Shuffle Toward Scheffleras

Actinophylla to arboricola, Schefflera plants have long been among the favorites in the houseplant world. They're popular, easy to care for, and show a lot of love in return.

January is the month when the Christmas tree comes down (for most people) and that empty feeling begins to set in. It's not empty because of the passing of the holiday or anything like that. It's that longing need to fill the space where the tree stood with a natural substitute that has more staying power. To keep those non-holiday blues away, I fully recommend schefflera plants.

Silliness aside, schefflera houseplants are very cozy and inviting additions to any room. Caring for schefflera houseplants is rather simple for those who have had houseplants before. Beginners shouldn't be scared. A little t.l.c. goes a long way with this plant. Need a little more information about schefflera before stopping by your local flower shop? Flower Shop Network has the schefflera plant care information that you want along with plant care information for many other popular houseplants.

One thing to note about schefflera plants is that they tend to require a lot of light to become vibrantly green. If you live in an area with very gray winters, try keeping your plant in rooms with a lot of light though not very near the source as the heat can be damaging. With all of the post-holiday parties to come, light and sound will invariably make it to your schefflera. The tree may be down but the natural beauty of indoor plants lives on!

Ask the Expert: How to keep stephanotis fresh in bridal boquets
Tips For keeping cut stephanotis fresh. thanks Theda

Reply:
Theda,

Although I am not well versed on stephanotis, I do know this:

1. Stephanotis is a short lived cut flower and should be arranged as close to the time period needed as possible.

2. The oil on your finer tips can and will turn the blooms brown. So limit your touching or wear gloves when arranging stephanotis.

3. Bridal bouquet with stephanotis need to be misted frequently and have a damp tissue placed over the blooms.

4. Keep stephanotis bridal bouquets very cool. Warm air with accelerate the decline of the blooms.

I believe there is a special way to prep the stephanotis blooms by inserting something in the stem I will research this and discuss it with some of the designers I know and get back to you.

****Addendum***

Cotton Tipped Wire

I spoke with Regina Berryman an AIFD floral designer about the this issue. Regina told me that Stephanotis blooms have to be prepared with a cotton tipped wire called a Stephanotis Stem.

I am attaching a picture of one that was used in a Stephanotis arrangement.
Regina said insert it into the base of the Stephanotis bloom. ***Once this is done, you take a small container filled with water and take the flower and turn it upside down and dunk it into the water. This will keep the stephanotis hydrated and the wire will allow you to place the bloom in your arrangement.  If you need to hide the white of the stem wrap it with floral tape. *** The cotton and the wire can be trimmed on an as need basis.

You should be able to find this type of wire at one of your floral suppliers. You can also create your own with cotton and regular floral wire. I hope this helps.

If any florist has pictures of how to do this I would love to post them on this blog.

Stephanotis Stem

**** I spoke with Regina who clarified my explaination above. (See *** section).  She said that trying to make your own Stephanotis Stem is not easy and buying the Stepahnotis Stems is much easier and more cost effective.  Stemson 's has a product called Stephanotis Stems.  The stems come in white or green. The picture to left shows the Stephanotis stem as it is inserted into the Stephanotis bloom.  You can go to Stemson's Stephanotis Stems page for a better demo of the product.

Ask the Expert: Lucky Bamboo Stalks turning yellow
I recently received a Lucky Bamboo, shortly after the top of 2 of the stalks started turning yellow. One of them is down the stem about an inch and a half and feels a little mushy. I've read what to do if they start from the bottom but have found nothing about the tops. Thanks Pam

Reply:

Pam,

There is a difference in what causes stalks to turn yellow from the bottom up and from the top down. Usually fertilizer is the culprit when the stalks turn yellow from the bottom up. However, fertilizer may not be the only culprit when the stalks turn yellow from the top down. Too much light can be the issue. If you placed your plant where the light source can beat directly down on the lucky bamboo the leaves and stalk might turn yellow. So the first thing I would try is moving your plant away from the light source slightly. This should keep the other stalks from turning yellow. Unfortunately the stalks that are mushy will continue to decline unless you cut off the yellow mushy parts. Once the yellow is removed the plant will form new leaves.

