文章
Miss Chen
2017年08月11日
Orchids, members of the Orchidaceae family, are prized for their attractive and exotic flowers. Considered difficult for amateurs to grow from seed, orchid species may be hardy from USDA zones 4 through 12. From hardy natives to tropical beauties, orchid seeds contain few food reserves, naturally relying on a symbiotic relationship with a fungus to provide their nutrients. Home growers imitate this relationship by sowing orchid seeds on a gelled, algae-based nutrient solution known as agar. Because the seeds and agar are generally kept in a flask, this process is called flasking. Agar or nutrient agar mixtures can be purchased. Alternatively, home growers can make an orchid-flasking, agar medium of their own.
Step 1
Mix water, gelatin, sugar and beef bouillon cubes or granules together in a saucepan. The amount of each used will depend on the amount of growing medium desired, but a sample mixture would have the following ingredient proportions: 4 cups of water, four packets of plain gelatin or a substitutable amount of agar, 8 teaspoons of sugar and four bouillon cubes or 4 teaspoons of bouillon granules.
Step 2
Boil this mixture, stirring constantly.
Step 3
Cool the mixture once it has been brought to a boil and all of the ingredients have dissolved. Keep the mixture sterile. Avoid exposing it to any surfaces, skin or other materials that may harbor any amount of bacteria. Keep it covered to prevent contamination and let it cool for no more than eight minutes.
Step 4
Pour the mixture into sterilized flasks. Purchase sterilized flasks and avoid opening them and exposing them to microorganisms until immediately before they will be filled with the growing medium, or sterilize the flasks in a pressure cooker or oven. In a pressure cooker, sterilize the flasks for 15 minutes at 15 psi (pounds per square inch). For oven sterilization, put glassware in the oven for two to three hours at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5
Cover the flasks and let them cool until the gelatin has set. The flasks may be refrigerated to encourage setting.
Step 6
Keep the flasks cool, ideally refrigerated, until the orchid seeds are ready to sow. For best results, the medium should be put to use within three days after you have made it.
Step 1
Mix water, gelatin, sugar and beef bouillon cubes or granules together in a saucepan. The amount of each used will depend on the amount of growing medium desired, but a sample mixture would have the following ingredient proportions: 4 cups of water, four packets of plain gelatin or a substitutable amount of agar, 8 teaspoons of sugar and four bouillon cubes or 4 teaspoons of bouillon granules.
Step 2
Boil this mixture, stirring constantly.
Step 3
Cool the mixture once it has been brought to a boil and all of the ingredients have dissolved. Keep the mixture sterile. Avoid exposing it to any surfaces, skin or other materials that may harbor any amount of bacteria. Keep it covered to prevent contamination and let it cool for no more than eight minutes.
Step 4
Pour the mixture into sterilized flasks. Purchase sterilized flasks and avoid opening them and exposing them to microorganisms until immediately before they will be filled with the growing medium, or sterilize the flasks in a pressure cooker or oven. In a pressure cooker, sterilize the flasks for 15 minutes at 15 psi (pounds per square inch). For oven sterilization, put glassware in the oven for two to three hours at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5
Cover the flasks and let them cool until the gelatin has set. The flasks may be refrigerated to encourage setting.
Step 6
Keep the flasks cool, ideally refrigerated, until the orchid seeds are ready to sow. For best results, the medium should be put to use within three days after you have made it.
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文章
Miss Chen
2017年08月10日
Roses are the classic flowers of romance and elegance, and purple roses can make a remarkable statement in a bouquet or garden. This color is available in all types of rose plant cultivars (cultivated varieties), including hybrid tea, floribunda and climbing. Fragrance, shape and purple shade all vary among types, and sometimes even depending on the nutrients available to the rose from the soil and fertilizer. Purple roses may also be grandiflora, miniature or hedge roses.
Shades of Purple
Purple roses, regardless of type, divide into three main categories by shade: lavender, mauve and purple. Lavender roses are the palest shade, with more blue than red defining the purple color, although they can sometimes appear pinkish in photos. Mauve has more red than blue in the purple, sometimes resembling a burgundy color, but still truly purple. Finally, true purple roses are a perfect combination of red and blue, creating an eye-catching, deep purple color.
Purple Hybrid Tea Roses
Rose enthusiasts developed hybrid tea varieties by cross-breeding two kinds of roses. These roses grow tall on straight stems, usually with a single blossom per stem. They are ideal as cut flowers or specimen plants. Varieties of purple tea roses include Silver Star, Blue Moon, Blue Nile, Blue River, Stainless Steel and Neptune.
Purple Floribunda and Grandiflora Roses
Floribunda roses tend to be shrubby, with a profusion of blossoms on every stem, sometimes tending to grow in clusters. They are a modern rose developed by cross-breeding two other rose types. Purple floribunda varieties include Cotillion, Burgundy Iceberg and Enchanted Evening.
Grandifloras are rose bushes similar in form to floribundas, but tend to be larger, with their flowers taking more of a hybrid-tea-rose shape. Melody Parfumee and Sweetness are both grandiflora cultivars.
Purple Climbing Roses
Any variety of rose, including floribunda and hybrid tea, can develop a climbing form. The canes of climbing roses are longer and more flexible than those of bush forms and can reach heights of 8 feet or more, although shorter ones are also available. Night Owl is a purple climbing rose.
Purple Miniature Roses
Measuring 6 to 36 inches in height, miniature roses are often sold as houseplants, although they descend from outdoor shrubs. Most modern miniature roses are repeat bloomers, rather than the single bloomers they once were. Demitasse, Sweet Chariot and Blue Peter are three varieties of modern miniature roses.
Shrub and Purple Hedge Roses
A shrub rose is simply a type of rose that takes on a shrub form, while hedge roses are roses--usually a shrub rose type--used to form a hedge or border. Lavender Dream, Lavender Lassie, Blue Boy and Outta the Blue are purple shrub roses, and Fragrant Lavender Simplicity® is a purple hedge rose.
