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Feb 21, 2012

Hibiscus Flower Can Actually Help In Reducing Hair Fall


Did you know that the extract of Hibiscus flower can actually help in reducing hair fall? To know more read this article.

Hibiscus flower belongs to the Malvaceae family and is grown in warm climates. The species includes perennial herbaceous plants, woody shrubs and small trees. There are somewhere around two hundred species of hibiscus that flower all over the world.

How does the flower look like?

Hibiscus flowers are large, trumpet shaped flowers that have five or more petals. The color and the size of the flowers make them quite prominent attracting humans and insects. Theses flowers can be of several colors white, pink, red, purple or yellow. The leaves of the flower are in alternate arrangement. They have a zigzag margin and are ovate to lanceolate.

If the petals are torn away the flower is left with a long slender pink tube like structure that has narrower tubes in it which grow outward to carry the powdery yellow pollens that are the male reproductive part of the flower. Inside the stamen there is a long tube, which is called the style, and below the style and the stamen tube is the placenta that helps to reproduce a seed and then a new plant.

Types of Hibiscus flower

There are various types of hibiscus classified on the basis of their shape and pattern. There are various flower types like:
    Flame Ball
    Gator Pride
    Lavender Lady
    Erin Rachael
    Hawaiian Sunset
    Electric Blue

The most famous of all these types is the one that is grown in the Hawaiian island, the Chinese Hibiscus which is frequently used for ornamental purposes. These are used to prepare leis to greet tourists with. Natives of Hawaii refer to these flowers as the "Pua Aloalo" and it is the official state flower for Hawaii. The national flower of Malaysia is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and the Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea.


It was largely used as a flower of cosmetic importance by the people of India and other Asian countries but now the whole world has identified its cosmetic worth. The extract of Hibiscus is used in hair and scalp treatment. Infusions of the Hibiscus flower and the leaves mixed with herbal oils are applied on the scalp and are believed to enhance hair growth. Hibiscus has a soothing effect on the scalp and it helps to eliminate toxins. It also stimulates blood circulation and ensures the supply of essential nutrients to the hair follicles. The extracts of Hibiscus help to control dandruff and hair fall. They help to counter the common hair problems, which occur due to chemical pollutants in the air.

The use of Hibiscus on scalp can also bring down fever and can also help in case of rashes since it can bring down a lot of heat. The use of Hibiscus extracts also helps if you have an itchy scalp or there is redness or scales. The clogging of the pores can also be done away with and it can actually make your hair look healthier and less oily.

Hibiscus has multiple uses and it also increases the beauty of your garden. So next time whenever you are out to buy a plant for your garden consider a Hibiscus plant.

Feb 15, 2012

Wedding Flowers To Help Represent Each Year


Each and every period with the yr offers connected with it specific wedding ceremony bouquets which are both blooming for the duration of that period or those that exemplify the period. All these flowers might be made use of in weddings within the bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements on the alter as well as reception tables. They can create a wedding ceremony far more luxurious or far more whimsical and gorgeous.

You may coordinate your wedding bouquets towards the period during which it really is taking location. The times of year with the yr provide you with a terrific opportunity to possess unique flower decorations and bouquets. Each and every period has its personal palate of color and you’ll be able to take advantage of those colours. Each and every period also offers connection to other things you’ll be able to incorporate into your wedding ceremony flowers.

Spring brings the blooms of tulips as well as daffodils and these bouquets might be made use of to get a wedding ceremony within the spring. Pastel colours connected to those flowers can take center stage in a spring wedding ceremony. Bridal bouquets can include several coloured tulips or yellow might be the concept having a daffodils predominating. Bridesmaids can have baskets filled with spring flowers and centerpieces can use baskets as the container. Other flowers that could be made use of to get a spring wedding ceremony are lilies and calla lilies or gardenias which will also lend their gorgeous scent.

Boutonnieres might be 1 daffodil having a little lily with the valley. Flowering branches might be made use of in centerpieces. Spot a lot of willows, apple or cherry blossom branches, or forsythia in a large vase to be set on the floor. These branches can all be forced to open up early within the spring.

