Past Newsletters

Vol. 7 No. 3

Tropical Relief from Winter's Icy Grip

As Winter eases up on its seasonal duties and we stand poised at the cusp of Spring, the Endless Flowers Club dives into the spirit of things by bringing you flowers that epitomize the magnificent sunsets and cool breezes of those picturesque days to come. This exotic combination of Hawaiian and Costa Rican tropicals will put a smile on anyone's face. Swelling with waves of color, these hardy and magnificent specimens of nature can give any surrounding the look and feel of a tropical resort. Our stunning bouquet includes intricate yet stalwart Birds of Paradise coupled with fiery Red Ginger and striking Parakeet Heliconia - all serenaded by tri-color Hala leaves and a delicate accent of tea leaves.

Flights of Beauty

The showy, oddly shaped Birds of Paradise and Parakeet Heliconia resemble birds in flight. Birds of Paradise originated in South Africa and evolved in Madagascar, an island off the east coast of Africa. Today, they and many other tropicals are grown commercially primarily in California and Hawaii. Due to the banana shaped leaves and other plant characteristics, Birds of Paradise are classified in the banana family, Musaceae. They are one of the few flowers actually pollinated by birds' feet. These plants can reach up to five feet in height with a two to three foot spread. Their popular name, Bird of Paradise, comes from the flower shape that resembles a bird's beak and head plume. Note the long stemmed flowers that emerge from green boat-shaped bracts that are bordered in red or purple. The numerous pointed petals of brilliant orange are contrasted with an arrow-shaped tongue that is vivid blue ' all in all, it's an astonishing piece of architecture.

The name, Heliconia (hell-ee-cone-ee-uh), honors Mt. Heliconia, a 5,738 foot high mountain located in Boeotia, a region of Greece. It's believed to be the old stomping grounds of the ancient Greek Gods. There are between 250 to 400 species of this graceful flower, with 98 percent being native to the tropical Americas. The Heliconia has been christened with such whimsical names as lobster claw and parrot flower, a reflection of their beak-like shape. They come in a rainbow of colors including orange, pink, and of course, yellow. Within the 'beaks' exist very delicate tiny flowers - some less-common species actually have furry beaks.

A well-known Venezuelan Botanist named Leandro Aristeguieta has identified approximately twenty species within Costa Rica. He estimated that after the forests of Bolivar and the Amazons are studied in more detail, the diversity will end up reaching close to thirty species. The bracts, or modified leaf that harbor the flowers, appear in a variety of shapes, and sizes. Half of the Venezuelan species possess hanging inflorescences. The other half has erect flower pods like that of the Golden Heliconia. Some species, like Heliconia mariae, can grow up to nineteen feet in height!

Heliconia flourish in tropical and subtropical jungles all over Venezuela. The species with erect inflorescences (a modified flowering part of the shoot), store water within the bracts, forming small fishbowls in which the larvae of insects and frogs develop. Sounds like a tropical oasis to us! The framework surrounding this equatorial bouquet includes Tri-Colored Hala leaves (Pandanus tectorius) and Tea leaves.

Red Ginger is added for contrast. Many ornamental gingers, including the Red Ginger (Hawaiian name - awapuhi-ula-ula) were primarily indigenous to Indo-Malaysia and Tahiti, and were introduced to Hawaii during the past century. There are approximately 1,400 species of Ginger, including the edible species.

Your brilliant Red Ginger is a vascular flowering seed plant that thrives well in wet, damp areas. Partnered with the sublime tea leaves and the Hala, these three companions lend an air of warm tropics and sandy beaches, and they serve the magnificent forms of the 'two birds' well, by creating an inspirational backdrop.

The Hala Tree

Hala (Pandanus tectorius) is a small to medium-sized tree. It has a distinctive growth form due to its dichotomous branching pattern. Dichotomous branching involves forking at the tip so that two branches result. Most of the trunk is bare as the large leaves are clustered at the stem tips. The fruits are also distinctive and superficially resemble a Pineapple. They are Multiple Fruits because the "Fruit" is a composite of many fruits from individual flowers. The fruits were eaten by ancient Hawaiians.They were also used to make designs on kapa. Leis of hala fruits were made for personal adornment. However, since hala also meant death, hala leis were not presented to other people (Abbott, 1992). 'Ie'ie is in the same family (Pandanaceae) and its female inflorescence is similar to hala. The stems produce many "Prop Roots". These support the stems as they grow upwards. Without them, the brittle stems would break.

In New Zealand, the Maoris have used Hala for centuries in rope, baskets and clothing. The nectar filled flowers produced by some varieties have always been an important source of food for New Zealand native birds. For some interesting facts about flower history visit http://www.flowermonthclub.com/history.htm.

Nearly 80% of all flowers can be dried!

And it's not difficult to do. Since parts of this exotic bouquet might be especially attractive dried and added to Fall and Winter arrangements, herb wreaths, and even Thanksgiving and Christmas décor, we are including a few tips.

AIR DRYING: Select flowers that are past the bud stage, but before full maturity. Flowers need to be thoroughly dry before you cut them. Strip all the foliage from the stems, and then use rubber bands, or string to tie the stems into small bunches. Hang them upside down in a dry, dark, well-ventilated place (storeroom, attic, closet). The drying process should take anywhere from two to three weeks.

