Zygocactus Schlumbergera

 

Zigocactus Schlumbergera, wildly known as  Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus and Holiday Cactus ( for time of blossom) or Crab Cactus (for appearance of stems), named after cacti collector Frederick Schlumberger (1823-1893). Originally, Schlumbegera is found in the coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil. Plant grows in tropical forest on trees or rocks, in shady, high humid habitat.

The cultivation in Europe has started In 1818, the Schlumbergera Truncata was introduced to Europe. Shortly after, in 1839, was introduced Schlumbergera russelliana. A few years later, in 1852, was recorded the first hybrid S. x buckleyi, named after it is founder W. Buckley.

Today you could find considerable number of cultivars, which are available in a quite number of colors and are usable as ornamental plants.  


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Bee Balm (Monarda) Flower

Bee Balm (Monarda ) is annual or perennial plant native to North America. Common names include Bee balm, Horsemint, Bergamot and Oswego tea. Today the plant gives the taste to Earle Grey Tea, but long since was used by Ntive Americans as medical plant for it antiseptic, carminative and general stimuation actions. Also, the Bee Balm flower favorite with hummingbirds.( Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarda )

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Orchids

Orchid - people describe this flower as beautiful, gorgeous, fantastic...you can use any word you want! Neither word would be enough.
Well, orchids are not just a beautiful. They are also very interesting plants . Here are a few facts about them:

1) The name comes from the Greek órkhis, literally meaning "testicle,"



Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World's Most Exotic Plants

2) It is currently believed to be the largest family of flowering plants. (between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species.



Orchids For Dummies

 3) You can find orchids almost everywere other than glaciers.





Phalaenopsis Silk Orchid Flower Arrangement

4) The namber of orchid species is two times higher than the number of bird species.




Complete Guide to Orchids (Miracle Gro)

5) The namber of orchid species is four times higher than the number of mammal species.



The New Encyclopedia of Orchids: 1500 Species in Cultivation

6) It accounts from 6 to 11% of all seed plants.



Bloom-Again Orchids: 50 Easy-Care Orchids that Flower Again and Again and Again

Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, 
Lust, and Lunacy



Silk Orchid Artificial Flower Arrangement - Phalaenopsis Liquid Illusion-Cream



Odontocidium Catatante orchid Blooming Size

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids



Orchids for Every Home: The Beginner's Guide to Growing Beautiful, Easy-Care Orchids


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