Santa Ana Flowers - Flower Tips

Tips for Buying Christmas Poinsettia

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 04:47:04

Poinsettias are beautiful flowers and a Christmas tradition. Poinsettia quality is at an all time high because poinsettias can be shipped directly from the greenhouse to your house quickly to retain high quality and freshness.

These tips will help you buy the best poinsettias for your Christmas holiday season.

This picture is a nearly perfect example of a poinsettia from Bloomdepot.com.

Click below to buy poinsettias from Bloomdepot.com.

Red Christmas Poinsettia	Pink Christmas Poinsettia	White Christmas Poinsettia

Buy these Poinsettias:

Choose a poinsettia plant with dark green foliage down to the soil line.
Choose poinsettia plants with bracts (modified leaves) that are completely colored.
The poinsettia should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides.
The poinsettia plant should be 2 1/2 times taller than the diameter of the container.
Check the poinsettia's maturity. Check the true flowers which are located at the base of the colored bracts. If the flowers are green or red-tipped and fresh looking the bloom will "hold" longer than if yellow pollen is covering the flowers.

Click here for more tips on buying poinsettias and caring for poinsettias.

Texas Poinsettia Producers Guide

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:47:04

The Texas A & M University Agricultural Extension Service has produced a great resource for growing poinsettias. The information aims specifically at growing conditions in Texas but is very useful for growing poinsettias anywhere.

Topics at the Texas Poinsettia Producers Guide site include:

Poinsettia History
Poinsettia Forms and Styles
Poinsettia Economics and Marketing
Poinsettia Cultural Characteristics
Poinsettia Cultivars
Production Schedule
Poinsettia Height Control
Selecting a Poinsettia Growing Medium
Poinsettia Water Quality
Poinsettia Irrigation
Poinsettia Nutrition
Insect and Mite Management
Poinsettia Diseases and Control
Common Poinsettia Disorders
Conversion Tables for Growers and Gardeners
Additional Poinsettia References

Read more about Texas Poinsettia Producers Guide.

The University of New Hampshire Poinsettia Information

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:47:04

The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension has conducted detailed research related to poinsettia cultivation and flowering. The research was funded by the Paul Ecke Ranch, the UNH Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Anna and Raymond Tuttle Environmental Horticulture Fund.

This research is useful to commercial growers as well as gardners and consumers caring for poinsettias.

Are Poinsettias Poisonous

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:47:04

The short answer is no...but don't eat them.

Poinsettias will make people or pets ill if they are eaten.

Individuals allergic to latex might have an allergic reaction to poinsettias since the plant produces a similar substance.

Read more about the Toxicity of Poinsettias.

Poinsettia in Backyard Garden

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:47:04

The climate in Southern California is good for poinsettias with just a bit of help. If you are used to thinking of poinsettias as a small potted plant this picture might amaze you.

Poinsettias are a shrub that; as this photo proves, grow to the size of a small tree with thick trucks.

Image by Martin LaBar

Read more about Poinsettia in San Diego Area Garden.

Poinsettia True Flowers

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:47:04

The top leaves of the poinsettia, known as bracts, are flaming red, pink, or white and are often mistaken as flowers. The actual flowers are the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch.

Image by Old Shoe Woman.

The photo below is a great closeup shot of the true flowers of a poinsettia plant. The poinsettia true flowers in this picture are just opening. Unopened true flowers is one important sign that the poinsettia blooms will last a long time. This is an important tip when buying poinsettias.

Image by Tzatziki.

Read more about Poinsettia True FLowers.

University of Florida Floriculture Poinsettia Page

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:47:04

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has great information on growing poinsettias. Commercial growers as well as gardners will find plenty of great information for growing poinsettia, poinsettia care and poinsettia reflowering.

Topics at the site include:

Basic Poinsettia Production Guidelines
Poinsettia Variety Trials
Poinsettia Height Control Examples
Poinsettia Growth Regulators
Poinsettia Postharvest Information
Poinsettia Disorders
Poinsettia Grower Resources

More information about the University of Florida Floriculture Poinsettia Page.

Reasons to Buy Grower Direct Flowers

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 04:47:04

Grower direct flowers provide you with very fresh cut flowers at a very reasonable price.

Here are some reasons to buy grower direct flowers:

Grower direct flowers save you money
Grower direct flowers are fresher on average
Grower direct flowers have a wider delivery area than traditional florists

Read more about Reasons to Buy Grower Direct Flowers.

Grower Direct vs Florist Arranged Flowers

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 04:47:04

Florists earn the money they make by providing you with both products and services. The flowers are their product and arranging them, storing them and delivering them are some of the services.

Growers provide you with a product, the flowers and materials to arrange them. Delivery is done by a shipping company such as FedEx. Delivering with a shipping service means a much wider coverage area for grower direct deliveries than traditional florists.

The comparison chart below should help decide which is best for you.

Why Grower Direct Flowers Save You Money

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 04:47:04

Florists earn the money they make by providing you with both products and services. The flowers are their product and arranging them, storing them and delivering them are some of the services.

Growers provide you with a product, the flowers and materials to arrange them. Delivery is done by a shipping company such as FedEx. Delivering with a shipping service means a much wider covarage area grower direct deliveries than traditional florists.

Buying direct from the grower saves you money for several reasons:

You are not buying the service of arranging the flowers
The flowers don't have to be stored
Fewer flowers are wasted
Shipping is more efficient

Buying Florist Flowers Online

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 04:47:04

Buying flowers by visiting an online florist's web site is probably for you if:

You are pressed for time
You want an artistic and appropriate arrangement for the occasion
Online florists rank high for reliability and customer satisfaction
The online florist's covarage area includes the delivery address

Read more about Buying Florist Flowers Online.

Protect Yourself From Flower Fraud

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 04:47:04

Your local florist is just a phone call away, or so you think. Some unscrupulous telemarketing firms are posing as local florists, charging you higher fees and taking business away from legitimate florists in your town.

Selling flowers through a wire service or order taking service is a legitamate way to do business. Many top growers and florists use this business model.

However, deceiving customers into thinking they are ordering from a local florist is not legitamate.