The Importance Of How To Plant Flowers In Containers Properly

Organic flowers have risen in popularity largely due to Fair Trade practices that promote small farms in other countries growing organic produce or fruit to earn their own income. The typical bouquet that you would have delivered by a florist or one that you pick up in the supermarket has been grown in a foreign country where the crops are sprayed with large amounts of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers exempt from U.S. regulations.

We know that organic vegetable gardening has become a trend in vegetable production because it is healthier to eat vegetables produced naturally and that chemicals can have a long-term negative effect on people. Many diseases are said to be caused by being exposed or ingesting too much chemicals in the body. It is no wonder many gardeners have started to grow vegetables naturally.

But do you know that you can also go organic with your flower gardening? Even though you do not eat the flowers that bloom in your garden, organic flower gardening is still an excellent way to protect your family from harmful chemicals and safeguarding the welfare of the environment.

Flowers are beautiful and having some in your garden makes a home very enjoyable to stay in and therefore the importance of how to plant flowers properly.

How to plant flowers depend on the purpose for which the flowers are being planted. There are flowers in homes, flowers in recreation parks, around buildings that are used in different ways. All these are planted in different ways according to the theme of the place.

In homes, flowers are aimed at making the home pleasant to relax in. How to plant flowers in homes depend on whether they will be indoor plants or a home garden or if they are for an edge.

Indoor flowers are usually planted in pots or specifically prepared planting containers of troughs. Below is a brief on how to grow flowers indoor.

• Select the flowers suitable to survive under shade and low light intensities.
• Select low maintenance flowers that will not require a lot of work if you are going to plant them indoor.
• Prepare the growing containers by putting course gravel at the bottoms, follow with fine gravel and then fill the rest with your preferred media. This is good for drainage.
• Think of where the water will drain after watering.

Then plant your selected flowers in your containers, otherwise called pots and water properly.

Here is a brief of how to plant flowers out door of in the field.

• Prepare the soil deep to break any hard pan.
• Add compost and a base dressing fertilizer like Triple super phosphate and mix well.
• If your the area is not well drained, raise the planting bets to allow for this when it rains.
• Plant your flowers on the beds observing the density that is required for the particular plant variety.
• Water well and observe.

The best way to learn how to plant flowers is by doing it practically. There are many guides available in the internet.

Lovely Lavender The Very Queen Of Herbs

Those fortunate enough to have walked in a field of lavender and inhaled the heady aroma emanating from the purple waves of the flowering plants will most likely never forget the experience. It could be the beginning of a passionate love affair with this wonderful herb. Spring is the ideal time to plant lavender, and you don't need fields of this magical herb to enjoy it. Add a few plants to your herb garden; plant lavender beneath your rose bushes to hide the rose's scraggly legs; put lavender in a window box near the entrance to your home so all who enter can enjoy the heavenly fragrance, or simply pot up several lavenders and place them on your patio or in your kitchen on a south-facing window sill. You'll soon become captivated by the lure of lovely lavender and enjoy its many uses.

As one of the most loved aromatic herbs, lavender has been cultivated and used throughout the centuries. In ancient times, the Egyptians used lavender in incense and perfume and it was even used in the mummification process. The Arabs, Greeks and Romans used lavender as an offering to their gods.

Lavender is a popular gift item that can be purchased separately or in a gift basket. Most of the aromatherapy gifts are made with essential oil and dried lavender buds. Examples of these are bar soap, bath bomb fizzers, bath crystals, bath oil beads, closet or drawer sachets, hand and body lotions, sleep pillows and soothing herbal sea salts. Beauty products that contain lavender range from body sprays and hair care products to a variety of skin care products. All of the above products mentioned are used for the sole purpose of creating a sense of peace and to promote relaxation.

Throughout history, lavender has found its way into the homes of many historical figures. Queen Victoria insisted that her furniture and floors be cleaned with lavender to freshen up the rooms in her castle. Queen Elizabeth I of England enjoyed drinking lavender tea as a way to relieve her migraines and other maladies. During World War I, nurses treated injured soldiers by washing their wounds with an antiseptic wash that contained lavender.

It has also been used to prevent some childhood infections and to soothe temper tantrums in children. The most common uses of lavender are to: treat burns (from minor to scalding), eczema, grazes, cuts, inflammation, dermatitis, headaches, migraines, fainting, nausea, insomnia, bacterial infections, boils, acne, arthritis and rheumatism. As a germicidal agent, lavender oil is non-toxic.

To preserve your dried lavender for cooking purposes, separate the buds from the stems, rub the flower heads gently between your hands over a clean cloth or plate. To remove any dried leaves from the flowers, sift them through a sieve. Store your culinary lavender buds in a dark-colored glass container out of light. The buds will maintain their flavor for several years and enliven many of your food dishes with a fresh, enticing hint of lavender. By grinding lavender buds in a spice grinder when you're ready to add them to a recipe, you'll release more essential oil, which will increase the lavender flavor in the dish.

