Paperwhite Narcissus is December Birth Month Flower

Paperwhite 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. Paperwhite is the Birth Month Flower for December See More Birth Month Flowers: http://www.hoogasian.com/BirthMonthFlowers.html

November Birth Month Flower is Chrysanthemum

Botanical Name :	Chrysanthemum X morifolium (Dendranthema X grandiflorum)
Common Name :	Chrysanthemum, Mum, Florist Mum
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	kris-AN-the-mim X mor-i-FOL-i-um (den-DRAN-the-ma grand-I-FLOR-um)
Family Roots :	Member of the Asteraceae or Compositae (aster or sunflower) family. Native to China. Common relatives include Cosmos, Dahlia, Calendula, Zinnia, strawflower, lettuce, artichoke and endive.
Personality :	Composite heads of ray and disk flowers in numerous forms and sizes at ends of branches. Stems are leafy, usually branched or pinched to form one or more flowered stems. Plant is a semi-woody perennial, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Flowers are not fragrant in the typical manner but may be aromatic.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	Shades of red, pink, orange, bronze, yellow and white.
Decorative Life :	7-14 days, some types last longer.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Ethylene Comments :	Not sensitive at generally encountered ethylene levels in the commercial world. At higher levels, growth can be stunted (internodes shortened) and leaf fall is possible.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Make sure stems are cut above any woody portions to ensure good water uptake and do not pound stem ends, as this does not increase water uptake. Rather, remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. Deionized water may reduce vaselife compared to tap or well water. The sugar in flower food is required for florets to develop to maturity. Foliage yellowing and wilting can be due to improper storage, growing conditions and/or high levels of sugar in the vase solution. Using commercially sold benzyladenine sprays or uptake solutions can retard leaf yellowing. A more novel approach is to place freshly harvested cut stems into a 3-4% methanol and water solution for 12-24 hours at 70F prior to shipping. Flowers failing to open entirely generally means that they were harvested too immature and/or they were exposed to high temperatures after harvest.
Storage Specifics :	Storage at 36-38 F (3 days or less) is fine, 32-34 F (if over 3 days). Stems with well-developed buds may be stored for up to 3 weeks.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Plants grown at high (93%) relative humidity lasted longer after harvest compared to those grown at 81 and 70%.
Tidbits :	From Greek "dendron" (tree) and "anthemon" (flower). Many flower forms exist-standards have one flower per stem, spray mums are branched with several flowers per stem. Some form classes are daisy, spider (Fuji), quill, football, pompon, cushion, button and spoon. The "X" in the name means that it is a hybrid between at least two species. The specific epithet name grandiflorum means large flowers. Mums have been cultivated in China for 2000 years, infusions of the leaves and flowers were used as medicine and fermented into wine. The dew collected from the flowers was said to promote longevity. The mum was introduced to Japan in 400 AD and became the emblem of the imperial family. Name was recently changed back to Chrysanthemum X morifolium. It is a short day plant meaning that it will only flower when the days are short and the night long. That is why it naturally only flowers in the fall. At other times of the year the light/dark periods of the day have to be controlled by growers to promote flowering. Mums reached Europe in the late 18th century, where the Chusan daisy became known as the pompon chrysanthemum because it resembled tassels on French sailors' hats. In Italy, mums are associated only with funerals and death. Some favorite cultivars and their respective flower colors include 'White Diamond' (white), 'Pelee' (orange and yellow) 'Shasta' (white), 'Regal Davis' (purple) and 'Miramar' (yellow). Appearance of pink/red coloration on petals for cultivars not of this color indicates old flowers and/or flowers grown too cold. Material leaking out of carnation stems held in the same container as mums can often reduce the life of the mums. The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal. Today, the flower heads, when dried, are used to flavor soups and stews and as coloring for butter. According to Creasy (1999), fresh petals are edible. Can be used in salads and teas or sprinkled over clear soups. Chrysanthemum is the Birth Month Flower for November: http://www.hoogasian.com/BirthMonthFlowers.html

September Birth Month Flower is Aster

Botanical Name :

Aster novi-belgii

Common Name :

Michaelmas Daisy, New York Daisy, Aster

Product Use :

Cut Flower

Pronunciation :

A-ster NO-vee BEL-gee-ee

Family Roots :

Member of the Asteraceae or Compositae (aster or sunflower) family.

