Gladiol

Gladiol (Gladiolus sp)

Description

A genus of perennial bulbous flowering plants in the iris family (Iridaceae). It is distributed in Mediterranean Europe, Asia, Tropical Africa and South Africa.  Flowers are variously colored, pink to reddish or light purple with white, contrasting markings, or white to cream or orange to red. Gladioli have been extensively hybridized and a wide range of ornamental flower colours are available from the many varieties. The main hybrid groups have been obtained by crossing between four or five species, followed by selection: Grandiflorus, Primulines and Nanus. They make very good cut flowers. However, due to their height, the cultivated forms frequently tend to fall over in the wind if left on the plant.

Care tips

Fresh water and a clean vase are essential for full flowering. Replace the water regularly. The flowers will open better if the tip of the spike is removed, although this does detract from the flower’s ornamental value. Store upright, gladioli grow towards the light.

Where to buy

Chrisant

Chrisant - Krisan (Dendranthema sp)

Description

Chrysanthemums are native to Asia and northeastern Europe. There are many hybrids and thousands of cultivars developed for horticultural purposes and they come in a huge variety of colours.

Chrysanthemum blooms are divided into 13 different bloom forms by the US National Chrysanthemum Society, Inc., which is in keeping with the international classification system. The bloom forms are defined by the way in which the ray and disk florets are arranged:

1.       Irregular Incurve: The giants of the chrysanthemum world. Quite often disbudded to create a single giant bloom (ogiku), the disk florets are completely concealed, while the ray florets curve inwardly to conceal the disk and also hang down to create a 'skirt'.

2.       Reflex: The disk florets are concealed and the ray florets reflex outwards to create a mop like appearance.

3.       Regular Incurve: Similar to the irregular incurves, only usually smaller blooms, with nearly perfect globular form. Disk florets are completely concealed. They used to be called 'Chinese'.

4.       Decorative: Similar to reflex blooms without the mop like appearance. Disk florets are completely concealed, ray florets usually don't radiate at more than a 90 degree angle to the stem.

5.       Intermediate Incurve: These blooms are in-between the Irregular and Regular incurves in both size and form. They usually have broader florets and a more loosely composed bloom. Again, the disk florets are completely concealed.

6.       Pompon: *Note the spelling, it is not pompom. The blooms are fully double, of small size, and almost completely globular in form.

7.       Single/Semi-Double: These blooms have completely exposed disk florets, with between 1 and 7 rows of ray florets, usually radiating at not more than a 90 degree angle to the stem.

8.       Anemone: The disk florets are prominently featured, quite often raised and overshadowing the ray florets.

9.       Spoon: The disk florets are visible and the long tubular ray florets are spatulate.

10.   Quill: The disk florets are completely concealed, and the ray florets are tube like.

11.   Spider: The disk florets are completely concealed, and the ray florets are tube like with hooked or barbed ends, hanging loosely around the stem.

12.   Brush & Thistle: The disk florets may be visible. The ray florets are often tube like, and project all around the flower head, or project parallel to the stem.

13.   Exotic: These blooms defy classification as they possess the attributes of more than one of the other twelve bloom types.

Care tips

Leave the flower to have a good drink of cold water. This helps prevent the leaves from drooping as air bubbles in the stem dissolve in cold water. Clean the vase thoroughly before use. Do not break or flatten the stems, instead slant cut them with a sharp knife. Vase life about 1 week

Where to buy

Alam Indah Bunga Nusantara (0263) 581610, Saung Mirwan (0251) 8241269, Bunga Lima benua (021) 8416933, Ciputri (021) 7805549, Rose Farm (021) 65834009,
Sarkad Saleh (0263) 524325, Wahana Kharisma Flora (031) 5474286

Lili

Lilium – Lili (Lilium sp)

Description

The genus of 80 or more species of bulbs is distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. Lilies have erect unbranched stems clad with narrow leaves and topped by large six-petalled flowers in the form of trumpets.

Care tips

Stand the flowers in water containing cut flower food, preferably special food for lilies. Remove any pollen from clothing with the aid of a brush or adhesive tape or hang out in the sun for several hours. Do not try to remove the stains with water. The flowers can be strongly scented.

Where to buy

Melrimba (021) 7545102, Allescia (021) 4532630