Poet William Wordsworth’s favorite flower: the daffodil is one of the most popular flowers in England due to its beautiful yellow flower and large central trumpet.
The daffodil is also known as the Narcissus Amaryllidaceae due to its cultural history and Roman heritage.
Many florists around the UK including Serenata Flowers will be stocking up on daffodils in the New Year due to their huge popularity.
But, where did the story of the daffodil begin?
The history
The flower was originally found in the south west of Europe by the Romans who believed that the sap from the daffodil could heal wounds. Whereas actually it was later found that the calcium oxalate found in the sap (which prevents animals from eating the plant) irritates human skin.
In Victorian times however, the daffodil was given to represent vanity – as a result it was never presented to a woman from a suitor.
Daffodils are originally from Narcissus family – a legend based on a Greek mythology, whereby a young man named Narcissus was banned by his parents of seeing what he looked like. As a result one day he went to drink from a stream and saw his reflection – one he was so transfixed by that he fell in the river and drowned. As a result the Gods transformed him into a daffodil so that he could always sit by the river.
Wild daffodils
There are also wild daffodils in some parts of the world – also known as Narcissus pseudonarcissus. The wild daffodils need a large amount of light to survive. Therefore, if they were found in woodland areas, trees were regularly cut down to ensure they received a sufficient amount of light. However, these plants are close to extinction now due to the large amount of evergreen plants being planted in woodland areas.
The bulbs
Daffodils are the only flowers to have ‘true bulbs’ – meaning they grow fresh ones each year. The bulbs in spring are a result of them coping with the extreme temperatures between the seasons of summer and winter. Therefore they hibernate underground until their bulbs begin to grow during autumn.
It is also worth noting that the bulbs are resistant to any diseases and cannot be digested by any animals. The bulbs are also poisonous which proves problematic if they are mistaken for onions.
Daffodils have a deep rooted history which is interesting to read and understand. However, with their status as one of the most favored flowers in the world – they are here to stay.ult, the orchid is fast becoming one of the most popular flowers – just behind Poinsettias at Christmas.
However, receiving an orchid for the very first time can be quite daunting – especially if you have no idea how to keep it alive.
So, here at Serenata Flowers, we have created an SOS guide to help you to look after your exotic orchid.
Identify your orchid
The first step to look after your orchid is to identify which type of orchid you actually have. There are around 30,000 species of orchids currently in the wild throughout the world and over 100,000 registered hybrids. However, the most common types are:
·The Phalaenopsis – also known as the moth orchid. This type has round flowers with a pronounced lip that grows on one single stalk. The flowers from this orchid are normally; white, purple or pink.
·The Dendrobium – also known as cane orchids. These orchids have much smaller flowers which tend to grow in rows on the stalks which come from thicker canes. The colors of the flowers are normally white or purple.
It is important to know the name of your orchid in order to look after it properly.
To begin with
Once you have identified what type of orchid you have, you should begin to let it grow.
Normally when you receive the orchid it will already be in bloom however, your goal is to prolong the bloom for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to help you do this:
To begin with, most orchids are planted in the wrong conditions for a long period of time. Orchids are known for their need of air around the roots.
However, due to the containers, they are often in this can be difficult. But, it is important to remember not to re-pot an orchid that is already in bloom as it is too distressing. So, in order to maintain the bloom be careful with the water – try not to water the orchid too much, it should be watered once a week. This will allow the bloom to last a good few weeks.
After the bloom
Once your orchid’s bloom has come to an end, it is time to prepare it for the next one. In order to do this you should cut off the old flower spike near the base of the plant.
You should also re-pot the orchid into the perfect growing space that it requires – this will depend on what type of orchid you have.
With these tips in mind, your orchid will live well into the future and keep your home looking fresh and smelling beautiful.