FUN AND EXOTIC PLANTS

Cypripedium Calceolus (Lady Slippers)        

Cypripedium Calceolus is considered to be the rarest type of wild orchids, found in Europe. The plant is extinct in Greece and has become endangered in England. Since 1917, strict protection policies have been implied for conservation of this plant. Besides the fact that it is one of the most difficult plants to be propagated, a single cutting of this plant is sold for US $5,000. (Shocking! Isn’t it?) The seeds do not provide any nourishment to the growing plant, for this reason it develops a symbiotic relationship with a fungus of a specific type. This fungus nourishes the plant till the time the plant becomes capable of producing food on its own. Why this plant is called lady slipper is quiet obvious. The plant bears a sac like structure resembling “lady’s slipper”, mostly yellow in color with red spots on the inside. The sepals and petals are twisted and usually purple or maroon in color. This plant was first discovered by three botanists named Dodoens, Clusius and L’Obel in Europe.

Psychotria Elata (Flower Lips)                        

What you are looking at is a picture of a plant; they are not woman’s lips. So don’t get confused when you see one in reality. Psychotria Elata is commonly known as Flower Lips, Hooker Lips or Hot Lips Plant. You can find these plants in the tropical rain forests of Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador. Due to deforestation these spectacular plants have become endangered. This biennial plant bears bright red bracts resembling the lips of a woman wearing red lipstick. From these bracts tiny white flowers emerge that serve as food for the humming birds and butterflies. Some people also call it Mick Jagger’s lips. This kissable red plant is truly a miracle of nature.

Lotus Berthelotii (Parrot’s Beak)

As the name suggests Lotus Berthelotii resembles the brightly colored beak of a parrot. Since 1884, this plant has been declared as exceedingly rare. Lotus Berthelotii is believed to be almost extinct in the wild. The plant is native to Canary Island. This plant has a creeping habit, it bears reddish-orange flowers which are 2 to 4 cm in length.

An interesting fact about this striking plant is that it reproduces with the help of bird pollination. The sunbirds which helped in its pollination have become extinct in the Canary Island. This is one of the reasons for this plants’ extinction. Currently researches are being made to find new pollinators that can help to save the remaining population of this plant.



Epipogium Aphyllum (Ghost Orchid) 

Epipogium Aphyllum, commonly known as the Ghost Orchid was presumed to be extinct for nearly 20 years, but currently it has been found in some areas, in UK, after a long time. It has also been reported to grow in France, Russia and Japan. It usually grows in oak, beech, spruce and pine forests or in areas which experience cold winters. Why is the plant so rare? It is said that it is almost impossible to propagate this plant as it bears no leaves, thus no photosynthesis takes place. 

The plant is not capable of producing its own food; it is dependent on some type of fungus to get its nourishment (similar to lady slipper). For this reason the propagation of this plant is nearly impossible. The plant can survive underground for ages and only blooms when optimum conditions are available. The plant bears dozen stalks and 3 to 4 flowers at a time. Many orchid enthusiasts search for ages to get one glimpse of this ghostly flower.





Tacca Chantrieri (Black Bat Flower)

                

Tacca Chantrieri is famous for its bat-shaped black flowers. This flowering plant is often confused with a flying bat. The flowers are almost 12 inches in width and bear whiskers that reach a size of 28 inches. These flowers are also available in white and brown shades. It comprises of bracts usually in green or white color. You can find them in tropical forest area of Yunnan Province, in China. The plant reaches the height of 36 inches and requires well-drained soil and humid climate for best growth. This particular plant is considered among the endangered plant species.

All the above mentioned plants are few and far, so you can consider yourself lucky if you actually witness one. Another interesting fact about these plants is that they resemble some object.

Information provided by Editorial Staff

December Birth Flower

Narcissus

Egotism and Conceit. 

Symbol of Good Fortune.

Narcissus bulbs have been used medicinally for centuries, even though they are poisonous.

Roman soldiers were said to carry them in their first-aid containers.

European peasants applied Narcissus juice, mixed with honey, to cuts and swollen joints.

A doctor named Galen, who was surgeon at the school of Gladiators in Rome, used the juice from narcissus bulbs as his favorite salve to "glue wounds, cuts and gashes together."

In reference to the poisonous properties of the plant, the word narcissus originated from the Greek word "narkeo," meaning "to be stupefied." Lucorcine, which is contained within the bulbs, numbs the nervous system and paralyzes the heart.

Greek mythology relates the origin of the narcissus. Echo, a mountain nymph, fell deeply in love with Narcissus, who was beautiful young man. Narcissus vainly cared for nothing but own beauty, spending all his time viewing his reflection in a pool of water. Narcissus spurned Echo's love until she finally center nothing but her voice as she faded away. Echo's voice ran off into the mountains to mock every other voice it heard. The gods, angry with Narcissus's vanity, changed him into a flower whose fate was to stand by a pool of water nodding at his own image for time eternal.

