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Flower Gardening–True Bulbs

Larry — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:09:28 +0000

Hello,

Here is more information on bulbs.

True Bulbs

True bulbs are compressed stems with leaves surrounding the apical, or top, bud. The leaves are the structures that store food for the plant—remaining swollen until planted. Bulbs that have been in storage for long periods of time are often shriveled and dry because they have used all of their resources before being planted. Tulips, Narcissus, lilies, hyacinth and Allium are all true bulbs.
More on bulbs in the next post.

Great Gardening!

Larry Gildea, PhD. (Dr. Larry)
http://www.gardeningbonanza.com
Copyright © organicgardensystems.com

Flower Gardening–Bulbs

Larry — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:03:49 +0000

Hello,

Today’s post is more information on bulbs

What are Bulbs?

True bulbs are compressed stems with layers of leaves. Onions are bulbs. The layers of the onion are leaves. If you leave an onion in the refrigerator drawer for too long, it starts to sprout. Botany separates plants into different types of root structures. Plants with root structures that can store energy and food in one, consolidated structure, are horticulturally lumped together as “bulbs.” What we think of as bulbs such as lilies, iris, gladiolus, dahlias, cannas, caladium, and narcissus are botanically different structures. The botanical differences between the plants come into play for storage, division and planting, so it is instructive to learn the difference between each type of plant.

Flower Gardening–Tulips

Larry — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:42:39 +0000

Hello,

Today’s post is some information about Tulips

Tulips have perhaps the most well-known and absurd history of any bulb plant. Today, thousands of tulip varieties with different colors and shapes grace gardens everywhere. The tulip began, humbly, as a wildflower in Turkey. Today, species tulips still grow wild on the hillsides. Tulip is the Turkish word for “turban.”

The famously freakish story of the tulip continues in Holland during 1636 and 1637. The bulb had gained popularity as a garden flower. Botanists began to hybridize and breed different varieties. “Broken tulips” or tulips with stripes and feathery petals became highly prized. Some were worth even more than houses. People sold possessions and participated wildly in the trading. This period is called “Tulipmania.” Eventually, the tulip market “crashed,” and thousands lost everything they had. Today, we know that the unusual and highly prized “color breaks” in the popular tulips were caused by un-stable viruses within the plant. Now, interesting cultivars and varieties are available that look like the old, “broken” tulip varieties, but their colors are not caused by a virus, and the bulbs are much more stable.

Flower Gardening–Narcissus

Larry — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:01:28 +0000

Hello,

Today’s post is some information about the Narcissus.

Narcissus derive their name from the Greek myth about Narcissus, a man so besotted with himself that when a young nymph fell in love with him, he scorned her. The gods condemned him to turn into a flower the next time he stopped to drink in a pond and admire his own reflection. Today, narcissus are mainly referred to by their common name of Daffodil. Daffodils are the national flower of Wales.

Remember, gardening can provide you with these benefits: Exercise, Inexpensive, No traveling, Increased self esteem and Relaxation. In my opinion, gardening is the cheapest and healthiest pleasure there is.

Just click on this link and you can get your FREE “Larry’s Easy Flower Gardening Guide.” You’ll be glad you did!
http://www.organicgardensystems.com/htmlpage3.html

Great Gardening!

Larry Gildea, PhD. (Dr. Larry)

http://www.organicgardensystems.com

Flower Gardening–Iris

Larry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:39:36 +0000

Hi,

Continuing with bulbs, today we will mention the Iris

The fleur-de-lis, which translates as “Flower of the Lily,” is most likely a stylized version of Iris pseudacorus, or what is commonly known as “yellow flag.” During the middle ages, the fleur-de-lis became associated with the French monarchy. Iris is from the Greek meaning “Rainbow.” Egyptians used to plant iris on the graves of women, as the Goddess Iris would lead the dead on their journey. Various species of Iris are native to different regions around the world. Thousands of varieties of iris are also cultivated and hybridized, creating a true rainbow of colors

Remember, gardening provides you with these benefits: Exercise, Inexpensive, No traveling, Increased self esteem and Relaxation. In summary, gardening is the cheapest, healthiest, keenest pleasure there is.

Just click on this link and you can get your FREE “Larry’s Easy Flower Gardening Guide.” You’ll be glad you did!
http://www.organicgardensystems.com/htmlpage3.html

Great Gardening!

Larry Gildea, PhD. (Dr. Larry)

http://www.organicgardensystems.com

Flower Gardening–Lilies

Larry — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:54:49 +0000

Hi,

Let’s go on with bulbs and introduce lilies.

The most commonly cultivated lily, is Lilium longiflorum. Often called the “Easter Lily” in North America, this lily is native to Japan, and naturally blooms in mid-summer. Growers “force” the plant into bloom for Easter. Lily bulbs have all of the plant’s leaves already inside of them. Commercial growers can control the height of the plant by manipulating temperature and light conditions in greenhouses.

