Exotic Tropical Plumeria Flowers Plants

Plumeria, also known as Frangipani by many, is a member of the Apocynaceae family which is commonly called dogbane family. This dogbane family consists of about 200 genera and more than 2000 species. Members of this family of flowering tropical plants are often found in subtropical and tropical regions of the world and include trees, shrubs, herbs and lianas.

All members of this family have a milky sap, latex, which can be seen flowing when parts of the plant are cut or injured. Many of the flowers are fragrant and generally include 5 petals. Adenium, Allamanda, Catharanthus, Mandevilla, Nerium oleander and Thevetia are well known members of the Apocynaceae family. The Asclepiadaceae family, which includes Asclepias tuberosa and Stephanotis, has been combined with the Apocynaceae family by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, APG.

These tropical plants can grow to different heights depending on the variety, ranging from 3 to 6 feet for dwarfs to 40 feet tall. Most plumerias are deciduous in their native habitats during the shorter days of the year, except varieties of Plumeria obtusa, which keep most of their leaves all year long.

It is possible for Plumerias to be rooted, grown, and flowering all year long under grow lights indoors when proper growing conditions are provided, including proper potting medium, fertilizer, humidity, temperature and air flow.

During the summer months these tropical beauties can grow and flower outdoors as far north as Alaska and Sweden. Plumerias don't need the tropical sun and constant high temperatures of their natural habitat to produce their exotic flowers. Well flowering plumeria plants need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight a day outdoors or 14 - 16 hours per day indoors under grow lights. Proper fertilization and growing techniques are more important than the tropical sun.

Following is a short list of some proven and tested Plumeria varieties:

● Celadine, produces bright yellow flowers with a white margin that can be up to 3 inches and more in diameter. The flowers have a strong citrus fragrance and excellent keeping quality.
● Hilo Beauty, produces extraordinary deep red flowers, reminding one of red velvet, which can be up to 4 inches in diameter. The flowers have heavy texture, excellent keeping quality and a strong spicy fragrance which becomes even stronger after the flower has been picked.
● India, produces flowers with deep red lines which show up nicely against the yellow to orange background. Flowers have a heavy texture and can be up to 4 inches in diameter. The fragrance of the flowers is very sweet and keeping quality is very good.
● Kauka Wilder, produces exotic flowers which are a combination of red and yellow which results in extraordinary vibrant flowers. Flowers are up to 3 inches and more across and have a very sweet fragrance. This plumeria flowers early and easily.
● Kimo, is called the "Chameleon" because it changes the color and the intensity of its flowers dramatically depending on where it's grown. The orange flowers are heavily overlapping and almost form a circle. The flowers have a delightful sweet fragrance, heavy texture and good keeping quality.
● Kuleana, is one Plumeria not often seen, but its well worth mentioning.The yellow petals moderately overlap and show some pink towards the tips. The flowers are sweetly scented and have an excellent keeping quality.
● Lucky Star, produces rainbow colored flowers which are between 3 and 3 ½ inches in diameter. The center of the flower is red from which pink, red and yellow bleed into the petals with one side of the petals being dark pink. The fragrance of the flowers is sweet and keeping quality is very good.
● Lurline, produces exotic flowers which are a combination of orange and red on yellow. The outer edges and tips of the petals show some purple. The flowers are up to 4 inches in diameter and have a very good keeping quality. The fragrance is spicy and flower production continues for many months.
● Neon Lights, is an often overlooked Plumeria producing vibrantly pink colored flowers. The word "neon" is a perfect fit for the flowers which are about 3 inches in diameter, have a sweet fragrance and excellent keeping quality. The flowers have a reddish center from which some yellow and gold "bleeds" into the petals.
● Samoan Fluff, produces 3 ½ inches white flowers with a small yellow center. This plumeria produces full inflorescences of sweetly scented flowers which have a very good keeping quality.
● Tomlinson, is an excellent easy to grow plumeria producing pink and white flowers with a small yellow center. Flowers are around 3 inches in diameter, have a sweet fragrance and very good keeping quality.
● Waimea, produces breathtaking orange red flowers which can turn deep red depending on where this plumeria is grown. Flowers are up to 3 ½ inches in diameter, have a sweet fragrance and good keeping quality.

Flowering Plumeria plants reward gardeners many times over for the work involved in growing them with their unique individual colors, fragrances and beauty.

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Beautiful Autumn Garden Flowers

The well-tended autumn garden can delight with a wonderful display of colour before winter sets in. The autumn garden can be rich with flowers, the colours much deeper than the pastel shades of spring; calendulas and marigolds, dahlias, showy chrysanthemums and Michaelmas daisies all making a contribution.