Mohammed is known to have said, "Let him who hath two loaves sell one, and buy the flower of narcissus: for bread is but food for the body, whereas, narcissus is food for the soul."

Are Caterpillars Eating Your Garden

A customer asked what they can do to fight caterpillars in their garden. Here are some useful tips for anyone who may have the same caterpillar problem.

Caterpillars have a voracious appetite
Many gardeners have a love-hate relationship with caterpillars. Caterpillars eventually grow into beautiful butterflies, but to make the transformation, they need to devour large amounts of plant material. Some caterpillars, such as cutworms, can strip a plant of its leaves in a single night. Pesticides will kill most caterpillars, but the chemicals also kill other beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, earthworms and predatory wasps. Additionally, leaves and stems absorb the chemicals in pesticides, so they are not suitable for plants you want to eat. You can get rid of caterpillars without chemicals by practicing organic pest control.


1. Handpick caterpillars from plants as you find them. You may need to patrol your garden at night to find slugs and some caterpillars. Relocate the caterpillars to a different area, or kill them by dropping them into a bucket of soapy water.

2. Spray the foliage of plants with neem oil. Neem  (click Neem to purchase) oil controls caterpillars and other pests, including whiteflies, leaf miners and thrips. It may also kill beneficial insects such as bees and earthworms. 

3. Dust plant foliage with Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, powder. (Click Bt, powder to purchase) Bt is a natural bacteria that kills caterpillars, but it does not harm most other beneficial insects.

4. Invite birds and predatory insects into your garden. Hang a bird feeder to attract birds to the area. Ducks and chickens also enjoy eating caterpillars. If your garden lacks predatory insects, such as praying mantises, you can usually purchase a box of them from a garden center.

5. Surround seedlings with a rigid collar, such as a toilet paper roll or plastic cup, to ward off cutworms.

6. Lay a sheet of cardboard or plywood on the ground near your plants. Check under the board every morning. Slugs like to hide under the board at night, making it easy to capture them.

7. Shield plants with sheets of porous polyester fabric. Row covers allow light to reach plants while keeping pests away.

8. Plant herbs and flowers around your garden to repel caterpillars. Many insects dislike the scent of lavender, mugwort, sage and peppermint.

9. Practice crop rotation to cut down on caterpillar infestation. For example, don't plant tomatoes in the same place two years in a row.

More info@hibiscusflowershop.com

Healing Herbal Teas

Let's Start with our namesake--HIBISCUS

Whether you are lucky enough to grow your own tea herbs, you purchase loose teas, or you use tea bags, your cabinet is not complete without the following ingredients. These teas are delicious and beneficial, with many different healing qualities. Considering that we most often turn to herbal teas for healing purposes, it’s especially important to purchase or grow organic herbs for this purpose. If your leaves are bathed in pesticide and then you add them to boiling water, instead of healing goodness, you are steeping toxins.

When making tea for medicinal purposes, be sure to steep the tea in a teapot with a lid, or to cover your mug while the herbs are steeping. This helps to make a more potent brew by keeping all of the healing oils in the tea, instead of allowing them to drift into the room. Most herbs should be steeped for about 10 minutes for maximum results.

There are many different herbs from around the world that have wonderful healing properties. I’ve concentrated this list on ones that can either be easily acquired and stored, or ones that can be easily grown in a backyard garden or a sunny window. Just like band-aids, antibiotic cream, or aspirin, these items are vital additions to your pantry, allowing you to dispense a hot, steaming, fragrant cup of nurturing in as little time as it takes you to boil water. Be prepared by keeping the following ingredients close at hand, and be self-sufficient by producing for yourself as many as possible (always the best way to make sure that the items were grown using safe, organic methods).

Hibiscus

Cholesterol maintenance
In 2007, a one-month clinical trial tested the effects of hibiscus extract on cholesterol levels. A total of 42 subjects were randomized to three groups for the study. Group 1 received one 500-mg capsule 3x daily (1,500 mg/day), Group 2 received two capsules 3x daily (3,000 mg/day), and Group 3 received three capsules 3x daily (4,500 mg/day). Interestingly, by the fourth week, participants in both Groups 1 and 2, but not Group 3, experienced a cholesterol maintenance effect. The optimum dose was 1,000 mg taken 3x daily.

In 2009, another trial studied hibiscus’s ability to support cholesterol maintenance, this time in people concerned with healthy blood sugar levels. Sixty subjects, mostly women, were given either one cup of hibiscus tea or black tea twice per day. After one month, hibiscus was able to help maintain total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels — as well as triglycerides — already within a healthy range.* Black tea, on the other hand, only impacted HDL levels.