SILICA GEL: Drying time will be significantly reduced and so the flowers tend to retain more color. Silica gel is easily obtainable at most hobby or craft stores. It is a bit on the pricey side; however it can be used indefinitely. You can use any type of airtight container for the silica mixture and flowers. Once it has absorbed a lot of humidity from flowers, put your silca (without flowers) in a warm oven until it's dry, and it will be ready to dry another bunch.

OTHER DRYING AGENTS: A mixture of 2 parts borax and 1 part sand is an effective drying medium. The composition of the sand should be fine, dry and clean. Although this mixture is effective, the weight of the sand often flattens the flowers ' which is great if you are planning to create a picture. For a lighter drying medium, mix equal parts borax and cornmeal. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of non-iodized salt per quart of medium to both the sand-borax and borax-cornmeal mixes to help retain flower color during drying. Drying time for these mixtures is approximately 1 to 2 weeks. You can use an uncovered cardboard box and place it in a dry, warm place.

The procedure for the various drying agents is basically the same. Place 1/2 to 1 inch of the drying material in the bottom of the container. Spike type flowers (ex. Birds of Paradise) should be laid horizontally on their sides. Most flat-faced flowers are dried with their face up. You should begin the process by gently sifting the drying agent over and around the flowers. Make sure the petals remain in their natural position while covering. Continue to add the drying material until the flower is completely covered.

It's important to check your flowers periodically during the drying process. The process is complete when the flowers are crisp and dry to the touch. At the conclusion of the drying procedure, carefully remove the drying agent. The flowers will be brittle, so handle with care. Use a soft brush to remove any residue. Viola! You have now created a unique original piece of art that may be enjoyed for many months to come

Arrangement Tips

Large exotic arrangements always steal the show, and they can bring you a special satisfaction when you use them as a creative medium. Possibly because of their size, Birds of Paradise and Parakeet Heliconia are sometimes thought to be hard to work with, but that's really not true, because ANYTHING goes. Relax and let your creativity have a field day! Just forget rules... in fact, make up your own! These flowers will last a long time, so you might start with long stems and next week try an arrangement with some short stems. Try using a container that isn't normally thought of as a vase. Challenge that imagination, and get wild and crazy!

Tropical flowers need to be arranged using simple lines, since each flower is so exotic. There are no supporting roles in this bouquet. All the flowers are prima donnas! Here are a few ideas based on tried and true flower arranging 'rules' to give you some inspiration, but first follow the directions on the Flower Care insert.

Cut the Birds of Paradise so that each one is two to three inches taller than the next. The Red Gingers usually want to be the tallest flowers ' cut one to stand just below the bloom of the tallest one.

Now place the Heliconias and Tea Leaves close to the Ginger, and about 6 inches lower. Cut them so they vary in length. The Tri Colored Hala leaves have striking red stripes that pick up the red in your Ginger flowers, so place them just behind or to the side of the Gingers.

Want some Special Effects? The Hala can be bent to create striking lines, or it can be sliced vertically. Just start with a small slice and pull the leaf apart. Here's one for the pros: make a slice in the center of the leaf, and push the top of the leaf through the slice (it will stick out the back). There are, of course, many variations depending on where, and at what angle you slice the leaf.

Shock and Awe

Your flowers were harvested in the cool of the morning, put into water, and moved to shade ASAP. The lower leaves were then removed from the sturdy stems, and they were placed in a clean bucket with floral preservative. In order to replenish them from the ordeal of being harvested, these thirsty flowers are then whisked to the cooler (40 degrees to 42 degrees F with a humidity of 90 to 95 percent), where they are allowed to drink the acid based water and soak up the humidity before being shipped. Now that you have custody of these island beauties, give them some TLC to be sure your Hawaiian tropicals have a long vase life '

Re-cut the stems one inch. It is a lot easier to use a sharp knife, rather than scissors. You'll get a cleaner cut that will not crush the water pathways. Also it's recommended that you cut the stems under water so there won't be any air blockages that would shorten the life of your flowers considerably.

Place them loosely in a clean bucket in about four inches of water containing the appropriate amount of flower food that is packaged with your flowers. Be sure to measure it, as too much is not good for many flowers. Later you may add this water to your vase. Keep all the leaves above the water line.

Keep your tropical selections in a well-lit area for 1 to 2 hours, which will let them recover from the shock of being harvested and the ordeal of traveling.

Once they find their smiles again, you can make an awe inspiring arrangement or two. Use the fresh flower food as directed. Although these flowers like light 24 hours a day, remember to keep them out of the direct sunlight, and they will maintain their fresh look much longer.

If the water gets slightly cloudy at any time, this means bacteria is destroying your flowers! Immediately discard and replace the water. Wash off the bacteria from the stems under running water and repeat the 'flower surgery.'

Make sure you add water as needed, and change the water every 4 to 5 days.

If you run out of plant food, since these flowers will last longer than most others with the right care, simply add 1/4 teaspoon of household bleach per quart of water. The bleach will prevent the growth of algae that is determined to clog the water channels in their stems.

Countdown to Summer

With this tropical beauty before you, it is not so difficult to envision those crackling Tiki Torches, firing up the grill, and tossing on the chicken and steaks. As you prepare for a spring barbecue make sure you don't forget to crown those patio tables with your beautiful flowers from the Endless Flowers Club. We bid you a friendly reminder to stock up now for that much anticipated barbecue and what better way than by visiting www.beermonthclub.com and www.winemonthclub.com. Happy Spring!