Tropical Flower Arrangements

Tropical Flower Arrangements

Warm tropical breezes, sunshine, turquoise blue water and the scent of sweet flowers—the romance and beauty of Hawaii is treasured all over the world. What better way to bring aloha indoors than by creating eye-catching flower arrangements? Welcome your guests with a striking display of heliconia, anthurium, ginger or dendrobium orchids along with plenty of greenery. Hawaiian flowers last a long time, so are perfect to adorn your home or office.

The art of flower arrangement began in the East, and supposedly the Chinese were the first to put cut flowers into a container with water. The Japanese people have also created their own form of design as a meditative practice. Hawaii’s myriad selection of beautiful flowers and greenery beg us to create our own indoor floral atmosphere.

Here are a few tips to consider when creating your artistic display.

• Before you begin selecting flowers, consider where your arrangement will be placed. Choose sizes and colors that will complement their location.

• Prepare your vase and flowers. Presoak some floral foam, if you will be using it, and cut your flower and leaf stems on a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife or scissors. Some florists recommend cutting the stems under running water.
  

• You can use floral tape to create a grid over the opening of the vase to support your stems.

• When you are ready to begin arranging, start with the flowers that will create the main shape and focal point.

• Allocate each flower its own space in the arrangement and don’t overcrowd the vase.
  

• Balance your colors and shapes into a pleasing arrangement.
  

• If you are just a beginner at flower arrangement, a good rule of thumb is to use an odd number of flowers for the basic composition. Then build on this with a variety of shapes and contrasting textures. The natural curves and bends in the foliage and flowers will help you to create a harmonious piece.

Properly cared for, your Hawaiian tropical flower arrangement can last up to 2 or even 3 weeks. To extend its life, keep it between 65 and 80 degrees F. Change the water and re-cut the stems every other day. Avoid placing the flowers in direct sunlight, close to heat sources or in a draft. Enjoy your beautiful results, and take pride in your accomplishment!

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea

A riot of brilliant color almost year-round describes the beautiful bougainvillea plant or bush. Bougainvilleas love full sun, so thrive in Hawaii, as is evident by the many multicolored displays almost everywhere in the islands.

Bougainvillea is actually native to the coast of Brazil, discovered by the French botanist Philibert Commerson in the 1760s. He named it for his friend, Captain Louis A. de Bougainville, who was an explorer from Canada. They can be grown in many climates, outdoors in tropical areas, or indoors where it’s less warm.

Bougainvilleas are fast-growing thorny plants that are sometimes used as ‘security plants.’ They have spiny, cascading stems that end with colorful ‘bracts’ of red, orange, pink or purple above small white flowers. Because of their thorns and spiky twigs, the plants can create vibrant barriers along property edges, or around other areas you don’t want people traffic. However, don’t plant them too close to swimming pools or parks and playgrounds where bare skin could get scratched and irritated by its sap.

How Do I Grow Bougainvillea?

Soil & Water

Bougainvillea will thrive in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained and fertile. In containers, the plants like their roots crowded for good flowering. Bougainvilleas are salt tolerant, also, so can thrive near the ocean if protected from the wind.

A healthy bougainvillea in a container will drink a lot of water during warm periods, and less when it’s cooler. Inspect your plants regularly, and learn when they are close to wilting. Then give a good, thorough soaking just before the wilt stage. Once established, the plants require little water. If overwatered, bougainvilleas will not flower and may lose leaves or even die from root decay.

Fertilizer

Bougainvillea plants grow best with small amounts of nutrients constantly available. Be careful not to over-fertilize. Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer with additional iron and magnesium. Slow or timed release fertilizers are acceptable.

Light

For best results put your bougainvilleas in full sun. If you want good blooming give them at least 5 hours a day of full sunlight. Don’t expect your bougainvillea to flower indoors, though. Even though the plant may thrive, any flowering indoors is a bonus.

Pests
Bougainvilleas are relatively pest-free plants, but may suffer from worms, snails and aphids.

Now that you know how easy they are to grow, why not try cultivating these showy plants around your home? Your neighbors will surely be impressed!

Orchids

Orchids


Hawaii boasts many beautiful flowers, trees and shrubs, but none more beautiful or exotic than the orchid. According to experts, the first orchids existed with the dinosaurs over 100 million years ago. There are at least 35,000 known species, and they live in many different environments, including Hawaii’s diverse mini climates, on all continents except for Antarctica.

For centuries, people have admired the orchid as a symbol of love and beauty. In several ancient cultures, orchids were considered so special that only royalty was allowed to own or wear them. Luckily for us, mere mortals are now accepted orchid owners and growers.

Orchids are not hard to grow, but they do need the right conditions to keep them healthy and to persuade them into re-blooming. They need a balance of light, air, water and food to grow and flower well.

Light: Without enough light, your orchid may not bloom. How much light is enough? The foliage should have light, somewhat yellow-green foliage (but not too yellow or reddish, that means too much light). Darker foliage means it’s not getting enough light. Depending on the type of orchid, most will grow beautifully in a sunny window. If placed outside, orchids will need a little more shade. Once the plant blooms, place it anywhere out of direct sunlight.

Air & Media: Orchid roots, and eventually the entire plant, will die without air. This is the reason they are not usually grown in soil, but rather in commercial grower’s mix, tree fern fibers, sphagnum moss, coconut fiber, cinders, peat moss, fir or redwood bark chips.

Air movement is a must—with Hawaii’s gentle trade winds and breezes, it’s no wonder orchids thrive here. Good air movement also prevents cold or hot spots, which can make it more difficult for orchids to grow well.

Water: Orchids should be watered just as they begin to dry out. How to find that out? The best way is to insert a finger into the potting mix. If in doubt, wait a day! If it’s almost dry, take it to the sink and let tepid water run through it for a minute or so. This will also flush out the salts that naturally accumulate. Be sure to let the plant drain completely. Use a paper towel to blot the water from the crown (where the leaves join in the center) to avoid crown rot. It is best to water in the morning or mid-day to allow it to dry before night.

Temperature & Humidity: Orchids thrive in Hawaii because the temperature and humidity is perfect for them—above 60°F at night and between 70° to 80° or higher during the day. Most home temperatures are acceptable for growing orchids.

Fertilizer: Any balanced orchid fertilizer (look at the numbers on the container, 20-20-20, etc.) can be used once or twice a month to fertilize your orchid, unless it’s in bark, in which case it needs more nitrogen: use 30-10-10.

Pests: Orchids occasionally have insect and disease problems. Mealy bugs, scales, and aphids can simply be washed off.

With a little luck, your orchid will flourish and add a touch of elegance to your home or garden!