365 Days of Floral Education - Days 291 - 295

As part of our 125^th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 291 – Celosia is used as a treatment for intestinal worms (particularly tapeworm), blood diseases, mouth sores, eye problems. The seeds treat chest complaints and the flowers treat diarrhea. The leaves are used as dressings for boils and sores, and the boiled vegetables are said to be slightly diuretic.

 

Day 292 - Orchids have been used in traditional medicine in an effort to treat many diseases and ailments. They have been used as a source of herbal remedies in China since 2800 BC. Gastrodia elata is one of the three orchids listed in the earliest known Chinese Materia Medica. This variety of dendrobium orchid is called Galaxy.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 293 - The underground tubers of some terrestrial orchids are ground to a powder and used for cooking, such as in the hot beverage salep or in the Turkish frozen treat dondurma.  The dried leaves of some orchid varieties are used to flavor rum on Reunion Island. And some orchid species of the group Gastrodia produce potato-like tubers and were consumed as food by native peoples in Australia and can be successfully cultivated. This variety of dendrobium orchid is called Fuji.

Day 294 – Huckleberry grows as a shrub and is part of the heath family of plants. Huckleberries were traditionally an important part of the diet of many Native American tribes of North America, including the Crow tribe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 295 – Lily grass lends itself well to a myriad of floral designs, whether in long blades or twisted and looped into contemporary designs. There are 2 widely used species:  Liriope, which was the name of Narcissus' mother and she was a fountain nymph, and Ophiopogon, which is from the Greek "ophis" (a snake) and "pogon" (a beard).

365 Days of Floral Education - Days 286 - 290

As part of our 125^th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 286 - Asplenium nidus is an epiphytic species of fern, commonly referred to as bird’s nest fern. An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant (such as a tree) non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object (such as a building), derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and sometimes from debris accumulating around it. It’s fun and funky leaves lend well to tropical and contemporary designs.

Day 287 – Silky gold asclepias is a yellow form of Milkweed from South America. A garden must for attracting Monarch butterflies; Asclepias is the sole food source for Monarch caterpillars. Three-inch long clusters of golden-yellow summer flowers are displayed against yellow-green lance-shaped leaves. This well-behaved plant needs little attention and mixes beautifully with other tall perennials. Popular as a cut flower.

Day 288 - Heat up your floral arrangements and garden with ornamental peppers! Much like hot peppers you would grow in the veggie garden, ornamental peppers produce colorful little fruits that are round or pointed. But these are so attractive in their own right that they can be grown just for show -- not eating. The peppers are indeed edible, but usually their flavor is lacking compared to peppers grown for the table (we’ve tried them, they still have a kick!). Depending on the variety, the peppers appear in shades of white, green, purple, red, orange, and yellow -- often with multiple colors on the same plant. They like rich, well-drained soil that is evenly moist.

Day 289 - Celosia is a small genus of edible and ornamental plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek word κηλος (kelos), meaning "burned," and refers to the flame-like flower heads.

Day 290 – Hang eucalyptus in your shower, the steam will release beneficial oils. These oils not only work as an antiseptic, but they help to reduce stress, aid mental clarity, enhance your mood, are good for your respiratory health and are an anti-inflammatory.