Plant Profile

Picture or Drawing : australasius

Common Name: Pink wax flower

FAMILY NAME:

Species and cultivars of special interest: Common with most members of the Rutaceae family, propagation from seed is difficult. Cuttings are also difficult to strike although a clone which strikes reasonably easily has recently been brought into cultivation and this form also seems to be hardier in the garden than other forms.

Origin: East Coast of NSW and Queensland, Australia

Availability: Flowers from late winter through to late spring (August to November)

Foliage Characteristics: Leaves that are narrow and oblong in shape and 30-70mm long and 4-10mm wide. They are greyish-green in colour.

Floral Characteristics: The flowers are waxy, pale to mid pink in colour and up to 40mm in diameter. They have narrow streaks of a darker pink as well.

Special features and characteristics of special interest: The stems have a pungent citrus-like fragrance.

Maintenance, Cultural requirements and Post Harvest Treatments: Best grown in a semi-shaded area in well-drained sandy to sandy loam soils which are not allowed to dry out for long periods of time, but not waterlogged areas. Is tolerant of at least moderate frosts. After harvest keep cool at all times, strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem, re-cut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in water immediately, do not bash or split stems, always use a preservative to help buds open, replace vase water with fresh preservative every 2 to 3 days, it is very sensitive to ethylene so keep them away from fruit, car exhausts and cigarette smoke, and remove wilted flowers as they are a source of ethylene.

Pest and Diseases: White wax scale are known to attack wax flowers.

Use In Floristry: Used as a transitional flower in many different arrangements, most suitable for bunches and vase and bowl arrangements e.g. bouquets, posies, symmetrical bowls, etc.

Customer advice: Re-cut stems 2cm from bottom and place in fresh water with a preservative. Replace water every 2-3 days and put in fresh preservative. Keep away from fruit, car exhausts, and cigarette smoke, and also remove wilted flowers as these are all a source of ethylene and it is particularly sensitive to it.

Plant Profile

Picture or Drawing Botanical Name: Dendrobium spp. & cvs

Common Name: Singapore Orchid

FAMILY NAME: Orchidaceae

Species and cultivars of special interest: Dendrobium is one of the three types orchids. This hybrid species includes many different orchids including: Vanda, Cymbid, Slipper, and Tiger. All originate from Tropical Asia and Australia.

Origin: Tropical Asia and Australia

Availability: Imported all year round from different areas in Asia and available periodically from Darwin.

Foliage Characteristics: Stems are short, typically 20-40 cm and are a light green colour. The leaves are narrowly oval with 2 to 4 at the top of each cane.

Floral Characteristics: Small delicate flowers, form sprays of up to 50 flowers per branch. Has a dozen or so flowers per stem in white, purple, pink, green, red, or yellow.

Special features and characteristics of special interest: Sensitive to the cold, so keep at 12-15 degrees Celsius. Buy when the majority of the flowers are opened because once the stem is cut, the buds may open but will not reach full size.

Maintenance, Cultural requirements and Post Harvest Treatments: Never refrigerate, re-cut at least 2 cm off each stem with sharp secateurs and place in water immediately, you can also top up the vials with fresh preservative and replace stems as preservatives are essential to help the buds open, replace vase water or vials every day, keep away from fruit, car exhausts and cigarette smoke as they are very sensitive to ethylene, as they like humidity misting is recommended, and individual flowers can be revived by immersing in room temperature water for five minutes, placing revived flowers in a plastic bag with wet tissue paper and sealing the bag afterwards.

Pest and Diseases: Aphids, Scale, and Thrips.

Use In Floristry: Can be used as a focal or transitional flower in all types of arrangements, from traditional to modern-style, sympathy designs, bouquets, etc.

Customer advice: Never refrigerate, re-cut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in water immediately, you can also top up the vials with fresh preservative and replace stems as preservatives are essential to help the buds open, replace vase water or vials every day, and keep away from fruit, car exhausts and cigarette smoke as they are very sensitive to ethylene.