Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might be helpful for some members in this forum....

Gardenia is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

Gardenias are evergreen shrubs which can grow from two to twenty feet or more in height in their natural habitat. The leaves are glossy, dark green growing from about one to ten inches long depending on the species. Gardenia flowers are white or yellow in color and develop either a single or a cluster of blossoms. The flowers of many species are known for their intoxicating sweet scent.


Gardenia 'Diamond's Fragrant Delight'

Gardenia jasminoides, also known as Gardenia grandiflora, originated in Asia. In China Gardenia jasminoides is called Zhi zi and in Japan it is called Kuchinasi. The yellow flowers are used in both countries as dye for clothes and food. It has been grown in China for more than one thousand years and has been introduced to England in the 18th century. Several hybrids have been created, including low growing plants with large flowers. The white flowers are large and highly fragrant. Several decades ago the flowers were worn by men as boutonnieres on special occasions. Jazz singer Billie Holiday called gardenia flowers her trademark by wearing them in her hair. Today the flowers are still a favorite choice for weddings and proms.

Gardenia jasminoides is considered a difficult plant to take care of. Many times gardenia plants with many buds are bought and the buyer eagerly awaits the opening of the flowers. But many times the buds drop without further development. When purchasing gardenia plants it's better to start with small plants without buds. The plants need some time to adjust to the environment in their new home. Once the plants have adjusted to their new home, flower buds start to develop into beautiful, sweetly scented gardenia flowers.

Gardenia taitensis, also called Tahitian Gardenia and Tiare Flower, is one of only a few plants indigenous to Polynesia. This evergreen tropical shrub can grow as tall as twelve feet. The flowers are white, composed of five to nine petals and very fragrant.

Inhabitants of Polynesia use these highly fragrant flowers as necklaces. These floral necklaces are called Ei on the Cook Islands, Hei on Tahiti and Lei on Hawaii.

On some Pacific islands wearing these gardenia flowers indicates one's relationship status. When the flower is worn on the right ear, the person is available. When the flower is worn on the left ear, the person is taken.

The flowers of Gardenia taitensis are used to make Monoi Tiare Tahiti, which is a perfume oil, by infusing the flowers in coconut oil. This process is called Enfleurage. The process uses odorless fats that are solid at room temperature to capture the fragrant compounds released by plants.

In addition, the flowers are also used in highly priced perfumes, like Tiare by Ormonde Jayne and Tiare by Chantecaille.

Other popular Gardenia species include Gardenia brighamii, Gardenia cornuta and Gardenia nitida, to name a few.

Gardenia plants prefer partial sun and should be protected from the hot afternoon sun during the summer months. They grow and flower well under grow lights where night temperatures should not go below 60 to 65 degrees which translates to 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.


Gardenia coronata

Gardenia plants are prone to root disease. Growing them in clay pots can reduce the risk as the potting medium dries out faster in clay pots. Gardenia plants prefer an acidic potting medium, soil, meaning the soil ph is less than 7. If the potting medium is not acid enough, many nutrients, including iron, cannot be absorbed by the roots and the plants develop a condition, called Chlorosis which expresses itself in yellowing of the leaves. Some gardeners pour a small amount of vinegar at the top of the soil to prevent or treat mild cases of Chlorosis.

It is best to water the plants when the surface of the potting medium looks and feels dry. It is recommended to avoid using “hard” tap water. If the tap water is very “hard”, adding some vinegar to the watering can lowers the ph level of the water. When watering it is important to water the plants thoroughly until water drips through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. The gardener needs to make sure that no water remains in the saucer after the drainage process is complete.

When fertilizing gardenia plants any balanced fertilizer at one quarter strength of the recommended dosage can be used. Using a fertilizer designed for acid loving plants reduces the risk of Chlorosis.

Humidity should be kept at 50% or higher. If humidity is low, misting the plants frequently or using a humidifier greatly benefits gardenia plants.

When proven and tested guidelines are followed, gardenia plants with their highly fragrant flowers bring years of enjoyment to the outdoor and indoor gardener.

Copyright © Bob Walsh

On 2/15/12 3:35 PM, BobWalsh wrote:
Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might
be helpful for some members in this forum....

*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

Gardenias are evergreen shrubs which can grow from two to twenty feet or
more in height in their natural habitat. The leaves are glossy, dark
green growing from about one to ten inches long depending on the
species. Gardenia flowers are white or yellow in color and develop
either a single or a cluster of blossoms. The flowers of many species
are known for their intoxicating sweet scent.

