Floral Diversity: Transplant Flowers to Cure Homesickness

Florida was discovered by an explorer named Ponce de Leon. He named the state “Florida” which is the Spanish word for “flowers”, because, upon his arrival in this new land, he saw nothing but gorgeous flowers everywhere. I imagine one of the flowers must have been the hibiscus, a flower that grew in the front yard of my childhood home. In fact, as a kid, it seemed like this flower was everywhere!  We had hibiscus that grew in the front yard of my childhood home. Many hardy hibiscus are native to Florida; but for obvious reasons, the orange blossom was chosen as the state flower. But that's OK because ... the hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. There are seven species of hibiscus native to this state. Also known as pua aloalo in Hawaiian, this flower represents royalty and communicated power and respect.

Image credit: glitter-graphics.com

When I moved from Florida to Texas, shortly after my arrival, I was in a store shopping for items for my new home. I overheard a lady talking to another lady. She said she had just returned to her home in Texas. She had been vacationing in Florida and she was so excited because she had found this wonderful flower! She said she just had to bring this gorgeous flower back home to Texas and plant it her garden.  Being from Florida, my curiosity was peaked. I wondered what Florida flower had impressed her so much. Turns out that it was the hibiscus.  Not surprised.

Links of Interest:

• Hibiscus Transplant Info - When And How To Transplant A Hibiscus
• Hibiscus Dying or Struggling? 7 Ways to Revive Your Plant
• Hibiscus Wilting After Transplant: What to Do - GFL Outdoors

The medicinal benefits of hibiscus tea are numerous; it can reduce the risk of cancer, help with weight loss and more.  However ... 

• CAUTION!  According to Medical News Today, hibiscus can interact with certain medications. For example, people who take chloroquine, a medication used to treat malaria, should not consume hibiscus because it may decrease how well the medicine works in the body.

I’ll never take the hibiscus flower from my childhood for granted ever again. In fact, if you ever relocate and feel a little homesick, try transplanting a flower that reminds you of the home you left behind.

If you have relocated to a new home, what are flowers that remind you of your childhood home?

♦

Original source

Home and Garden: Sharing My Fascination With Bonsai Trees

 Are you fascinated by bonsai trees? I am.

Did You Know:
The word bonsai means “tree in a flowerpot” or “tree in a pot”?

The Japanese adopted the art of growing miniature trees from the Chinese.

Its origin is traced back to Zen Buddhism when Chinese monks developed the dwarfed trees in monasteries as a spiritual practice to inculcate peace and tranquility.

The first Bonsai trees, according to legend, were from an ancient Emperor of the Han dynasty.

The smallest bonsai tree in the world will fit in the palm of your hand.

The most famous bonsai in the world is called “Goshin – Protector of the Spirits” created by the legendary John Naka, and is actually a combination of 11 separate Juniper trees, each representing one of his 11 grandchildren.

Learn more fascinating fun facts about the bonsai.

** Interesting Facts That You Should Know about Bonsai Trees - Bonsai Tree Gardener ~ 

** Oldest Bonsai Tree: Fascinating Facts On Bonsai Trees For Kids! | Kidadl

** Facts about Bonsai – Verdissimo 

** The symbolism of Bonsai | Deccan Herald

** The The Complete History of Bonsai Trees - Bonsai Sanctum 

 

Joie de Vivre's Home and Garden Blog Posts Roundup!

Part of everyone's joie de vivre (joy of living) has to do with simply decorating one's home or apartment or living spaces.  It doesn't take much money to make yourself happy.  You know you better than anybody else, so it should be easy to tap into your own psyche.  I tapped into mine and ended up writing these blog posts.  Somebody else might appreciate my home and garden blog posts.

Image credit:  Tools to Design a Virtual Room on Amazon

H&G Tips From Joie de Vivre Magazine:

Buying a Home: Ever Fantasize About Having a Celebrity Neighbor?

Dreaming of Your Dream Home?

Is the Sunroom Your Favorite Room in the House?

Does Your Favorite Room Have a Name?

