Ailing Houseplants

Identifying And Treating Pests of Flowering Plants

Have you noticed lately that your houseplant has been starting to brown or is slow at producing new growth. This might be a sign that your flower bouquet is being attacked by pests. It is very common for what seems to be a healthy flower to fall victim to pests. But before you go and buy flowers online try to treat your floral arrangement. The first step in doing so should be identifing the menace.

Mealybugs:
Mealybugs are easy to identify because of the white wax that their body produces as a protective shield. You can find mealybugs hiding in the crevices and undersides of your flower's stems and leaves. They almost look like little balls of cotton with tiny legs.

Treatment:
If it is a small infestation of mealybugs, it is best to treat your plant with a natural remedy. Dip a q-tip into rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the mealybugs. They will immediately turn brown and die. You can then gently wipe them off of the plant. If there are more than a few mealybugs, it is best to treat your flower with an insecticidal soap. Since mealybugs like to hide in the crevices of the flower, be sure to apply the soap to the entire flower. You can then rinse off the mealybugs with water. If you don't treat your flowers you could always sign up for flower of the month club.

Aphids:
Characteristically, aphids are green and black with two tubes coming out of the ends of their bodies. The are small in size and typically leave behind a trail of sticky residue.

Treatment:
Aphids are best treated with an insecticidal soap. The process might have to be repeated several times before the flower is treated.

Spider Mites:
Spider mites are extremely small in size, about the size of a ballpoint at the end of a pen, therefore, sometimes making them hard to see on the flowers. In order to tell if your flower is being affected by spider mites, gently shake the leaves of the flower over a piece of white paper. If there are spider mites on your flower, you will see small black dots fall onto the white paper.

Treatment:
In order to control spider mites, spraying the flower with a stream of water every couple of days over a period of two weeks should minimize the infestation. If it seems like the mites are coming back, you will have to treat the flower with a horticultural oil.

Whiteflies:
Whiteflies look exactly as their name suggests. Although in their younger stage, whiteflies will attach themselves to the undersides of your flower's leaves, sometimes making them easy to overlook.

Treatment:
To get rid of adult whiteflies, place a sticky fly tape near the flower. If you notice whiteflies are on the undersides of the flower's leaves, you will have to treat the flower with an insecticidal soap.

If you do happen to loose a flower its easy to order flowers online and have the flowers delivered directly to your doorstep.

Remember, the sooner you get rid of pests, the easier it will be to maintain your flower arrangement.

Green Statues

Topiary Sculptures Large And Small

Throughout the world there are gardens full of these giant green sculptures called topiaries. The art of growing and shaping plants into sculptures has been around since Julius Caesar and the Romans. Most homes during this time featured an atrium, or indoor garden, where these sculptures were grown and admired. Because of their elegance and sometimes whimsical nature, topiaries can still be found in public gardens all over the world. You can also add these live green sculptures to your own garden. Most garden centers or nurseries sell pre-groomed topiaries in a variety of shapes and sizes. For those of you that enjoy topiaries but do not have the patience or time to groom the larger ones, you can purchase smaller, indoor topiaries like the ones below:

Grand Gardenia Topiary


Jasmine Heart Topiary


Ivy Heart Topiary


Belladonna Topiary


Any plant that has a long woody stem can be trained as a topiary. Ivy, holly, gardenia, jasmine and rosemary work well indoors and boxwood, yew, and myrtle work well as outdoor topiaries. Most indoor topiaries require bright to medium light and evenly moist soil. You can maintain their shape by trimming any new growth. Be sure to rotate the plant weekly to ensure full, even growth.

If you would like to see some of the larger topiary sculptures, there is a garden in Newport, RI called Green Animals Topiary Garden, that features unicorns, giraffes, elephants and more. Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden in Bishopville, South Carolina features many distinct abstract topiary sculptures. There is always the famous Levens Hall Topiary Garden in England.

Valentine's Day Is Two Days Away!

