10 acres of flowers for Valentine’s Day
Valentine鈥檚 Day is next Friday, and if you didn鈥檛 know that, this may be the most important “Garden Plot” you鈥檒l ever read.
Now, instead of giving flowers that eventually fade away, how about an event whose memories will last forever, such as a trip to the famed Philadelphia Flower Show next month?
Philly is the largest indoor flower show in the world, with 10 acres of major exhibits and breathtakingly perfect individual plants. It鈥檚 also the oldest American flower show鈥攖he poinsettia was first seen in the United States at the premier show in 1829.
This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淩iviera Holiday,鈥� promises a bit of Mediterranean warmth in the middle of winter. Buy your tickets early and get a break on the price (check out the 鈥淔riends and Family鈥� deal) .
The flower that says, ‘I love you’
So, are you ready to send the correct message next Friday, on Valentine’s Day?
Red roses do symbolize “love” in general in “The Floral Code,” the 鈥渓anguage of flowers鈥� that was immensely popular in the Victorian Era, for a time when manners and station often prevented direct talk of romance and symbolism was the only socially acceptable way to express your feelings.
But red tulips specifically mean “I love you.” And red tulips are reliable re-bloomers, so if you buy them as live plants growing in a pot and give the green leaves lots of sun, after the flowers fade, you can plant the bulbs in the ground this fall and aim for everlasting love.
Don鈥檛 give the wrong roses
You may want to avoid roses in colors other than the basic red.
White roses symbolize chastity, which is, perhaps, not your intended point on Feb. 14.
Peach roses mean sympathy, which might be what you鈥檒l need, but don鈥檛 ask for it up front.
Yellow roses might be the worst — that color translates to “let鈥檚 just be friends.” Oy!
Oh, and don鈥檛 worry, if your red roses have a few thorns — the more thorns, the more passionate your love.
The proven cut flower preserver
Tired of your Valentine鈥檚 Day roses losing their luster by Feb. 15? Forget pennies in the water or the powder in those chemical preservative packets. Researchers whose work has been published in peer-reviewed journal articles recommend a different strategy:
- First, thoroughly wash the vase the flowers will go into.
- Then, mix one can of Sprite, 7-Up or other nondiet lemon-lime soda with three cans of water.
- Add a few drops of vinegar.
- Then, warm this mixture to around 100 degrees.
- Remove any leaves that would fall below the water line.
- Recut the stems at an angle, then place them in the still-warm water.
- Display the vase in the coolest spot in your home.
Get it all right and those flowers can look fabulous for two weeks!
鈥nd maybe toss in a shot for good luck
An article published in The International Journal of Biotechnology Research contains some important Valentine鈥檚 Day information: namely that鈥攁s with many humans鈥攕ugar and alcohol may be key to success!
The researchers found that keeping cut flowers looking good the longest requires some sugar for food, clean water with a low pH, an anti-microbial agent to keep the water clean and … a little vodka.
Originally thought to kill microbes in the water, researchers found that the vodka actually prevented the release of ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent that would otherwise “push” the flowers into fully opening and dropping their petals prematurely.
Drink up!
Meet Mike in Chantilly later this month
I’ll appear on Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23 at the long-running at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Saturday talks will be at 1 p.m. and 4 pm; Sunday鈥檚 are noon and 2 p.m.
I’ll talk about tomatoes, organic lawn care, compost and, of course, answer your toughest garden questions! More info .
Mike McGrath was editor-in-chief of ORGANIC GARDENING magazine from 1990 through 1997. He has been the host of the nationally syndicated public radio show 鈥淵ou Bet Your Garden鈥� since 1998 and 草莓传媒 Garden Editor since 1999. Send him your garden or pest control questions at MikeMcG@PTD.net.