Transplant Flowers to Cure Homesickness

(More blog posts about flowers)

Ideas for Improving the Harmony and Balance of Your Home or Office

Talented Photographers : Floral Diversity's Finest! Courtesy of Linda Stokes

Bakc in 2014, when the Google+ social network was still up and running, some Google Plussers were in a flower photo-sharing frenzy and I came across a lady, Linda Stokes, who shared photographs of floral diversity's finest!  What was even more amazing was ... the flowers grow in Oklahoma!  Sorry.  I grew up in Florida.  Florida!  The word literally means "abounding in flowers"!  I have never seen gorgeous blooms like these!  Oklahoma means "red people" (Choctaw words "okla" and "humma").  I'm perfectly OK with that.  (No pun intended.)  But these flowers are blue!! 

Electric blue lotus lily for #FloralFriday from a pond near Loco, Oklahoma.

The Stealth flower, blooming at night, near Loco, Oklahoma.

https://texaxwib.tumblr.com/post/705752241893736448/via-linda-stokes-on-instagram-reflection

Articles of Interest for Aspiring Photographers:

• The Photographer Who Captures Life's Beauty Without Hands or Legs(petapixel.com)
• How to Sell Photos Online: For Both Amateur and Pro Photographers(shopify.com)
• 10 Photography Lessons I've Learned Over 10 Years(digital-photography-school.com)

**

Best cameras for newbie photographers

Flower Spotlight: Cape Primrose

One of the most amazing things about planet earth is its floral diversity. Some sources says there are 400,000 flowering plant species on earth. I have no official qualifications to sy this. I am not a botanist or anything like that. But only 400,000? That number sounds sounds kind of low. Whether it's an accurate count or not, we can agree that there are at lets a bazillion flowers on planet earth and that includes the hybrids. LOL.

This short post shines the spotlight on Cape Primrose.

Cape Primrose is a flower that has several species and is native to South Africa. One doesn't usually associate fairies with Africa but somehow people have associated these flowers with fairies. There is a whimsical belief that fairies care for them. What do they symbolize? Just about everything one would desire in this life. Perfect health. Good luck. A brand new start in life. Spiritual paths that lie ahead. Purity. Honesty. But most importantly, love.

FUN FACT: Cape Primrose is a cousin of African violet. 

The Cape Primrose is an easy flowering houseplants that blooms in colors of shades of violet, pink, crimson, blue, violet and white.

Streptocarpus - The Cape Primrose | plantcaretoday

I often write about flowers. It's one of my favorite things. If you liked this post, you might also like:

Why I Love the Hyacinth Flower

WhyI Love the Jasmine Flower

WhyI Love the Anthurium Flower

Gardenia Flowers and Lady Day

ExoticPlants and Flowers: Bird of Paradise

My History of Tulips

Transplant Flowers to Cure Homesickness

My Foodie Luv: Do You Cook with Edible Flowers?

My Foodie Luv: Four (4) Medicinal Flowers and Plants

High School Memories and Porcupine Quills

High School Memories and Porcupine Quills

Years ago when I attended Catholic high school they sponsored what's called a “Retreat”. It's an event where you just … get away! It lasted for about a week. You don't have to go to class, you have no access to telephones or television or radio. Back then we didn't have cell phones or the Internet or video games. The Retreat was for spiritual growth and spending quiet moments in meditation and praying to God. We had group sessions where we candidly discussed our thoughts and read scriptures.

And since it was a bunch of silly immature high schools girls stuck in one place with not much to do you could visit each other's rooms, have pajama parties and pillow fights, style each other's hair, paint each other's nails, and stay up most of the night laughing and talking about insignificant things. We could do that until the nuns came and told is we had to turn off the lights and go to sleep. LOL.

The place where the retreat was held was absolutely mind-blowing. I wish I had taken a photograph. But cameras were also not allowed. One thing I remember was a particular flower that grew in the garden. I had never seen it before and nobody seemed to know the name. When asked to describe it, I said “It's looks like pretty pink porcupine quills with white and gold tips.”

