Lotus flower history

The legend of the Lotus flower is as old as civilization itself – and probably older. Stories of the Lotus-eaters and the Lotus worshippers of pre-historic times survived as oral tales and rude drawings until the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Greeks, in their golden ages revived the myth and the power of this mystical bloom.

Immortality

Growing in slow moving stream beds, ponds and oases since time immemorial, the Lotus flower would disappear in months of drought and then magically, or so it would seem, reappear at the first rains. The primitive people of the world came to associate the Lotus with immortality. In modern times the Lotus, or more commonly, the water lily serves as a wonderful accent to water gardens, streams and ponds in nature, and as a wonderfully versatile flower for displays and celebrations. Though the Lotus may seem to be more prosaic in this modern era, all of us still sense the unique history and allure of this flower.

Divinity

In Christianity the Lotus is associated with the divine nature of the Christ. In the East, the lotus is a symbol of the enlightenment of the Buddha. In the Hindu traditions, many of the gods and messengers of the gods are depicted in statues and paintings, seated on a Lotus flower. It’s symbolism of mystic and spiritual truth is a universal, shared concept in almost all cultures where the Lotus is known.

White or pink in its original colors, Lotus flowers originated in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus River valley on the Indian subcontinent. Or at least such is the documented source of the Lotus. Used as religious symbol, funerary offering or celebratory garland the Lotus flower has become an intrinsic part of mankind’s life and philosophy.

Healing

The Lotus flower was also considered to have medicinal, healing attributes. Some used it to heal fevers, relieve pain, close wounds, or to still the troubled mind. Other times saw the Lotus flower used as a part of the treatment of sick or injured animals. And still more uses were found for the Lotus flower as a base for fine perfumes and healing oils.

Artists have found much inspiration in the delicate beauty of the Lotus flower’s blossoms. As they open in the evening or at dawn – depending on the variety, the Lotus faces each day with beauty and a sense of mystery. Its delicate pure colors make the Lotus flower the perfect subject. From Ancient Egypt to Gustav Klimt, the Lotus flower is the essence of artistic beauty.

Organic Rose Gardening

Roses have acquired the reputation of being fussy plants. We’ve all heard that to grow beautiful roses requires chemicals and systemics. Is it possible to grow roses organiccaly? Of course. After all, roses can survive for many years without any attention at all. Just think of the antique roses being rediscovered in abandoned cemeteries or the invasiveness of the multiflora rose in the northeast.

Growing roses organically is really no different than growing any type of plant with organic techniques. Keep in mind that organic gardening involves more than just not using chemicals. It means giving the plant what it wants and needs to grow well. Do that and you’ll have a healthy plant, better able to withstand pest attacks.

Unfortunately that is often easier said than done, especially with something as sentimental and sensual as roses. Gardeners are very particular about what type of rose they wish to grow. It can be very hard to give up the idea of long stem tea roses in favor of shrubby rugosas, but choosing the right rose for your area is rule number one.

If you’re willing to make some adjustments in your dream rose garden, here are some guidelines to growing roses organically.

• Choose roses suited to your area’s zone and climate. Tea roses grow very easily in hot areas, but where winters can be frigid, the Explorer series and old-fashioned rugosas will be much hardier.

• Select roses resistant to the diseases that are common in your area.

• One you’ve chosen a rose, research it so you’ll know exactly what it likes.

• Create wonderful soil by adding lots of organic matter.

• Keep the soil pH slightly acided (6.0 - 6.5).

• Plant your roses in full sun - Provide afternoon shade in hotter climates.

• Allow space between plant for air flow and circulation.

• Use plant diversity to keep insect populations down. Under plant with a different type of plant.

• Water the roots, not the foliage.

• Water deeply and give them special attention during dry spells.

• Pay attention to lower leaves, where splashing fungus spores will often take hold first
• Mulch with organic matter. Keep their feet cool.