Two types of flowers are seen in autumn. There are the real autumn flowers and then the summer flowers that have lingered on. There will be a few annual larkspurs, scabiosas, busy lizzies, lobelia and others still making a showing. Clematis paniculata is an autumn blooming vine and white Japanese anemones will appreciate a backdrop of rich red Virginia creeper.

Japanese anemones are one of the most desirable autumn flowers and they flourish in cool, half-shaded places which are often difficult to populate with suitable plants. They can look lovely amongst ferns.

Of the small plants, cyclamen and winter flowering pansies stand out in the autumn. Cyclamen come in a range of rich reds and also white with its variegated leaf. Cyclamen are frost hardy but appreciate a sheltered spot. The winter flowering pansies have striking colours, some are of a single colour, whilst many others are multi-coloured.

Bluish lilac heathers make excellent autumn container plants and will be enhanced by mixing with ivy. Chrysanthemums flower prolifically over a period of several weeks and make a bold contribution to an autumn colour scheme with their rust and gold flowers amongst other colours. And intensely coloured dahlias in their many varieties will beautify any garden until the first frost strikes.

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Colourful Summer Garden Flowers

You may wish to make a few enquiries before planning your Summer garden. Some plants like a lot of sun while some will get killed by it. Depending on where you live, then the amount of sun that gets to your Summer garden may vary widely. You can also create micro-climate zones in your garden. Under a large tree would be great for plants that enjoy shade, while an elevated rock bed would make a great home for succulents or cacti. Most plants have flowers but it's usually the bright and colourful ones we choose for our Summer gardens.

As you purchase and plant your garden, place similar needs plants closer together. That way you can control those micro-climate zones much better. Water is also a factor in this. You may need to supplement certain areas of your garden with additional hand watering. If you can locate these types closer to your house, then you won't have to go our and buy hundreds of extra yards of garden hose! A lot of garden books will offer info on which flowers may be planted together. You will also want to plant flowers that you like so you can pick a lot of bouquets throughout the Summer.

A few suggestions for beautiful flowers are listed below:
● Geraniums. These hardy plants come in a huge variety and will bloom year after year. They can be used in borders or as spots of bright colour. They may also be planted in pots that you can move around.
● Hibiscus. These are hardy tropical shrubs that will come back year after year and they can grow quite tall. They come in many different types and species and colours.
● Marigolds. These is another species of extremely hardy plants. They come in many colours and varieties, bloom year after year, and also, they keep away most bugs as well as deer! The peppery smell and taste is probably their best defence.
● Impatiens. These beautiful flowers love the shade, along with filtered sun. They come in many colours and types and stay fairly small. These would be could for under a large tree garden, but as long as they can get enough light.
● Viola. These are the flowers that look a bit like African Violets. They can be grown in borders or clumps, but are not a full sun plant.
● Mimulus. This is a colourful plant that can tolerate partial sun.
● Lobelia and Ageratum. These beautiful plants have gorgeous blue hues that may add just the right mix to your Summer garden.

This is only a small sampling of the huge variety of plants and shrubs and flowers and even vegetables (ornamental cabbage is one) that you may choose for your Summer garden. Plan your garden before plunging in and buying a lot of plants. There are even computer programs that may help you.

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How to Care for Fresh Flowers

Flowers are beautiful and professionally designed bouquets are especially attractive. Flowers can also carry huge sentimental meaning because they are often given as gifts from people close to us. So it's little wonder that we would want to extend the life of our flowers and enjoy their aesthetic and sentimental beauty for as long as possible.

With proper care and attention most flowers will last around 7 days with some varieties lasting for as long as 14 days. Here are some practical steps to help extend the life of your cut flowers.

Get flowers into water

After only a short time out of water flowers will begin to dehydrate. Therefore it is essential to get flowers into a vase or container of water as quickly as possible. When you first get the flowers home use warm water, not cold or hot, as this is the quickest way to rehydrate the flowers. Warm water will also promote opening of the blooms as most flowers are shipped with the blooms in a closed or tight stage.

Technically speaking the optimum temperature is 37.5C (99.5F), which is roughly body temperature. At this temperature air bubbles, which may have formed in the stem, tend to breakup. Also water that is warmer than the surrounding air is more readily taken up by the flowers.

Change the water regularly

Try to change the water every two days. The flowers should be well hydrated by now so you can use cold water instead of warm. This helps keep the flowers cool which is a key part of keeping flowers in good condition.

Use flower preservatives

Each consignment of Affinity Flowers comes with a sachet of flower preservative. Flower preservative contains two main components, carbohydrates and anti-bacterial additives.