It's not too late to order flowers for Valentine's Day. Calyx Flowers will be taking orders up until 2pm EST on Tuesday, February 13th. They offer a variety of floral bouquets and luxury gifts that are guaranteed to please any recipient and melt her heart. Whether you send her a bouquet of roses, or a box of chocolates, you can be assured that they will arrive to her satisfaction.

To bring you truly superior blooms, Calyx Flowers partners with growers worldwide - and sends your order straight to the source. Since their blooms don’t lose their glory in a truck or cooler, they last 5 to 10 days longer than most.

Calyx Flowers' specially designed Weather WrapTM surrounds your bouquet in a protective cushion, while temperature packs maintain ideal conditions during transit. Your flowers arrive as exquisite as the moment they were picked.

Calyx Flowers also guarantees your flowers will arrive fresh and perfect on the date you specify. There’s simply no easier or more reliable way to send the very best flowers the world has to offer!

See what their customers are saying:

Calyx & Corolla never disappoints. The flowers are fresh, unique, packaged with care, delivered on time and in peak condition. I have been buying extraordinary floral expressions from Calyx & Corolla for more than 10 years—I no longer look anywhere else when I want to send the best.
- Steve Basil, Austin, TX


I will not shop for flowers anywhere else. This company is the best hands down. The flowers arrive looking just like they do in the picture. I’m a customer for life!
– Christopher S. Fraser, West Hollywood, CA


I love your flowers and have received four different arrangements from your company over the past year. Your vases are beautiful. Your flowers are spectacular! EVERYONE always comments on how lovely they are. Thanks for spreading so much happiness!
– Doug Lee, New York, NY


Calyx and Corolla has most exquisite floral offerings I’ve ever seen!
- Pat Prescott, Los Angeles, CA


Over the years I have always found the floral selections from Calyx & Corolla, whether cut flowers or a potted plant, to be exceptional in quality and presentation. And I love the many compliments that I receive every time I use their service. Always first class!
- Rona Carr, New York, NY


I’ve shopped with you for many years…always a lovely experience. Always lovely flowers that my friends and family truly enjoy.
- Deborah A. Muchmore, Laingsburg, MI


The products are second to none. All of the flowers & gifts are simply elegant.
- Andrea Giroux, Frederick, MD


I have used Calyx and Corolla since 1999 with consistently outstanding results. I never order flowers from anywhere else. Incredible product and outstanding service and long lasting flowers translate into memorable gifts for over 8 years.
- Qanta Ahmed, Charleston, SC


Calyx & Corolla has the most wonderful selection and is always my first choice when sending flowers for any occasion.
- Rachel Maloney, Lawrenceville, GA

Red Roses, Pink Roses, Yellow Roses: The Symbolism of Colors

For as long as there has been the tradition of giving flowers to loved ones, there has been a belief that certain colors of flowers symbolize different meanings. During the Victorian Era, flowers were sent to convey secret messages of desire and admiration. Although modern technologies, like cell phones and computers, provide alternate means of expressing our feelings, sending flowers is still a practiced custom in expressing our emotions. An unexpected phone message saying "I love you," is appreciated and will put a smile on her face, but a beautiful bouquet of roses will warm her heart for days.

So, before you order your flowers for Valentine's Day, be sure that the roses you are sending are conveying the appropriate message:

	Red: Love, passion, romance.
	Dark Pink: Admiration, gratitude.
	Light Pink: Admiration, sympathy, gentleness.
	Burgundy: Unconscious beauty.
	Lavender: Love at first sight, enchantment.
	Orange: Desire, Passion.
	Yellow: Joy, friendship, congratulations.
	White: Unity, new love, innocence, honor.

While color should be taken into consideration when sending Valentine's Day flowers, you should also consider the symbolism associated with the number of stems in the bouquet.

• A single rose says "I love you" and "You are the one."
• Two roses symbolize mutual love.
• Three roses symbolize unity and a new relationship or marriage.
• Six roses say "I want to be yours."
• One dozen roses say "Be mine, and only mine."
• Thirteen roses symbolize a secret admiration.
• Fifteen roses ask for forgiveness.
• Two dozen roses say "I can't stop thinking about you."
• Three dozen roses symbolize your romance towards each other.
• Fifty roses profess your undying love.
• One hundred roses symbolize your everlasting relationship.
• One-hundred-one roses say "Please marry me!"