In the course of the fall darker colours are so as with red, orange, brown, yellow and jewel tones. You may also go along with some metallic colours like gold or bronze. Use autumn leaves even though they are obtainable and there is certainly an abundance of them for the duration of the fall. They’re made in silk but you’ll be able to also obtain the dried wide variety as well. Use pumpkins, gourds, and squash painted with gold paint or sprinkles so individuals don’t obtain the idea which the concept is Halloween.

Grapes also ripen within the fall so you’ll be able to use clusters of grapes and go along with purple for your colours. Apples also come into period within the fall as do cranberries so you’ll be able to use those red hues within your arrangements and bouquets That is harvest so you’ll be able to incorporate sheaves of wheat within the table decorations. A great idea to get a bridal bouquet is white mums dipped in gold glitter. Sunflowers are in period along with dried flowers.

The white of snowfall might be the concept to get a winter wedding ceremony or you’ll be able to go along with dark wealthy colours. White or blue flowers which have been dipped in silver will give a wintry feel. The well-liked white and black concept might be made use of for the duration of the winter. Holiday weddings are enjoyable and holly and mistletoe might be made use of along with the green and also red Xmas colours. Rather of bouquets bridesmaids can have lanterns with tea lights within and roses and greenery placed about them. Or they can have battery powered candles with some flowers.

Use evergreens everywhere because they are a indicator with the period. Use a wreath on every table having a candle within the center. Use holly and also a red rose to get a boutonniere even though the bridal bouquet can include red roses, amaryllis blooms, poinsettias, or holly. Spot some little bells that cascade down for some Xmas whimsy.

The four seasons with the yr carry unique opportunities to enhance a wedding ceremony to its ideal. They carry several colours and themes and lend their uniqueness into a wedding ceremony.

Feb 12, 2012

Romantic Valentine’s Day Roses For You


Roses are undoubtedly the most popular flower when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Roses have always been a symbol of romance, beauty, passion and love.

There are several legends about this well-loved flower. One is that of a beautiful woman called Rodanthe, who was pursued by many impassioned suitors. They broke down her door and angered the goddess Diana, who then turned Rodanthe into a flower and her suitors into thorns.

Gift the secret of producing beautiful, fragrant English roses this Valentine’s Day, no matter where in the world you are, with a MyGardenSchool course on growing roses: David Austin’s Guide to Growing Roses.
The course features step by step video tutorials from a world leading authority on roses, downloadable course notes, and the facility to chat with tutors and fellow classmates online, in a ‘virtual classroom’. The technology is very intuitive and easy to use.

While no woman would turn down a dozen red roses, find out the other messages you can send by giving a different color or blending the colors in your bouquet.

Red: Love and Romance
One of the most universal of all symbols, the red rose represents true love.
It has also appeared throughout history and across cultures as both a political and religious symbol.

Yellow: Friendship, Joy, Get Well
Throughout history, yellow has been closely associated with the sun, making these roses excellent for cheering people up. Yellow roses send a message of appreciation and platonic love without the romantic subtext of other colors. The color represents feelings of joy and delight.

Pink: Love, Gratitude, Appreciation
Pink carries with it the connotation of grace and elegance, as well as sweetness and poetic romance.
Dark pink roses are symbolic of gratitude and appreciation, and are a traditional way to say thanks.
Light pink roses are associated with gentleness and admiration, and can also be used as an expression of sympathy.

White: Purity, Innocence, Sympathy, Spirituality
Early tradition used white roses as a symbol for true love, an association which would later become the hallmark of the red rose.

Also known as the bridal rose, the white rose is a traditional wedding flower. In this sense, white represents unity, virtue, and the pureness of a new love. White roses are also associated with honor and reverence, which makes them a fitting memorial for a departed loved one.

Orange: Desire, Enthusiasm and Passion
A literal mixture of yellow and red, orange roses were seen as a bridge between friendship symbolized by yellow roses and love represented by red roses. They can be an expression of fascination, or a gift to say 'I'm proud of you.'

Lavender: Enchantment, Majesty, Love at First Sight
The color purple has a traditional association with royalty. In this regard, shades of lavender roses suggest an air of regal majesty and splendor.