The carbohydrates act as food which helps to sustain the flowers. The carbohydrates will also stimulate flower heads to open quicker. This is handy when you're trying to open flowers that usually ship with tight blooms like lilies.

The bactericide component inhibits bacteria developing in the water. Bacteria laden water will cause flowers to deteriorate quicker. Bacteria is also a problem because it can block flower stems and hinder the uptake of water. If left long enough the bacteria will also discolour the vase water and produce an unpleasant odour.

● Simply empty the contents of the flower preservative sachet into the vase water.

If you don't have flower preservative you could add 1-2 drops of bleach to the water instead. The bleach will act as an anti-bacterial just like the additives in commercial flower preservatives.

Remove leaves that will be under water

This is important as leaves that are below the waterline will deteriorate quickly and become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you have a professionally arranged bouquet you'll find that the leaves have already been removed by the florist. But flowers bought loose or unarranged might still have leaves low on the stem.

Trim the stems

Take a pair of scissors or a sharp knife and trim 2-3cm (1 inch) from the bottom of the stem. Try not to crush the stem while you're doing this. Cut the stem on an angle to increase the surface area exposed to the water. Cutting on an angle also stops the stem sitting flat on the bottom of the vase and blocking water uptake. Once cut immediately place the flowers into water.

Water is sucked up the stem like a straw. If there is anything blocking the straw then it will impede water flow to the head. Over time the end of a stem can become blocked with impurities from the water and bacteria. Also, if a flower has been out of water for any period of time, air will be drawn into the stem which will block its ability to draw water.

● Some florists recommend cutting the stems underwater which prevents air being drawn up the stem.
● Re-cut stems every two days or when you change the water.

Keep flowers cool

Flowers should be kept in cool conditions. Keep them away from direct sunlight, heaters, lamps and other heat sources. Also try not to leave flowers in a hot vehicle when transporting them. This is why specialist flower delivery couriers have chilled storage on-board their vehicles.

Each variety has its own optimal holding temperature but the ideal temperature for most flowers is a chilly 4-5C (39-41F), about the temperature inside your refrigerator. Obviously these aren't ideal temperatures for people but if you really wanted to extend the life of your flowers you could place them in the refrigerator overnight or if you were going to be away for an extended period.

Keep flowers away from fruit

Fruit and vegetables produce ethylene gas which is detrimental to flowers. Carnations and Delphiniums are particularly susceptible. Try to keep flowers away from fruit and vegetables to keep them in good shape.

Similarly domestic gas is also damaging to flowers. There is a story of a flower grower who found it difficult to keep cut flowers on his farm. He suspected his gas supply may have been the cause and a check by a specialist confirmed he had a gas leak on his property.

Keep daffodils separate

The sap exuded from the cut stems of narcissus varieties like daffodils is detrimental to other flowers. No other flowers should share the same water with daffodils or any narcissus varieties.

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Your Wedding Flowers After Your Wedding

You have now spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on flowers for your wedding day. You wouldn't want all of those beautiful flowers to die, so why not preserve them and use them around your home?

You can preserve flowers in a couple of different ways. I will explain the following:
● Professional preservation
● Pressing
● Air drying
● Silica gel

Professional Preservation

Using a professional to preserve your flowers is the most efficient and reliable way to keep your flowers. Professionals usually use the freeze-dry method, also known as lyophilization, which takes approximately four weeks.

Each flower must be placed separately in the freezer. Therefore, the first step to the freeze-drying process is to clip each flower individually. The stems should be about one inch tall. After each flower is clipped, it is placed in the freezer. This freezer will be set at a temperature of about twenty degrees Fahrenheit below zero. All of the moisture is than removed from the flowers using a vacuum. After they are dried, the flowers are gradually restored to room temperature.

A professional should be consulted about two months before the wedding in order to guarantee they will have the time and the room to preserve your flowers. When choosing a professional, you should talk to them regarding the following steps in the freeze-drying process. Without all of these steps, you might be disappointed in the long run.

● You want them to pre-treat and re-hydrate the flowers before freeze-drying them. If this is not done, the color of the flowers may fade and they may not look at natural.
● You may want to ask if they photograph each bouquet so they will reassemble them correctly. Remember that in order to freeze dry them, each flower is set in the freezer separately.
● After the freeze-drying process, you want them to post-treat them. During the post-treatment, they will dip each flower into a solution that will create a transparent layer. This layer will protect the flowers from things such as light and humidity.

You may have to ship the flowers to the preservationist. In order to do this safely, the flowers should be laid in a large plastic bag. In order to keep the flowers fresh, you should blow air into the bag, twist the bag shut and put it into the refrigerator. You will not want the shipment of these flowers to take more than two days.

