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.

Featured Flower: Lilies

Lilies are the 7th most important cut flower grown in Ontario.

A member of the Liliaceae family, lilies are fragrant, bulbous, herbaceous perennials native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.

The lily is considered to be the sacred flower of motherhood, hence its popularity for Mother’s Day. According to Anglo-Saxon folklore, if both a rose and a lily were offered to an expectant mother and she chose the rose, her baby would be a girl. If she chose the lily, a boy was on the way.

Most lily varieties produced in Ontario are available year round with peak availability in the spring and summer. When buying lilies, look for stems with a few of the lower buds slightly opened and showing some color. Trim stems with a sharp knife and remove foliage below the water line. Also, to avoid difficult stains, remove pollen-bearing anthers before putting the stems in water. If lily pollen gets on your clothing or other fabric, let it “dry,” then use a hairdryer to blow it away. Do not use your hands or a wet cloth, as oil and/or water set the stain.

Arrange stems loosely in a tall container, with lukewarm water and fresh flower food. Refresh water every few days and pinch blossoms and leaves as they turn yellow. Lilies are ethylene gas sensitive which can shorten their potential vase life of 7-14 days.

There are four main lily categories: longiflorums have a strong, sweet fragrance and feature large, funnel-shaped flowers that are normally white. Asiatic hybrids have smaller flowers and are less fragrant, but they're available in a wide variety of colors. Oriental hybrids are available in fewer colors, but they have larger flowers and stronger fragrances than the Asiatics. Finally, the longiflorum x Asiatic category includes mostly apricot- or salmon-colored varieties that have only a light fragrance.

Featured Plant: Potted Chrysanthemums

Potted chrysanthemums are the most popular year-round flowering plant in the world. They are long flowering, long lasting, easy to grow, relatively disease and pest free plants that can produce flowers at any time of the year by light manipulation. So it is not surprising that chrysanthemums are also Ontario’s largest volume flowering potted plant.

Grown as hardy outdoor plants until the mid-1800's, the development of glass greenhouses allowed for the culture of non-hardy mums, too. They came to be known as florist mums, grown for cut flowers and later as potted plants. Today potted mums are so popular that they are grown for sale 12 months of the year.

Potted chrysanthemums are one of the best plants for keeping indoor environments healthy by removing toxins from the air. They are listed in NASA’s top 12 “green” air cleaners. Florists recommend combining up to 5 plants together in a large container – the sweet grass scent of chrysanthemums combined with their natural air cleaning abilities will freshen any room for weeks.

To maximize the life of the plant, pick Ontario chrysanthemums with lots of buds open to the point of the color being clearly visible. Place in a bright light, cool location without direct sun. Keep soil moist to the touch but do not allow pot to sit in water. Pinch spent blooms and yellow leaves. With proper care, an Ontario grown potted chrysanthemum will last 4 to 6 weeks.

Featured Flower: Roses

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose?

With apologies to Gertrude Stein, no, there are thousands and thousands of varieties of roses, each unique in their own way. The differences between each variety of the world’s most popular flower have to do with the stem length and the size of the rose head.

Most of the cut roses produced in Ontario, the 5th largest cut flower crop, are the sweetheart varieties, or the intermediate size roses best characterized by the trait of fully opening heads that stay open a long time.

According to Greek mythology, Sweetheart roses were created from the tears of Aphrodite and the blood of her sweetheart Adonis. Industry experts claim they are the favorite flower to say “You’re My Sweetheart”. Obviously a Valentine’s Day favorite, Ontario’s sweetheart roses are available year round.

The sweetheart rose is a polyantha variety, meaning literally "many-flowered. They range from spray roses, having multiple blooms per stem, to more familiar single bloom varieties. These single bloom petite roses more closely resemble their long stemmed cousins and are the kind most often used to make cut flower and vase arrangements. The stems of these flowers are green and flexible, conducting water easily making them less susceptible to air bubbles and the dreaded drooping head. With proper care sweetheart roses can last up to two weeks.

Roses are cut at the farm with their outer “guard” petals still on to protect them during transport. So, a rose with a brown spot is not necessarily a bad one; it may just need the outer petals removed. Green and supple foliage is a very good indicator of quality and freshness of the flower. To maximize vase life, remove leaves below the water line, trim ends with a sharp knife (taking care not to let the ends dry off before being placed in water), add flower food and refresh water every few days.