Shades of Purple
Purple roses, regardless of type, divide into three main categories by shade: lavender, mauve and purple. Lavender roses are the palest shade, with more blue than red defining the purple color, although they can sometimes appear pinkish in photos. Mauve has more red than blue in the purple, sometimes resembling a burgundy color, but still truly purple. Finally, true purple roses are a perfect combination of red and blue, creating an eye-catching, deep purple color.
Purple Hybrid Tea Roses
Rose enthusiasts developed hybrid tea varieties by cross-breeding two kinds of roses. These roses grow tall on straight stems, usually with a single blossom per stem. They are ideal as cut flowers or specimen plants. Varieties of purple tea roses include Silver Star, Blue Moon, Blue Nile, Blue River, Stainless Steel and Neptune.
Purple Floribunda and Grandiflora Roses
Floribunda roses tend to be shrubby, with a profusion of blossoms on every stem, sometimes tending to grow in clusters. They are a modern rose developed by cross-breeding two other rose types. Purple floribunda varieties include Cotillion, Burgundy Iceberg and Enchanted Evening.
Grandifloras are rose bushes similar in form to floribundas, but tend to be larger, with their flowers taking more of a hybrid-tea-rose shape. Melody Parfumee and Sweetness are both grandiflora cultivars.
Purple Climbing Roses
Any variety of rose, including floribunda and hybrid tea, can develop a climbing form. The canes of climbing roses are longer and more flexible than those of bush forms and can reach heights of 8 feet or more, although shorter ones are also available. Night Owl is a purple climbing rose.
Purple Miniature Roses
Measuring 6 to 36 inches in height, miniature roses are often sold as houseplants, although they descend from outdoor shrubs. Most modern miniature roses are repeat bloomers, rather than the single bloomers they once were. Demitasse, Sweet Chariot and Blue Peter are three varieties of modern miniature roses.
Shrub and Purple Hedge Roses
A shrub rose is simply a type of rose that takes on a shrub form, while hedge roses are roses--usually a shrub rose type--used to form a hedge or border. Lavender Dream, Lavender Lassie, Blue Boy and Outta the Blue are purple shrub roses, and Fragrant Lavender Simplicity® is a purple hedge rose.
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文章
Miss Chen
2017年08月10日
The rose family (Rosaceae) is an amazingly large family of flowering plants characterized by flowers with five separate petals and numerous stamens that protrude from a cup-like base. There are over 2800 species of ornamental roses: over 100 of these are wild with 35 native to the United States. Rosaceae is the third largest plant family in both world distribution and economic importance. Plants in the Rosacea family are surpassed in number only by the plant families of peas (Fabales) and grass (Poaceae).
The Family Rosaceae
The Rosaceae family includes several popular fruit bearing plants such as almond (Prunus dulcis), apricot, (Prunus armeniaca), pear (Pyrus calleryana), plum (Prunus domestica), apple (Malus pumila), cherry (Prunus avium or sweet cherry) (Prunus cerasus or sour cherry), peach and nectarine (Prunus persica), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) and raspberry (Rubus), as well as ornamental roses (Rosa). Plants from the Rosacae family yield fruits and flowers that are of immense economic importance. The value of these fruits, rose plants, cut roses and other products derived from the plant family support a wide variety of industries, farms and employees. The monies generated from product sales exceed $180 billion dollars annually.
Rose Bushes & Cut Flowers
Rose bushes are used as ornamental plants and cut roses are the favored flower of wedding bouquets and floral gifts. The majority of cut roses are sold by florist for three major United States holidays; Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas. However, roses are considered the "gift of lovers" and are sold year-around for floral delivery and cut flower sales. Roses sold during the three holiday periods may sell for up to ten times the cost of the price realized by growers during the remainder of the year. It is estimated, that as many as 130 billion rose stems are sold annually worldwide. Roses grown for transplant can be planted from early spring until late fall. Rose bush sales are a major portion of plant nursery and landscape plant contractor sales.
Fragrance
Bulgaria, which produces the famous "Bulgarian Rose", highly prized by the perfume industry for it's intense fragrance, has seen a sharp decline in rose production. Subsidies to farmers that grew Bulgarian Roses have been reduced and land cultivation has been diverted to more lucrative cash crops. To replace the depletion of Bulgarian Rose cultivation, other highly fragrant roses from Persia and Africa are grown for their fragrant oil. Rose essential oil is used in soaps, shampoos, lotions, potions and a plethora of cosmetic products.
North American Rose Growers
The number of North American growers of commercial roses has declined over the past decades from over 500 growers to less than 50. The majority of the world's rose supply is provided by over 200 million rose plants grown in Africa, Central and South America. North America is unable to compete with the low cost of labor available in these regions.
Economic Impact
Roses are cherished around the world for their beauty and scent. To meet the enormous demand for cut roses, rose bushes and rose oil, commercial growers plant literally tens of thousands of acres of roses. Growing roses is labor intensive as they require pruning, spraying, fertilizing and harvesting, most of which must be done by hand. Rose cultivation provides employment to workers in the farming, transportation, marketing, delivery industries as well as wholesale and retail sales outlets. Internationally, the cut floral industry, of which roses accounts for two-thirds of all selections, exceeds $40 billion dollars each year.
The Family Rosaceae
The Rosaceae family includes several popular fruit bearing plants such as almond (Prunus dulcis), apricot, (Prunus armeniaca), pear (Pyrus calleryana), plum (Prunus domestica), apple (Malus pumila), cherry (Prunus avium or sweet cherry) (Prunus cerasus or sour cherry), peach and nectarine (Prunus persica), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) and raspberry (Rubus), as well as ornamental roses (Rosa). Plants from the Rosacae family yield fruits and flowers that are of immense economic importance. The value of these fruits, rose plants, cut roses and other products derived from the plant family support a wide variety of industries, farms and employees. The monies generated from product sales exceed $180 billion dollars annually.
Rose Bushes & Cut Flowers
Rose bushes are used as ornamental plants and cut roses are the favored flower of wedding bouquets and floral gifts. The majority of cut roses are sold by florist for three major United States holidays; Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas. However, roses are considered the "gift of lovers" and are sold year-around for floral delivery and cut flower sales. Roses sold during the three holiday periods may sell for up to ten times the cost of the price realized by growers during the remainder of the year. It is estimated, that as many as 130 billion rose stems are sold annually worldwide. Roses grown for transplant can be planted from early spring until late fall. Rose bush sales are a major portion of plant nursery and landscape plant contractor sales.