A Man's Guide To Valentine's Day

Although every day of the year should be used to express your love and appreciation to people who are important to you, Valentine's Day is the one day when we are highly encouraged to express our love through thoughtful gifts of flowers and candy, and plenty of hugs and kisses.

While women greatly appreciate the traditional gifts of roses and chocolates on Valentine's Day, it is always nice to receive a unique and memorable gift on this special day. Rather than just handing your loved one a bouquet of flowers and giving her a kiss on the cheek, surprise her this year with something different, something that she will remember for years. Now is the time to start planning for the special day and here are a few helpful tips and romantic ideas that are sure to take her breath away:

Choosing the Flowers:

Even though Valentine's Day seems like it's still a ways away, it is best to place your flower order now to ensure that the flowers will be in stock and delivered on time.




Color.
Instead of giving her the typical bouquet of one dozen red roses, try something new. Choose a different color or even a mixture of colors. If you are having trouble with picking a color, find out what her favorite color is, or try and match her personality. If she is spontaneous and care free, then choose a brighter color like a hot pink or orange. If she is quiet and gentle, choose a light pink or white. If she is strong and intense, choose a darker color like a deep red or burgundy. If she likes tradition and would prefer red roses, choose a bouquet that has other flowers mixed in, or display them in an elegant vase.

Flower.
Although roses are the number one flower for Valentine's Day, a variety of other flowers fit the occasion. If you are sending flowers to relatives, like a sister or mother, roses might not be appropriate. Instead, choose a less structured flower, like a nice bouquet of orchids or tulips. A mixed bouquet of roses and green leaves are a little less formal and appropriate for relatives and friends. If you are in a new relationship and this is your first Valentine's Day together, then a traditional bouquet of red roses would be appropriate, but if you have celebrated many Valentine's Days together, a break from tradition is a nice surprise. Splurge and show her that she is still the most important person in your life and send a large mixed bouquet, a large luxury bouquet of roses, or send her the same flowers you had at your wedding or the same flowers you gave her on your first date.

Price And Quantity.
It might seem silly to spend so much money on a bouquet of flowers, but remember that your loved one will greatly appreciate the gift. Valentine's Day only comes around once a year. Although it's tempting to cut your cost and just buy a bouquet from your local grocer, in doing so, you are choosing price over quality. The flowers might look okay when you purchase them, but they will quickly deteriorate once they are brought home. Buying flowers from a qualified delivery service will not only provide guaranteed quality, but it will also provide great customer service. If you're having trouble picking out a bouquet to send to your loved one, the qualified associates are always willing to provide answers and input. If price is an issue, there are always other options for less expensive bouquets. If you can't afford to purchase 100 roses, a smaller quantity will do. Remember, presentation is sometimes more important than what you are presenting.

Presentation.
If you want to have the flowers delivered directly to her, surprise her and have them sent to her workplace. Or if they are being sent to her home, don't forget to include a personal note expressing your love and appreciation. If you would really like to impress her, have the flowers sent to you. You can then remove the flowers from their packaging and place them in a nice vase. Show her your crafty side and present the flowers in a playful manner:

• Find two glass vases of similar shape (square or rectangle works best), one larger than the other.
• Place the flowers in the smaller vase with warm water.
• Place the smaller vase with the flowers in it, inside the larger vase.
• Fill in the empty space in the larger vase with some small conversational hearts.
• You now have a unique display for her Valentine flowers.