Native to the Eastern US.

Related species include sunflower, daisy, gerbera and chrysanthemum.

Personality :

Flowers are daisy-like heads to 1 inch across with colored ray florets and yellow centers.

Stems leafy, branched, 2-3 feet long.

Plant is a herbaceous perennial, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.

flowers not fragrant.

Availability :

Nearly year-round.

Flower Color :

White, pink, lavender, red and blue.

Decorative Life :

5-10 days.

Ethylene Sensitivity :

Low

Post Harvest
Care Opportunities :

Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place in plain tap water containing regular household bleach (about 20 drops [1/4 teaspoon] per quart).

Stiff hairs on leaves can be irritating to skin.

Storage Specifics :

32-38 degrees F. However, because of the many cultivars and even species, making broad storage temperature recommendations is difficult. For example, Aster bigelovii, more accurately known as Machaeranthera bigelovii, has an optimum storage temperature of 45 degrees F.

Tidbits :

Flower aficionados recommend constant "pinching back" of the leaves and petals to best preserve the flowers' form.

Latin for "star," after its star-like flower shape, the aster was originally recognized for its healing properties. It was said that, when beaten with old hogs grease, and applied, that aster was good for "the biting of a mad dogge".

The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal.



http://www.hoogasian.com/September-Birth-Month-Flower-Aster.html

August Birth Month Flower is Gladiolus

Gladiolus means sword in Latin, referring to the long pointed leaves. This might explain one early common name, sword lily.

Miniature forms are available with stems under 2 feet long. Grown from corms, not bulbs. The first species as we know them today were introduced from Ghent, Belgium in 1841.

Flower forms: ruffled, fringed, orchid-like, tulip-like and rose-like.

Some cultivars are sensitive to fluoride found in water supplies, which can result in flower tip burn.

Shorter cultivars are available which has transformed this stereotypic funeral flower into a contemporary favorite.

See more Birth Month Flowers:

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Siena Rose Bodon Smiles in the Shop

Siena Rose Bodon visited Hoogasian Flowers today with her mom and dad. Her Nona, Nikki, happened to be visiting. She and Christine (Mom) coaxed a little fifth generation San Franciscan to smile in her grandpa's flower shop long enough to capture this picture.

280 Southbound Trees Need to Be Trimmed!

The video shows 280 South of the 25th street off ramp. As one
drives in the outside (slow) lane, one will come upon an on ramp
of traffic. You can't see the traffic until that traffic is
already up to speed and the driver already in the traffic lane is
obliged to slow down (often) to avoid hitting the merging traffic.
The merging traffic does not see the extant traffic and the reason
both drivers can't see the other is the grove of overgrown trees.
The trees should be pruned down to the level of the road bed and
drivers in both traffic flows (the outside lane already driving
AND the on ramp traffic) could see the other and better anticipate
the merge.

Did You Know That The Artichoke is A Flower?

Most folks don't care much for scooping out the hairy threads on the top of an artichoke heart. Until now, have you ever seen what happens to the green flower you eat (YES, the artichoke is a FLOWER!) gets a chance to mature (i.e. BLOOM)? Well, those little hairy threads turn a rich purple color and the resultant flowers is called a Cordone Blossom.

The single flower shown above is over 8 inches in diameter! The flowers shown are California Grown as are most artichokes. Very few are used for ornamental purposes and those are usually only available in the summer months.

Learn even more about flowers at: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html
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You can now view our blog on your smart phone or other mobile device. Just scan the QR code shown above.

