Featured Flower: Violet

The African violet is among the most popular of houseplants with annual North American wholesale sales exceeding 35 million dollars. It is the fourth most important potted flower crop in Ontario. This popularity is due to its ability to thrive under conditions commonly found in most homes, and its usefulness as a specimen plant, center piece, or feature in dish gardens.

These compact little plants come in a wide variety of shapes and colors. Discovered in 1892, growing wild in the mountains of what is now Tanzania, in southeast Africa, African violets are available everywhere from your local garden center to the corner grocery.

When picking Ontario African violets, inspect the plants carefully for insects or disease. Do not purchase plants with mushy brown blooms or buds, or streaked, misshapen leaves with irregular yellow spots. Signs of insect infestation include a white cottony "dust" on the leaf stems (mealy bugs) or tiny green, red or yellow "specs" or webbing on leaves or buds (spider mites).

African violets enjoy bright, diffused sunlight or artificial light and lots of it. They also like higher humidity and warm temperatures, making them ideal for the bathroom windowsill--especially if that window faces north or east.

Keep the soil evenly moist (not wet!) and water the plant from the bottom to avoid water spots on the leaves. Simply set the container in a saucer of tepid water for about 20 minutes and allow the soil to absorb the water. Don't leave the plant sitting in water for much longer or you run the risk of over watering, which can cause root rot and kill the plant. African violets seldom need pots larger than 4 inches in diameter. The danger of over watering increases if the pots are too big.

Use either special African violet fertilizers or a houseplant fertilizer high in phosphorus. A very dilute fertilizer solution at each watering keeps growth constant and eliminates any chances of over fertilization.

Pick Ontario July Newsletter

Pick Ontario Flowers has released their July Newsletter for all to read!

Topics include:
Ontario's Favourite Flower (to date)
Breath of Fresh Air at Queen's Park
Featured Flower: Gerberas
Featured Grower: Van Geest Bros.

Read the July Newsletter online or sign up to have the newsletter sent directly to your inbox each month.

Featured Flower: Tulips

Cut Tulips are one of Ontario’s largest cut flower crops, accounting for a large percentage of total flower production. They are available from late December through June.

The tulip originated over ten decades ago in Persia and Turkey. Its name is derived from the Persian word for turban. The flower’s popularity spread quickly, particularly in the Netherlands where “tulip mania” sent tulip prices soaring and markets crashing during the 17th century.

Cut Tulips Dance in the Vase

Don’t be spooked if the straight upright tulips arranged yesterday are bending all over the place today. They are just doing what cut tulips do – dance in the vase.

Unlike other flowers, Tulips keep growing after being cut. The movement occurs as the stems grow upward, while the large flowers respond to the pull of light and gravity. Floral designers treasure these graceful habits , but they can confuse people used to flowers ”that just stand there”.

For longest vase life, look for bunches of cut tulips with buds that are still closed but clearly show the color of the flower. Remove bruised leaves and trim an inch or two from the stems with a clean sharp knife to allow better fluid intake. Cut flower food is not necessary but tulips are particularly thirsty. Refresh water levels daily and if necessary, recut stems after a few days. Keep away from sources of heat (including direct sunlight, radiators, lamps and television sets). With proper care, cut tulips should last from 4 to 7 days.

Design Tip:
Cut tulips are at home in most containers: from a crystal vase to a tin can. Choose one that does not compete with the flowers.

Tulips look great solo because of their sculptural shape but also combine well with spring branches like Forsythia, Curly Willow or Dillweed . Do not mix with daffodils, as they release a substance that kills tulips.

Featured Plant: Geranium

Potted geraniums are Ontario’s third most popular potted plant and the world’s favorite indoor/outdoor potted flower. All over the country, geraniums flaunt their red, scarlet, rose, pink, purple and white blooms with a gay abandon that few other plants can rival. In planters on city fire escapes and rooftops, in window boxes on suburban and country houses, in tubs and pots on terraces and patios, and in hanging baskets on summer cottage porches, they are beloved and cherished plants.

Even if you choose no other plants, you could have a varied potted indoor or outdoor garden of single and double zonal, fancy-leaved or variegated, scented-leaved, ivy and Lady or Martha Washington geraniums (also called show or fancy geraniums), not to mention a few oddities of cactus and climbing types.

Prospects for success when growing geraniums indoors depend largely on having enough light to promote flowering. Geraniums thrive in full sunlight. In the absence of a bright, sunny window, supplemental fluorescent tube lighting kept 10 to 12 inches from the plants will help growth. Fluorescent lights can be used from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to supplement natural light.

Over watering will cause geraniums to rot. Feel the soil to determine when to water. If it’s dry to the touch, water thoroughly. If it feels moist and cool, don’t water. Geraniums tolerate dry soil conditions better than excess moisture.

Geranium pots can be either clay or plastic, but must have drain holes. Saucers placed under the pots to collect water should be emptied a few minutes after watering. Do not allow the roots of the plant to sit in water.

To maintain even plant growth, turn containers from time to time. Pinch yellow leaves, faded blossoms and new growing points to keep the plant stocky and well-branched.