Flowering plants

 About 130 million years ago flowers came to be on this planet and started changing automatically.  “Swiftly diversifying in an explosion of varieties” says National Geographic. That established most of the flowering plant families of the modern world. “Flowering plants have come to rule the worlds of botany and agriculture” this is 100% relatable. The statement made is completely true and we’re supported by flowering plants. Botanists refer to flowering plants as angiosperms. 

Flowering plants give us the question what sorts of species can it be crossed with, and what sorts of pollinators are affective. This takes us to even more productive methods of agriculture. Results indicate that the oldest living lineage reaches back at least 130 million years in Amborellaceae a family that includes only one known species, Amborella trichopoda a South Pacific island. Very famous among botanists for its primeval-flora. The flower is the reproductive mechanism of an angiosperm. In the beginning flowers didn’t have petals. 

Petals began to evolve somewhere from around 90 and 100 million years ago. Around 70 and 100 million years ago, petals were very, very small. As the flowering plants began to produce petals it created what botanists consider “great radiation” which ignited that explosion. Petals created much more diversity. As time has gone on flowers evolved arresting colors, alluring fragrances and special petals that provide landing pads for their pollinators. Humans are attracted by sight, smell, and beauty which are all found within a single flower. Flowers are simply astonishing with every single aspect they carry.

Haiku

Flowers are awesome,
wouldn't you agree with me,
how I love flowers.

Humor blog

What did the big flower say to the little flower?
Hey bud :)

Interview with Kerry Johnson

Whitney: What's your name and how do you spell it?
Kerry: Kerry Johnson
Whitney: What first interested you in flowers?
Kerry: I have always liked flowers. I enjoy growing them because they look so pretty
Whitney: How'd you come to work at the Fortuna Florist?
Kerry: I worked at the Fortuna Florist because my sister-in-law owned the business. It was a  side job for me, I worked full time at Daly's department store.
Whitney: How long did you work there for?
Kerry: I worked at the florist for about six years.
Whitney: What were your duties there?
Kerry: My main duties were driving the delivery van to houses and decorating the Christmas trees during Christmas time.
Whitney: Why don't you work there anymore?
Kerry: My sister-in-law sold the business so I didn't want to work there for the new owners.
Whitney: What was your favorite part about working there?
Kerry: my favorite part of my job was seeing how happy the flowers made people when they received them.
Whitney: What's your favorite flower?
Kerry: My favorite flower is a rose or a lily.

Collabo-blog

This week on my blog, we have the lovely exception of having Amy Conley Samulson guest write about her flowers she grows. Everyday when I walk from the sidewalk to my front porch, I revel in watching the progress of my flowers. Since we moved here in 2007, my daughter and I have planted bulbs. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, ranunculus in the fall for the spring. Cannas, freesia, dahlia, daylilies, gladioulus in the late winter for summer.

Bulbs are a belief in a brighter future. A trust and hope for a beautiful tomorrow. Like planting a tender rock and then months later being rewarded for your foresight with new green buds out of the ground. Right now, my paperwhites stand regal on the front porch. The yellow daffodil buds closed tight are just starting to bend at the sepals. The tulips busted the soil with their blue-green torpedoes. The differences day-to-day warm my heart on that 3-second walk to my front door.

Tonight I'll plant the cannas, glads, and daylilies I couldn't resist at Costco. Summer will be another surprise, a beautiful return on my investment.

Bulbs are shaped like teardrops. Plant bulbs in the soil until their top tip is barely covered. Corms, like lilies, ranunculus, freesia, canna, are shaped like ginger, and should be planted laying flat with any tips up.

Water when planted, but no other special care is needed. When daylight and moisture tell the plant to bloom, it will do it's thing, giving a show. After it blooms, nothing needs to be done. The flower, then leaves will wither, and the bulb will rest until it blooms again next year. And the year after. Daffodil bulbs will rebloom up to five years, tulips three. Corms like iris, cannas, and daylilies will actually grow larger under the soil and actually need to be split every three to four years as the plants will double in size.

Bulbs gift the grower for years.

Interdisiplinary post

In floral design we've been learning how to create basic arrangements, boutonnieres, corsages, and all types of floral arrangements. We learn how to properly cut and trim the flower before proper placing it  in the arrangement. This relates to my topic because of the simple use with flowers. My topic of "flowers" covers all aspects covered in my floral design class. On Tuesday I learned how to perfect a boutonniere.
The relation between this and my topic is, when working with flowers you need to be able to correctly take care of and groom them. This includes removing of the thorns, if there are any. Removing all excess foliage and leafs, which causes them to look stunning. Proper maintenance will keep your flowers looking their best.

Keeping your flowers fresh & long lasting

 There are many useful tips and tricks in order to help keep your flowers fresh and lasting for as long as possible. To begin with, if you're harvesting flowers from your own garden you should begin in the early morning. This is so the stems can retain moisture. Keeping your flowers at a temperature between 40-50 degrees is ideal for most situations. After you have cut your flowers ensure to remove all leaves from the stem that would otherwise be emerged into water. Your stems need to be cut at an angle, and should also be done underwater so no air is able to seep into the stems veins. Changing your water everyday is most beneficial to the flowers in order to keep them at their freshest. Adding in bleach is another tip to help keep bacteria out and also keeps the water smelling fresh. Flowers that are exposed to direct sunlight or heat tend to wilt quicker.
However, if you're given a bouquet and need to take care of those flowers, the simple up keep is slightly different. The first thing you need to do is place them in the refrigerator for several hours. If you're unable to place them in your fridge, then skip that step and move directly to the preparatory steps which include removing the leaves and excess stems, along with cutting the flowers at an 45 degree angle. If you're cutting roses, this should be done underwater. After you prep them place them in a vase of cold water. Placing your flowers into warm water gives them the chance to dehydrate themselves and causes them to wilt up and die. The upkeep of your flowers should include cutting the stems every few days, and changing the water every day. Flower food which can be purchased at your florist helps keep your flowers alive, but you could also add sugar into your vase if you're unable to buy the flower food. The placement of your flowers can also have an affect on their lifespan. Keep your arrangement away from sunlight and fruit bowls. Fruit bowls produce ethylene gas which causes your flowers to wilt. Clearly, there are many tips and tricks to keep your floral arrangement lasting with the longest lifespan possible.