Larkspur is July Birth Month Flower

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. Larkspur is the Birth Month Flower for July: http://www.hoogasian.com/BirthMonthFlowers.html See More Hoogasian Flowers A to Z at: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Source: http://chainoflifenetwork.org/

Rose is June Birth Month Flower

Botanical Name :
Rosa spp. and hybrids
Common Name :
Rose, Hybrid Tea, Sweetheart, Spray Roses
Product Use :
Cut Flower
Pronunciation :
ROW-za
Family Roots :
The most famous member of the Rosaceae (rose family). Native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Common relatives include almond, cherry, apple, raspberry, spirea, cotoneaster, firethorn, hawthorn, service-berry, quince, blackberry, Geum, prune, plum and pear.
Personality :
Flowers with many (~40-60) petals, 2-6 inches across at ends of stems or branchlets. Stems thorny, leafy, cut generally to 18-36 inches long. Plant is a deciduous shrub, classed as a dicotyledon. Flower fragrances go from none to various such as tea-like, spicy, musky, fruity or citrus.
Availability :
Year-round.
Flower Color :
Many including white, pink, yellow, orange, red, lavender and lots in between.
Decorative Life :
From 4-16 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :
Varies
Ethylene Comments :
Some cultivars are sensitive to ethylene, with premature petal fall of malformed flowers the result. Therefore, one may want to treat with an anti-ethylene product.
Post HarvestCare Opportunities :
Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a hydration solution followed by flower food or directly into a fresh flower food solution. In very recent research (Reid, et al., 1998), it was shown that using a hydration solution is not an advantage and that roses can be placed and stored in flower food solution for best overall results. Consider testing postharvest fungicide dips or sprays if Botrytis is a continuing problem. One recommended dip treatment is using Ornalin-50WP at 1.5-3.0 pounds per 100 gallons of water or Phyton-27 at 10-12.5 ounces per 100 gallons of water. Some cultivars respond well to the addition of a wetting agent, especially if they are to be (or were) dry stored. One wetting agent that works well is Agral-LN as well as many types classified as alkylethoxylates. The presence of hooks will only reduce flower life if held in water. The highest flower respiration rate is before the flowers are harvested, when the calyx is reflexing away from the flower bud. Using flower foods can help overcome some of the negative effects of chemicals leaching out of rose leaves when they are below the water line in vases and buckets. Botrytis fungal infection appears as brown blotches on petals or fuzzy gray patches on stems or leaves. To reduce chances of infection, maintain relative humidity below 94% and keep foliage and flowers dry. It is also important to know that some cultivars are less susceptible to Botrytis such as 'Escimo', 'Sugar Baby', 'Frisco', 'Mercedes', 'Lambada' and 'Tina'.
Storage Specifics :
Best at 32-34F, wet or dry for 1-2 weeks. When 'Ambiance' was held wet or dry between 32 and 50F, no difference in vaselife was noted between wet and dry at a given temperature. However, there was an advantage for wet holding when held at 55F. Therefore, dry storage/transport is recommended unless exposure to high temperatures (>40F) is possible. Controlled atmosphere (low oxygen and/or high carbon dioxide) storage of 'First Red' either was of no benefit or was detrimental
Preharvest &Harvest Factors:
Harvesting flowers just one day too soon can result in ~37% less water going through the region right below the flower thus greatly increasing the chances for bent neck. Cultivar and root stock decision can greatly influence postharvest characteristics. If irrigation water is used that is at a lower temperature than the production air temperature, stomata development can be altered and thereby result in flowers that do not last as long a vaselife compared to plants irrigated with water at or above the production air temperature. Flowers produced under warmer night temperatures (~63F) opened better after harvest than those grown cooler night (~55F) night temperatures. Flowers grown in greenhouses with air movement of 30 feet (9.1 meters) per minute or more will develop about half the Botrytis infection compared to no air movement. At about 18 feet (5.5 meters) per minute infection is reduced by about 15%. The vaselife of 'Garnette', 'Zorina' and 'Bacarra' decreased as growing temperatures decreased. The best vaselive was obtained when flowers were grown at 70-75F. Vase solution uptake is improved for warmer grown flowers. For example, roses grown at 75F took up about twice as much vase solution as ones grown at 54F. Roses grown under low temperatures can have more chemicals in their leaves that can reduce flower live when they leach out of leaves that are below the water line in vases or buckets compared to roses grown at higher temperatures.
Tidbits :
Cut flowers sold in several forms: hybrid tea (large, one flower per long stem), sweetheart (smaller, one flower per shorter stem), spray (several small flowers on branched stem). Even in the Middle Ages, when most plants were grown solely for practical or medicinal purposes, the rose was cultivated for its beauty alone. Yet, the rose "hip" or flower base has been known for many years as a source for vitamin C. Today there are hundreds of rose cultivars. With names like "Ingrid Bergman," "Movie Star," "Lipstick", "Sexy Rexy" and "Vogue," we are reminded of what the image of the rose evokes feelings of romance, passion, enchantment and fascination. You cannot go wrong making a loving statement with roses. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. According to Creasy (1999), fresh petals are edible. Can be used in jellies, rose water, vinegars, honey, syrups, salads and sorbets. Rose cultivars are often known to consumers because this is nearly the only flower sold by florists that retain their cultivar names. Common ones include Madame Delbard and Visa (red), Osiana (peach), Aalsmeer Gold (yellow), Eskimo (white), Tango and Mercedes (orange) and Peckabo and Sonia (pink). More non-red cultivars should be marketed based on consumer research. Problems and cultivar examples include bent neck (Cara Mia), improper opening due to ethylene (Royalty) or too many petals (Classy), petal drop due to ethylene (Lovely Girl), breaking at upper leaf node (Visa), petal blackening (Royalty) and entire flower fall (Osiana).

