365 Days of Floral Education - Days 296 - 300

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 296 – King protea are the largest single bloomed commercially available flower in the world. Proteas are usually shipped closed to protect the blooms, so be sure to hydrate them 3 to 4 days to reveal the massive 15cm to 25cm blooms. You read right, that's 6 to 10 inches! These beauties are not only stunning but also one of the longest lasting flowers on the market today.

Day 297 – Clematis is a genus within the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. Their garden hybrids have been popular among gardeners and their cut flowers look beautiful in fresh flower designs. The genus name is from Ancient Greek clématis, ("a climbing plant"). There are over two hundred and fifty species and cultivars, often named for their originators or particular characteristics. This variety of Clematis is called Dr. Rupple.

Day 298 - The entire genus of Clematis contain essential oils and compounds which are extremely irritating to the skin and mucous membranes and the compounds in clematis cause internal bleeding of the digestive tract if ingested in large amounts. Some varieties are essentially toxic. When pruning them, it's a good idea to wear gloves. Despite its toxicity, Native Americans used very small amounts of clematis as an effective treatment for migraine headaches and nervous disorders. It was also used as an effective treatment of skin infections. Leaf extracts from two Ethiopian are used locally to treat ear disorders and eczema. Phytochemical screening of the extracts from both of these species showed antibacterial and antifungal activity. This variety of Clematis is called Pinky.

Day 299 - Hibiscus flowers can be eaten, but the best way to use hibiscus is to make an infused tea. Just take ten or so flowers and soak them in hot water. Add lime for flavor and enjoy. Drinking it cold is just as delicious as hot, so for a nice summer day, put it on ice!

Day 300 - The millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for both human food and fodder. In the US millet varieties are primarily grown as bird food. We begin seeing it at the flower shop late summer and into autumn, using it to add a lovely rustic touch to cut flower bouquets.

365 Days of Floral Education - Days 191 - 195

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 191 - The name Shampoo Ginger comes from the peculiar trait that if rubbed, it will release a “shampoo like” smell. It produces flowers that come out on the cone that must be taken off as they will rot and turn the cone mushy and smelly. At the beginning of the season, the cones are yellowish and small and produce the least amount of flowers. Later on the cones grow taller and yellow, and at the end of the season they are peach, and it produces more flowers.

Day 192 - Pincushion protea are one of the longest lasting flower varieties available. With proper care, they last a minimum of 15 days!

 

 

 

Day 193 - Cut Hypericum berries start out as a yellow flowering shrub and the berries only develop after the flower fades away…..a little like your grandmother’s rose hips… It takes almost 8 months from planting to berry stage to produce a single stem of florist quality berried Hypericum!

Day 194 - The common name for Hypericum is St John’s Wort and it is widely available in health food stores as a homeopathic remedy for ailments such as depression and as a natural antibiotic.

 

Day 195 - Heliconia flowers are almost exclusively pollinated by Hummingbirds, and sometimes bats too, in Costa Rica.

365 Day of Floral Education - Days 106 - 110

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 106 – The red rose has long been the traditional Valentine's Day flower. The red rose is also the favorite rose of Venus, goddess of love and that is the main reason the red rose has the meaning of passion and love, making it a Valentine favorite.




Day 107 - The gerbera daisy was discovered in 1884 near Barberton, South Africa, by Scotsman Robert Jameson. While the flower's scientific name, Gerbera jamesonii, recollects the name of its founder, the meaning of its common name draws from German naturalist Traugott Gerber. Breeding programs that began in England in 1890 enhanced the flower's quality and color variations. The gerbera daisy's popularity soon traveled to growers in the Netherlands which, along with Columbia, is the primary distributor of the flower's cut version today. The gerbera currently ranks as the fifth most popular flower in the world behind the rose, carnations, chrysanthemum, and tulip.

Day 108 - Hardy cacti and other succulent plants are accustomed to desert conditions and prefer bright, indirect light or direct sun. Water them thoroughly and evenly, allowing them to dry out completely in between waterings. If the soil becomes too hard and causes water to run off, place the pot in water just to cover the soil, and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.

Day 109 - Calla lily plants thrive in slightly cool, sunny spots, especially after their blooms open. Check their soil frequently and keep it moist but not soggy. These bulb-like plants grow from rhizomes, and when they're finished blooming, you can plant them outdoors in mild climates. They need a winter rest period before reblooming, so allow them to dry out over the winter.

Day 110 – Among the oldest families of flowers on earth, dating back 300 million years, Greek legend tells us that protea were named after Proteus, the son of Poseidon. A sea god who had the power to know all things past, present and future, Proteus was defiant and preferred to nap on the island of Pharos rather than prophesize. To deter those seeking his insights, he would change his shape at will, and it’s said that the protea flower was named after him, because it too presents itself in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes, hues and textures to make up more than 1,400 varieties. With its mythological associations to change and transform, it’s not surprising that in the language of flowers, protea symbolizes diversity and courage.