due to low light and especially due to lack of carbohydrate. Therefore, make sure a fresh flower food containing sugar is used. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Jasmine

Jasmine

Botanical Name :	Jasminum spp.
Common Name :	Jasmine
Product Use :	Flowering Plant
Pronunciation :	JAZ-my-num
Family Roots :	Member of the Oleaceae (olive family). Native to tropical and sub-tropical areas throughout the world. Common relatives include olive, privet, ash and lilac.
Availability :	Mostly spring-summer.
Flower Color :	Mainly white but also yellow and pink.
Decorative Life :	Plant can survive for weeks to years, depending on the environment. Flowers mostly in summer but may flower throughout the year if conditions are favorable.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Medium
Ethylene Comments :	Flower and/or leaf fall are possible when exposed to ethylene. Treat with an anti-ethylene product. While researchers have documented the beneficial effects of spraying STS on potted and bedding plants to prevent or reduce ethylene-induced disorders, labels for registered STS products only give directions for uptake solutions, not sprays. Therefore, Chain of Life Network cannot recommend STS as a spray until it is properly registered for this application method. Only MCP is presently registered for this application method.
Storage Specifics :	Chill sensitive, store above 55 degrees F.
Tidbits :	Jasminum, ancient name of Arabic origin. Will generally do well in light levels at least bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Iceland Poppy

Iceland Poppy

Botanical Name :	Papaver nudicaule
Common Name :	Iceland Poppy
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	Pa-PAH-ver new-di-CAW-lee
Family Roots :	Member of the Papaveraceae (poppy family). Native to the Arctic region of North America, Eurasia. Hence, the common name! Some not so common relatives include Dendromecon, Meconopsis and Romneya.
Personality :	Has four papery petals around a center composed of many stamens, solitary at stem ends. Stems are leafless, hairy, wiry, up to 24 inches long. Plant is a herbaceous perennial, classed as a dicotyledon. Flowers are not fragrant.
Availability :	Summer.
Flower Color :	White, pink, yellow, coral, orange, red. Some have one color on the inside of the petals and a different color on the outside.
Decorative Life :	5-7 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Ethylene Comments :	Did not respond to ethylene levels normally encountered in flower marketing channels.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Reports published in 1936 and 1938 state that flower life benefits from the cut stem ends being placed in boiling water for a few seconds after recutting at wholesale or retail levels. Other reports in 1950 and 1958 state that a 30 second dip of the cut stem ends in boiling water is essential. No recent report was found that addresses this subject. Finally, a 1917 report states that cut stem ends should be charred until they are crisp (not merely singed) using a candle flame or something similar.
Storage Specifics :	36-41 F, in water for short time. Store upright to prevent geotropism (stem bending). Storage at 34F for one week did not reduce vaselife.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Should be harvested when the buds have split such that the color can be seen underneath.
Tidbits :	Poppies thrive in freshly turned soil, and grew by the millions in France during World War I. The ground was churned in battle, and as a consequence the Poppy has long been associated with war. The Opium Poppy has been used medicinally since ancient times, and its name comes from Latin "somnus" for sleep. The specific epithet name "nudicaule" means naked stem, no leaves on stem. Papaver is an old Latin name for poppy and is from "pappa" (food or milk), an allusion to the milky latex. With many members of this genus, flowers only open after the calyx splits releasing the petals. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html