Issue No. 38

February 2014

San Diego County Flower & Plant Association's

Feature Plant and Flower of the Month

Greetings,

The San Diego County Flower and Plant Association is a trade organization comprised of over 200 commercial flower and potted plant growers in San Diego County and their allied trade companies. Southern California boasts one of the world's largest concentrations of commercial flower growers and San Diego County is the #1 horticulture county in the US. What better place to find your flower and plant needs.

This monthly feature is to assist our members as well as industry professionals throughout the United States to help locate and promote products for efficient and effective supplying chain.

In addition to these Features, the association's website is a great tool to locate growers of other products. We have a great search engine with products our members grow. Visit us at www.flowerandplant.org.

Feature Plant of the Month

Iceland Poppy

Papaver nudicaule

Oddly, Iceland poppies are native to the sub-polar regions of Europe, Asia, and North American, but not Iceland. They are hardy perennials with a short-ish bloom window featuring large, papery bowl-shaped flowers in vibrant colors of orange, yellow, pink, and red. Bees love them and can often be (pun) seen drunkenly rolling around in the flowers covered in a dusting of golden pollen.

Iceland poppies tall, leafless stems dance in the breezes making them a graceful companion too many cool-season plants. They create a beautiful show in massed plantings or as a single specimen.

Iceland poppies grow 1 to 2 feet tall needing full sun, moderate to regular water, and regular fertilization.

In mild-winter climates, set out plants in fall or winter for months of cool-season color. Pick flowers freely to prolong the show. In cold winter areas, sow seed in earliest spring for summer bloom; or set out plants in fall for bloom the following year.

For a list of suppliers click here to get to our directory

Feature Flower of the Month

Gypsophila 'Baby's Breath'

Gypsophila paniculata

Gypsophila is a member of the carnation family with a wide habitat that covers Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. The genus name is from the Greek gypsos ("gypsum") and philios ("loving"), a reference to the gypsum-rich substrates on which some species grow. A few species are commercially cultivated for several uses, including floristry, herbal medicine, and food. The baby's-breath most commonly used in flower arrangements such as bouquets is the common gypsophila, G. paniculata. G. elegans is also used as a cut flower. With their airy, cloudlike appearance, these flowers are a favorite of consumers and are the No. 1 accent (filler) flowers in the U.S. floral industry.

Gypsophila is available year-round from both domestic and international growers. It is most often grown as a field crop, but in some areas, it is grown in greenhouses.For maximum vase life, purchase Gypsophila when about one-third to one-half of the florets are open. Check bunches for brown, shriveled and dried-out blooms as well as signs of wilt/water stress.

For a list of suppliers click here to get to our directory

For information about the association visit us on our website at www.flowerandplant.org .

Sincerely,

Jan Berry
San Diego County Flower & Plant Assoc.

5600 Avenida Encinas, Suite 108
Carlsbad, California 92008