During the 1800s, plants were grown in Bermuda and shipped to the United States. In the early 1900s, lily bulbs were mostly imported from Japan. At the outset of World War II, the lily supply was cut off, and bulb growers in the Pacific Northwest hustled to take advantage of the rise in prices. Growers in this region still produce almost all of the bulbs forced into bloom by greenhouse growers for Easter.

Just click on this link and you can get your FREE “Larry’s Easy Flower Gardening Guide.” You’ll be glad you did!
http://www.organicgardensystems.com/htmlpage3.html

Great Gardening!

Larry Gildea, PhD. (Dr. Larry)

http://www.organicgardensystems.com

Flower Gardening–Bulbs

Larry — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:54:16 +0000

Hi,

Lets talk a little about bulbs.

Plants with “bulbous structures,” or bulbs, are native to every region of the world. Crocus are originally from the Mediterranean region, narcissus are native to southern Europe. Tulips are native to Turkey, and gladiolus and amaryllis are from southern Africa. Allium are native to Italy and the Himalayas. Dahlias originated in Mexico. Ipheion, or starflower, are native to Peru. Plant exploration and international travel has put cultivated varieties of hundreds of species of bulbs within reach of home gardeners. Bulbs have figured prominently in world history. The story of tulip futures in Holland is one of the most well-known bulb stories. It, and many other fascinating histories lurk behind some of the most beloved garden plants.

Remember, gardening provides you with these benefits: Exercise, Inexpensive, No traveling, Increased self esteem and Relaxation. In summary, gardening is the cheapest, healthiest, keenest pleasure there is.

Just click on this link and you can get your FREE “Larry’s Easy Flower Gardening Guide.” You’ll be glad you did!
http://www.organicgardensystems.com/htmlpage3.html

Great Gardening!

Larry Gildea, PhD. (Dr. Larry)

http://www.organicgardensystems.com

Flower Gardening–Sourcing Plant Material

Larry — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:41:38 +0000

Hi,

Today the subject is the sourcing of plant material for flower gardening.

Plants, seeds, bulbs and trees are available for purchase at the grocery store, hardware store, local nursery, and mega-home stores. To get quality plants, you need to think about certain things. If you live in an extremely warm or extremely cold area, if you are selecting trees, shrubs or perennials, you will want to buy plants that are grown within that same temperature range. It really does make a difference to your overall survival. If you live in Indiana, but buy a redbud tree grown in North Carolina, the tree will probably not survive the cold Indiana winters. The USDA Hardiness Zone map divides the United States into zones of plant growth. This will assist you in determining whether a plant will be annual or perennial in your location, and if woody plants will survive the winter.

When shopping for colorful annual flowers, you will want to try to detect whether the grower over-used plant growth regulators. Plant growth regulators allow for growers to ship very short plants that are in full bloom. What that makes them attractive to buyers, some plants never “snap out of it” and will remain stunted for their entire life cycle

One of my activities is the publishing of gardening books. My line of book is “Larry’s Easy Gardening Guides” I will be introducing these books on new website in a few days.

There will be some special buys available.

For today get a FREE

“Larry’s Easy Flower Gardening Guide” at:

http://www.organicgardensystems.com/htmlpage3.html

You’ll be glad you did.

Great Gardening!

Larry Gildea, PhD. (Dr. Larry)

http://www.organicgardensystems.com

Flower Gardening–Plant Establishment

Larry — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:55:57 +0000

Today let’s talk a bit about planting techniques. Here are a few pointers on establishing your plants.

The most crucial time for plants is right after they have been planted. They may go through some “transplant” shock after being planted. This is especially true for plants that have been divided and/or replanted from other areas of the yard or garden. Plants take in most of their water from tiny hair-like roots, which are disturbed by moving. Roots in plants also develop a water pressure, or tension with the soil to keep a continuous flow of water coming into the plant, and it can take a few days to establish that tension.

Get A FREE

“Larry’s Easy Flower Gardening Guide” at:

http://www.organicgardensystems.com/htmlpage3.html

You’ll be glad you did.

Great Gardening!

Larry Gildea, PhD. (Dr. Larry)

http://www.organicgardensystems.com

Flower Gardening–Planting Techniques

Larry — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:33:00 +0000

Hi,

Today let’s talk a bit about planting techniques. Here are a few pointers on spacing your plants.

Correct plant spacing depends entirely on the plant. When planting flower gardens, space small plants according to their size at maturity. They may seem far-apart to begin, but they will grow together. Resist the urge to plant closer than six inches for most plants, as you will end up digging up half of them and moving them later. Use you hand or a trowel handle as a gauge to help space. When planting rows of plants, stagger the plants so they are not right behind each other. Staggering the planting will help the garden appear more even, and more full after planting.

Get A FREE

Larry’s Easy Flower Gardening Guide at:

http://www.organicgardensystems.com/htmlpage3.html

You’ll be glad you did.

Great Gardening!

Larry Gildea, PhD. (Dr. Larry)

http://www.organicgardensystems.com