Easter Cactus ... a poorly timed Christmas Cactus?

The Easter cactus, a symbol of rebirth, is often identified as a Christmas cactus with poor timing. It isn’t confused because of the time change or leap year… it is a tropical cactus that blooms during the Easter holiday. As a jungle cactus, it can stand more humidity and water than a desert cactus.

Besides blooming time, there is also a slight difference in the leaves. An Easter cactus has leaves that are wide and round and trimmed with a red tint. The Christmas cactus' leaves are pointed. Both plants’ leaves are joined together to form a long stem that produces flowers.

The Easter star-shaped cactus flowers can be red, pink yellow, white, or purple and have sharp or rounded edges.

Most Easter cactus are considered to be a house plant. It can only survive outdoors with a  hardiness zone of 10 and 11, including are of southern California, Hawaii and Mexico.

The care of the Easter cactus is much like that of the Christmas cactus. Both species require cool temperatures and reduced watering until the flower buds form. During bloom time, the cactus should be watered regularly so that the soil does not dry out. Do not fertilize the plants when they are blooming because this will interfere with flowering.

After Easter, the cactus should be given about a 30-day rest. Place it in a cool room and provide limited water. It's normal for a few leaves to be drop off during this time.

Want to share you plant with others? Propagate new plants by taking cuttings of cactus branches. Let the cuttings dry out overnight before planting them in cactus soil and you'll have a new Easter cactus plant.

The meaning of carnation colors

 

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. The term "Dianthus" can be approximately translated to "flower of love" or "flower of the gods."

Each color of carnation has a meaning:

Light red carnations can signal admiration between lovers or those who mutually respect one another.

Dark red carnations convey deep love, passion and affection.

White carnations traditionally convey a pure love between lovers, family, or friends. They are also  symbolic of innocence, faithfulness,  gratitude and good luck.

Pink carnations usually represent motherly or sisterly love.

Purple carnations express unpredictability, spontaneity and capriciousness, power, luxury, and spiritual fulfillment. They are often used for ceremonial arrangements.

Yellow carnations reflect rejection, disdain or disappointment. They are not often paired with other colors.

 

Green carnations represent health, resilience, good fortune and youth,"

Solid colored carnations imply an affirmative response.

Striped carnations convey regret or refusal of an offer. They are often paired with a “loving” carnation as a kinder way of declining a lover’s affection.

January 2012

Thank you for your patronage in 2011.

Each year we strive to add new product to our current quality line and continue to give you quality service.

We will continue to accept orders on-line at our website  http://www.coppercountryflowers.com/ .
We will also continue to accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Pay Pal as forms of payment. If your time is as hectic as many these days, shop our on-line store 24-7! shop.coppercountryflowers.com

Now that the snow has blanketed our world... check your houseplants for bugs! If you find gnats, bugs, or sacs, give us a call and we'll send you a homemade organic recipe from one of our wholesalers. Also, remove all deadleaves from the soil and fertilize as recommended.

Despite, recent reports, icy cold faucet water and ice cubs are not the best option for hydrating your plants. It can actually cause black rot in gloxinias and white rings on the leaves of African violets. Tepid or warm water is a much better option.

We look forward to helping you with your flower and plant purchases in the coming year. Please call if we can help advise what to buy or how to take care of it!

Jen and the Kukka Crew

Perennial Grave Care

If you just don't have time, energy, or ability to take care of your grave lot, let us help you out.

We place silk or fresh plants on graves in the Spring and remove them in the fall.

We water and weed fresh planters during the summer.

Ribbons of endearment are available to complement the planter.

We deliver to all cemeteries in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties.

Why stress when we can do the work for you?

 

Memorial Day Grave Flowers

Soon the snow will all be melted and flowers will be popping up all over the cemeteries. The Kukkakauppa offers planters and silk arrangements and delivery to local cemeteries. Personalized ribbons can be added for a nominal charge.

 Sillk hydrangea with blue bow ...
 perfect for anyone who loves blue.

Yellows, pinks, and whites offer a feminine touch in silks.

        Purple and orange "pop" for any memorial.

Hydrangea offer a true summer dream with pleasant memories.

Spring Time!