A larger trial, in 222 adults, was published on hibiscus in 2010. The subjects — about a third of whom had metabolic challenges — were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a healthy diet, hibiscus, or a healthy diet plus hibiscus. Those with metabolic challenges experienced several benefits from hibiscus, including cholesterol maintenance.¤ Similar effects on supporting normal blood sugar were also noted.*

Another 2010 study in 69 subjects found that hibiscus extract (1,000 mg/day) did not have a cholesterol maintenance effect compared to placebo. One wonders why the results of this study were negative, while the three studies mentioned above showed positive results. It could be because different preparations — tea, powdered flowers, and various extracts — were used in each study. With more consistent product selection and dosages used in larger randomized trials, we would hope that this would clarify the best intervention to use.

Blood pressure maintenance
In 2007, a randomized, controlled, double-blind study researched hibiscus’s blood pressure maintenance capacity. Participants received either a dried powdered hibiscus extract, containing a total of 250 mg anthocyanins, or an alternate intervention. Hibiscus extract was able to maintain blood pressure levels already within a healthy range, but importantly, it did not alter blood potassium levels, nor did it affect salt-water balance.*

A trial comparing hibiscus to black tea among people seeking to support healthy blood sugar levels was published in 2009. Subjects were randomly assigned to drink one cup of hibiscus tea or black tea two times per day for one month. Hibiscus tea demonstrated a maintenance effect on systolic (but not diastolic) blood pressure, while black tea did not.*†

A Cochrane review of hibiscus’s effects on blood pressure published in 2010 resulted in five articles. The reviewers included randomized controlled trials of three to 12 weeks in duration that compared hibiscus to either placebo or no intervention at all. All five of these studies found hibiscus had a blood pressure maintenance effect.†

Safety and Dosage
The safety profile of hibiscus is excellent, with no proven adverse reactions.
It is difficult to clarify dosing recommendations when different products are used in different studies. However, positive studies used the following dosages:

• For cholesterol maintenance: 1,000 mg dried herb 3x daily, one cup of hibiscus tea 2x daily, or 100 mg of standardized extract 2x daily

• For blood pressure maintenance†: One cup of hibiscus tea 2x daily or dried powdered hibiscus extract providing 250 mg anthocyanins per day

• 2 Hibiscus Liquid Phyto-Caps are the equivalent of an 8oz cup of Hibiscus Tea.

It is exciting to see the use of this simple, safe plant evolve from home beverage to medicinal utilization for such common health support such as blood pressure and cholesterol maintenance.

Hibiscus helps maintain cholesterol levels that are already within a healthy range.

-- Tori Hudson, N.D.

COMING SOON--HIBISCUS TEA SOLD IN OUR ONLINE STORE. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE ARRIVED!!!

Mint

Mint tea is the classic herbal tea. Mint is an ingredient in many different commercial tea blends and is much-loved for its refreshing fragrance.

Growing it:

Mint is an herb that doesn’t just grow easily – it can quickly overtake your garden! For this reason, it is recommended to grow mint in either a container or its own bed. There are many varieties of mint and the healing properties are similar. Whether you grow peppermint or spearmint, the active component is menthol.

Caution: If you suffer from acid reflux, mint tea may worsen your symptoms. Mint has antispasmodic properties
Mint tea can be used to:

Reduce congestion in a cold or flu sufferer
Reduce pain and bloating from gas
Reduce cramping from diarrhea
Act as a mild expectorant for a chest cold or bronchitis
Induce sweating, the body’s natural cooling mechanism. This is a natural way to reduce a fever
Relieve nausea without vomiting

Ginger

This homely root is an ingredient in many natural cough, cold, and nausea treatments. Instead of giving your child gingerale when they are suffering from an upset stomach (and all of the HFCS and artificial flavors that come in it) brew up a nice cup of ginger tea sweetened with honey for a real dose of soothing ginger!

Growing it:

Ginger is a tropical plant that is apparently not difficult to grow indoors. It requires excellent soil, warmth, humidity, and filtered sunlight.

You can learn how to grow ginger HERE.

Caution: It’s not recommended to exceed 4 grams of ginger per day – components in the herb can cause irritation of the mouth, heartburn and diarrhea if taken in excess.

Click HERE to find a recipe for a delicious honey-ginger cough syrup that can also be the basis for a night-time hot toddy.

Ginger tea can be used to:

Reduce nausea
Prevent or treat motion sickness
Warm the body of someone suffering from chills
Induce sweating to break a fever
Soothe a sore throat

Chamomile

Chamomile tea should be steeped a little longer than other herbal teas in order to get all of the medicinal benefits. This soothing, slightly apple-flavored tea has mild sedative properties. The petals of the tiny flowers are where the medicinal values lie.

Growing it:
Chamomile is easy to grow from seeds. Start them in the late winter and transfer outdoors when the risk of frost has passed. Once the plants are well established, chamomile can thrive with little water during hot weather. When buying your seeds, note that German chamomile is an annual and Roman chamomile is a perennial.

Caution: Chamomile tea should be avoided by people who take blood thinners. As well, those who suffer from ragweed allergies may also have an allergic reaction to chamomile, as the two plants are related.