Floral Design

Tall Line Flower Arrangements

When arranging tall line flowers like Ontario Gladiolas, Snap Dragons and Irises, ideal proportions are important if you want to make a memorable statement. Choose a vase that is at least 1/3 the height of the flowers or if using a floor standing vase like the one in the photo, submerge the stems to the point where 2/3’s of the stems are visible above the vase. To secure the stems in this type of vase, tie the stems 1/3 from the base with a twist tie then position a discreet horizontal support like a chopstick (or use one of the trimmed stem ends if long enough) through the stems just under the tie to keep the arrangement from falling too far down the vase. Not much filler is required as line arrangements look best with space between the stems but branches such as Ontario grown Forsythia, Pussy Willow or Red Willow are appropriate companions.

Monochromatic Flower Accents
Ontario grown white Spray Tea Roses in a clear glass vase contribute to this monochromatic color statement of calm, uncluttered elegance. Where you put flowers is almost as important as how you arrange the individual stems. In this case the flower accent is subdued, blending in with the other elements so that nothing hogs the visual spotlight. Using a flower with a strong scent adds a subtle sensuality to this monochromatic décor idea.

Saturated Flower Color Demands Attention
When you want to make a mess disappear without really making it disappear, add a brightly colored flower arrangement, like these pink and yellow Spray Chrysanthemums in the orange teapot. The viewer focuses on the color, blocking any mess around it or the flowers magically transform the mess into a shabby chic design statement. In Ontario, Spray Chrysanthemums are available in painter’s palette of colors and shapes and make especially eye-catching, long lasting arrangements when combined with filler flowers like Goldenrod.

Featured Plant: Begonia

Begonias are tender perennials, grown for their colorful flowers and foliage. They are indigenous to tropical climates so in Ontario potted begonias are produced and sold as annuals. Most begonias can be grown outdoors in containers, garden beds or hanging baskets or indoors as houseplants. They are Ontario’s 7th most important flowering potted plant crop.

There are many types of begonias but the tuberous-rooted varieties are especially common in cooler parts of the temperate zone like Ontario. They produce large showy flowers on small upright or cascading plants. Begonias have male and female flowers on the same plant. The female flowers are noticeable for the three winged ovary at the base of the petals whereas the male flowers usually have only two petals.

The foliage is very attractive, featuring large, smooth, lobed leaves. This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter. Soil should ideally be moist but allowed to dry between waterings. Potted begonias like humid environments such as bathrooms. Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season results in a bushier plant. Remove dead foliage and flowers to prevent disease.

Pick Ontario potted begonias from January through August.

Plant Care

Fresh plants won’t last forever but with these simple tips from PickOntario.ca you’ll be sure to enjoy them for as long as possible.

Plant Care

Simple Tips to Keep Your Potted Plants Healthy

•	Ensure your plant and the size of the container it’s in are in proportion
•	Choose containers that have drainage in the bottom – to protect roots
•	Always use an excellent quality potting soil
•	Water as needed – but don’t over water!
•	Make sure plants get the sunlight they need
•	Keep a lookout for pests (such as mealy bugs or mites), indoors they have no natural predators

Featured Flower: Alstroemeria

As Ontario’s 6th largest cut flower crop, Alstroemeria, commonly called the Peruvian Lily, is a South American genus of about 50 flowering plant species, mainly from cool, mountainous regions in the Andes. Ontario’s commercial varieties are available year round.

Perhaps due to its mountainous roots, alstroemeria leaves grow upside down. The leaf twists as it leaves the stem, so that the bottom is facing upwards. Closer inspection reveals a spiral growth pattern on the stem all the way through to the distinctive twist in the head of the flower.

Alstroemeria flowers have no fragrance but the abundance of small orchid-like blossoms in very color imaginable would make anyone smile. Florists often combine alstroemeria with lilies in cut arrangements (along with a myriad of other flowers) because alstroemeria looks like a miniature lily …and the two just seem to go together.

In the store, alstroemeria may appear to be limp, but often this drooping effect is the result of the way the flower grows. Look for just opening buds and bright green leaves as indicators of freshness. If buds are very tight, submerge in warm water to promote opening.

Remove any leaves below the water line and trim stems with a sharp knife. Add cut flower food and refresh water every few days. Temperature is key to the lifespan of flowers. Display fresh cut alstroemeria arrangements in a cool area out of direct sunlight and drafts and they can last up to two weeks.

Flower Trends

You change the clothes you wear and the way you get your hair styled based on the current trends so why can't we look at our flowers the same way? For that reason, PickOntario.ca has come up with new and exciting ways to add flowers into your everyday life.