See More at Hoogasian Flowers Birth Month Flowers:http://www.hoogasian.com/BirthMonthFlowers.html

Flowers A to Z - Zinnia

Zinnia

Botanical Name :	Zinnia elegans
Common Name :	Zinnia
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	ZIN-ee-a EL-e-ganz
Family Roots :	Member of the Asteraceae or Compositae (aster family). Native of Mexico. Common relatives include sunflower, yarrow, chrysanthemum and dahlia.
Personality :	Fully double, dahlia-shaped flowers, 2-3 inches across, with one flower per stem. Stems have a few coarse leaves, up to 24 inches long. Plant is an annual, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. No fragrance.
Availability :	Summer-early fall.
Flower Color :	White, pink, red, purple and yellow.
Decorative Life :	5-10 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Ethylene Comments :	Treatment with 1.0 ppm ethylene had no effect.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom foliage if present, recut stems under water and place in flower food, hydration or bleach in water solution. Flower foods can greatly extend flower life but leaf damage can result if the solution is made too strong (over 1%), too weak (0.5%) and/or if the wrong flower food brand is used. Sugar can also stimulate ethylene synthesis but this should be of little concern since this species is not sensitive to this gas. Leaves decay and/or dry out easily and this can be hastened by some brands of fresh flower foods. One antitranspirant (Cloud Cover) offered some protection against powdery mildew. The use of floral foam can reduce vaselife.
Storage Specifics :	They can be stored wet at 36-38 F up to 5 days. Storage for seven days at 34F can be detrimental. Some data suggests that this species is chill sensitive and should be stored no lower than 41F.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Harvest when flowers are fully open.
Tidbits :	Named for Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727-1759), a professor of medicine at Goettingen, Germany. The specific epithet name "elegans" means elegant. In its native Mexico, the zinnia was called "mal de ojos" by the Spaniards, who considered it ugly to the eye. However, Chain of Life Network member Terri Doyle reports that the "mal de ojos" meant they were so bright they hurt your eyes! Most modern zinnia cultivars are the result of crosses with the descendents of a single plant (known in the trade as "Old 66") found in an experimental planting at the Burpee Seed Co. Often grown in home gardens for cut flowers. Smaller types can be used in border gardens and planter boxes. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. Harvest flowers when fully open. The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Yarrow