Fragrance
Bulgaria, which produces the famous "Bulgarian Rose", highly prized by the perfume industry for it's intense fragrance, has seen a sharp decline in rose production. Subsidies to farmers that grew Bulgarian Roses have been reduced and land cultivation has been diverted to more lucrative cash crops. To replace the depletion of Bulgarian Rose cultivation, other highly fragrant roses from Persia and Africa are grown for their fragrant oil. Rose essential oil is used in soaps, shampoos, lotions, potions and a plethora of cosmetic products.
North American Rose Growers
The number of North American growers of commercial roses has declined over the past decades from over 500 growers to less than 50. The majority of the world's rose supply is provided by over 200 million rose plants grown in Africa, Central and South America. North America is unable to compete with the low cost of labor available in these regions.
Economic Impact
Roses are cherished around the world for their beauty and scent. To meet the enormous demand for cut roses, rose bushes and rose oil, commercial growers plant literally tens of thousands of acres of roses. Growing roses is labor intensive as they require pruning, spraying, fertilizing and harvesting, most of which must be done by hand. Rose cultivation provides employment to workers in the farming, transportation, marketing, delivery industries as well as wholesale and retail sales outlets. Internationally, the cut floral industry, of which roses accounts for two-thirds of all selections, exceeds $40 billion dollars each year.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月10日
Taking care of a cyclamen properly is essential if you wish to keep your cyclamen plant lasting year after year. Their vibrant flowers and interesting leaves make this plant a popular houseplant and many owners ask, “How do I take care of a cyclamen plant?” Let’s look at how to take care of cyclamen plants both during and after blooming.
Basic Cyclamen Plant Care
Cyclamen care starts with the correct temperature. In nature, cyclamens grow in cool, humid environments. If the temperature of your house is over 68 F. (20 C.) during the day and 50 F. (10 C.) at night, your cyclamen will start to die slowly. Temperatures that are too high will cause the plant to begin to yellow, and the flowers will fade rapidly.
Cyclamen that are sold as houseplants are tropical and cannot tolerate temperatures below 40 F. (4 C.). Hardy cyclamen, on the other hand, which are sold in garden nurseries for outside use, are typically hardy to USDA Zone 5, but check the plant’s label to see the specific hardiness of the hardy cyclamen variety you are buying. The next essential part of taking care of a cyclamen is to make sure that it is properly watered. Cyclamen are sensitive to both over and under watering. Make sure the plant has excellent drainage with a potting medium that holds water well. Water your cyclamen plant only when the soil is dry to the touch, but do not leave the plant in this dry state so long that it shows visible signs of not being watered, such as droopy leaves and flowers.
When you water the plant, water from below the leaves so that the water doesn’t touch the stems or leaves. Water on the stems and leaves can cause them to rot. Soak the soil thoroughly and let any excess water drain away. The next part of cyclamen plant care is fertilizer. Only fertilize once every one to two months with water soluble fertilizer mixed at half strength. When cyclamen get too much fertilizer, it can affect their ability to rebloom.
Cyclamen Care After Blooming
After a cyclamen blooms, it will go into a dormant state. Going into a dormant state looks very much like the plant is dying, as the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. It isn’t dead, just sleeping. With proper cyclamen plant care, you can help it through its dormancy and it will rebloom in a few months. (Please note that hardy cyclamen planted outdoors will go through this process naturally and do not need extra care to rebloom.) When taking care of a cyclamen after blooming, allow the leaves to die and stop watering the plant once you see the signs that the leaves are dying. Place the plant in a cool, somewhat dark place. You can remove any dead foliage, if you would like. Let sit for two months.
Taking Care of a Cyclamen to Get it to Rebloom
Once a cyclamen has finished its dormant period, you can start to water it again and bring it out of storage. You may see some leaf growth, and this is okay. Make sure to completely soak the soil. You may want to set the pot in a tub of water for an hour or so, then make sure any excess water drains away. Check the cyclamen tuber and make sure that the tuber has not outgrown the pot. If the tuber seems crowded, repot the cyclamen to a larger pot. Once the leaves start to grow, resume normal cyclamen care and the plant should rebloom shortly.
Basic Cyclamen Plant Care
Cyclamen care starts with the correct temperature. In nature, cyclamens grow in cool, humid environments. If the temperature of your house is over 68 F. (20 C.) during the day and 50 F. (10 C.) at night, your cyclamen will start to die slowly. Temperatures that are too high will cause the plant to begin to yellow, and the flowers will fade rapidly.
Cyclamen that are sold as houseplants are tropical and cannot tolerate temperatures below 40 F. (4 C.). Hardy cyclamen, on the other hand, which are sold in garden nurseries for outside use, are typically hardy to USDA Zone 5, but check the plant’s label to see the specific hardiness of the hardy cyclamen variety you are buying. The next essential part of taking care of a cyclamen is to make sure that it is properly watered. Cyclamen are sensitive to both over and under watering. Make sure the plant has excellent drainage with a potting medium that holds water well. Water your cyclamen plant only when the soil is dry to the touch, but do not leave the plant in this dry state so long that it shows visible signs of not being watered, such as droopy leaves and flowers.
When you water the plant, water from below the leaves so that the water doesn’t touch the stems or leaves. Water on the stems and leaves can cause them to rot. Soak the soil thoroughly and let any excess water drain away. The next part of cyclamen plant care is fertilizer. Only fertilize once every one to two months with water soluble fertilizer mixed at half strength. When cyclamen get too much fertilizer, it can affect their ability to rebloom.
Cyclamen Care After Blooming
After a cyclamen blooms, it will go into a dormant state. Going into a dormant state looks very much like the plant is dying, as the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. It isn’t dead, just sleeping. With proper cyclamen plant care, you can help it through its dormancy and it will rebloom in a few months. (Please note that hardy cyclamen planted outdoors will go through this process naturally and do not need extra care to rebloom.) When taking care of a cyclamen after blooming, allow the leaves to die and stop watering the plant once you see the signs that the leaves are dying. Place the plant in a cool, somewhat dark place. You can remove any dead foliage, if you would like. Let sit for two months.