Pamper Yourself – Flowers in the Bathroom

Creating a spa-like bathroom in your home continues to be a big trend. A simple frosted vase filled with white tulips and roses on your vanity will help create the ambiance for a perfect retreat.

Ignite Creativity - Flowers in the Office

Flowers aren’t just for your home. Research shows that the addition of flowers can enhance productivity and creativity in your work environment. A colourful mixed bouquet will inject a burst of energy while a potted plant can help create a relaxing atmosphere.

Create a View – Flowers in the Window

Don’t have the greatest view from your window? Create one. Attach a series of hanging bud vases -- available from many manufacturers -- to your curtain rod. For the best effect, keep it simple: use single stem gerberas, orchids or daisies.

2008 Colour Trends

Incorporating the hottest colour combinations into your décor through flowers is a no-commitment way to enjoy the latest trends.
For 2008, consider:

• Deep red and aqua
• Gold and lavender or dark purple
• Chocolate brown and soft green
• Soft pink and grey
• Fuchsia and orange

Do you have any flower trends that you would like to share? If so, I'd love to hear them!

Featured Flower: Potted Gerberas

Gerberas are also wonderful potted as well as decorative garden plants. Ontario’s potted gerbera production has grown from virtually nothing only a few years ago to become Ontario’s 8th most important potted flower crop. Although they are perennials in very warm climates, gerberas are generally treated as annuals in Ontario, as they are not winter hardy.

The vividly colored daisy blooms stand proud on bare stems shooting out of deeply lobed, lanced-shaped leaves. Potted gerberas will flower continuously for 4-6 weeks with proper care. Bright light locations are preferred as well as moderately moist soil. Water thoroughly when soil surface is dry to the touch. Do not allow plants to stand in water.

Ontario potted gerberas are usually sold in 4.5” and 6” sizes and because of their lightweight lushness, lend themselves to containers with weight like ceramic or stone. They can be used as indoor or outdoor table arrangements, gifts, decoration in a sunroom/patio or planted in garden beds for an instant splash of color. Caring for them as a houseplant not only livens up your home but purifies the indoor air of toxins. They are listed in the top 12 “Green” air cleaners by NASA.

Pick Ontario potted gerberas from January through September.

Fresh Flower Care

Who doesn't love having a fresh bouquet of flowers sitting on their kitchen table? It's always a treat to have a vase of aromatic blooms sitting right in front of an open window....all it takes is one nice breeze to carry the fragarance throughout your house.

Unfortunately, fresh flowers don’t last forever but with a few simple tips you’ll be able to enjoy them for as long as possible.

• Ensure the vase is clean and free of soap residue before you use it
• Strip the stem of all leaves that will be below the waterline
• Use a sharp knife and, at a 45 degree angle, cut at least one inch from the bottom of each flower
• Fill your vase or container with lukewarm water
• Use a commercial flower preservative
• Keep flowers in a cool spot, away from sunlight or heat sources
• Change the water regularly to discourage the growth of bacteria
• Remove flowers as they start to wilt

Featured Flower: Gerberas

Cut Gerberas are Ontario’s second largest cut flower crop. Cut gerberas are the fifth most used cut flower in the world and a favorite of florists, just next to carnations and roses. Ontario cut gerberas are available throughout the year.

Gerberas are long living, cheerful, decorative flowers that are part of the sunflower and daisy family. Roughly thirty wild species of Gerberas can be found growing in South Africa, Africa, Madagascar, and tropical Asia. While Gerberas have the appearance of a single flower, they are actually composed of hundreds of individual flowers. Ontario grown cut Gerberas are usually sold without their leaves (because the cut leaf ages much faster than the flower), in a cardboard holder that protects the blooms and keeps the long hollow stems from bending. Carefully remove the stems from the holder and trim the ends with a sharp knife.

Cut Gerberas lend themselves to long-stemmed vase arrangements on their own or as companions with many others flowers. They also make eye-catching, short-stemmed, hand-tied bouquets, accessorized with simple greens like Salal or Asparagus Fern. Place in bright light and refresh the water every few days.

Welcome

Welcome to the new Pick Ontario Flowers blog!

This will be an informative area for visitors to learn about the various species of flowers that are available in Ontario, as well as helpful gardening tips and almost everything flower-related!

This site was created through the PickOntario.ca website, a division of Flowers Canada to raise awareness and interest in Ontario-grown fresh cut flowers and potted plants. This initiative is funded in part by the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance, the Agricultural Adaptation Council and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Be sure to check back often for all your flower information needs or check out the PickOntario.ca website when you get a minute!