Tips On How Produce Orchid Flowers Non-stop All Throughout The Year

When choosing orchids, there are several beautiful and unique species to choose from. Many are afraid of orchids in general, overwhelmed by misinformation as to how to care for them. They are without a doubt, one of the most popular species of flora grown all over the world. With a few tips from expert growers, you can become successful at growing and cultivating them at home.

Cymbidium Orchids have long roots and need to be planted in deep pots so that the roots have plenty of room to grow. Pots don't need to be wide, narrow and deep work best as wide pots influence new root growth which takes too much energy from the plant. Deeper pots allow the roots to continue growing long and let the plant keep it's energy above soil, growing tall stalks with numerous flowers. It is important that the roots remain damp but not wet. When choosing a medium for potting you want something that will not hold too much moisture. It also needs to dry at an even pace so there are no wet pockets. Your climate will affect the type of medium you choose as well to maintain the proper amount of moisture. If you live in a dry climate, rock with a bit of tree bark may work to hold in some of the moisture. In humid areas, rock alone may work best to maintain the right level.

I guess this is the reason why I grew up dreaming of having my own collection. Early exposure to this magnetic beauty truly inspired me to grow my own; of course, some came as inheritance from their collection.So, going back to the tips; here are a few that will definitely make your growing orchids a delightful experience.

Tip # 1 - Make sure that your orchid plants are healthy
Healthy plants will definitely produce fruits and flowers. And this goes for all types of plants, orchid is no exemption. And one way to determine if the plant is healthy is through its roots. Brown and dry roots are a clear indication that it is not getting enough nutrients and therefore is in danger of extinction.

Tip # 2 - Revitalize your orchid by removing its flower
This tip may sound contradictory but let me explain the principle behind this. It is common for this kind of plant to bloom when it is about to expire. It is like their last hurrah, to say goodbye to the world. Blooming is one of the most exhausting stages for the orchid because they will need all the energy and nutrients to complete this process. So, if you see that your unhealthy plant produced some bloom, immediately remove the flower stalk. You may feel it's such a waste of flower, but it is a small price to pay for saving the life of your plant.

Tips # 3 - Only divide plants that are mature
You may get excited when you see a new bud springing from your favorite orchid variety and you may immediately try to repot it. But just as a word of caution, wait until the plant is fully mature before doing this. Patience is truly a virtue that is applicable even in growing orchids. By patiently waiting for the right time, you can be assured that your plant will produce more flowers.

Tip # 4 - Fertilize your orchids regularly
One of the most basic lessons to learn in growing orchids is that they will only produce beautiful and continuous bloom when you feed them. They will surely need enough nutrients to gain their strength after a flowering period. So, in order for them to recover, you also need to feed them with the right amount of nutrients. But you also need to remember that moderation is the key to proper orchid care. Too much fertilizer will likewise damage the plant and will not produce the flowers that we all want.

Tip # 5 - Learn about their different varieties and their flowering schedule
When you know what variety will bloom in a specific period of the year, you can collect several species and monitor their flowering activity. By being vigilant about their specific needs, you will be able to have a full year-round of blooming orchids to decorate your home.

Now that you have been given enough information in regards orchid flowering, perhaps it is high time that you get on your feet and inspect your orchid collection. See if there is a new bud that is sprouting from an old plant. You may also want to check the roots of your aerial plants. Do they need extra watering? Are they getting enough sunlight? When is the last time that you put some fertilizers on your flowering orchid? By answering these questions, you can be on track of their growing condition.

Many Pretty Springtime Flowers Are More Readily Available

All flowers have meaning. They have their own language and people have been using them since the Victorian Age as symbols expressing their feelings. Today, these fragile blooms are used to express one sentiment or another as one leading psychologist states, "Flowers are a perfect replica of human life."

And because different flowers have different meanings, it is important that when you give one to your loved one, you are sending them the right message. Here is a short list of our favorite flowers to send and their corresponding meanings:

Love the springtime, especially since so many pretty springtime flowers are more readily available and are priced more economically. Here are a few flower tips for your at-home flower arrangements.

It is best to cut your springtime flowers at a 45 degree angle and to use a knife versus a scissor. You will create a better surface area for the flower to absorb the water when using a sharp knife. Also, make sure the water is at room temperature and not too cold for the flower arrangements so that you don't shock the flowers.

Flower tips for tulips include something I just learned which is to place a penny at the bottom of the vase. The penny prevents the tulips from falling over, and they will stand straight for the time you enjoy the flower arrangements.

Something I learned long ago is to eliminate all of the foliage below the water line from the stems of your springtime flowers. Removing the greens from the stems allows more nourishment and water to the flower. I also like to stock up on the flower nourishment packets, and I always add one to the flower water to help lengthen the life of the arrangement.

Other flower tips include changing the water every few days, re-cutting the stems and keeping the flower arrangements out of the direct sun.