[image:
http://a4578bxyqrmka19x.info/resources/_wsb_250x234_Gardenia+Diamond$27s+Fragrant+Delight .jpg]
Gardenia 'Diamond's Fragrant Delight'

*Gardenia jasminoides*, also known as Gardenia grandiflora, originated
in Asia. In China Gardenia jasminoides is called Zhi zi and in Japan it
is called Kuchinasi. The yellow flowers are used in both countries as
dye for clothes and food. It has been grown in China for more than one
thousand years and has been introduced to England in the 18th century.
Several hybrids have been created, including low growing plants with
large flowers. The white flowers are large and highly fragrant. Several
decades ago the flowers were worn by men as boutonnieres on special
occasions. Jazz singer Billie Holiday called gardenia flowers her
trademark by wearing them in her hair. Today the flowers are still a
favorite choice for weddings and proms.

Gardenia jasminoides is considered a difficult plant to take care of.
Many times gardenia plants with many buds are bought and the buyer
eagerly awaits the opening of the flowers. But many times the buds drop
without further development. When purchasing gardenia plants it's better
to start with small plants without buds. The plants need some time to
adjust to the environment in their new home. Once the plants have
adjusted to their new home, flower buds start to develop into beautiful,
sweetly scented gardenia flowers.

*Gardenia taitensis*, also called Tahitian Gardenia and Tiare Flower, is
one of only a few plants indigenous to Polynesia. This evergreen
tropical shrub can grow as tall as twelve feet. The flowers are white,
composed of five to nine petals and very fragrant.

Inhabitants of Polynesia use these highly fragrant flowers as necklaces.
These floral necklaces are called *Ei* on the Cook Islands, *Hei* on
Tahiti and *Lei* on Hawaii.

On some Pacific islands wearing these gardenia flowers indicates one's
relationship status. When the flower is worn on the right ear, the
person is available. When the flower is worn on the left ear, the person
is taken.

The flowers of Gardenia taitensis are used to make *Monoi Tiare Tahiti*,
which is a perfume oil, by infusing the flowers in coconut oil. This
process is called *Enfleurage*. The process uses odorless fats that are
solid at room temperature to capture the fragrant compounds released by
plants.

In addition, the flowers are also used in highly priced perfumes, like
Tiare by Ormonde Jayne and Tiare by Chantecaille.

Other popular Gardenia species include *Gardenia brighamii*, *Gardenia
cornuta* and *Gardenia nitida*, to name a few.

Gardenia plants prefer *partial sun* and should be protected from the
hot afternoon sun during the summer months. They grow and flower well
under *grow lights* where night temperatures should not go below 60 to
65 degrees which translates to 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

[image:
http://a4578bxyqrmka19x.info/resourc...+coronata.jpg]
Gardenia coronata

Gardenia plants are *prone to root disease*. Growing them in *clay pots*
can reduce the risk as the potting medium dries out faster in clay pots.
Gardenia plants prefer an acidic potting medium, soil, meaning the soil
ph is less than 7. If the potting medium is not acid enough, many
nutrients, including iron, cannot be absorbed by the roots and the
plants develop a condition, called *Chlorosis* which expresses itself in
yellowing of the leaves. Some gardeners pour a small amount of vinegar
at the top of the soil to prevent or treat mild cases of Chlorosis.

It is best to *water* the plants when the surface of the potting medium
looks and feels dry. It is recommended to avoid using “hard” tap water.
If the tap water is very “hard”, adding some vinegar to the watering can
lowers the ph level of the water. When watering it is important to
water the plants thoroughly until water drips through the drainage holes
at the bottom of the pot. The gardener needs to make sure that no water
remains in the saucer after the drainage process is complete.

When *fertilizing* gardenia plants any balanced fertilizer at one
quarter strength of the recommended dosage can be used. Using a
fertilizer designed for acid loving plants reduces the risk of
Chlorosis.

*Humidity* should be kept at 50% or higher. If humidity is low, misting
the plants frequently or using a humidifier greatly benefits gardenia
plants.

When proven and tested guidelines are followed, gardenia plants with
their highly fragrant flowers bring years of enjoyment to the outdoor
and indoor gardener.

Copyright © Bob Walsh

Bud drop often occurs from a lack of zinc. I give my gardenia a small
amount of zinc sulfate about once every 3 weeks.

Gardenias will not flower unless the weather is quite warm in the
summer. With a hot summer, mine will sometimes continue flowering even
in the winter despite light night-time frosts.


--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary

On 15/02/2012 23:35, BobWalsh wrote:

(snip - see Bob's OP for detail).

A very good summary. Only addition I would make is a mention of the
"Kleim's Hardy" cultivar of Gardenia jasminoides.

It isn't frost hardy, of course, but it's a lot hardier than Gardenia
jasminoides itself, and not quite as free-flowering IME.

--

Jeff

On Feb 15, 6:35*pm, BobWalsh
wrote:
Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might
be helpful for some members in this forum....