Taking Care of a Cyclamen to Get it to Rebloom
Once a cyclamen has finished its dormant period, you can start to water it again and bring it out of storage. You may see some leaf growth, and this is okay. Make sure to completely soak the soil. You may want to set the pot in a tub of water for an hour or so, then make sure any excess water drains away. Check the cyclamen tuber and make sure that the tuber has not outgrown the pot. If the tuber seems crowded, repot the cyclamen to a larger pot. Once the leaves start to grow, resume normal cyclamen care and the plant should rebloom shortly.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月10日
Calceolaria’s nickname — pocketbook plant — is well chosen. The flowers on this annual plant have pouches at the bottom which resemble pocketbooks, purses or even slippers. You’ll find Calceolaria houseplants for sale in garden centers from Valentine’s Day until the end of April in the United States. Growing pocketbook plants isn’t very complicated as long as you remember that they like their environment cool and not too bright.
How to Grow Calceolaria Indoors
While this annual can be grown both indoors and out, the most popular use may be as a potted houseplant. Once you look into the native environment for this bright flower, you’ll know how to grow Calceolaria. It comes from Central and South America in the cooler plains areas where water and bright sunlight aren’t so abundant. Pocketbook plant care works best when you try to imitate its native home. Keep the plant near a bright window, but out of direct sunlight. If your only window is on a bright southern exposure, hang a sheer curtain between the plant and outdoors to filter the brightest rays. Northern windows and tables away from the light source are more hospitable for these plants. Pocketbook plant care includes carefully monitoring the water supply. These plants don’t do well with too much moisture on their roots. Give the plants a thorough watering, then let the pots drain in the sink for about 10 minutes. Allow the soil to dry out until the surface is dry before watering again. Although pocketbook plant is a tender perennial, it’s grown as an annual. Once the flowers die off, you won’t be able to make a new batch appear. It’s better to simply enjoy these unusual flowers while they look good, then add them to the compost pile when they begin to dry up and wilt.
Pocketbook Plant Care Outdoors
Although pocketbook plant is most often grown as a houseplant, it can be used as a bedding plant outdoors. This smaller plant can grow up to 10 inches tall, so place it near the front of the flower beds. Amend the soil with a good amount of compost to aid in drainage, and place the plants about a foot apart.
Grow these plants early in the spring, when the night temperatures hover around 55 to 65 F. (13-18 C.). When the summer heat arrives, pull them and replace them with a more heat-resistant plant.
How to Grow Calceolaria Indoors
While this annual can be grown both indoors and out, the most popular use may be as a potted houseplant. Once you look into the native environment for this bright flower, you’ll know how to grow Calceolaria. It comes from Central and South America in the cooler plains areas where water and bright sunlight aren’t so abundant. Pocketbook plant care works best when you try to imitate its native home. Keep the plant near a bright window, but out of direct sunlight. If your only window is on a bright southern exposure, hang a sheer curtain between the plant and outdoors to filter the brightest rays. Northern windows and tables away from the light source are more hospitable for these plants. Pocketbook plant care includes carefully monitoring the water supply. These plants don’t do well with too much moisture on their roots. Give the plants a thorough watering, then let the pots drain in the sink for about 10 minutes. Allow the soil to dry out until the surface is dry before watering again. Although pocketbook plant is a tender perennial, it’s grown as an annual. Once the flowers die off, you won’t be able to make a new batch appear. It’s better to simply enjoy these unusual flowers while they look good, then add them to the compost pile when they begin to dry up and wilt.
Pocketbook Plant Care Outdoors
Although pocketbook plant is most often grown as a houseplant, it can be used as a bedding plant outdoors. This smaller plant can grow up to 10 inches tall, so place it near the front of the flower beds. Amend the soil with a good amount of compost to aid in drainage, and place the plants about a foot apart.
Grow these plants early in the spring, when the night temperatures hover around 55 to 65 F. (13-18 C.). When the summer heat arrives, pull them and replace them with a more heat-resistant plant.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月10日
One of the neatest things about bromeliads are their flowers. The flowers can stay blooming for months, but eventually they fade and die. This doesn’t mean the plant is dying; it just means the plant is focusing energy on the leaves and roots. Do bromeliads flower once and never again? Some bromeliads bloom regularly while others don’t. Getting bromeliads to rebloom takes the patience of a saint, time and the right variety.
Care of Bromeliads after Flowering
Bromeliads often come with their amazing flowers in bloom. These wonderful inflorescences last for months and the plant itself thrives with minimal care in bright indirect light. It is always sad to watch the bloom die, especially since the plant itself probably will not bloom. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With good bromeliad care after flowering, the plant will produce pups. Only mature bromeliads bloom; therefore, you can wait until a pup matures and enjoy the same flower spike.
Bromeliads are denizens of tropical rainforests. They are epiphytic in nature and reproduce vegetatively by forming offsets or pups. Once the unique flower is spent, you should remove it so the plant can spend its energy on forming pups. Bromeliad care after flowering is much the same while it was in flower. The leaves form a cup in which you can pour water. Occasionally change the water in the cup and rinse the area to remove any salt or mineral build up. From spring until the dormant season in winter, mix a half dosage of liquid fertilizer every 2 months applied to the soil, not to the cup. Care of bromeliads after flowering is focused on getting vegetative growth and new pups so you can separate them for future blooming plants.
Getting Bromeliads to Rebloom
Bromeliad flowers are such unexpected forms and colors. When the blooms are spent, the plant is still spectacular, but you miss the vibrant flower tones. Do bromeliads flower once? Yes, they do. It takes a mature plant to flower and once it does, it produces offsets and the main plant gradually begins to die. It can take years, but eventually all you will have left is its offspring. Luckily, each of these can be divided away, potted up and grown for a few years to maturity. If you are lucky, these will produce the same bloom as the parent plant. It is quite a long time to wait but may well be worth it since these plants need little special care.