Yarrow, Fern-Leaf Yarrow

Botanical Name :	Achillea filipendulina
Common Name :	Yarrow, Fern-Leaf Yarrow
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	a-KIL-ee-a fil-i-PEN-du-la
Family Roots :	Is a member of the Compositae (aster) family with common relatives such as zinnia, cosmos, ageratum, sunflower, lettuce and dandelion. Native to Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia.
Personality :	Stems to 40 inches, flat head flowers at stem ends, leaves finely divided at base, 8 x 2 inches in size. While some foliage in this genus have fragrance or a distinctive, this species generally has none.
Availability :	Mostly summer.
Flower Color :	Mostly yellow - gold, some white.
Decorative Life :	Years as a dried flower. Even fresh flowers can last for 3 weeks.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Stems often go bad before flowers. Therefore, select a flower food, hydration or bleach solution that offers some help to the stems as well as the flowers.
Storage Specifics :	'Coronation Gold' did not tolerate one week storage at 35F whereas 39 or 45F was better suggesting possible chilling sensitivity. As dried flowers, just about any temperature will do as long as disease organisms are prevented from growing.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Harvest when flowers are fully open. Engle et al. (1994) noted that seed-propagated plugs can be stored at about 27F up to 6 weeks if given sufficient light and low temperature treatments prior to storage.
Tidbits :	Named after Achilles, who used the plant medicinally to heal his wounded soldiers. Yarrow stems were used by both the Druids and the Chinese to foretell the future. One yarrow leaf is said to speed decomposition of a wheelbarrow full of raw compost. Species used for cut flowers besides A. filipendulina (yellow) include A. millefolium (many colors), A. ptarmica (white), and A. 'Coronation Gold' (yellow). The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal. While many yarrow species tend to grow and spread rapidly in a garden setting to the point that they become weeds, this species will remain in relatively tight clumps. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - XSolidaster

XSolidaster

Botanical Name :	X Solidaster luteus
Common Name :	Solidaster, Aster, Golden Solidaster
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	so-li-DAS-ter LOO-tee-us
Family Roots :	Member of Asteraceae or Compositae (aster family). Native of France. Common relatives include sunflower, daisy, gerbera, chrysanthemum and lettuce.
Personality :	Many small daisy-like flowers in loose, branching clusters at stem ends. Stems leafy, 18-24 inches long. Plant is a herbaceous perennial, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. No fragrance.
Availability :	Nearly year-round.
Flower Color :	Yellow.
Decorative Life :	7-10 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place in plain tap water containing regular household bleach at 20 drops (1/4 teaspoon) per quart. Can be stored dry 5-6 days at 36-41 F.
Storage Specifics :	32-38 degrees F.
Tidbits :	Solidaster is an intergeneric hybrid, a cross between Aster and Solidago (goldenrod) originating in Lyon, France at the Leonard Lille Nursery in 1910. The "X" in front of the genus name indicates that it is a cross between two genera. The specific epithet name "luteus" means yellow, in reference to the flower color. Is sometimes mistakenly identified as Solidago missouriensis. The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal. Good as a filler. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Waxflower

Waxflower

Botanical Name :	Chamelaucium uncinatum
Common Name :	Waxflower, Geraldton Wax-flower
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	cham-e-LAW-see-um un-si-NAY-tum
Family Roots :	Member of the Myrtaceae (myrtle) family. Native to Australia. Related species include Eucalyptus, bottlebrush and Leptospermum.
Personality :	Flowers 1/2 inch across, occur along stems with needle-like leaves. Stems 24-36 inches long. Plant is a woody shrub, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Flowers are not fragrant.
Availability :	Nearly year-round.
Flower Color :	White, pink, purple, cream, rose.
Decorative Life :	Mostly 5-9 days but varies greatly depending on species and cultivar. For example, Faragher et al. (2000) report that 'Newmarracarra' had a 5 day vaselife while 'Mullering Brook' lasted 12 days in the same experiment.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	High
Ethylene Comments :	Yes, flower and leaf fall as well as leaf yellowing can be the result. Treat with an anti-ethylene product. Both MCP and STS work well. However, when no external ethylene is present, STS and MCP add little if any vaselife. Treating for 12 hours with 10 ppb MCP at 35 or 68F resulted in ethylene protection for 2 and 4 days, respectively. In contrast, treating with 0.5 millimolar STS for the same 12 hours and the same 35 or 68F resulted in 10 days of protection.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. The addition of potassium chloride at 750 ppm to vase solutions can help to extend vaselife, probably through improvements in internal water balances. Dry storage and/or shipping induced water stresses can induce ethylene formation and the resulting ethylene-induced damages. Therefore, proper hydration steps must be taken and anti-ethylene treatments can reduce water stressed induced problems. Ethylene absorbing packets placed in boxes can reduce flower and leaf fall during transit.
Storage Specifics :	At 32-34 F, up to 2 weeks, treat with fungicide to prevent Botrytis. The presence of Botrytis during transport can greatly accelerate premature flower fall.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Low nitrogen fertilization during production results in poor leaf color and contributes to leaf fall during transit while optimum nitrogen levels can increase vaselife. Depending on species and cultivar, harvest when 25-80% of the flowers are open.
Tidbits :	Chamelaucium: Greek for dwarf and white. The specific epithet name "uncinatum" means hooked at the point. Often grown in Australia and shipped to the US floral industry. Excellent filler for bouquets. This family is important economically for many edible fruits including guava, rose-apple, spices such as allspice and cloves, timber (eucalyptus) and many ornamental species. Water stress symptoms often appear on leaves before flowers. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Vanda Orchid

