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Old 24-01-2007, 04:35 PM posted to rec.gardens
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Default Roses are top of mind as St. Valentine approaches

Roses are red Violets are blue, Better buy some for Sweetie Saint
Valentine's due.

As you read this, St. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and
as indicated in my little rhyme, above, one flower in particular is
associated with February 14. Hint: It isn't the violet.

Why is St. Valentine so closely identified with love, romance and
roses?

Although Valentine's Day has its origins in third-century Rome -
one legend claims that Valentine was a priest who secretly performed
marriage ceremonies for soldiers and their brides during a time when
soldiers were forbidden to marry - it was not until the eighteenth
century that lovers started sending cards or notes to each other to
mark the holiday. Flowers didn't come into vogue until greenhouses
allowed growers to force flowers to bloom in the dead of winter.

I found that tidbit in a new book by Amy Stewart, titled "Flower
Confidential." Here are some more Valentine-related revelations from
the book:

During the two weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, 12 to 15 million
stems of Latin American flowers will arrive each day at Miami
International Airport

Almost a third of American adults will buy flowers or a plant for
Valentine's Day. Roughly half of those people will purchase roses,
mainly red roses.

Over a third of orders will be placed on February 13, and another 22%
are called in on the holiday itself.

Americans buy 180 million roses for Valentine's Day, and the average
arrangement of a dozen roses costs just over $70.00.

In 2007, Valentine's Day falls on a Wednesday. Flower sales peak when
the holiday lands in the middle of the week, averaging $30,000 per
shop.

A typical wage on an Ecuadorian flower farm is about $150.00 per month.
Wages represent less than four cents for every rose sold.

Rose developers may spend seven years or more developing a new variety
for market. An Australian team has been working for over ten years on
developing a blue rose, using a pigment gene from petunias.

"Flower Confidential" contains more than just information on roses
and Valentine's Day, with hundreds of little known facts on the
global flower market and tips and techniques to get the most out of
your cut flowers. It is scheduled for publication February 9, 2007 by
Algonquin Books.

However, the rose is the flower that is top of mind with everyone at
this time of year. A couple of weeks ago in this column, I told you
about some roses that are favorites of Cheryl's and mine.

Just to remind you, they are collectively known as "Knockout
Roses," with varieties such as Knockout Red, Knockout Pink and
Knockout Rainbow. All are delightful plants and don't require a lot
of fussing. If you missed that column or would like to read it again,
you can find it at my Web site, www.landsteward.org Look for the column
titled "These roses are easy to grow and very low maintenance."

So here's an idea. This year, how about planting some Knockout rose
bushes for your sweetheart? Unlike a $70.00 bouquet that might only
last a few days, tell your sweetie that, just like you love, these
shrubs will last for years, growing stronger and more beautiful with
each passing season. Now who could resist that?

Okay, it might be wise to also buy a sappy card and something personal.
Only you can decide if "something personal" is a box of candy or a
diamond bracelet. But for years of beauty in your garden, it's hard
to beat the vista of a beautiful grouping of colorful, fragrant rose
bushes.

May you have a "blooming happy" St. Valentine's Day!

The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs
and landscaping to and for resources and
additional information, or to subscribe to Steve's free e-mailed
newsletter, visit
www.landsteward.org

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