Use sterile scissors or a knife to divide the pup away from the parent. You should wait to do this until the offset is a third the size of the parent. If necessary, you can trim back the parent plant’s leaves to allow more room for the pup to grow. Remove pups in spring for best results. Allow the wound to callus for one week. Mix a batch of medium with equal parts bark nuggets, perlite and peat. Insert the cut end of the pup and any roots into the medium. The pup may need support for the first few weeks as more extensive roots are grown. Otherwise, the same care you gave the parent will produce a healthy plant. To help it bloom, you can add time release fertilizer in spring around the soil medium.
Care of Bromeliads after Flowering
Bromeliads often come with their amazing flowers in bloom. These wonderful inflorescences last for months and the plant itself thrives with minimal care in bright indirect light. It is always sad to watch the bloom die, especially since the plant itself probably will not bloom. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With good bromeliad care after flowering, the plant will produce pups. Only mature bromeliads bloom; therefore, you can wait until a pup matures and enjoy the same flower spike.
Bromeliads are denizens of tropical rainforests. They are epiphytic in nature and reproduce vegetatively by forming offsets or pups. Once the unique flower is spent, you should remove it so the plant can spend its energy on forming pups. Bromeliad care after flowering is much the same while it was in flower. The leaves form a cup in which you can pour water. Occasionally change the water in the cup and rinse the area to remove any salt or mineral build up. From spring until the dormant season in winter, mix a half dosage of liquid fertilizer every 2 months applied to the soil, not to the cup. Care of bromeliads after flowering is focused on getting vegetative growth and new pups so you can separate them for future blooming plants.
Getting Bromeliads to Rebloom
Bromeliad flowers are such unexpected forms and colors. When the blooms are spent, the plant is still spectacular, but you miss the vibrant flower tones. Do bromeliads flower once? Yes, they do. It takes a mature plant to flower and once it does, it produces offsets and the main plant gradually begins to die. It can take years, but eventually all you will have left is its offspring. Luckily, each of these can be divided away, potted up and grown for a few years to maturity. If you are lucky, these will produce the same bloom as the parent plant. It is quite a long time to wait but may well be worth it since these plants need little special care.
Use sterile scissors or a knife to divide the pup away from the parent. You should wait to do this until the offset is a third the size of the parent. If necessary, you can trim back the parent plant’s leaves to allow more room for the pup to grow. Remove pups in spring for best results. Allow the wound to callus for one week. Mix a batch of medium with equal parts bark nuggets, perlite and peat. Insert the cut end of the pup and any roots into the medium. The pup may need support for the first few weeks as more extensive roots are grown. Otherwise, the same care you gave the parent will produce a healthy plant. To help it bloom, you can add time release fertilizer in spring around the soil medium.
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文章
Miss Chen
2017年08月10日
No matter what the color, roses are beautiful flowers, but purple roses are particularly special. They are a symbol of enchantment to send to someone you admire. Roses of a purple hue are widely available, although less often seen planted in a garden or featured in a bouquet. Yet their unusual color is what makes them visually striking and desired by home gardeners wanting a distinctive colored rose to make their flower beds stand out.
Melody Perfume
The melody perfume rose looks like a quintessential red rose in shape, but differs in color. Its blooms begin as a medium-dark lavender and transition to a pretty lilac as they age. It's named for its aromatic qualities that can fill an entire room with its intoxicating scent. The rose bush is medium size, about 5 feet tall at maturity, and stands upright. It has shiny, dark green foliage. Plant this rose in zones 5 through 9.
Blue Moon
Blue moon is a hybrid tea rose. Its purple-blue shade is what makes this rose unique. Blue moon produces large, ornamental blooms. One rose generally grows at the end of a long stem, which makes it suitable for displaying in a vase. It's a fragrant rose variety, which has a scent similar to a sweet tea. Plant this rose in warm weather climates, such as zones 5 through 9. It requires full sunshine to grow lots of flowers. When cultivated in the right growing conditions, it produces flowers all summer and fall.
Burgundy Iceberg
Despite its name, the burgundy iceberg rose produces vibrant purple roses. This almost thornless rose variety has a mild sweet scent. Unlike other purple varieties, burgundy iceberg roses are hardy and tolerate cooler climates. Plant them in zones 4 through 9. Expect the rose bush to grow to 3 to 4 feet tall when fully grown. Burgundy iceberg is disease-resistant.
Veilchenblau
The unusually named Veilchenblau climbing roses have deep purple, flat petals with bright yellow centers. Streaks of white radiate from their center. Over time, their color lightens to a bluish gray. Flowers bloom in bunches. These hybrids produce one annual bloom. Cultivate it in zones 5 through 9 and train them to grow up a trellis or fence. They are drought-resistant and can handle moderately shaded areas.
Melody Perfume
The melody perfume rose looks like a quintessential red rose in shape, but differs in color. Its blooms begin as a medium-dark lavender and transition to a pretty lilac as they age. It's named for its aromatic qualities that can fill an entire room with its intoxicating scent. The rose bush is medium size, about 5 feet tall at maturity, and stands upright. It has shiny, dark green foliage. Plant this rose in zones 5 through 9.
Blue Moon
Blue moon is a hybrid tea rose. Its purple-blue shade is what makes this rose unique. Blue moon produces large, ornamental blooms. One rose generally grows at the end of a long stem, which makes it suitable for displaying in a vase. It's a fragrant rose variety, which has a scent similar to a sweet tea. Plant this rose in warm weather climates, such as zones 5 through 9. It requires full sunshine to grow lots of flowers. When cultivated in the right growing conditions, it produces flowers all summer and fall.
Burgundy Iceberg
Despite its name, the burgundy iceberg rose produces vibrant purple roses. This almost thornless rose variety has a mild sweet scent. Unlike other purple varieties, burgundy iceberg roses are hardy and tolerate cooler climates. Plant them in zones 4 through 9. Expect the rose bush to grow to 3 to 4 feet tall when fully grown. Burgundy iceberg is disease-resistant.