Vanda Orchid

Botanical Name :	Vanda spp.
Common Name :	Vanda Orchid
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	VAN-da
Family Roots :	Member of the Orchidaceae (orchid family). Native to Asia and Malaysia. Common relatives include Cymbidium, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum and Cattleya.
Personality :	Flowers flat, 2-4 inches across, lip reduced, in groups of up to 15 flowers on a stem. Stems leafless, 24-32 inches long. Plant is an epiphyte, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. Some flower fragrance.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	Blue, orange, yellow, pink and white, often spotted.
Decorative Life :	7-14 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	High
Ethylene Comments :	Treat with an anti-ethylene product.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution or water as flower foods seemingly offer few benefits. To reduce flower fading during transport, flowers can be held for 2-3 days under low oxygen (1.0-2.5%) and high carbon dioxide (1.5-2.0%) before shipment and shipped using normal procedures. Chilling sensitive, avoid damaging the pollen cap as this begins the rapid color loss and wilting processes.
Storage Specifics :	They can be stored at 55F for 5 days with no loss in quality but flower life is reduced by about 1/3 if stored for 10 days.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Has a very high respiration rate compared to most other flowers and plants used by florists.
Tidbits :	Vanda coerulea has blue flowers, hybrids of V. teres and V. tricolor are white or yellow-orange, variety called 'Miss Joaquim' is lavender with a blue center. 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 in its native habitat that grows upon other plants but is not parasitic. It obtains its moisture from air. Vanda is an Indian name for this genus. Chilling injury or ethylene damage appears as translucent or dried patches on petals and sepals. One famous vanda is V. coerules (Blue Orchid) that comes from Northern India. Also, many Vanda orchids have been reclassified into other genera such as V. teres to Papilionanthe teres, a flower used extensively in the floral trade. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Umbrella Tree

Umbrella Tree

Botanical Name :	Schefflera actinophylla (Brassaia actinophylla)
Common Name :	Umbrella Tree or Plant, Australian Umbrella-Tree
Product Use :	Foliage Plant
Pronunciation :	shef-LER-a ak-tin-o-FIL-uh
Family Roots :	Member of the Araliaceae (aralia or ginseng family). Native to Queensland. Commonly referred to as Brassaia actinophylla. Relatives include aralia, false aralia, ginseng, English ivy and fatsia.
Personality :	Classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Has leaves with long stalks, divided into 7-16 leaflets up to 12 inches long, radiating out like umbrella ribs.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	Not applicable.
Decorative Life :	Years.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Varies
Ethylene Comments :	Confusing data in the literature because some say that it is very sensitive while others the opposite. For example, only when ethylene levels were very high at about 5 ppm was there damage after exposure for 3 days at 74F. To be safe, may want to treat with MCP just prior to shipment.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Continuous leaf wetness for over 10 hours can greatly increase the chances of plant disease. Leaves may exhibit oedema, a disorder characterized by small bumps (pimples) on leaves that can take on a corky appearance. Oedema is thought to be caused by excessive water and/or humidity imbalances. Continuous lighting may result in lighter green to yellowish leaves. Water stressed plants are more susceptible to red spider mite attacks. Thus, do not allow the plants to wilt. Aphids can be a problem, especially on new growth.
Storage Specifics :	Chill sensitive, store above 50F. However, in one test series it was shown that this species could be stored at 45-55F for 28 days. Plants stored for 30 days in the dark at 64F exhibited a temporary reduction in plant quality upon removal from storage but plants recovered in about 3 weeks when placed in a reasonable environment. These differences in recommended storage temperatures might be due to cultivar and/or preharvest growing conditions. It is also reported that the foliage can turn grayish when growing media temperatures go below 60F for any extended period.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Postharvest quality is not affected by the nitrate to ammonium nitrogen fertilization practices used during production. Plants grown under reduced light intensities often develop reduced light compensation points thus explaining why low light grown plants generally can do better under subsequent low light levels often encountered in homes and offices. By definition, the light compensation for a given plant is the minimum light intensity required when food respired equals food produced. However, in one test, plants grown under high light levels looked better after 3 months under interior conditions compared to those grown under lower light levels. Using growth retardants often produces more saleable plants.
Tidbits :	Named after J. G. Scheffler (1722-1811), a physician in Danzig. The presence of stem roots often means that there are problems with the normal roots. The cultivar 'Amate' does well under interior conditions and is fairly tolerant of red spider mites. While it is often treated as a low light loving plant, this species would prefer some direct sunlight, especially in fall and winter. If grown in Florida, plants should have been produced under 40-60% shade. Grown under lower light levels, plants are better adapted for the commonly encountered lower light levels when placed indoors. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Tulip

