Orchids Which Are Given Good Care Will Continue On The Path Of Their Growth Cycle

Orchids which are given good care before and after blooming will continue on the path of their growth cycle and bloom again. Many people fear that their orchids won't re-bloom, but this fear is unfounded if you follow some basics of orchid care.
　　
Begin by purchasing a plant that is mature and has already bloomed once or is in the process of blooming. That way you guarantee a basic degree of success and should not have an orchid which never blooms. It is your efforts at orchid care which will be rewarded with its next period of flower production.
　　
Widely available, inexpensive plastic cable ties offer great utility to the orchid grower. These devices will quickly fasten an orchid to a mount as tightly as you wish. Keep a selction of sizes at hand. They are also useful for permantntly attaching plant labels, fashioning orchid mounts out of sphagnum and plastic gutter guard and even hanging orchids on wire supports. Look for them in electronics and office supply stores as well as home improvement centers.
　　
One hundred and twenty million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, a magnificent flowering plant came into being—the orchid. Evolution led to the demise of many plants and animals, but the orchid flourished, thriving on every continent save Antarctica. Orchids have adapted to live in all kinds of environments—mountains, bogs, grasslands and rainforests. At least 35,000 orchid species now populate the planet—and there is always the possibility that unknown species still await discovery.
　　
Orchids attract pollinators for reproduction by several ingenious methods: scent, mimicry and stealth. Orchids with sweet scents usually attract bees; those with a rancid smell lure flies. The orchid can also draw pollinators through visual mimicry, imitating insects including bees and butterflies with the patterns on its petals. A third technique is stealth. The slipper orchid lures a prospective pollinator to the edge of its slippery pouch, and the insect falls in. When it finds the single exit, it brushes against the pollinia. Some orchids are pollinated by crawling insects, and thus have long petals that brush the ground. And insects alone do not pollinate orchids—small mammals, hummingbirds, bats and the wind also contribute to the survival of the species.
　　
For centuries, the orchid has been a symbol of love, luxury and beauty. To the early Greeks, the orchid represented virility, and the Chinese called it "the plant of the king's fragrance." During the Middle Ages, the orchid was considered an aphrodisiac and was used in love potions. Serious orchid collecting began in the 18th century, but because of their rarity at the time, only a few botanists and wealthy amateurs could enjoy them. In 1818, William Cattley became the first person to bloom an orchid (the Cattleya, top photo), an event that changed the flower world forever. Forests were stripped of millions of orchids, putting many on endangered species lists. A single orchid sold for thousands of dollars. This practice has since been banned, and species are now bred and cultivated specifically for sales.
　　
What will the future bring for Orchidaceae? Its greatest challenges are now those imposed by Man. Will our environmental blockades prove overwhelming? Or will the orchid's resilience, tested over millennia, outlast even our own? In spite of the obstacles to its survival, the orchid will retain its elegance and prehistoric mystery in the minds of all admirers.
　　
Plants are dormant for several weeks after blooming. Continue to care for your orchid normally during this time. Depending on the type of orchid, you may need to cut off the flower stem and surrounding sheath. Other orchids do not need the stem trimmed at all. Be sure to know which orchid you have and its post-bloom process.
　　
If your orchid has been in the same pot for two years or more, it is time to repot during the period in-between blooming. It may be too large for its pot or the medium in which it is planted may have overly decomposed. Be gentle and repot the orchid in osmunda fiber, fir bark, gravel, peat moss, or another material good for growing orchids. This should give it a good start on its next period of growth and new blooms.

Carnations To Your Mom For Her Unique And Self-Giving Love

Most men I know are constantly searching for the perfect ways to remind the ladies in their lives that they are truly important and unique. And while I am so grateful that my better half, father, brothers and other men realize that women need to experience special and appreciated. We've often witnessed and skilled failed attempts at being treated. I've finally got my husband to understand that as soon as in doubt, go for a carnation.

Carnations are beautiful flowers which are widely recognized by most people. The flowers are classified as Dianthus caryophyllus, when translated, means "flower of the gods" or "flower of love". It was known in Rome as "Jove's Flower", after a beloved Roman God. They are native to the Eastern Hemisphere and are naturally found in the Mediterranean region. Today, these flowers can be found in a wide range of colors. There are approximately 300 species in the genus. White carnations were first presented to mothers on Mother's Day in 1908. During the first official Mother's Day service at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church (Grafton, West Virginia), 500 white carnations - sent by Miss Jarvis - were distributed amongst the mothers present.

As with roses, carnations hold a deeper meaning and contextual significance beyond their obvious aesthetic attraction. Carnations are often used for a specific national occasion in the United States and Canada, namely Mothers Day. Carnations are worn to represent a mothers love, a notion which is often attributed to Christian Legend. The legend goes that carnations appeared during the time of Christs crucifixion as Marys tears touched the ground. In the UK carnations hold further meaning depending on the colour of the flower given. It has been suggested that receipt of a red carnation represents a message of longing for another or missing them, receipt of white carnation says the sender is still available, and a yellow carnation can mean rejection or disdain.