Veilchenblau
The unusually named Veilchenblau climbing roses have deep purple, flat petals with bright yellow centers. Streaks of white radiate from their center. Over time, their color lightens to a bluish gray. Flowers bloom in bunches. These hybrids produce one annual bloom. Cultivate it in zones 5 through 9 and train them to grow up a trellis or fence. They are drought-resistant and can handle moderately shaded areas.
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Miss Chen
2017年08月10日
Roses are some of the most popular flowers for home gardeners. Rose bushes grow and adapt to many types of soils. In fertile soils, rose bushes grow quickly and vigorously. Different varieties of rose bushes grow to different heights.
Bushes
Bush type roses include hybrid tea roses, floribundas and grandifloras. These varieties grow between 2 and 6 feet tall. Miniature roses are bush type roses as well, but they only reach 6 to 24 inches in height.
Shrubs
Shrub roses reach 3 to 10 feet in height. These varieties of roses include wild roses, hybrid rugosa roses and hybrid musk roses. Shrub roses are commonly used for hedges, ground covers and screens.
Climbing
Climbing roses produce canes that are 15 to 20 feet long and need support to stay upright. Climbing roses include ramblers, climbing hybrid tea roses and trailing roses. These roses are commonly trained to grow on fences and arbors. Do not prune climbing roses back until after the flowering is done for the season.
Bushes
Bush type roses include hybrid tea roses, floribundas and grandifloras. These varieties grow between 2 and 6 feet tall. Miniature roses are bush type roses as well, but they only reach 6 to 24 inches in height.
Shrubs
Shrub roses reach 3 to 10 feet in height. These varieties of roses include wild roses, hybrid rugosa roses and hybrid musk roses. Shrub roses are commonly used for hedges, ground covers and screens.
Climbing
Climbing roses produce canes that are 15 to 20 feet long and need support to stay upright. Climbing roses include ramblers, climbing hybrid tea roses and trailing roses. These roses are commonly trained to grow on fences and arbors. Do not prune climbing roses back until after the flowering is done for the season.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月10日
One of many marsh orchids, Dactylorhiza cordigera is distinguished by the heart-shaped lip of the flower from which are derived both its common and scientific names.
Description
This orchid has very darkly spotted leaves and dark purple flowers. The plant grows to around 40cm tall and is very robust, with flowers of dark purple patterned with even darker purple loops and streaks. The lower lip is distinctly heart-shaped, as can be seen from the close-up below.
Dactylorhiza cordigera in a marsh in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria
Distribution
Dactylorhiza cordigera is widespread in the Balkan and Carpathian mountains, where often it occurs in large numbers.
Habitat
This orchid grows in very damp grassy meadows but also likes to be in the full sun; in the mountains of central and eastern Europe it can be found up to 2,400 metres above sea level.
The lip of Dactylorhiza cordigera is distinctly heart-shaped
Flowering times
The flowering time of the Heart-flowered Marsh Orchid stretches from the end of May until the end of July - the greater the altitude, the later the flowering season.
Description
This orchid has very darkly spotted leaves and dark purple flowers. The plant grows to around 40cm tall and is very robust, with flowers of dark purple patterned with even darker purple loops and streaks. The lower lip is distinctly heart-shaped, as can be seen from the close-up below.
Dactylorhiza cordigera in a marsh in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria
Distribution
Dactylorhiza cordigera is widespread in the Balkan and Carpathian mountains, where often it occurs in large numbers.
Habitat
This orchid grows in very damp grassy meadows but also likes to be in the full sun; in the mountains of central and eastern Europe it can be found up to 2,400 metres above sea level.
The lip of Dactylorhiza cordigera is distinctly heart-shaped
Flowering times
The flowering time of the Heart-flowered Marsh Orchid stretches from the end of May until the end of July - the greater the altitude, the later the flowering season.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月10日
This orchid is now extremely rare in the UK... or is it just almost impossible to find it? It is one of those flowers that requires 'getting one's eye in' in order to find; in this respect it is rather like the Bog Orchid Hammarbya paludosa.
The coralroot orchid is also very difficult to photograph, because it is so tiny (between 7cm and 30cm tall but usually nearer to the 7cm mark!) and it frequently occurs in very dark forest locations.
Description
The name coralroot refers to the roots of this plant, which are said to resemble coral - not that we have dug one up to prove the point. The plants of Coralroot Orchid are not always as colourful as the ones shown on this page. Where they occur in dark woodland and forests these little orchids are often fawn, and that makes them extremely hard to find among dense conifer needles on the forest floor.
Although always growing close to trees, Coralroot Orchids sometimes occur in large numbers on the edges of paths and on roadside verges.The plant stems are brownish-green and the flowers have green sepals and petals with a paler lip sometimes marked with red.
Despite being able to produce some chlorophyll (hence some plants are greenish, although many are purple-brown), this orchid is largely saprophytic, depending mainly for its food on the mycorrhizal fungi surrounding its roots. Coralroot is usually self-pollinating.
Distribution
One of the best chances of finding this rare orchid in the UK is to make a visit to Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, in the Lake District.
Corallorhiza trifida can be found widely throughout Europe, and we have seen many of them flowering in Slovenia. It also occurs in North America in the Pacific Northwest, in particular. The specimens shown above and left were photographed in a forest in the Rhodopi Mountains of Bulgaria in mid June. In North America the common name for this species is Early Coralroot Orchid.
Habitat
This orchid occurs in a range of habitats from dark forests and tree-lined roadside verges to dune slacks and open tundra.
Flowering times
Coralroot Orchid flowers in June and July.
The coralroot orchid is also very difficult to photograph, because it is so tiny (between 7cm and 30cm tall but usually nearer to the 7cm mark!) and it frequently occurs in very dark forest locations.
Description
The name coralroot refers to the roots of this plant, which are said to resemble coral - not that we have dug one up to prove the point. The plants of Coralroot Orchid are not always as colourful as the ones shown on this page. Where they occur in dark woodland and forests these little orchids are often fawn, and that makes them extremely hard to find among dense conifer needles on the forest floor.
Although always growing close to trees, Coralroot Orchids sometimes occur in large numbers on the edges of paths and on roadside verges.The plant stems are brownish-green and the flowers have green sepals and petals with a paler lip sometimes marked with red.
