Purple Passion

The soil should be kept moist. Reduce watering in the winter. Bright light is necessary to maintain deep vivid color. If the plants' leaves are more green than purple, the plant is not getting enough light. Avoid getting water on the leaves when watering as dark patches may result. Dandelionlike yellow flowers often bloom after the plant reaches one year. These flowers have an unpleasant odor and so are best pinched off.

Ferns

Basic requirements of Ferns

Keep the soil moist, not soggy, by letting water drain out the bottom of the pot. Feed once a month during the growing season(spring,summer) with a general purpose fertilizer(20/20/20)

half strength. Re pot only when the plant has outgrown its container. Ferns like to be snug in their pots. Up the humidity level by putting pebbles or river rocks in the bottom of a saucer or dish, adding water and placing the pot on top of the stones.

Top Selling Foliage Plants

Challenges for the Chinese Evergreen
Curled or shriveled leaves and brown edges.
Solutions:
The air is too cool or too dry, or the plant is in a drafty location.
Chinese Evergreens need warm temperatures in the summer and a minimum of 60 degrees in the winter. They also need moist air, Mist leaves regularly. Keep the plant in semi shade to bright indirect light. Keep them well away from direct sunlight.

Challenges for Ferns
Yellowing fronds, brown spots on fronds and brown tips.
Solutions:
The air may be too warm or dry. Ferns' compost must be kept moist-but not waterlogged-at all times. Ferns cannot tolerate high temperatures, so keep them away from heat sources. Good indirect light, preferably from an east or north facing windowsill.

Challenges for Ficuses
Sudden loss of leaves.
Solutions:
The cause depends on the species, but possibilities include over watering, low winter temperature, too little light, too much fertilizer, cold drafts and changing locations. Tree types require placement in bright sun, but others need partial shade.

Smile

While attending a marriage class weekend, Walter and his wife, Ann, listened to the instructor declare. "It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other." He then addressed the men, "Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower?"
Walter leaned over, touched Ann's arm gently, and whispered "Gold Medal All-Purpose, isn't it?"

Emotional Impact of Flowers

With today's high-tech and fast-paced lifestyle taking its daily toll on our lives, experts advise exercise and other personal lifestyle changes to relieve stress. According to research done at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, nature provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health - flowers.
The presence of flowers triggers happy emotion, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.

Wedding Traditions

Wedding traditions have their origins in some rather strange and odd historical customs and superstitions. Some are based on romantic myth and others on religious beliefs.

Sharing the Wedding Cake
When the bride cuts the first slice of cake and offers it to her groom, she is carrying out an early Roman ritual. In Ancient Rome, couples plighted their troth by sharing food. Sharing food is a symbol of sharing one's life.
Wedding Bells and Honking Horns
Loud, honking horns escourting a newly married couple in a motorcade of friends and family may seem to be only in high spirits and boisterous public congratulations, but its roots go deeper. Older traditions were clanging bells and shooting guns, both methods for frightening away evil spirits.
Something Blue
Part of the old litany "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue,"which describes the talismans a bride should wear on her wedding day was quite specific about the color blue. Waring a snippet of blue ribbon, or other bit of blue about her gown denotes purity, fidelity and love. It was also the color associated with the Virgin Mary.
Bridesmaids Dressing Alike
In more superstitious times, the bride and groom were surrounded by friends of similar ages dressed in similar attire, as a way of confusing evil demons. This way the demons could not find the real bride and groom and bring them bad luck. Today's bridesmaids dress alike as do the groomsmen, as it's a way of confusing any who would wish the couple ill luck.
With This Ring
Rings have been with us since time began, but they have become intimately linked to engagement and marriage. Before the minting of coins as currency, gold rings were circulated for that purpose. When a man gave his bride a god ring, it signified that he trusted her with his property. Today the diamond solitaire, symbolic of wealth and undying love, is the popular choice for American engagements.