Additional Ideas:

• Send your loved one a unique valentine through the mail. Loveland, CO provides a unique service every Valentine's Day. If you enclose your pre-stamped, pre-addressed Valentine with return address in a large 1st class envelope to Loveland, they will stamp your envelope with a short poem and a small heart and send it on its way. Send to:

Postmaster
Attn: Valentines
Loveland, CO 80538-9998

• Surprise her in the morning by drawing a heart on top of her coffee with chocolate. Add some whipped cream or steamed milk to the top and squeeze some chocolate syrup in the shape of a heart on top and serve immediately.
• If you'd rather stay in for the night, rent some classic romantic movies, like 'Casablanca', 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' or 'When Harry Met Sally...' , and lay a blanket down on the floor and have a picnic basket filled with wine and cheese, and a small bouquet of flowers.
• If you want to bring her on a romantic date, but want to do something other than dinner and a movie, take her to a wine tasting event.

Please share your ideas by commenting to this post below.

Orchids

Most people are intimidated by the thought of owning and caring for an orchid because of their delicate and intricate appearance. Don't be! Orchids are just like any other houseplant, all they need is water, light and a little TLC.

About Orchids:

Orchids are the largest group of flowering plants with around 30,000 species and 800 genera. Although most varieties of orchids are grown in tropical regions, like Asia, South America and Central America, they do grow in a variety of other regions, like the Arctic Circle and Patagonia as well. Because there are so many different varieties, it is sometimes hard to identify an orchid species, making it even more complicated in differentiating between the species that are endangered, and those that aren't.

Selecting An Orchid:

In selecting an orchid for your home or office, keep in mind the conditions that you are providing for your plant. Different varities of orchids require different levels of light and temperature. If you are a first time orchid buyer, consider the phalaenopsis (or moth) orchid. It requires less light and does well in average household temperatures. Below are some other common orchid varieties to fit a variety of conditions:

• Dendrobium orchids do well in bright light and produce lots of flowers.
• Paphiopedilum (Lady Slipper) orchids do well in moderate light and mild temperatures.
• Miltonia (Pansy) orchids do well in medium light.
• Oncidium (Butterfly) orchids do best in bright light.

Caring For Orchids:

• Place your orchid in the appropriate light as listed above.
• Keep your orchid evenly moist, the roots should never be dry. Water once or twice a week, but be sure that the roots are not soggy. Take the orchid out of basket or cachepot to water and drain.
• Orchids require 40-50% humidity. Misting the leaves or placing a tray filled with rocks and a small amount of water under the orchid will help increase humidity.
• Fertilize once a month with a balanced orchid food at ½ strength.
• If the roots of your orchid look overcrowded in its current pot, or the pot looks too big for the plant, you will need to repot the orchid in an appropriately sized pot. Most garden stores sell specific pots for orchids. Be sure to repot your orchid in orchid-specific potting mix.

Combat Indoor Allergies

While we close up our homes to prepare for the cold winter months, we lock out fresh air, trapping in stale, polluted air. Rather than installing an expensive, and sometimes ineffective, air purifying system, simply place a few plants throughout your home.

Plants produce oxygen, which is essential for humans and animals to survive. They also act as filters in neutralizing indoor air pollutants. The most common pollutant in homes is formaldehyde, used as an adhesive in particle and pressed wood and spray insulation. When high concentrations are inhaled, it can irritate the eyes and throat, and in extreme cases, cause cancer. Other common pollutants include, bacteria, fungi, pollen, dust and mold.

For More Information On Formaldehyde And Other Indoor Toxins:

American Lung Association:


Plants can significantly reduce pollutants throughout the home as well as provide a general sense of well-being. Just be cautious when watering your plants; don't let them stand in a pool of water for an extended amount of time and make sure the soil is dampened, not water-logged. This will reduce the chance of mold and fungi forming on your plants and furniture.

Plants:

Aloe Vera: Good for eliminating most indoor toxins, as well as healing minor cuts and burns on the skin.

English Ivy: Good for eliminating toxins from petroleum-based products.

Fig Trees: Good for eliminating formaldehyde.

Chrysanthemum: Good for eliminating toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia.

Spider Plants: Exceptional for eliminating formaldehyde.

Chinese Evergreen, Bamboo Palm and Lilies: Good for eliminating many toxic materials.