For instruction on how to do this read the previous blog post called We Are Not Always Lucky With Lucky Bamboo

Also, I would probably change the water just in case the lucky bamboo has been exposed to too much fertilizer. Be sure to used distilled water or tap water that has been in an open container for 24 hours or more (this will allow the fluoride and chlorine to evaporate).

Good Luck and Keep me Posted.

Ask The Expert: What conditions does my Peace Lily need to flower? I live in Pensacola, Florida and my Peace Lily is potted and sitting in 2" of water in an out side pond that is shaded. I put it outside in the pond when I saw an indoor pond with a Peace Lily plant in a pot in 3" of water doing quite well. My plant has been outside for several months. It was in bloom when I placed it there. I am looking forward to reading your response. Thank you. Pennee

Reply:
Pennee,

There are four things that can inhibit peace lily blooms.

1) Light is an important factor in producing blooms. Peace lilies need just the right amount of bright filtered light. In other words, deep shade won't get it. The ideal spot for an outside peace lily is where bright light can reach the plant but not directly hit or beat down on the plant. Depending on how much shade you have this is probably a contributor to the problem.

2) Humidity is needed for the overall health of the plant but it is often a reason peace lilies don't bloom. I don't think this is your problem. However, if the air in your area has been rather dry it could be a factor.

3) Fertilizer is the building block for any plant growth. Without the proper nutrients the plant can't produce blooms or leaves. Applying a well balanced fertilizer once a month will keep the plant healthy.

4) Mature plant bloom less. When peace lilies are mature or root bound they tend to bloom less. If the plant has outgrown its container, dividing it will encourage blooms.

The final thing to remember is that all plants have a natural time for blooming. Often the plants that you buy have been forced to bloom and once established in your home will revert to their natural processes. In this case the normal blooming time for peace lilies is spring and summer. So it just make take your plant a little time to produce blooms.

Ask The Expert: I have had a peace lily for 14 years and until just recently it has been beautiful. Now it is dying and I don't know how how to save it. I'm sure it's from too much chlorine in the water here. I'm very bummed about it dying after so long. Is there anything I can do to save what hasn't died yet? It's trying to make some new shoots. Thank you. Nancy

Reply:
Nancy,

The fact that it is trying to put up new shoots is a good sign. You can do a few things to help the plant:

1) If dry water the plant with distilled water or tap water that has bee exposed to air for over twenty four hours. This water void of chlorination will help dilute the traces of the chlorine the plant has been exposed to.

2) Remove all dead leaves but cutting them off at the based of the plant. This will encoruage the plant to produce more leaves.

3) Don't panic peace lilies are very resilient. Don't give it any more attention that you have in the past - over compensating because it is stress will actually do more harm than good.

In a few weeks the new growth will flush out and the peace lily will recover. If you think the chlorine was the problem be sure to water the way I have suggested. However, I would also think about other reasons that might have caused the peace lily stress - too much or too light water, a severe temperature change or insect damage. Eliminating these causes will assure that the right steps are being taken to help your plant recover.

The Flower Shop Network peace lily page contains some useful peace lily plant care information - you will need to scroll down the page to see the information.

Good luck and keep me posted.

Ask the Expert: Can someone please identify this flower?

Eschscholzia californica

I'm trying to identify the orange flower in the foreground of the attached picture. These were all over the place on San Juan Island, Washington, US. This picture was taken in September 2008. Jason

Reply:

Jason,

I'm fairly certain that this wildflower is a form of Eschscholzia californica or commonly called California Poppy. Although it is the state flower of California it can be found from western Washington State south to Baja California, and east to western Texas.

A luau theme is never a bad idea for a party. When it's just a party of two celebrating an anniversary, a luau is a fresh and inventive way to work flowers into the occasion.