It's Spring... you can hear the birds chirping and see the snow melting... literally as it runs down the road ditches! The thought of digging into a garden and watching crocus, daffodils, and tulips blossom makes me want to plow the remaining snow off the gardens and lay a cold frame over them. 'tis the time of year when the gray-brown snow makes you yearn for the green grass.

With Spring comes proms in the high schools, weddings across the Copper Country, memorial services for those who passed on over the winter, and Easter! We're gearing up for all of them!

PROM DRESS SWAP.... a fundraiser for Calumet High School Band

The first annual prom dress swap was held in Calumet a couple weeks back. The girls excitedly tried on dresses at the historic Miscowabik Club (miscowaubik.org) while vendors, (such as the Kukkakauppa,) hawked their wares. From free "up-dos" at three salons, jewelry, tanning options, teeth whitening, tux options, and of course flowers.... the girls had the option to see/feel what Prom 2011 promises to offer!



A simple peruvian lily with leaves and bow adds grace to the prom dress.

A Daisy a Day... with ribbons and buttons, even the most simple daisy corsage adds smiles, warmth, and happiness to the prom-goer.

  Purple Monte Casino and a purple zebra print ribbon adds excitement to any dress!

Pretty in pink or any other color of rose... romance and a zebra ribbon in matching colors offers the fun of the wild side!

Sarah tries on a "hot" orange and purple dress with large gemstones across the bodice. How fun! Did she buy it? Or did sh choose one of the others she tried on???














SPRING WEDDINGS

Purple Passion. Less expensive carnations fill out a bouquet with more expensive calla lillies. Focus on the gorgeous callas and the you don't even realise your grandmother's carnations are what make them "pop".








Amorous Red and White gerbera daisies show their wilds side with bear grass circling the bouquet. Gerbera diaises come in many colors...pink, magenta, red, burgandy, white, yellow, orange, peach, rust, cream, and bicolor.

Lime green, royal purple and white hearld the beginning of Spring. Belles of Ireland, Callas, and Gilly Weed celebrate the end of winter and growth of a new season!















MEMORIAL SERVICES

Way up here in the north country, the deceased cannot be buried until the ground is thawed enough to dig. Thus, Memorial Day weekend, many services are held for those who have passed on during the winter. Watch in the coming days for our Cemetery markers of silk. We also offer freshly planted geraniums, ivy, marigolds, zinnias, and other summer plants for boxes and baskets that we deliver to local cemeteries! Perennial care is also available.

EASTER is April 24. We're taking orders for lilies, hydrangeas, bulb gardens, azaleas, and fresh cut arrangements. Need lilies for your church? Give us a call for our special church pricing.

Fall Flowers offer many possibilities

Fall is officially here as the beautiful golden, orange, and red leaves fall to the ground and trees take on the eery look of gray sticks reaching up to the ever darkening skies. So while there's threats of snow by the weatherman everyday...we have to make the most of what is left of autumn!


Cut the top of a pumpkin, hollow it out, add a plastic liner and some fresh flowers. The liner can be a plastic bowl or bucket. Be sure to change the water daily, (or at least every other day,) to keep the flowers fresh. And once the pumpkin starts to show signs of mold.... throw it out! You might also want to place a small plate under the pumpkin to insure that it doesn't stain your table as it starts to deteriorate. Silk fall leaves can be hot-glued to the plate to hide it.


Canning jars filled with fall flowers is a great way to celebrate the fall harvest season. Grouping jars with flowers, indian corn kernals, or other harvest items can add a country-atmosphere to your table. Apples, pears, and wheat stalks can compliment the jars.



Mums, daisies, fall lilies, dahlias, celosia, miniature indian corn, cattails, yarrow, hypericum, and curly willow twigs offer many options for your fall flower arrangements. Consider miniature pumpkins, gourds, and fall leaves, to your tablescapes to add even more of a homey warmth to any room!



Flickering candles with beautiful aromas of hazelnut cream, pumpkin spice, vanilla, and cinnamon apple pie scattered among the flowers can also bring a welcome addition to your fall treasures. You can also add pillars or votives (in glass holders,) to seasoned birch logs. Simply cut a piece off the bottom so that the log sits flat. Drill holes so that the candles will fit snuggly into the logs. Do not use green/freshly cut logs as they will leak sap. Also, be sure to not leave burning candles unattended at any time!



The options are many... why are you sitting there reading when you could be bringing the warmth of fall into your home! Get up... get gathering... and make some autumn memories!