However, once again it is interesting to look to how the flower is used and understood in different contexts and cultures. In Korea for example carnations are used as a way of looking into the future: young girls stack carnations in their hair to the end that if the bottom one dies first then it means all her life will be hard for her, if the middle one dies it means her middle age will be difficult, and if the top one dies it means only the later years of her life will be problematic. Elsewhere in the world, in Mexico, carnations take on a somewhat different role in that they are known as the flowers of the dead, and are placed around a corpse before burial.

In examining just two of the numerous variety of flowers we have in the UK it has been revealed that in going beyond the attractive petals, flowers often hold a symbolic meaning based on certain myths and historical events which can differ amongst different cultures.

In many parts of the world the red and pink carnations are used for expressing love and gratitude toward parents on Parents Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day. Sometimes, you see people wear a corsage of carnations on their left lapels, especially on Parents Day. The flower also honors teachers on Teacher's Day. Students, past and present, express their admiration and gratitude to their teachers with carnations.

The name carnation is synonymous with 'admiration' 'love' and 'gratitude'. According to a popular Christian legend, carnations first appeared as Jesus carried the cross to Mount Calvary. While his blessed mother, Mary shed tears at Jesus' plight, carnations sprang up from where her tears fell! This is why the pink carnation is considered a symbol of a mother's undying love. In 1907 it was chosen as the emblem of Mother's Day. The market for the carnation flowers is gaining in popularity all over the world and the flowers have found a niche for themselves at recognized outlets.

Get Ideas On How To Make Flower Arrangements For Weddings

Flowers are essential elements of wedding decorations. The color and scent of flowers add beauty to the wedding and make it memorable. Flowers form an integral part of the wedding, spreading their beauty everywhere, in the form of bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages and even table centerpieces at wedding receptions. There are tons of ideas on how to make flower arrangements for weddings. Here are some of them:

Flower Arrangements for Weddings

Decide the color theme of the wedding. Flower arrangements should go with the wedding color. Fix the wedding flowers budget and choose the flowers accordingly. You will find flowers matching the color theme of the wedding. For a red colored wedding theme, you can choose roses, gerberas, tulips, anthuriums, etc. Flowers such as hydrangeas, berries, veronicas, blue orchids go well with blue color theme. Select flowers that fit your budget. You can use artificial flowers to match the exact color. Wedding flower arrangements require experience as it involves a lot of work. One has to remove the outer petals of the flower and water the flowers to keep them misted for a fresh look. For wedding flower arrangements, you can take help of florists or you can do it yourself.

Wedding Flower Arrangements - How to Make Flower Arrangements for Weddings

If you have decided to shoulder the responsibilities for flower arrangements for weddings, then gather the things that are required for wedding flower arrangements. You will require floral tape, floral moss, flower preservative, ribbon, glue and vases, and most envious flowers. Most flower arrangements incorporate a focal flower (big flowers that would be the focus of the arrangement) and filler flowers (these are the small flowers used to fill the space around the focal flower). Some flower arranging tips that you can use are:

Vertical Arrangement: This can be an excellent arrangement in a medium size container. For this arrangement, cut the tallest stem of flowers or leaves to three times of the height of the container. Using hot glue stick the foam in the vase. Place the tall stems in the vase surrounded by the focal flowers in the diameter of the vase. If required, use filler flowers to fill the space. This arrangement requires tall stem of flowers and leaves like roses, tulips and carnations. Use forget-me-not as filler flowers.

Horizontal Arrangement: For horizontal arrangement of flowers, use a shallow vase. Stick the foam in the vase and position the stem of leaves horizontally at the sides of the vase. Place the focal flower in the middle of the vase. Use foliage and filler flowers in and around the focal flowers to fill the vase. A single focal flower is used in this kind of an arrangement, mainly roses.

L Shape Arrangement: As the name suggests, flowers are arranged in a L shape. Secure the foam in the container and arrange the leaves or flowering stems in a L shape. Insert focal flowers within the L shape stems and add filler flowers to give it a symmetrical and well-balanced look. Flowers used for this arrangement are roses, gladiola, birds of paradise, etc.

Crescent Arrangement: A bowl type container is best suited for this arrangement. Glue the foam in the container. Take a stem of leaves or flowers and bend it to give it a curved shape. Now place this curved stem in the container in such a manner, that a 'C' shape is formed. To give the arrangement a balanced look, insert the focal flower in the lower end and in the middle of the container. Fill the vase with filler flowers all around the focal flowers. Flowers with flexible stems like carnations and gladiola can be used in such arrangements.

Oval Arrangement: One of the ideas used for flower arrangements in weddings is the oval arrangement. Stick the foam to the container. Determine the height that you want for your arrangement to have. Use light colored flowers or leaves and foliage to give the outer edge of the oval shape. Add the brightest color flower in the focal area. Fill flowers and leaves around the focal flowers, to complete the oval shape. Roses are popularly used for this kind of arrangement.