Pressing

If you do not have the budget to have your flowers professionally preserved and you do not have too many flowers, you can press them yourself. If your flowers naturally have flat faces such as pansies, petunias, violas and daisies, they will press very easily. If you have full flowers such as roses, each petal should be pressed separately and should be put back together when the flower is completely dried.

In order to begin this process, you must purchase or make a flower press. These can be found at your favorite craft store or made with two boards and some weights. First, take a flower and place it between two pieces of blotting paper and put this in a flower press. Leave them for about two weeks so they will be able to dry completely.

Air Drying

Air Drying is one of the more simple ways to preserve flowers. First, separate the flowers into small bundles, take the leaves off and tie the stems together. You want to find a warm, dark room and hang the bundles upside down. It will take approximately two to three weeks to dry completely.

These flowers will be stiff. Some colors, such as yellow and blue, will keep their shade but other colors, such as pink, will fade. Expect some flowers such as roses and peonies to shrink a little during the air drying process.

Silica Gel

In order to begin the silica gel preservation, you must purchase about three pounds of the gel from your local garden center or craft store for every twelve average-sized flowers.

First, find an air tight container and fill the bottom inch with the silica gel. Remove the leaves of your flowers and cut the stems to about one-half inch long and place them upright in the gel. You will then pour more gel into the perimeter of the container without touching the flowers. After this is complete, you want to tap on the container so that the gel will cover the flowers.

You do not want to pour directly onto the flowers because it will weigh the flowers down. You may repeat this step as much as you need to in order for the flowers to be completely covered. When each flower is coated, you should pour another inch of silica gel on top. The container should be sealed and left for about a week to dry. This method is perfect for flowers that are more full such as roses.

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Flower Care Tips - Florists Guide for Flower Care

Everybody loves receiving flowers, but people often hesitate to purchase a beautiful bouquet for themselves. Generally the misconception that flowers will last only a few days tends to drive most prospective buyers away. Flowers add such an incredible atmosphere to any room. Here are a few tips used by florists that help ensure bouquets stay looking fresher for longer.

When purchasing flowers

Quality is the most important factor to consider when buying flowers. Therefore it would be advised to purchase your flowers from a reputable florist. Not only do they have the knowledge and experience to handle flowers properly, but they will also be able to prepare the bouquet for you to make the conditioning process a little bit easier. This includes little things such as ridding roses of thorns or including a special flower food sachet that has been scientifically proven to help extend the flowers' lifespan.

Although you might have to pay more for better quality, it will show at the end of the day when the flowers last longer, proving to be well worth it. But purchasing quality flowers is not enough, conditioning is vital if you want to make sure that your flowers last longer.

Flower growers have created harvest programs that need to be followed by both florists and the customer in order not to break the life chain of the flowers. Without following these basic flower care steps, you will ultimately shorten the life of your flowers.

Conditioning

Conditioning flowers correctly extends your flowers' vase life. There are a few do's and don'ts that you need to follow to make sure you get the best value for what you paid for. If you are unable to put the flowers into a vase quickly, and the flowers start to show severe signs of water stress, simply submerge the whole flower, including stem and head, into lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. After that you can start conditioning the flowers for the vase.

You can start the conditioning process by making sure that any buckets and the vase you put the flowers into are disinfected. Bacteria loves dirty containers and will shorten your flower's life span. While busy conditioning your flowers, place them in fresh clean warm water that contains flower food. Using warm rather than cold water is better for your flowers because it contains less air, limiting the chances of any air blockages in the stems.

While preparing the flowers for the vase, make sure that you use a good sharp knife rather than a pair of scissors to cut the stems. A knife will give a good clean diagonal cut which will prevent any damage to the water conducting cells in the stem. Although this might seem difficult to do, this technique is easy to master and is much easier and more efficient than a pair of scissors.

It is best to cut approximately 2cm off the stems at an angle under water. This will accelerate rapid water uptake. The excess foliage that will be below the water level in the vase should be removed. Also clean the stems of the flowers to get rid of possible existing bacteria to help prevent rotting and further development of bacteria once the flowers are in the vase.

Make sure you use a non-metal container or vase to arrange your flowers in. Add lukewarm water and add flower food before you start arranging the flowers in the vase. Once you've arranged your flowers beautifully, make sure to place the flowers out of direct sunlight or heat and away from any droughts. Although flowers love light and even temperatures, they do not react well to droughts.

Top the vase up daily with fresh water. Should the flowers start to droop, simply re-cut the stems using a sharp knife. If you have purchased roses, and they start to droop at the head, simply re-cut the stems and place them in deep water for approximately an hour. After you have followed these easy steps you will be able to appreciate your flowers for much longer, knowing that your flowers are worth every cent and more!

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