• Feed them regularly
  1. in the spring, after pruning
  2. while they are in bud
  3. in mid-summer (at least 6 weeks before the first expected frost)

Prune at the right time of year.

Promptly remove diseased or damaged wood.

Clean-up fallen leaves and debris.

Consider companion planting to deter bugs. Alliums to repel nematodes, nasturtiums to trap aphids, alyssum, geranium, rosemary and thyme to attract beneficial insects.

Take care of small problems before they become big problems

Learn to expect and tolerate a little imperfection.

It’s hard to avoid black spot on your roses. If yours become infected, reach for organic solutions. Don’t reach for systemic pesticides that are going to throw everything out of balance.

If you have black spot every year, consider improving both the air circulation in the rose garden and the vigor of your roses. Messenger, a plant health activator, fools the plant into thinking it's being attacked by disease and triggers its immune defenses. The plant is actually fine, but it is better able to ward off disease.

• Bordeaux mix helps to prevent fungal diseases, including black spot and powdery mildew. If it’s a problem every year, do a preventative spray right after spring pruning, but before the leaves open.

• Potassium bicarbonate fungicides can be used on mildew during growing season, in extremely humid areas. It tends to be safer than the homemade solutions with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

• Severe fungus infections can be treated with copper or sulfur fungicides.

This may seem like as much work as growing with conventional treatments, but most of these techniques involve starting your roses off with the right conditions. Think in terms of making your roses happy and prevention before control and you’ll be thinking like an organic rose gardener.

Jasmine Flower

Jasmine is a very popular flower around the world, especially in tropics because of its unique fragrance. The Jasmine is native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the old world.

Jasmine flowers are white in most species, with some species being yellow flowered. Jasmine is believed to have originated in the Himalayas in western China.

Unlike most genera in the Oleceae family, which have four corolla lobes petals, Jasmines often have five or six lobes. Jasmines are often strongly and sweetly scented. Jasmine is widely cultivated for its shining leaves and beautiful clusters of fragrant flowers.

Flowering in Jasmines takes place in summer or spring, usally six months after planting. The Jasmine flower releases its fragrance at night after the sun has set and especially when the moon is waxing towards fullness. Jasmine flower buds are more fragrant than the flowers.

There exists a true Jasmine and a false Jasmine, and the two are commonly mistaken for each other because of the fragrance the plants release. The true Jasmine belongs to the family Oleaceae, is primarily a bushy shrub or climbing vine, and is non-poisonous.

True Jasmine has oval, shiny leaves and tubular, waxy-white flowers. The false Jasmine, on the other hand, is in a completely different genus, Gelsemium, and family, Loganiaceae, is considered too poisonous for human consumption.

The Coelogyne Orchids

The Coelogyne orchids are found across India, China, Indonesia and the Fiji Islands. The main centres for this genus are located in the Himalayas and on Borneo and Sumatra. Coelogyne orchids are not among the most commonly kept orchids so you might not find them in your local flower shop. One of the most well-known members of this group is the hybrid Coelogyne 'South Carolina' (C. pandurata x C. Burfordiense). This hybrid is commonly referred to as the Black Orchid since it has a black lip with an intricate pattern. Among the Coelogyne species, the typical colour is white, sometimes with shades of green, brown or peach.

Coelogyne orchids can be found in warm topical lowland forests as well as forests located high in the mountains, and the exact region will naturally play an essential role when it comes to proper Coelogyne orchid care. Some species will for instance require cool or even cold temperatures to flower, while others are used to fairly warm conditions.

Many, but not all, Coelogyne orchids needs a resting period each year. In order to carry out correct Coelogyne orchid care you need to find out the situation for your particular species.
Coelogyne cristata, Coelogyne ochracaea and Coelogyne pandurata will for instance need full rest, while Coelogyne massangeana and Coelogyne mooreana only needs partial rest. The tree first ones hail from environments with cool temperatures, while the second two live in intermediate conditions.