Jan 25, 2012

7 Steps Toward Success With Garden Roses


Plant breeders have given us roses that grow well under difficult conditions and bloom almost continuously from early summer to frost. Proper plant nutrition is easy and simple to provide with the use complete plant food that supplies all the vital elements needed from the soil. Insect and disease problems can be prevented easily with regular use of insecticide-fungicide that controls most chewing insects, sucking insects, and fungus diseases. With these aids, you can grow roses successfully.
GOOD STOCK: Buy good plants, preferably No. 1, two years old, field grown and budded plants. Plants that are not pruned should have 3 or more heavy 18-inch canes. Pruned plants should have canes with a diameter of at least 1/4 inch at the top. Plants potted in tar paper pots are preferred by many gardeners since they can be transplanted most any time of the year.
PLANTING: Select a sunny, well-drained location. Trim off all broken and bruised roots, cut top growth back to 6 to 8 inches. Dig planting holes at least 6 inches deeper than needed for the plant roots. Make holes large enough to accommodate roots without crowding or bending. Place a handful of small rocks or pebbles in the bottom of holes to facilitate drainage. Mix 1 tablespoonful of fertilizer with the soil placed over the drainage material. Cover this mixture with plain soil, bringing the level to desired planting depth. Make a mound in the center to receive plant. Set plant roots over this mound, spread roots, and fill in with soil. Firm the soil tightly 2 or 3 times while filling the hole.

FEEDING: Hybrid Tea, Polyantha, Floribunda Types: The first feeding should come in early spring as soon as leaf buds begin to swell. Clear away mulch and work plant food into soil around the plant. Use 1 rounded tablespoonful of fertilizer per plant (or 1 pound per 25 square feet of bed area). Second feeding should be made at the same rate and immediately following the first heavy bloom. Third feeding, also at same rate, should be made in late summer ... northern areas not later than August 15. In soutern areas, where blooming extends into October and November, a fourth feeding should be made about the first of October. Many growers follow a regular monthly feeding program during the growing season with good results.
Tea Roses: Use one half of the above amounts, applying in a similar manner and at the same times.
Hybrid Perpetual, Climbing, Shrub Roses:Feed 1 rounded tablespoonful of fertilizer to each square foot of space around the bush in early spring. Feed again when blooms start to appear. In both cases work the fertilizer lightly into the soil to within 4 inches of the plant.
SUMMER CARE: The cultural practices differ but little in various sections of the country, with exception of timing of operations that depend upon climate. Artificial watering may be necessary if summer rainfall is insufficient. If soil is well drained, there is not much danger of overwatering. When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches ... do not merely sprinkle. CULTIVATION is necessary to eliminate weeds and keep soil loose. Deep cultivation in midsummer is harmful when the roots are close to the surface. MULCHING during the summer will eliminate weeds, necessity of cultivation, and reduce moisture evaporation. Mulches should be applied 2 or 3 weeks before roses come into bloom.

DISEASES AND PESTS: Black-spot, mildew, and blight together with insects, such as aphids, thrips, and red spider, are some of the more troublesome rose disease and insect problems. Control is easy and prevention is practical with the regular use of chemicals, that controls most fungus diseases and chewing and sucking insects. Regular dusting every week or 10 days will make the disease-insect problem easy to handle.
PRUNING: Bush type roses should be pruned in the early spring when the leaf buds begin to swell, but before growth starts. Follow these basic principles:
  1. Remove all wood killed or injured during the winter, cutting back to solid tissue.
  2. Remove all weak, twiggy growth.
  3. Shape plants by cutting strong canes back to -a uniform height, removing as little healthy wood as possible. Remove very old canes by cutting off at the ground level.
  4. Cut ordinary hybrid varieties back to about 18 to 24 inches. Ramblers should be pruned after blooming by removing old unwanted canes at the base.
WINTER PROTECTION: It's not extreme cold that kills roses but rather the frequent alternate freezing and thawing that heaves the plant, thus breaking the roots. The winter sun and dry winds take moisture away from the canes and make winter injury more of a problem. Winter mulching with straw, peat moss, or other material is advisable in all but the extreme southern sections of the United States. This mulch regulates the soil temperature and tempers the effects of freezing and thawing. Pull soil up around each plant to a height of about 6 inches after the first frost, then after the ground is frozen r mulch.

