St. Patricks Day March 17 2008

There are literally hundreds of types of oxalis and several of them make very nice indoor blooming plants. The variety most commonly grown as shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day is Oxalis acetosella. It is a three-leaf clover with pure white blooms and a compact growth habit. Another wonderful variety for indoors is Oxalis deppei with red blooms and quartered leaves that have a dark zone near the center of each leaf. There is a variety that has huge maroon leaves and pink blooms and another with delicate yellow flowers. Most oxalis have 3 or 4 divisions to the leaf, but they can have up to 9 parts.

What are the light requirements for shamrocks?
All oxalis need lots of light to grow and bloom well. This can even be full afternoon sun in the winter time, but not in the summer. If you are using artificial light, try to provide at least 12 hours each day.

How much water do they need?
They need to be kept just barely damp. Whenever possible, let them dry slightly between waterings.

Do they have any special temperature requirements?
Shamrocks and other oxalis prefer cool temperatures, especially while in bloom. Keep them in a cool room at night (between 50-65º) and avoid letting them get any warmer than 70-75º during the day. Warmer temperatures will encourage them to go dormant earlier.


Do shamrocks need much humidity?
They do fine with average household humidity. Mist occasionally or place them on a humidity tray.

Sweet Valentine

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Middle Ages when the traditon of courtly love flurished.
Nothing says it is Valentine’s Day better than red roses. The meaning of Valentine’s Day flowers with red roses is love. It is an ideal, but unoriginal, way of telling her that you love her without saying a word. You have to have the mindset of what type of flower arrangement, including color and type of flower, would personalize her best. When choosing flowers for this lover’s holiday, do keep in mind the type of person that you are buying for. Roses come in a variety of colors and meanings. While the red rose is all for love, the yellow has a meaning of friendship and the pink is all about happiness.

Give a bouquet to your special valentine. She will know instantly that you thought of her first on this holiday and hopefully her sentiment is the same for you. You both will be bursting with love and this day will be forever remembered. Now we have discussed the red rose as an option for Valentine’s Day. It is a flower that has been given over and over again and has lost some of its love appeal. Consider a sunflower for the person in your life. The meaning of this Valentine’s Day flower is admiration. Your special someone will feel adored by you all day long. A tulip given on Valentine’s Day has a meaning of the perfect lover. Now that is a desired compliment.
The meaning of Valentine’s Day flowers can be what ever you would like. The person receiving them will get an overwhelming feeling of appreciation that you thought of them on this day. No matter what type of flower you give her, one thing is for sure, she will love the thought behind this gift that speaks ever so loudly to the heart without ever saying a word.