Women here are, per cultural upbringing, inclined to expect flowers for a special occasion. Anniversaries are major occasions when flowers are just expected to appear before us with a sweet card from our fellows. While traditional anniversary arrangements and bouquets are great, sometimes a little extra effort is more highly regarded. After hitting some of the milestone markers in a marriage such as 20 or 25 years, women also expect the gifts to be bigger and better as a special reward for dedication and commitment.

Take Me To The Tropics

It's in those moments when we want to do bigger and better for our sweethearts that a private luau seems to hit the spot. For your anniversary this year, rent a hotel room or turn the master bedroom into a little slice of Hawaii. Present her with a lei when she enters the room. Make sure that petals of tropical flowers are strewn across the room, especially around the table where a romantic dinner or anniversary gift awaits.

The cuisine is up to you. It's nice to research some simple Hawaiian food recipes, but don't be afraid if you don't feel up to roasting your own pig in the ground. The decorations are easy to acquire. Local party supplies stores will have many of the things that will get your evening started on the right foot. Be as elaborate or understated as you want but make sure that the evening starts and ends with tropical flowers. It's a unique gift that your honey will love.

It is very important to note that florists need more time to acquire tropical flowers, especially during the winter months. A quick call to your local florist will be very helpful. He or she might even have a cute idea to add to your evening! Once the flowers are arranged and the night has begun, your sweetheart will be lost to your charms.

Good luck topping it next year.

The Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia caerules) is easily the most enchanting state flower. Colorado welcomes this fragile flower every year; enjoying lavender and white fusion among the rest of Colorado's natural wonders.

The petals of this flower, often called the white and lavender Columbine, are what so quickly catches the eye. The peduncles and sepals are lavender while the petals are a soft white with lavender edges. This kind of blending is often seen in forced variegated flowers but infrequently in naturally growing wildflowers. It is a truly unique fusion of two gentle, lovely colors. It catches the eye and holds attention firmly but in a rapturous way.

Colorado florists aren't the only lucky ones who can draw inspiration from the bi-colored Rocky Mountain Columbine. Floral designers across the country can take one look at the soft color palette and be instantly taken with ideas. Though it has long been known that lavender and white flower arrangements are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and other occasions, the Rocky Mountain Columbine represents many ways for florists to use these colors together. A shake of yellow or a splash of green and the arrangement is ready to go!

Colorado law prevents anyone from picking, digging, or uprooting these flowers on public land. It is also illegal to pick these flowers from private land without the owner's consent. Bud and petal collection is also limited to a certain amount within a given day. Though this prevents the use of Rocky Mountain Columbine in arrangements from a local florist, it does not prevent the constant flow of inspiration that is inspired by a single glance at the flower. It's amazing beauty, shape, form and color are just four more reasons why other state flowers should (if they could) be jealous of the set-apart qualities of the Colorado State Flower.

Perfect Colors for New Baby Arrangements

Spring Arrangements Love These Colors Also!

I just finished reading the Winter 2009 Networker. This issue is chalked full of interesting articles. The outside cover is dedicated to the fantastic new customization features available to members with the FSN Ecommerce websites. It contains some fantastic topics like eco-friendly practices, reaching the modern bride, a design tip featuring horsetail and several other noteworthy ideas and articles. If you miss placed yours or would like to see it online - here it is Networker Winter 2009

Ask the Expert: What is my new plant?
In the African violet family same fuzzy leaves only they are more long and oval than round. Leaves are not very big. The violet itself blooms on the end of a wiry stem 4-10 inches long. Easy to grow. I would love to know the name of this plant. I really love it because it is a prolific grower and quite beautiful. I begged a slip from someone who also did not know the name. I would appreciate you help. Susan

Reply:
Susan,

Could your plant be a trailing African Violet? The Saintpaulia (African Violets) genus consists of 20 different species and over 2000 cultivars that look similar but can range from stemless plants with small elliptic hairy leaves clumps in rosettes to plants with extended stems with larger and oval shaped. My next guess would be Sinningia speciosa (Floirsts Gloxinias) which is a cousin to the African violet very similar but the Gloxinias do have a longer oval shaped leaves and the flowers do appear on stems. If you send me a picture I would have a better idea of what it is.