Tulip

Botanical Name :	Tulipa spp. or T. gesnerana
Common Name :	Tulip
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	TEW-li-pa
Family Roots :	Member of the Liliaceae (lily family). Native from Central Asia to Mediterrean area. Family relatives include lily, hyacinth, Ornithogalum and asparagus.
Personality :	Has goblet-shaped flowers with 6 petals (tepals), varying from slender and pointed to broadly rounded, one flower per stem, can be doubled, semi-doubled, and/or fringed among other possibilities. Leafless flower stems (scapes) are 12-18 inches long, one or two long leaves originate at base. Plant is a herbaceous perennial from a bulb, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. Flower fragrance is slight with some cultivars.
Availability :	Can be year-round but mostly available in the winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Flower Color :	Many including red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, white and bicolors.
Decorative Life :	About 4-8 days depending mainly on cultivar and harvest stage.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Varies
Ethylene Comments :	Generally not ethylene sensitive but some cultivars like 'Apeldoorn' can be sensitive. Petal (tepal) fall is not ethylene mediated. However, in most cases tulips should not be treated with anti-ethylene products since postharvest flower stalk elongation can be enhanced which is most often viewed as a negative attribute. On the other hand, if stems are too short, treating with STS or MCP could be beneficial! In any case, anti-ethylene products will not increase flower life.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Leave sleeves on when hydrating after shipping to prevent stem bending, cut stems above lower white portion for better water uptake and hold in the upright position to prevent bending. Unless local tests have proven otherwise, using flower food solutions seldom do better than plain water in extending tulip vaselife. However, using a flower food made with the sugar trehalose extended flower life over water and other flower food solution treatments. At least one flower food developed especially for tulips actually includes an ethylene releasing chemical that can be very effective in preventing the stem (scape) elongation growth after harvest! Stems often elongate making them grow out of their place in arrangements. This can be reduced by either growers treating them with growth regulators before harvest or using special flower foods that contain elongation inhibitors. Ethylene gas itself can reduce this postharvest elongation.
Storage Specifics :	Store at 32-34F is preferred, up to 5 days wrapped, in water. If storing longer, place dry stems vertically. Flowers can be stored for up to 10 days if the bulbs are still attached. When they were held wet or dry between 32 and 50F, no difference in vaselife was noted between wet and dry at a given temperature. However, there was an advantage for wet holding when held at 55F. Therefore, dry storage/transport is recommended unless high temperatures (greater than 40F) are possible.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Harvest at the 50% color stage for most cultivars. However, some cultivars and some growing conditions require that a more mature flower stage be harvested. For example, 'Monte Carlo', 'Kees Nelis', 'Cassini' and 'Rosella' lasted on average 12% longer when harvested mature verses immature when they were flowered in the Southern Hemisphere as so-called "ice tulips." Tulip flower color depends greatly on local growing conditions. Treating bulbs with MCP prior to shipment and/or planting results in lower ethylene-induced problems such as gummosis. The more the air movement in areas where this species is being grown, the shorter the stem (peduncle) length.
Tidbits :	The name tulip is the Latinized version of the Arabic word "dulband" (turban). Turkish men customarily wore tulips tucked in the folds of their turbans. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. During the 17th century in Holland, the popularity of tulips resulted in "Tulipomania" and bulbs were incredibly expensive and the subject of financial speculation. The most prized tulips were the "broken" or striped flower forms. This condition is now known to be the result of a virus infection in the bulbs. The many cultivars are divided into groups based on flower form including single rounded, double rounded, lily-flowered (pointed petals), parrot (fringed petals). The flat side of tulip bulbs will present the largest leaf upon forcing. With over 3000 species, the lily family includes many medicinal and food species in addition to ornamental species. According to Creasy (1999), fresh petals are edible. Can be used in salads (especially chicken or shrimp) or tea sandwiches. See More Flowers A to Z at: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Snapdragon

