Ask The Plant Expert

Help! My Christmas Cactus Has Not Bloomed In 2 Years

November 17, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams

My Christmas cactus has not bloomed the last 2 years. I love my cactus and have not had the problem before. I get new growth, but no blooms. -Loree

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Like poinsettias, daylight length is a major blooming factor for Christmas Cactus. Blooming is triggered by short days. If the cactus doesn’t receive the right short-day light exposure, the plant will not bloom.

To force your Christmas cactus to bloom place the plant in a dark bedroom, or cover for 15 hours a day. Do this for up to 30 days. Once the bloom buds appear the plant can be returned to its usual viewing location.

Be careful not to exposure the plant to extreme temperatures since this will cause pre-mature bud drop/loss.

Hope this information was helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Blooming Plants, Blooming Problems, Christmas Cactus, Winter Blooming Flowers

This Flower Was Part Of My Bouquet – What Is It?

November 9, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert:

This flower was part of a bouquet and dropped a lot of very small round black seeds. What is the name of this plant? – Shirley

Burgundy Cockscomb

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Shirley, the name of flower is Celosia.

This interesting pink flower is commonly called cockscomb because it resembles the comb of a rooster. The genus name is Celosia. The perennial cockscomb is Celosia argentea and the annual types fall under Celosia spicata.

Celosia History

Celosia’s name is derived from the Greek word for “burning.” It grows widespread across Mexico, where it is known as “Velvet flower.” In northern South America, tropical Africa, the West Indies, South, East and Southeast Asia where it is grown as a native or naturalized wildflower, and is cultivated as a nutritious leafy green vegetable. It is traditional fare in the countries of Central and West Africa, and is one of the leading leafy green vegetables in Nigeria, where it is known as ‘soko yokoto’, meaning “make husbands fat and happy”.

Celosia Flower

An interesting addition to the garden, Celosia is also a versatile flower for decorating. Florists use it both as a cut flower in fresh arrangements and as a dried flower in permanent arrangements. So enjoy this wonderful flower while you can – a killing frost will put them to rest for the winter.

Fluoride In Tap Water Causing Leaf Browning

November 1, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask The Plant Expert:

I have some spider plants which are brown at the tips of the leaves, I’m using tap water that has been standing open to the air for a few days, and have been trimming these bits off, will this help? – Mathew

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Matthew,

This is a problem I have seen first hand in our greenhouse. What you have is most likely fluoride damage. These plants are very sensitive to fluoride. Unlike chlorine, fluoride doesn’t evaporate effectively from an open container. We had trouble in the greenhouse until we started using well-water instead of city water. I recommend catching rain water or use distilled water. Once you switch the browning should stop.

Hope this information was helpful.
Flower Shop Network

Help! My Palm Tree Has A Hole In It!

October 29, 2011 by Neal Adams

Ask The Plant Expert:

I have a 3 trunk Robellini palm. On one trunk there is a “hole” that seems to be getting bigger. I have attached a picture. There is no sign of insects or bugs, but I am concerned as it does seem to be getting bigger. What do you recommend? Thank you

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Spray with a permethrin or pyrethrin based insecticide, depending on whether its outdoors or indoors, to prevent insects. If there is sponge-like or slimy tissue, it may need a fungicide, otherwise it should heal over.

Expert Neal Adams is an Arkansas Certified Nurseryman.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Palm, Palm Tree

Best Type Of Soil For Drainage

October 25, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask The Expert:

I’ve got two corn palms and a yucca plant which require soil with good drainage. Knowing from past experience that normal soil gets waterlogged easily I’ve mixed in equal parts sand and a small amount of pea gravel; am I right in thinking that this will be more suitable? – Matthew

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

The idea soil for most plants is loam (a mixture of sand, silt and clay). This type of soil is ideal because it allows the water to drain freely while still retaining nutrients and moisture.

Although your soil mixture will drain well, it won’t have the right organic (nutrient) content, and may not allow for proper water reserves. I would try adding peat moss, humus or compost manure to your mixture. All components should have a 1 to 1 ratio.

I hope this information was helpful.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Potting Soil

What Is This Flower In My Neighbor’s Yard?