I love using cymbidium orchids for simple flower arrangements since they last quite a while and are easy to work with. I just coordinated a party and the florist created simple bathroom arrangements using cymbidiums. Just one stem in a small glass container. Not only does the flower add color to the room but these arrangements are simple, fast and easy to make.

So many of my non-profit clients use cymbidium orchids since you don't have to use too many to create effective flower arrangements, and you can intersperse them with pillar and floating candle arrangements. One type of entry piece you can create with cymbidiums is to take a long stem with the orchids bloomed and simply drop it in a tall cylinder glass container filled with a couple of inches of water. Then use contrasting colored rocks or glass marbles and place them on the bottom of the container.

Accent the tall arrangements with pillar candles in various heights as well as various glass containers filled with water and floating candles.

I hope you were able to pick up a couple of flower tips that you didn't know previously and can use these tips for any of the springtime flowers you buy for your at-home flower arrangements. To make quick and easy flower designs, look to cymbidium orchids and intersperse them with various candle arrangements. Until next time, remember the Budget Bash mantra: make it simple, stylish, fun and economical to all!

Fragrant Flowers For Spring Blossom In Your Garden

With their bright and attractive colors, flowers add a touch of elegance and beauty to any environment they are placed in. Some of the world's unique flowering plants and flowers are grown in regions which have a variety of biodiversity. These flowers can be found in the temperate and tropical rainforests and also in ecosystems like islands or places of high altitude, mostly deserted and uninhabited by humans. Since most of the species exist in the wild, they can be found in significant numbers. However, most are on their way to extinction. These days, flower shops sell these exotic varieties of flowers that can add a tropical and attractive touch to gardens as well as homes. Here are some of the rare flowers, found in the wild but now, also grown in gardens and nurseries.

As Spring approaches our enthusiasm for the garden miraculously begins to revive. With choice of scented plants coming into flower at this time of year, as the short list I have put together below from various sources illustrates, it is impossible not to fill your garden with fragrance. As well as those that are well-known (daffodil, lily of the valley, bluebells) I have tried to find a few that may be new to you (they were to me!).

Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) come in shades of white, pink and blue, and have a heavenly fragrance. Plant in containers in or near the house for full appreciation of their fragrance.

Daffodils (Narcissus) - there are many different types of daffodil, and several with wonderful aromas. Two are 'Bridal Crown', which has sweetly scented, double, white flowers, and 'Minnow', which has clusters of fragrant flowers with creamy yellow petals and lemon trumpets.

Lily of Valley (Convallaria majalis) produces tiny delicate white (sometimes pink) bells, which have a stunning fragrance.

Bluebells ((Hyacinthoides non-scripta) have scented nodding bell-shaped flowers that can range in colour from violet-blue to white or even pink(!). Although hard to find these days, the aroma of a carpet of bluebells in a woodland setting has to be experienced to be believed.

Cowslip (Primula veris) produces nodding fragrant yellow/green long bell-like flowers on tall stems. Other scented Primulas are also available:

• Primula 'Bon Accord Cerise' is a scented double variety with a sweet perfume of honeysuckle
• Primula 'Crathes Crimson', another double, has sweetly scented, button-like flowers that are shaded yellow at the base of each petal.

Violets - the traditional English violet (Viola odorata), long-famed for its fragrance, produces scented blue or white flowers in early spring. Other varieties are also available, some of which are also fragranced:

• Viola 'Eastgrove Blue Scented', which has with gently scented lilac flowers
• Viola 'Maggie Mott' has superbly fragranced large flowers.

Winter heliotrope (Petasites fragrans) produces attractive fragrant purple flowers early in the New Year.


Sweet woodruff (Sweetscented Bedstraw, Galium odoratum) has small white scented flowers in the late spring. Its foliage also has the aroma of cut grass, which becomes stronger when the leaves are dried.

Wallflowers (Cheiranthus) range in colour from creamy white, to shades of yellow, red and purple. Most varieties are fragranced.

Clematis - several varieties of clematis produce fragrant flowers in spring:

• Clematis armandii is a tall climber (9 ft) with long evergreen leaves that are covered with fragrant white flowers in early spring
• Clematis montana var. rubens 'Elizabeth' produces pale pink flowers and has a scent of vanilla.
• C. montana var. rubens 'Tetrarose' is a long-flowering variety with deep mauve-pink flowers and a spicy fragrance.

Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is a rampant climber producing 1-ft long flower heads with sweetly-scented blue/lilac blooms in May/June.


Akebia (Akebia quinata) is a semi-evergreen climber, producing small and fragrant pink/purple flowers in April/May.

Lilac (Syringa) can form a small, medium or large shrub, depending on the variety. In May/June, it produces large fragrant clusters of flowers in a range of colours from white and cream to pink and all shades of deep purple.

I hope this article gives you some ideas for next Spring - a Spring full of aroma.