Chamomile tea can be used to:

Relieve anxiety
Induce sleep
Soothe mild nausea and indigestion
Relieve a cough from throat irritation

Cinnamon

Cinnamon doesn’t just smell like a holiday in a cup, it is anti-bacterial, antiviral, and antifungal, making it an excellent all-around remedy for whatever ails you. Cinnamon is a wonderful source of immune-boosting antioxidants.

Growing it:

Cinnamon is the fragrant bark of a tropical evergreen tree. This article from Mother Earth Living says that the trees are surprisingly easy to grow indoors in large pots.

Try this delicious winter beverage:

1-1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder or a cinnamon stick
1 tea bag
honey to taste
Milk to taste

Stir cinnamon powder well into boiling water and steep for 8 minutes. Add a tea bag and steep for 2 more minutes. Stir in honey and warm milk.

Cinnamon tea can be used to:

Increase blood flow and improve circulation
Reduce nausea
Ease stomach discomfort, bloating, gas and indigestion
Warm the body of someone suffering from chills
Soothe a sore throat
Reduce cold symptoms

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is another herb that is loaded with healing properties. The spiky, easy-to-grow plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and antifungal properties, making it helpful in treating a plethora of ailments.

Growing it:
You can actually root the lemongrass that you buy at the grocery store to start your own patio lemongrass farm. It grows beautifully in a large pot, making it a good herb for the apartment windowsill farmer to cultivate. It can be grown year-round indoors. Check out this article for more information.

Lemongrass tea can help to:

aid in digestion
calm nervous disorders and anxiety
aid in the treatment of high blood pressure if a daily cup is enjoyed
dilate blood vessels and improve circulation
act as a mild diuretic to reduce fluid retention

Echinacea

This lovely flowering plant is probably the pinnacle of herbal preventatives. Echinacea is not only anti-bacterial – but it stimulates the body’s immune system to fight off bacterial and viral attacks. The medicinal properties are in the leaves and the purple flowers.

Growing it:
Echinacea is also known as the “purple coneflower”. The plant has deep taproots and is somewhat drought resistant. It is a perennial. Sow seeds outdoors in the early spring before the last frost. These plants like full sun and they don’t like too much moisture.

Echinacea tea can help to:

enhance the immune system
relieve pain
reduce inflammation
provide antioxidant effects
shorten illness time for sufferers of the common cold

Rosehips

Rosehips make a tart, tangy pink-colored tea. They are the seed-filled pod at the base of a rose blossom, giving you a practical reason to have more rose bushes in your garden. It mixes well and enhances the flavor of any berry or fruit-flavored tea.

Rosehip tea can help to:

provide a nutritional supplement of Vitamin C
improve adrenal function
boost the immune system
provide minerals such as calcium, iron, silicon, selenium, natural sodium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus and zinc
increase energy
heal tissues and cells

Blackberry leaf
Dried blackberry leaves give a luscious fruity flavor when steeped in boiling water. Not only are they the basis of many delicious teas, they are loaded with a beneficial component called tannins. (Bonus tip: add a blackberry leaf to a jar of pickles when canning – the tannin helps to keep the pickles crisp.)

Caution: Excess consumption of blackberry leaves (or anything containing tannins) can cause liver damage.

Blackberry leaf tea can help to:

provide vitamin C
treat diarrhea
reduce pain and inflammation from sore throats
provide an antibacterial effect against H pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers
provide immune-boosting antioxidants
provide high levels of salicylic acid, which gives them similar properties to aspirin, such as pain relief and fever relief
reduce inflammation of the gums

Clove

Cloves are a wonderful addition to herbal tea just for the taste. Not only is the flavor delicious, but cloves have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. The multipurpose little seed packs a mighty punch with its antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Growing it:
Cloves are the dried buds of a flowering evergreen tree that is native to Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. They are generally imported and, unfortunately, are not easy to cultivate in other climates or greenhouse atmospheres.

Caution: In high amounts cloves can cause liver damage, blood in the urine, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness.

Clove tea can help to:

provide pain relief – it is a powerful analgesic
break up mucous and work as an expectorant
provide a fragrant decongestant in a steaming cup of tea
treat strep throat or tonsillitis – it relieves pain and provides a wash of antiviral and antibacterial components

Lemon Balm
Lemon balm, also known as Bee Balm, was first recorded to have been used by the ancient Greeks as an overall tonic for good health. It is an ingredient in the old world Carmelite water, a recipe created by Carmelite nuns in the early 1600s to treat headaches. (The traditional mixture also contained coriander, lemon-peel, nutmeg, and angelica root.)

Growing it:
Lemon balm is easy to grow and produces throughout the summer. The more you harvest, the more it produces. It is perennial in warmer climates. Lemon balm like rich moist soil with organic compost and partial shade in the hottest part of the day. It is another one of those herbs that can take over a garden, so plant it in a confined area.