Despite being able to produce some chlorophyll (hence some plants are greenish, although many are purple-brown), this orchid is largely saprophytic, depending mainly for its food on the mycorrhizal fungi surrounding its roots. Coralroot is usually self-pollinating.
Distribution
One of the best chances of finding this rare orchid in the UK is to make a visit to Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, in the Lake District.
Corallorhiza trifida can be found widely throughout Europe, and we have seen many of them flowering in Slovenia. It also occurs in North America in the Pacific Northwest, in particular. The specimens shown above and left were photographed in a forest in the Rhodopi Mountains of Bulgaria in mid June. In North America the common name for this species is Early Coralroot Orchid.
Habitat
This orchid occurs in a range of habitats from dark forests and tree-lined roadside verges to dune slacks and open tundra.
Flowering times
Coralroot Orchid flowers in June and July.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月10日
Seen at close quarters the intricacy of this lovely wetland wildflower is just amazing.
Identification
Marsh Cinquefoil has reddish-purple hermaphrodite flowers 20 to 30cm across, with five red sepals that are longer and broader than its five petals. The basal leaves are divided into five toothed leaflets, while leaves nearest to the flowers have just three leaflets. These spreading plants rarely grow taller than 40cm and their roots are often under water.
Distribution
Marsh Cinquefoil, a relatively uncommon sight in some regions of Britain and Ireland, occurs also in many parts of mainland Europe, in northern Asia, and in North America.
Habitat
Comarum palustre is an acid-loving wildflower; it grows mainly in peaty marshes, swamps and fens and in the shallow margins of unpolluted upland lakes. In Ireland some of the high moorland in County Wicklow has Marsh Cinquefoil in ditches and other damp hollows and along the margins of rivers and streams.
Blooming Times
From early June until late August the ruby red flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil are a great source of nectar for bees and many other kinds of insects that swarm around ponds and other wetland sites..
Uses
In the past the roots of this plant were used to dye leather a reddish-yellow colour, and a red dye was produced from the flowers. Marsh Cinquefoil leaves are reputed to be good for making tea.
Their rarity today makes collecting leaves or flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil not merely difficult but ecologically unforgiveable.
Etymology
Comarum may come from the Latin noun coma, meaning hair (of the head), a reference to the hairy sepals. Marsh Cinquefoil is listed as Potentilla palustris in some field guides, and Potentilla means 'powerful, despite its small size' and is a reference to the claimed medicinal value of plants in this genus. The specific epithets palustre and palustris means of swamps - a reference to the preferred habitat of this wetland wildflower.
Similar Species
Other members of the cinquefoil clan have yellow flowers, but Marsh Cinquefoil, arguably the most beautiful of the group and one of the loveliest wetland wildflowers, is unique in having lovely deep red or reddish-purple flowers and so is unlikely to be mistaken for any other Potentilla species.
Identification
Marsh Cinquefoil has reddish-purple hermaphrodite flowers 20 to 30cm across, with five red sepals that are longer and broader than its five petals. The basal leaves are divided into five toothed leaflets, while leaves nearest to the flowers have just three leaflets. These spreading plants rarely grow taller than 40cm and their roots are often under water.
Distribution
Marsh Cinquefoil, a relatively uncommon sight in some regions of Britain and Ireland, occurs also in many parts of mainland Europe, in northern Asia, and in North America.
Habitat
Comarum palustre is an acid-loving wildflower; it grows mainly in peaty marshes, swamps and fens and in the shallow margins of unpolluted upland lakes. In Ireland some of the high moorland in County Wicklow has Marsh Cinquefoil in ditches and other damp hollows and along the margins of rivers and streams.
Blooming Times
From early June until late August the ruby red flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil are a great source of nectar for bees and many other kinds of insects that swarm around ponds and other wetland sites..
Uses
In the past the roots of this plant were used to dye leather a reddish-yellow colour, and a red dye was produced from the flowers. Marsh Cinquefoil leaves are reputed to be good for making tea.
Their rarity today makes collecting leaves or flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil not merely difficult but ecologically unforgiveable.
Etymology
Comarum may come from the Latin noun coma, meaning hair (of the head), a reference to the hairy sepals. Marsh Cinquefoil is listed as Potentilla palustris in some field guides, and Potentilla means 'powerful, despite its small size' and is a reference to the claimed medicinal value of plants in this genus. The specific epithets palustre and palustris means of swamps - a reference to the preferred habitat of this wetland wildflower.
Similar Species
Other members of the cinquefoil clan have yellow flowers, but Marsh Cinquefoil, arguably the most beautiful of the group and one of the loveliest wetland wildflowers, is unique in having lovely deep red or reddish-purple flowers and so is unlikely to be mistaken for any other Potentilla species.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
This lovely creeping wildlflower is the only alpine clematis species to be found in Europe, the others being mainly confined to Asia.
Identification
The size and beauty of the distinctive sky-blue flowers are much more reminiscent of the exotic imported clematis plants that we buy from nurseries to plant in our gardens at home in the UK than of our native species, Clematis vitalba. (The common name of Clematis vitalba, which is Old Man's Beard, describes the fluffy seedheads which are generally better known than the insignificant white flowers that precede them.)
Distribution
Clematis alpina is found throughout Central Europe, and there is a subspecies with white flowers that is found in northern Norway, Finland and also in Poland.
Habitat
Alpine Clematis grows in rocky mountain woodlands and on the edges of pastures where it clambers over other plants, often creating magnificent cascades of flowers.
Blooming times
In its native habitats this wildflower blooms in June and July.
Identification
The size and beauty of the distinctive sky-blue flowers are much more reminiscent of the exotic imported clematis plants that we buy from nurseries to plant in our gardens at home in the UK than of our native species, Clematis vitalba. (The common name of Clematis vitalba, which is Old Man's Beard, describes the fluffy seedheads which are generally better known than the insignificant white flowers that precede them.)
Distribution
Clematis alpina is found throughout Central Europe, and there is a subspecies with white flowers that is found in northern Norway, Finland and also in Poland.