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Snapdragon
Botanical Name :
Antirrhinum majus
Common Name :
Snapdragon
Product Use :
Cut Flower
Pronunciation :
an-ti-RYE-num MAY-jus
Family Roots :
Member of the Scrophulariaceae (figwort family). Native to Southwestern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Common relatives include foxglove, veronica, penstemon and calceolaria.
Personality :
Flowers are tubular, 1/2 long with rounded upper and lower petals. Stems leafy, 24-36 inches long. Plant is an annual, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Slight fragrance, depending on cultivar.
Availability :
Year-round.
Flower Color :
A wide range of colors including white, pink, yellow, orange, red, burgundy and rose.
Decorative Life :
5-8 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :
High
Ethylene Comments :
Flower shattering is the common response to ethylene exposure, with some newer cultivars being resistant. This species also produces high amounts of ethylene. Should be treated with an anti-ethylene product. As will be noted below, treating with an anti-ethylene product will also reduce stem bending when these flowers are placed horizontally.
Post HarvestCare Opportunities :
Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. However, be careful not to remove too much foliage as excessive foliage removal can promote premature flower drop. Stem tip breakage can occur during harvesting and subsequent handling and is related to both flower color and cell wall chemistry. In particular, red flowered cultivars break higher on the stem compared to yellow ones, which break lower. At this time there is no known cure other than preventative care by handling stems carefully. Stems are geotropic, tips bend up if stems held horizontally. Laying on a table for less than an hour may cause permanent bending. Therefore, store upright or if they have to be held horizontally, hold them at 32F to reduce or stop bending. Experimental calcium chelating solutions designed to prevent stem bending have been developed but not yet available commercially. However, treating with anti-ethylene products like STS, MCP, or AVG can greatly reduce stem bending.
Storage Specifics :
Store at 32-34 F, 1-2 weeks in water, longer in floral preservative. Best if stored dry. When stored wet, flower color will be better if they are exposed to some light in the cooler. Also, upright storage is preferred so as to reduce stem bending. Flowers stored at 32F for 5 days lasted 11 days in a vase compared to 6 days for those stored at 45F. In another study, flowers were held dry at 31F for 6 weeks with little loss in vaselife.
Preharvest &Harvest Factors:
Treating with an anti-ethylene product shortly after harvest can also reduce geotropic bending of the stems when they are placed horizontally for storage and/or transport. Harvest when flowers on the lower 1/4-1/3 of the spike are open. Another author states that they should be purchased when at least two to five flowers are open per stem.
Tidbits :
Called a calve s snout for the flower s snout-like shape, the botanical name Antirrhinum is Greek for like and nose. The specific epithet name majus means large. Favorite flowers in the earliest English gardens, research indicates that snapdragons were grown more for their beauty than for their medicinal usefulness. When grown as a garden plant, treat them as annuals although some may respond as perennials depending on cultivar and climate. The flower can be made to snap shut after separating and releasing the two-lipped corolla (united petals). The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. Some references say removal of the top bud helps to deter the stem's geotropic bending. Suitable for drying. Do not remove more leaves than needed as this can stimulate flower fall. Many species in this 3000 plus species family are grown for ornamental and medicinal purposes including slipperwort, speedwell, mullein, bearded-tongue, foxglove, snapdragon, toadflax, monkey-flower, cape-fuchsia, coral-plant, nemesia, and blue-lips. The common snapdragon for gardens with winter protection may remain perennial in all but the coldest parts of the country. Short-lived cultivars have from 40-110% (~400,000-1,000,000) more stomata per flowering stem than long-lived ones.

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