Well! Thanks to the Internet, I found a photo of that lovely flower and it brought back some nice memories. The flower is called Crimson Bottlebrush. OK. Yeah. It sort of looks like a bottlebrush. LOL.

Image credit: KeiraSoleore on Twitter

Hope your day is as lovely as this flower.

***

How to Grow Bottlebrush | Gardener’s Path 

Original source

Home and Garden: Gardening Recommendation for Those Who Love Red

Red is my favorite color and when I see flowers like the one in the image below, it's my favorite color even more! This heart-shaped flower is called Anthurium. They grow in other vibrant colors; not just red. It is also known as Laceleaf. They bloom all year long. If you plan to add these to your garden here are a few tips. 

"Caring For Anthurium Growing In The Garden Or Home"

"Anthurium is one of the most popular houseplants. Attractive to look at, easy to look after, and brings with it a real personality into the home, which gives a serene feeling in white, whilst the brightly coloured varieties have a lively appearance. Although most people think that the coloured part is the flower, it’s actually a coloured bract. Anthurium flowers are very small and are all found on the spike."

SOURCE:  The story of Anthurium | Hot Plants and Flowers | Hot & Happening | Magazine Sections | Magazine | Fusion Flowers Magazine Floral Design Arranging and Books | Fusion Flowers

"The anthurium flower is known universally as a symbol of hospitality, as this exotic beauty thrives in nearly any location in the home or office. ... As a potted plant, the anthurium plant symbolizes abundance and happiness to the home."

SOURCE:  Anthurium Flower Meaning - Flower Meaning

"According to legend in fact in ancient Greece, the flowers of Anthurium were Cupid's arrows, or the god of love, who could make people fall in love. Despite the history of flower lovers, Anthuriums have begun to be a symbol of Christmas festivities just like poinsettia and fir."

SOURCE:  Anthurium : Perfect Houseplant for Gifting – RollingNature

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Balsam: For Priests, Kings and Everyday People

Balsam or balm has been very important since ancient times. 

Here are a few interesting facts.

- Balsam was an ingredient in the anointing oil of the Jewish priests.

- The Queen of Sheba brought balsam as a gift to King Solomon.

- Ishmaelites were traders who sold slaves, spices, myrrh and balm (or balsam).

- Common names for the balsam tree are the balm of Gilead, balsam of Gilead, and balsam of Mecca.

- The Greek term balsamon means “fragrant oil”.

- Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, and Turks all prized the balm of Gilead. But the fact is, it was precious and highly valued by everyone because of its healing qualities.

• Image credit: ‘The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon’...by Edward Poynter via Wikimedia Commons

DID YOU KNOW?

"Balm of Gilead, known also as the Judaean balsam, grew only around the Dead Sea Basin in antiquity and achieved fame by its highly reputed aroma and medical properties but has been extinct in this area for many centuries. The resin of this crop was sold, by weight, at a price twice that of gold, the highest price ever paid for an agricultural commodity. This crop was an important source of income for the many rulers of ancient Judea; the farmers' guild that produced the balm of Gilead survived over 1,000 years."  (Source)

"Balsam was counted among the renowned perfume and incense plants, like myrrh and frankincense, that grew in restricted habitats. The plant grew wild in Arabia. Its great importance stemmed from its rarity; only in Judea and in the oases of Jericho and Ein Gedi did it grow as a cultivated plant, as noted by Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE): 'But every other scent ranks below balsamum. The only country to which this plant has been vouchsafed is Judaea.' " (Source)

Want to know more?  Here are a few additional references.

• Medicinal Herb Info: Balm
• Essential Oils: Balsam Fir
• History of Perfumery
• Medicinal Uses of Balm of Gilead

Plant Profile: Eucalyptus | Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs (Reblog)

Although the eucalyptus tree is indigenous to Australia, it has been successfully cultivated in several other countries. It grows fast and it grows big and tall. Some can grow up to two hundred fifty feet. This tree's eco-friendly environmental benefits and proven medicinal uses are phenomenal. 

In Guatemala, the trees were planted to “complete reclamation of water bogged malarial swamps”. 