Lemon balm tea can help to:

fight off viruses – it was used historically against shingles, mumps, and cold sores
calm anxiety and nervousness
aid in sleep
aid the digestive system by reducing spasms and quelling heartburn
reduce nausea

--Article/information by Daisy Luther

Hibiscus Flower Note Cards

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Box of 5 for $14.99

November Birth Flower

Red for love, white for purity, yellow for the for friendship, pink for I like you. The Chrysanthemum symbolizes cheerfulness and optimism. The Chrysanthemum blooms in the fall, bringing extra cheer to a colder climate when most flowers take a break. They are usually associated with the dead, thus gaining popularity at funerals or to the bereaved in time of need. 

From this popularity, it was once thought that bringing the Chrysanthemum indoors meant a wishful death. Originating in China, the Chrysanthemum is considered one of the four noble plants among bamboo, the plum and the orchid. It was once thought that drinking from a stream that flowed between Chrysanthemums would help a person live to be 100. From this myth came Chrysanthemum tea, wine and medicine to encourage a healthy, long life.

That said, they make a beautiful compliment to floral bouquets. And because they are available in various colors and sizes they can bring a zing to a vase. For more info, email us info@hibiscusflowershop.com

What exactly is Halloween? and why all the fuss?

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows' Evening also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve.

Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom as well as of Australia and New Zealand.


Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced "sah-win"). The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops.

The festival would frequently involve bonfires. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which attracted bats to the area. These are additional attributes of the history of Halloween.

Masks and costumes were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or appease them.

Trick-or-treating, is an activity for children on or around Halloween in which they proceed from house to house in costumes, asking for treats such as confectionery with the question, "Trick or treat?" The "trick" part of "trick or treat" is a threat to play a trick on the homeowner or his property if no treat is given. Trick-or-treating is one of the main traditions of Halloween. It has become socially expected that if one lives in a neighborhood with children one should purchase treats in preparation for trick-or-treaters.

The history of Halloween has evolved. The activity is popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and due to increased American cultural influence in recent years, imported through exposure to US television and other media, trick-or-treating has started to occur among children in many parts of Europe, and in the Saudi Aramco camps of Dhahran, Akaria compounds and Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia. The most significant growth and resistance is in the United Kingdom, where the police have threatened to prosecute parents who allow their children to carry out the "trick" element. In continental Europe, where the commerce-driven importation of Halloween is seen with more skepticism, numerous destructive or illegal "tricks" and police warnings have further raised suspicion about this game and Halloween in general.

In Ohio, Iowa, and Massachusetts, the night designated for Trick-or-treating is often referred to as Beggars Night.

Part of the history of Halloween is Halloween costumes. The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays goes back to the Middle Ages, and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of "souling," when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593), when Speed accuses his master of "puling [whimpering, whining], like a beggar at Hallowmas."

Yet there is no evidence that souling was ever practiced in America, and trick-or-treating may have developed in America independent of any Irish or British antecedent. There is little primary Halloween history documentation of masking or costuming on Halloween in Ireland, the UK, or America before 1900. The earliest known reference to ritual begging on Halloween in English speaking North America occurs in 1911, when a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario, near the border of upstate New York, reported that it was normal for the smaller children to go street guising on Halloween between 6 and 7 p.m., visiting shops and neighbors to be rewarded with nuts and candies for their rhymes and songs.

Another isolated reference appears, place unknown, in 1915, with a third reference in Chicago in 1920. The thousands of Halloween postcards produced between the turn of the 20th century and the 1920s commonly show children but do not depict trick-or-treating. Ruth Edna Kelley, in her 1919 history of the holiday, The Book of Hallowe'en, makes no mention of such a custom in the chapter "Hallowe'en in America." It does not seem to have become a widespread practice until the 1930s, with the earliest known uses in print of the term "trick or treat" appearing in 1934, and the first use in a national publication occurring in 1939. Thus, although a quarter million Scots-Irish immigrated to America between 1717 and 1770, the Irish Potato Famine brought almost a million immigrants in 1845-1849, and British and Irish immigration to America peaked in the 1880s, ritualized begging on Halloween was virtually unknown in America until generations later.


Trick-or-treating spread from the western United States eastward, stalled by sugar rationing that began in April 1942 during World War II and did not end until June 1947.

Early national attention to trick-or-treating was given in October 1947 issues of the children's magazines Jack and Jill and Children's Activities, and by Halloween episodes of the network radio programs The Baby Snooks Show in 1946 and The Jack Benny Show and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet in 1948. The custom had become firmly established in popular culture by 1952, when Walt Disney portrayed it in the cartoon Trick or Treat, Ozzie and Harriet were besieged by trick-or-treaters on an episode of their television show, and UNICEF first conducted a national campaign for children to raise funds for the charity while trick-or-treating.