October 9, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert:

I would dearly like to identify a flower my neighbor grows, and no one knows what it is or where to get more. Please help! – Bob

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: As for the variety, I am not sure which type it is, but the perennial you have is definitely Phlox paniculata. It is hardy in zones 3-8 and likes either a full sun or part shade exposure. Depending on where you live it can bloom late spring to early fall. It grows any where from 2 feet to 4 feet in height and can sprerad 2 to 3 feet in width.

Hope this information was helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Filed Under: Flower Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Flower Identification, Phlox

Identification of an Interesting Red Seed Pod

September 27, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert: Can you help me ID this
Recent trip to a nature center here in Conyers, GA I photographed this plant/flower and would like to know its name.
Thanks very much. Russ

: Euonymus americanus seed pod

: Strawberry Bush Seed Pod & Leaves

Plant Expert Reply: I believe the plant is an Euonymus americanus (Strawberry Bush). Native to the United States, this perennial shrub can grow from 6-12ft in height. If you want to grow a Strawberry Bush in your own yard you will need the following:

A part-shade exposure – grows best in light shade
A moist soil – although with proper watering can be grown in dry soils
Needs high amount of water – can be used in swampy areas

Strawberry Bush grows well in the following states – AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV.

This plant, also, goes by Brook euonymus, Hearts-a-burstin, Bursting-heart, Wahoo and is in the bittersweet family.

I hope this information was helpful.

Did you know that a local Conyers GA Florist can create an arrangement that simulates the unique elements of the seed pod?

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Identification, Seed Pod Identification

What Type of Poppy Is This?

September 11, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert:

I found this in my neighbors garden and love it. I bought tons of poppies before so, I was wondering what kind this is. The leaves aren’t fuzzy, but look more like a succulent. We live on the coast of Maine, and they followed the sun the day I took the picture. This was around 6 am; at around 10 am it was fully open. – Emily

Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply:

Emily,

I think it is a type of Papaver somniferum (Opium poppy). It is hard to tell from the picture. Do the leaves have a slight blue-green tint to them? Has it produced any blue-green seeds pods? The blue-green leaves and seed pods are a good indication that it is a type of Papaver somniferum. Papaver somniferum is hardy in Maine. Some states and countries may prohibit the growing of this poppy. You might want to check with you state extension service to see if it is ok to propagate it in Maine.

Hope this information was helpful. Please let me know if you help with anything else.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Opium Poppy, Papaver, Poppy

How To Propagate An Aquatic Lily From Seeds

September 10, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams 2 Comments

Ask The Plant Expert:

My Cahaba lilies have so many seed pods. I would like to use the seeds properly to grow more lilies. Can anyone tell me the best way to go about it? Thank you

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Terry

The Cahaba lily (Hymenocallis coronaria) is a little tricky when it comes to propagation. In nature this plant drops it’s seed in the water where the plant is growing. These seeds then wash up on the banks of the river or water way. On the bank, they germinate and grow into new plants. Captive propagation has a very low success rate, but since the seeds are free I would give it a try. I recommend:

Soak the seeds for 24 to 48 hrs.
Place them on top of a moist sandy-loam mixture. I would try to emulate the soil on a river bank where the lilies are native. I am assuming this is more mucky than sandy. So try a 1/3 sandy, 1/3 top soil and 1/3 organic matter. (This is a estimation on my part since I have not actually propagated these seeds my self.)
Keep the seeds very moist until the seeds sprout.
Once the seeds have sprouted you can transplant them into the area where they will live permanently.

Good luck and please let me know how it turns out. Hope this information was helpful.

Filed Under: Plant Propagation Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Propagation, Spider Lily

Should I Divide Or Plant Seeds For Globe Thistle Propagation?

August 24, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert: I seem to have a mystery plant which I think is a Globe Thistle, but I did not plant it. It is turning into a clump and has tall lavender flowers. Sorry, I don’t have a photo. Can I divide this free stranger or plant seeds from the dried flower head? -Nancy

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: From what you describe, propagating by seeds would be your best option. It takes 14 to 21 days for Globe Thistle seed to germinate. You can sow your seeds directly in the ground or in germination cells packs or flats. If you are going to sow directly into your flower beds, make sure the temperatures are at least 65 to 70 degrees. Sow the seeds directly on the ground and do not coil with soil. I recommend planting the seeds in the spring since they normally bloom July through September.

Hope this information was helpful.

Filed Under: Plant Propagation Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Propagation

Celosia History

Celosia Flower

Follow Us