Habitat
Alpine Clematis grows in rocky mountain woodlands and on the edges of pastures where it clambers over other plants, often creating magnificent cascades of flowers.
Blooming times
In its native habitats this wildflower blooms in June and July.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
These striking shrubs are very familiar to people familiar with British gardens, but to see them at their best the Iberian Peninsula is the place to go.
Identification
The flowers have rather crumpled-looking petals, some pure white and others white with dark maroon spots. The sticky, oderous substance which comes from the tough, dark green leaves of the plant is used in the perfume industry.
Habitat
From the maquis (areas with shrubs up to 5 metres in height) and well into the hills of Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula in general Gum Cistus flourishes.
Distribution
Gum Cistus, a member of the Rockrose family, is native to Spain, Portugal, southern France and North West Africa. In other places - Cyprus for example - this plant has been introduced and is now naturalised.
Blooming times
In their native (Mediterranean) countries, Gum Cistus flowers can be seen from April to June.
Similar species
Some other species of cistus to appear in the Mediterranean region include Cistus Albidus (Grey-leaved Cistus) and Cistus salviifolius (Sage-leaved Cistus). Many of the bushes are parisitised by Cytinus hypocistis, and the best time to see this fascinating plant (growing around the roots of the cistus bushes) is from mid-April until June.
Identification
The flowers have rather crumpled-looking petals, some pure white and others white with dark maroon spots. The sticky, oderous substance which comes from the tough, dark green leaves of the plant is used in the perfume industry.
Habitat
From the maquis (areas with shrubs up to 5 metres in height) and well into the hills of Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula in general Gum Cistus flourishes.
Distribution
Gum Cistus, a member of the Rockrose family, is native to Spain, Portugal, southern France and North West Africa. In other places - Cyprus for example - this plant has been introduced and is now naturalised.
Blooming times
In their native (Mediterranean) countries, Gum Cistus flowers can be seen from April to June.
Similar species
Some other species of cistus to appear in the Mediterranean region include Cistus Albidus (Grey-leaved Cistus) and Cistus salviifolius (Sage-leaved Cistus). Many of the bushes are parisitised by Cytinus hypocistis, and the best time to see this fascinating plant (growing around the roots of the cistus bushes) is from mid-April until June.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
Identification
Cistus albidus grows up to 1.5m in height, although most plants are little more than half this height. The hairy pale grey-green leaves are oblong to elliptical and have three prominent veins. The flowers are 4 to 6 cm across and have five purplish-pink petals backed by five sepals.
The leaves of cistus plants are very tough. The flowers, by comparison, seem very fragile and have wafer-thin, crumpled looking petals: they are nontheless beautiful for that, and it is easy to see why cistus is considered such a well-loved addition to northern European gardens.
Habitat
In the UK these shrubs are much-loved garden plants, but it is in the Mediterranean region that they really come into their own: vast tracts of hillsides (particularly in Portugal and Spain) are smothered with various species of these members of the Rockrose family.
Blooming times
Grey-leaved Cistus produces flowers from March to June and can be found in maquis, garrigue, open woodland, on steep slopes and rocky ground. Some of the other cistus species to be found in the Mediterranean include Cistus ladanifer (Gum Cistus), and Cistus salviifoloius (Sage-leaved Cistus).
Cistus albidus grows up to 1.5m in height, although most plants are little more than half this height. The hairy pale grey-green leaves are oblong to elliptical and have three prominent veins. The flowers are 4 to 6 cm across and have five purplish-pink petals backed by five sepals.
The leaves of cistus plants are very tough. The flowers, by comparison, seem very fragile and have wafer-thin, crumpled looking petals: they are nontheless beautiful for that, and it is easy to see why cistus is considered such a well-loved addition to northern European gardens.
Habitat
In the UK these shrubs are much-loved garden plants, but it is in the Mediterranean region that they really come into their own: vast tracts of hillsides (particularly in Portugal and Spain) are smothered with various species of these members of the Rockrose family.
Blooming times
Grey-leaved Cistus produces flowers from March to June and can be found in maquis, garrigue, open woodland, on steep slopes and rocky ground. Some of the other cistus species to be found in the Mediterranean include Cistus ladanifer (Gum Cistus), and Cistus salviifoloius (Sage-leaved Cistus).
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
Honeywort, a member of the family Boraginceae, is mainly found on the coast; it is a curious-looking plant with a leaf and flower stem which gradually uncurls. The flowers shown above are creamy-yellow, but there is also a deep purple form, shown below. Both colour forms are found in Portugal.
Identification
Typically 2o to 40cm in heightbut occasionally growing to 70cm, Honeywort in an annual and produces tubular flowers typically 22mm long and 6mm in diameter. Young flowers have a sweet scent.
Leaves of Cerinthe major are alternate, spatulate (spoon shaped) and stalkless.
Habitat
Generally favouring river valleys and other depressions that provide a degree of water retention, Honeywort is also seen on some dry roadside verges.
Distribution
This plant is common and widespread throughout the Mediterranean region and parts of North Africa, and its range extends eastwards at least as far as Turkey.
Taxonomy
Cerinthe comes from the greek Keros, meaning wax, and anthos, meaning flower. The implication is that bees were thought to take wax from these flowers. The specific epithet major means greaer; it refers to the large size of the flowers compared with those of other Cerinthe species.
Identification
Typically 2o to 40cm in heightbut occasionally growing to 70cm, Honeywort in an annual and produces tubular flowers typically 22mm long and 6mm in diameter. Young flowers have a sweet scent.
Leaves of Cerinthe major are alternate, spatulate (spoon shaped) and stalkless.
Habitat
Generally favouring river valleys and other depressions that provide a degree of water retention, Honeywort is also seen on some dry roadside verges.
Distribution
This plant is common and widespread throughout the Mediterranean region and parts of North Africa, and its range extends eastwards at least as far as Turkey.
Taxonomy
Cerinthe comes from the greek Keros, meaning wax, and anthos, meaning flower. The implication is that bees were thought to take wax from these flowers. The specific epithet major means greaer; it refers to the large size of the flowers compared with those of other Cerinthe species.
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