Jan 8, 2012

Do You Love Dahlias?


About Dahlias
Dahlias are a plant that have a seemingly endless classification of flower types. Some are classified as single while others are double and some grow like round balls of petals. The flowers range in size from one inch to a foot in diameter. Likewise the variety of dahlias available to the grower range in height from less than one foot to over seven feet. Dahlia color range is also great and allows you the chance to grow many varieties for different effects in your garden.
Dahlias bllom from midsummer through the first frost of late fall or winter and some even manage to last a bit beyond this. They do great as late bloomers in perennial plantings such as borders, but are also attractive as stand-alone plantings.
Dahlia flowers survive well as cuttings so if you grow them feel free to bring some in to your dining room table. They are both graceful and often explosive with color.

Planning
Dahlia will prefer full sun, but will also tolerate light shade. Fertile, rich soil with an abundance of potassium and phosphorus will be appreciated by these flowers. If your soil tends toward acidity then adding lime to your soil can be key to a successful dahlia planting.
Preparation
Plant new dahlia roots about a week before the date of your average last frost. You will lay them horizontally in a hole about six to eight inches deep. If you will be growing a tall variety you may want to place the stake in the ground at the time of planting the root in order that you do not accidentally hurt the root later when putting a stake in the ground for support.
Care
If you want bushier plants that do not gow as tall you may pinch back dahlias when they are about ten to twelves inches tall.

If you live in an area with frost you will need to dig up the tuberous roots of dahlia and store them over the winter. This chore is not as bad as it sounds as they come up fairly easily.
Pests / Disease
Thrips, mites,aphids and slugs are the most likely pests to take interest in the dahlia in your garden.
Harvesting
There are thousands of cultivars of dahlia and nearly all are superb for cuttings. Cut flowers just before opening to provide the longest term display. With all the varieties available it is possible to make a stunning display of flowers for the table just from dahlia.

Jan 3, 2012

Modern Floral Arrangements Ideas

In today’s day and age there are many uses for modern flower arrangements. Maybe you’re a real estate agent showing off a new home and you want a floral table centerpiece for the dining room table to add more vibrancy to the room. Maybe you’re a wedding planner in search of the perfect decoration for your next wedding or maybe you just want something lovely for your home. Either way modern floral arrangements can perk up any environment and can be enjoyed by everyone. The question though is what kind of flower arrangement is right for you in these modern times?
Modern Floral Arrangements Ideas
Traditional flower arrangements are perfect for traditional purposes but what about occasions or settings that don’t call for tradition? How about a super cool party in need of pizzazz or a new business that thinks outside of the box in need of décor that reflects their business model? Modern flower arrangements are just what the doctor ordered. Why stick with traditional shapes and designs when arranging flowers? With modern floral arrangements there really are no boundaries. The sky is the limit! Here are some ideas when arranging your flowers for these modern times.
Sleek Modern Floral Design
One way to add a modern spin on your flower arranging art is to use a sleek and thin modern floral design. Rather than using a traditional short and stout flower pot or vase, you can try a tall and thin vase. Combine that with a long stem flower such as dried lavender and you have the beginning of a great modern arrangement. Depending on your preference, you can add other elements as well.
Light Up Your Modern Flower Bouquets
When using a transparent vase you can incorporate lights into the modern floral arrangement. Adding string lights to the inside of a vase adds a cool illumination to your arrangement in a dim setting. If you really want to add more complexity to it, try adding glass stones to the vase as well. There are so many colors that you can play with when it comes to glass stones that you’re bound to find a perfect fit.
Modern Floral Isn’t Just All About the Flowers
Yes, you can use other things besides flowers for your modern floral design. The use of wood within an arrangement can add a certain flare depending on the shape of the wood. Small pieces of driftwood are especially fun to work with and other things such as birch bark can be incorporated as well. You can really just have a ball experimenting with non-flower items. They will definitely catch the attention of someone and might make them say “Wow! That is really cool!”