It has many herbal remedies and its commercial use is well known as it is a key ingredient in an over-the-counter product that has been around more than half a century. Vicks Vapo Rub. Oh yes! How could we breathe without it?

More fun facts about this tree?

• Also known as “Tasmania blue gum” and a sub-species is known as “Maiden’s gum”.


• It is “a popular tree for cultivation and reforestation efforts”. The tree can adapt to local conditions wherever it is planted in just a few generations.


• “Australian aborigines traditionally used various herbal remedies made from different parts of the Eucalyptus to treat fevers and all kinds of infections.”


• Eucalyptus is an essential oil and can be used internally and externally.

(P.S. If you're reading this on a Tuesday, then Happy Tree Tuesday!)

Check info references and other related links to learn more about this natural wonder.

Plant Profile: Eucalyptus {Eucalyptus globulus} | Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs (Reblog)

Floral Diversity: Why I Love the Jasmine Flower

There are three (3) reasons why I love the jasmine flower.

• Number 1: I love the fragrance.
• Number 2: When I lived in Miami, Florida, I had a Cuban friend named Jasmine (or Yasmin).
• Number 3: I like Disney Princess Jasmine.

Yasmin (Arab) or Yasamen (Persian) means “fragrant flower” and the name comes from the Persians and the Arabs.

Do you know how many types of Jasmine flowers there are? According to the Garden Lovers Club, even though there are 200 different species, you can narrow it down to ten (10) types.
1. Common jasmine
2. Arabian Jasmine
3. Asian Star jasmine
4. Cape Jasmine
5. Jasminum mesnyi
6. Night-Blooming Jasmine (Queen of the Night)
7. Pink Jasmine
8. Showy jasmine
9. Spanish jasmine
10. Winter jasmine

I am familiar with Cape Jasmine, but not by that name. What some people call Cape Jasmine, I call Gardenia.

The jasmine flower that I am most familiar with is Common Jasmine, which is a pretty star-shaped dainty little white flower that can make anyone's garden look amazing. This dainty little lady really gets around. “Originally native to Persia and Kashmir, and brought to Europe in quantities via Spain in the 17th century, Jasmine has a long and rich history in several cultures.”

~ The ancient Arabs believed that paradise must have been a place full of jasmine flowers.

~ Historical records indicate that the kings of Persia, Nepal, and Afghanistan had jasmine flowers planted around their palaces.

~ Arabian jasmine is the national flower of the Philippines.

~ Jasmine is also the national flower of Pakistan (but they call it Chameli).

~ In India, the flower is considered a sacred symbol of divine hope, good luck, and optimism. Many references are made to jasmine in the literature of ancient India. There is a reference to this flower in the Kamasutra as an aphrodisiac. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine for migraines, insomnia, and to treat certain skin infections.

~ In China, it represents feminine kindness, grace, and delicacy, and they believe it is a means to attract love and wealth. (In other words, it's an aphrodisiac.) The Chinese use it to scent their green tea and in Chinese medicine to treat headaches, bone pain, and insomnia.

~ In Thailand, it is the symbol of motherhood.

~ To the Indonesians, the flower represents purity, eternal life, nobility, and the beauty of a girl. It is often used in wedding ceremonies and it is a national flower.

~ For centuries, Spanish Jasmine has been cultivated in France and used to make perfumes, and it is vital to the French economy.

~ For commercial purposes (mainly the perfumery industry), jasmine is grown in Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria.

~ In Hawaii, jasmine is called pikake and the flowers are used to make leis or as a garnish for pastries; while the oil is used in aromatherapy.

~ While researching to prepare this article I learned about a movie called “Jasmine Flower” which stars one of my favorite Asian actresses, Joan Chen. Added to my watch list. Has anybody seen this movie?

Jasmine is called the King of Oils and the Queen of Flowers.

Both honors are fitting. Don't you think so?

Original Source

Artists I Fancy : Succulents (Canvas) by Oliver Gal at Gilt

Succulents (Canvas) by Oliver Gal at Gilt

via Joie de Vivre Magazine on Pinterest

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