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

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Real Local Florist™ in San Francisco

Hoogasian Flowers is a Real Local Florist™ in San Francisco. 

Harold Hoogasian wants to be sure everyone knows it!

It's Dahlia Time!

The Dahlia is the Official City Flower of 

The City of San Francisco!

The flowers shown below were photographed this season

at The Dahlia Garden in Golden Gate Park

(Next to The Conservatory of Flowers)

Aster is September Birth Month Flower

Aster is September Birth Month Flower

Aster novi-belgii

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.

August Birth Month Flower is Gladiolus

August Birth Month Flower is Gladiolus

Botanical Name :	Gladiolus spp.
Common Name :	Sword Lily
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	glad-ee-O-lus
Family Roots :	Member of the Iridaceae (iris family). Native to South Africa. Cousins include Iris, freesia, crocus, ixia and Watsonia.
Personality :	Normally has 10-16 flowers (4-10 inches or more in length) on a one-sided spike at end of stem. Stems are thick, fleshy, up to 4 feet long. Plant is a perennial from corms, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. While a few cultivars are sweetly scented, most have no fragrance.
Availability :	Mid-spring through fall.
Flower Color :	Most, except true blue.
Decorative Life :	6-10 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Ethylene Comments :	Gladiolus flowers are believed to be insensitive to ethylene. However, while STS treatment does not extend the life of open florets, it does promote the opening of more flowers on spikes with a net effect of increased vaselife. It is unknown at the time of this writing if MCP would provide the same results.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. Pulsing stems with a 20% sugar solution at room temperature for 24 hours can aid in the opening of more florets per stem, just like when treated with STS. To make a 20% solution, add 1.5 pounds of sugar to one gallon of a freshly made fresh flower food solution made with hot water. Note that the water needs to be hot to aid in dissolving the sugar. Stems are geotropic which means they bend upward from gravity. Handle in vertical position to prevent bending or handle horizontally only at 32-34 degrees F. Removing a few immature flower buds at the tip of the spike as recommended by some to help open lower, more mature flowers is not supported by research. Removal of lower, more mature flowers as they wilt will not help open upper flowers and in fact reduces their ability to open. Placing flowers in fluoride containing water can reduce vaselife, namely, levels as low as 0.25 ppm is all that is needed.
Storage Specifics :	Generally 32-38F. However, some cultivars grown in Florida are reported to be chill sensitive and therefore are stored at 45 degrees F. No research is available to confirm this report. In addition, there is data to support the use of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide storage and/or packaging of mini-glads ('Adi'). Flowers stored for 14 days at 35F had good subsequent vaselife.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Cultivar selection is important. For example, some good mini glads are 'Adi' (currant-red), 'Kinnereth' (violet), 'Ronit' (purple), 'Yamit' (violet) and 'Nirit (blood-red). Spraying plants 2 weeks before flowers are harvested with a 2% calcium nitrate solution greatly reduces stem topple (breakage) disorder after harvest. Addition of calcium to the soil has little benefit in preventing this postharvest disorder. Harvest when 1-5 flowers on a spike are showing color.
Tidbits :	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: http://www.hoogasian.com/BirthMonthFlowers.html

July Birth Month Flower is 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

June Birth Month Flower is The Rose

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 Harvest Care 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).
Recent Research Findings :	Using 'Scarlet Pimpernel', Williamson et al. (1995) showed clearly that relative humidity above 94% stimulated Botrytis development on petals within 24 hours at 60F, even when no free water was present on the petals! This finding goes against the common belief that free water had to be present for the disease to develop. Using 'Sonia', de Stigter (1980) showed that ~50% of the water loss of a cut rose is via the petals with the remaining ~50% via leaves. Using 'Sonia', Ferreira and de Swardt (1981) showed that flowers with all leaves removed lasted 12 days in flower food and 10 days in deionized water. However, with 4 leaves remaining, those in flower food lasted 16 days and 6 days in deionized water. The end result is to make sure that at least 4 leaves remain on every stem and flower food is utilized. See More at Hoogasian Flowers Birth Month Flowers: http://www.hoogasian.com/BirthMonthFlowers.html