Trick-or-treating on the prairie. Although some popular histories of Halloween have characterized trick-or-treating as an adult invention to re-channel Halloween activities away from vandalism, nothing in the historical record supports this theory. To the contrary, adults, as reported in newspapers from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s, typically saw it as a form of extortion, with reactions ranging from bemused indulgence to anger. Likewise, as portrayed on radio shows, children would have to explain what trick-or-treating was to puzzled adults, and not the other way around. Sometimes even the children protested: for Halloween 1948, members of the Madison Square Boys Club in New York City carried a parade banner that read "American Boys Don't Beg."

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October Birth Flower

The calendula is the Birth Month Flower of October. Calendulas grew their name from blooming at the beginning of each month, hence the Latin "calends" and the English "calendar." 

The calendula means "throughout the months." This flower is used by many gardeners as an insect repellent and by cooks as a spicy seasoning or coloring for food.


Dried, the calendula can spice up and brighten up a salad. In fact, this flower is referred to as the "pot marigold" because of cooking pots, not flowerpots. As if these weren't enough uses for the calendula, this flower can be used as many herbal medicinal remedies for headaches, toothaches, stomachaches, fever reducers and menstrual cramps.

It can reduce swelling in insect bites, sprains, jaundice, sore eyes, wounds and other skin irritations when the calendula is made into an ointment. Lip balms can be made to soothe chapped lips as well. The calendula's bright colors ranging from gold to bright orange have also been boiled to make brilliant dyes for fabrics, cosmetics and food.

The calendula, or marigold (referred to as "Mary's Gold" by early Christians), was considered a sacred flower. Garlands of marigolds were crafted and strung around the necks of the holy saint statues. These brilliant flowers decorated the statue of the Virgin Mary as if they were the sun and stars surrounding her. 

Its floral meaning is associated with "winning grace." In ancient times, garlands of marigolds protected homes from evil by being strung at doorsteps. It was once thought that placing these garlands under a bed would cause the sleeping person to have prophetic dreams.

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Making Wine-Part I

When it comes to wine making, what is the fermentation process and why is it important?

Fermentation is the process where the grape juice is joined by other ingredients resulting in a chemical reaction that produces wine.

The formula for the fermentations process is: sugar, added to yeast yields alcohol and carbon dioxide. The yeast, added to the grapes converts the natural sugars contained in the grapes (glucose and fructose) into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is then released from the wine mixture into the air and the alcohol remains.

When all of the fruit’s sugars converts over to alcohol or the alcohol is tested and found to be 15%, then this means that fermentation is complete and all the natural yeast as well as the added yeast nutrients has been destroyed. The winemaker then has his goal in sight, he has his wine.

In order to find out if the sugar has been absorbed, the winemaker can use a hydrometer. This apparatus when floated in the mixture will sink to the bottom as an indication that the sugars have been converted and the wine is ready for the next stage.

Red wines do best when, while they are fermenting, they are being stored in an area where the temperature is 70 to 90 degrees. Anything warmer than that will result in your wine essentially being destroyed. The contents inside would basically cook, just like they would if you left a bottle of unopened wine in the hot, desert sun. The cork would dry out, the protection for the wine would be gone and the contents inside would be affected.

Large wineries will ferment their red wine in oaken kegs, and their white wines in large stainless steel vats. Unlike red wine, white wine needs lower temperatures in order to ferment properly. Less than 60 degrees is ideal. Full-bodied table wines can also be stored in barrels. The temperature for fermentation for white wines Fermentation takes place in 55-60 degrees. A vast difference then the hot temperatures needed to age the red wines.

Winemakers will often add more nitrogen and micro nutrients during the fermentation process to prevent any production of hydrogen sulfide gas. If this gas invades the grapes, it imparts a rotten egg smell thus stinking up the mixture. Great care is taken to avoid this chemical reaction, though even the most experienced winemakers can have this unfortunate reaction occur without any fault of their own.

The resulting liquid during fermentation is called the “must.” In order to stop bad bacteria from invading the must, the mixture must be mixed. The must will begin to bubble within 8-20 hours. The first stage of fermentation process for red wines is 5-10 days. White wines sit for 10-15 days. After this time period passes, the second phase of fermentation begins.

During the second phase of fermentation, the wine is siphoned into an airtight container with great care taken to not add anymore oxygen at this point. This second phase process yields in the end, a higher alcohol content. Depending on what ingredient(s) the winemaker adds to this mixture; more yeasts, or perhaps a blended finished wine, will determine if the end result for this harvest. Will it be a sweeter or a stronger wine, and will it fetch a decent price on the market, or with a collector?

FALL FRENZY BEST PLANTS FOR COOL SEASON COLOR

Iceland Poppy

FALL FRENZY!! Okay, it's Fall 2013--another year has passed. So, I won't bore you with another list of Fall clean up ideas. If you want any, you can check out our blog from Fall 2012.

What I will do is excite you with a list of plants that are perfect for FALL and WINTER color. we added to the list from last year!! Exciting.


Cool-season flowers can bring a splash of color to your garden right when you need it most.

You can plant happy pansies, snapdragons, English daisies and more from early fall through late winter. They'll overwinter, filling your borders, containers, and pocket gardens with months of flower power.