Triangular Arrangement: For a triangular arrangement, take the leaves or flowering stems. Determine the vertical height and horizontal width and paste foam in the container. Position stems to make the triangular shape. Place focal flowers in the middle of the arrangement and fill the space around with filler flowers and foliage in keeping with the triangular shape. Use roses, carnation, anthuriums, daisies or chrysanthemums as the focal flowers and yellow peacock, white peacock or forget-me-not as filler flowers.

The 'S' Shape or Hogarth's Arrangement: This arrangement is shaped like a 'S', popularly known as lazy S and also known as Hogarth curve, after the English painter William Hogarth, who came up with this design. For this arrangement, stick the foam in the container. Use a pedestal or flat container. Gently bend the leaves or flowers stem, and place them in 'S' shape. Place focal flower along the lines of the upper and lower curves. Retaining the 'S' shape, fill the space with filler flowers and foliage. You can use fern, eucalyptus or cedar to make the 'S' shape curve.

Now, that you have an idea on how to make flower arrangements for weddings, you can opt for any of these wedding flower arrangement ideas, to come up with your dream flower arrangement creation. You can be creative and use your imagination for wedding flower arrangement ideas that will be the cynosure of the wedding. So, go ahead and make sure that you have the most beautiful flower arrangement on your wedding!

Spring Flowers Add Color To The Landscape

Spring indicates a season of new beginnings and delights after a long winter. It is an ideal time for weddings and nature trips, as numerous flowers are found everywhere throughout the season. For students and researchers, spring is the best time to study the exciting names and varieties of spring flowers. The names of spring flowers are as appealing and intoxicating as the fragrance of some of them. The flowers are found in varied colors, sizes, and shapes. Spring flowers make beautiful decorations, striking centerpieces, and enhance the romantic feeling of weddings. Spring flowers add color to the landscape. Daffodils, Oxeye Daisies, Dianthuses and Thymes list among the most popular names of spring flowers.

Daffodils are wonderful flowers that herald the beginning of spring. Daffodils, in their yellow glory, complement other flower combinations and are well suited for decorations.

Oxeye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) and Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are drought resistant, dependable, beautiful, and simple flowers that bloom in spring.

Other names of spring flowers that stand out prominently are Dianthuses, which come in a wide range of pretty colors and Pink Evening Primroses, with the scientific name Oenothera speciosa. Pink Evening Primroses usually bloom in early spring and look attractive in lawns. Rose mallows (Lavatera trimestris) have large petals resembling dinner plates. Coral honeysuckles grow tall and have tubular flowers.

Thymes spread quickly and have dainty evergreen leaves, which exude fragrance as one walks among the weeds. Most of the varieties are only a few inches tall. Columbine are perennials that live for a short period and produce a large number of seeds. Candytufts (Iberis umbellataare) are small perennials with numerous attractive flowers.

There are so many different spring flowers to choose from, you have to decide if you want your garden to be matching in color, style or simply a mix of your favorite flowers. The main colors of the flowers at this time of year are blue, orange, yellow, pink, purple and even white. Although be careful when planting white flowers. If you get a frost they can go brown and look unattractive.

Planning is essential. If you want a spring garden, you will need to begin planting certain flowers in the fall. Bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and alliums need be in the ground by this time of year. Tulips and hyacinths can be planted later, usually just after the first frosts to ensure they survive and have the best chance of living. Ensure that you purchase bulbs that are firm and dry, the larger the better as these are more mature and likely to root well. Avoid any bulbs that have already begun to sprout greenery; these are past their planting stage.

Plant your bulbs immediately after you have bought them. Bulbs like a warm, sunny spot in your garden. They need good drainage and healthy soil; the bulbs will simply rot if they are in wet heavy soil. Planting depth should be about two times deeper than the actual bulb, with a distance of the same between them. If you plant the bulbs too deep or too shallow they will flower badly, or not at all. Make sure that you plant the bulb the right way up. Although this sounds very simple, with some varieties it is hard to tell which way is the right way. If you look very closely then you will be able to see roots. If you are really struggling then plant them on their sides and let nature work it out.

For a very dramatic flower bed, planting in bulk will cause a lovely effect and will look stunning when they are all flowering. A simple bit of a different color will cause a great effect in the flowerbed. Spring flowers are an ideal way to brighten up boring areas of your garden. By planting bright flowers around the base of trees and pots you can make areas prettier. If you want a natural look to your garden simply throw the bulbs and where they land, plant them.

A common mistake made is that people forget where they have planted the bulbs. If you are concerned about this then you can always plant in pots and containers. You can pack bulbs tighter in a container and this will give a very full flower display which will look amazing. Where ever you decide to plant your flowers, come spring your garden will be the envy of your neighbors. By spending some time planning you will achieve great results.