In colder climates, plants will die off in winter but can be planted again in spring.

17 best plants for cool-season color

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) 

Candytuft (Iberis)

Cineraria


Cyclamen


English daisy (Bellis perennis)


Erica (heath)


Hellebores



Nemesia


Ornamental kale


Pansy


English primrose


Snapdragon


Stock


Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)


Viola

Edible Flowers

There are so many uses for flowers. Whether you place a bunch in a vase, stick them in your hair, ask for forgiveness when you mess up or carry them down the isle at your wedding--they have become a part of our lives whether we realize it or not. 

They are beauty, they are love, they make you smile.

But....did you know that they can also be used in you favorite recipe. I mean, whether you realize it or not you season your food with herbs every day--basil, you drink them--chamomile, eat them--arugula and even place them on the bottoms of your babies--calendula.

Let's take it a step further... Below is a list of the common and botanical name of edible flowers and their uses. Follow the link for each so you can take a look at what each looks like.

Common Name        Botanical Name 

Angelica Angelica archangelica May be skin allergen to some individuals. Good with fish and the stems are especially popular candied. Tastes like: celery-flavored. 

Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum Tastes like: sweet, anise-like, licorice

Apple Malus species Eat in moderation; may contain cyanide precursors. Tastes like: delicate floral flavor

Arugula Eruca vesicaria Tastes like: nutty, spicy, peppery flavor

Basil Ocimum basilicum Tastes like: different varieties have different milder
flavors of the corresponding leaves. Tastes like: lemon, mint.

Bee Balm Monarda species Also known as bergamot, it is used to make a tea with a flavor similar to Earl Grey Tea. 

Borage Borago officinalis Taste like: light cucumber flavor. 

Burnet Sanguisorba minor Tastes like: faint cucumber flavor, very mild.

Calendula* Calendula officinalis Tastes like: poor man's saffron, spicy, tangy, peppery, adds a golden hue to foods.

Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus (aka Dianthus) Tastes like: spicy, peppery, clove-like.

Chamomile* Chamaemelum nobile Tastes like: faint apple flavor, good as a tea.

Chicory* Cichorium intybus Buds can be pickled.

Chives: Garden Allium schoenoprasum Tastes like: mild onion flavor.

Chives: Garlic Allium tuberosum Tastes like: garlicky flavor.

Chrysanthemum: Garland* Chrysanthemum coronarium Tastes like: slight to bitter flavor, pungent.

Citrus: Lemon Citrus limon Tastes like: waxy, pronounced flavor, use sparingly as an edible garnish, good for making citrus waters.

Clover Trifolium species Raw flowerheads can be difficult to digest.

Coriander Coriander sativum Pungent. A prime ingredient in salsa and many Spanish and Asian dishes. Tastes like: Some palates detect a disagreeable soapy flavor while others adore it. 

Cornflower* Centaurea cynaus (aka Bachelor's Buttons) Tastes like: sweet to spicy, clove-like.

Dandelion* Taraxacum officinalis Tastes like: very young buds fried in butter taste similar to mushrooms. Makes a potent wine.

Day Lily Hemerocallis species Many Lilies (Lillium species) contain alkaloids and are NOT edible. Daylillies may act as a laxative. Tastes like: sweet, crunchy, like a crisp lettuce leaf, faintly like chestnuts or beans.

Dill Anthum graveolens 

English Daisy* Bellis perennis Tastes like: tangy, leafy.

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Tastes like: sweet, licorice flavor. 

Fuchsia Fuchsia X hybrida Tastes like: slightly acidic.

Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides Tastes like: light, sweet flavor.

Gladiolus* Gladiolus spp Tastes like: similar to lettuce.

Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Tastes like: slightly acidic, boiled makes a nice beverage.

Hollyhock Alcea rosea Tastes like: very bland, nondescript flavor.

Honeysuckle Japanese Lonicera japonica Berries are highly poisonous. Do not eat them!

Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis Should be avoided by pregnant women and by those with hypertension and epilepsy.

Impatiens Impatiens wallerana Tastes like: very bland, nondescript flavor.

Jasmine Arabian Jasminum sambac Tastes like: delicate sweet flavor, used for teas.

Johnny-Jump-Up Viola tricolor Contains saponins and may be toxic in large amounts. Tastes like: sweet to bland flavor.

Lavender Lavendula species Lavender oil may be poisenous. Tastes like: floral, slightly perfumey flavor.

Lemon Verbena Aloysia triphylla Tastes like: lemony flavor, usually steeped for tea.

Lilac Syringa vulgaris Tastes like: lemony, floral, pungent.

Mallow Common Malva sylrestris Tastes like: sweet, delicate flavor.

Marigold Signet Tagetes tenuifolia (aka T. signata) Tastes like: spicy to bitter.

Marjoram Origanum majorana.

Mint Mentha species.

Mustard Brassica species Eating in large amounts may cause red skin blotches.

Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus Buds are often pickled and used like capers. Tastes like: sweet, mildly pungent, peppery flavor.

Okra Abelmoschus aesculentus
(Hibiscus esculentus) Tastes like: similar to squash blossoms.

Pansy Viola X wittrockiana Tastes like: very mild sweet to tart flavor.

Pea Pisum species Flowering ornamental sweet peas are poisonous.

Pineapple Guava Feijoa sellowiana Tastes like: similar to the ripe fruit of the plant, flavorful.

Primrose Primula vulgaris Birdseye Primrose (P. farinosa) causes contact dermatitis. Tastes like: bland to sweet flavor.

Radish Raphanus sativus Tastes like: milder, sweeter version of the more familiar radish heat.

Redbud Cercis canadensis Tastes like: mildly sweet.

Rose Rosa rugosa or R. gallica officinalis Tastes like: sweet, aromatic flavor, stronger fragrance produces a stronger flavor. Be sure to remove the bitter, white portion of the petals. Rose hips are also edible.

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Tastes like: pine-like, sweet, savory. 

Runner Bean Phaseolus coccineus Tastes like: nectar, bean-like.

Safflower* Carthamus tinctorius Another "poor man's saffron" without the pungent aroma or strong flavor of the real thing.

Sage Salvia officinalis Sage should not be eaten in large amounts over a long period of time. Tastes like: varies by type. 

Savory Summer Satureja hortensis.

Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus Tastes like: bland to bitter flavor.

Society Garlic Tulbaghia violacea Tastes like: a very mild garlic flavor.

Squash Blossom Cucurbita pepo species (aka Zucchini Blossom) Tastes like: sweet, nectar flavor. 

Sunflower* Helianthus annus Tastes like: leafy, slightly bitter. Lightly steam petals to lessen bitterness. Unopened flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.

Thyme Thymus vulgaris Tastes like: lemon, adds a nice light scent.

Tuberous Begonia Begonia X tuberosa ONLY HYBRIDs are edible. The flowers and stems contain oxalic acid and should not be consumed by individuals suffering from gout, kidneystones, or rheumatism. Further, the flower should be eaten in strick moderation. Tastes like: crisp, sour, lemony.

Violet Viola species Tastes like: sweet, nectar.

(Banana) Yucca Yucca baccata Flowers (petals only) and fruit are edible. Other parts contain saponin, which is poisonous. Large amounts may be harmful. Tastes like: crunchy, fresh flavor Tastes like: crunchy, fresh flavor.

Flowers to Avoid Some flowers in particular to be avoided. This is not a complete list: azalea, crocus, daffodil, foxglove, oleander, rhododendron, jack-in-the-pulpit, lily of the valley, and wisteria. See a more complete list.

*Only the petals of these composite flowers are edible. The pollen of composite flowers is highly allergenic and may cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Sufferers of asthma, ragweed, and hay fever should not consume composite flowers, and may have extreme allergies to ingesting any flowers at all.


For more information, please email us info@hibiscusflowershop.com


Disclaimer: The author and Home Cooking Guide have thoroughly researched all the aforementioned edible flowers. However, individuals consuming the flowers, plants, or derivatives listed here do so entirely at their own risk. Neither the authors or Home Cooking can be held responsible for any adverse reaction to the flowers.

Choosing a countertop. Granite, concrete..............

Concrete Countertop

Concrete Countertops are easy to clean and have become a great alternative to granite or marble. They can be designed into versatile styles, colors and look like natural stone while keeping its uniqueness. They do need to be sealed to prevent bacteria growth and stains. However, the cost is significantly lower than granite/marble and worth having it in your home. Countertops can also be paired with matching tables to create a creative splash in your home or kitchen.

Concrete table

Corian 

Solid Surface (Corian) countertops are easy to clean and nonporous, which means that it does not need to be sealed and stains cannot penetrate the surface. They also resist the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. Countertops, sinks and backsplashes can be perfectly integrated to create one solid surface without any cracks to collect dirt and moisture. This is a unique characteristic only to solid surface materials and are great for kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, shower walls and bathtub surrounds.

Quartz

Quartz countertops are engineered with pure quartz crystals and are extremely hard and durable. What makes this stone countertop unique over granite is that it never needs to be sealed. That means that food and moisture cannot penetrate the surface and you don’t have to worry about harmful bacteria growing beneath the surface of your countertop. Quartz is the hardest non-precious stone and through the engineering process they are stronger than granite. With a wide range of colors, Quartz countertops give you the beauty of nature without sacrificing performance.

Granite

Granite countertops are imported from all over the world and each piece has it own unique characteristics. Some have simple patterns and others possess swirling veins and movement. Although beautiful, Granite does require some additional maintenance over other countertops. It is important to seal your Granite regularly to prevent stains and bacteria growth.


For more information or to schedule a FREE design and renovation consultation. Email us designrenovation@hibiscusflowershop.com or 
call 718.207.1625