*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

Gardenias are evergreen shrubs which can grow from two to twenty feet or
more in height in their natural habitat. The leaves are glossy, dark
green growing from about one to ten inches long depending on the
species. Gardenia flowers are white or yellow in color and develop
either a single or a cluster of blossoms. The flowers of many species
are known for their intoxicating sweet scent.

[image:http://a4578bxyqrmka19x.info/resources/_wsb_250x234_Gardenia+Diamond$...]
Gardenia 'Diamond's Fragrant Delight'

*Gardenia jasminoides*, also known as Gardenia grandiflora, originated
in Asia. *In China Gardenia jasminoides is called Zhi zi and in Japan it
is called Kuchinasi. The yellow flowers are used in both countries as
dye for clothes and food. *It has been grown in China for more than one
thousand years and has been introduced to England in the 18th century.
Several hybrids have been created, including low growing plants with
large flowers. The white flowers are large and highly fragrant. *Several
decades ago the flowers were worn by men as boutonnieres on special
occasions. Jazz singer Billie Holiday called gardenia flowers her
trademark by wearing them in her hair. Today the flowers are still a
favorite choice for weddings and proms.

Gardenia jasminoides is considered a difficult plant to take care of.
Many times gardenia plants with many buds are bought and the buyer
eagerly awaits the opening of the flowers. But many times the buds drop
without further development. When purchasing gardenia plants it's better
to start with small plants without buds. The plants need some time to
adjust to the environment in their new home. Once the plants have
adjusted to their new home, flower buds start to develop into beautiful,
sweetly scented gardenia flowers.

*Gardenia taitensis*, also called Tahitian Gardenia and Tiare Flower, is
one of only a few plants indigenous to Polynesia. This evergreen
tropical shrub can grow as tall as twelve feet. The flowers are white,
composed of five to nine petals and very fragrant.

Inhabitants of Polynesia use these highly fragrant flowers as necklaces.
These floral necklaces are called *Ei* on the Cook Islands, *Hei* on
Tahiti and *Lei* on Hawaii.

On some Pacific islands wearing these gardenia flowers indicates one's
relationship status. When the flower is worn on the right ear, the
person is available. When the flower is worn on the left ear, the person
is taken.

The flowers of Gardenia taitensis are used to make *Monoi Tiare Tahiti*,
which is a perfume oil, by infusing the flowers in coconut oil. This
process is called *Enfleurage*. The process uses odorless fats that are
solid at room temperature to capture the fragrant compounds released by
plants.

In addition, the flowers are also used in highly priced perfumes, like
Tiare by Ormonde Jayne and Tiare by Chantecaille.

Other popular Gardenia species include *Gardenia brighamii*, *Gardenia
cornuta* and *Gardenia nitida*, to name a few.

Gardenia plants prefer *partial sun* and should be protected from the
hot afternoon sun during the summer months. They grow and flower well
under *grow lights* where night temperatures should not go below 60 to
65 degrees which translates to 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

[image:http://a4578bxyqrmka19x.info/resourc...a+coronata...]
Gardenia coronata

Gardenia plants are *prone to root disease*. Growing them in *clay pots*
can reduce the risk as the potting medium dries out faster in clay pots.
Gardenia plants prefer an acidic potting medium, soil, meaning the soil
ph is less than 7. If the potting medium is not acid enough, many
nutrients, including iron, cannot be absorbed by the roots and the
plants develop a condition, called *Chlorosis* which expresses itself in
yellowing of the leaves. Some gardeners pour a small amount of vinegar
at the top of the soil to prevent or treat mild cases of Chlorosis.

It is best to *water* the plants when the surface of the potting medium
looks and feels dry. *It is recommended to avoid using “hard” tap water.
If the tap water is very “hard”, adding some vinegar to the watering can
lowers the ph level of the water. *When watering it is important to
water the plants thoroughly until water drips through the drainage holes
at the bottom of the pot. The gardener needs to make sure that no water
remains in the saucer after the drainage process is complete.

When *fertilizing* gardenia plants any balanced fertilizer at one
quarter strength of the recommended dosage can be used. Using a
fertilizer designed for acid loving plants reduces the risk of
Chlorosis.

*Humidity* should be kept at 50% or higher. If humidity is low, misting
the plants frequently or using a humidifier greatly benefits gardenia
plants.

When proven and tested guidelines are followed, gardenia plants with
their highly fragrant flowers bring years of enjoyment to the outdoor
and indoor gardener.

Copyright © Bob Walsh

--
BobWalsh

Nice post.

I've got a potted gardenia about 40 years old that I've taken to
cloning and have grown numerous plants to give to family, friends and
neighbors.

Cloning from cuttings is easy when done in the hottest weather in a
humid environment.

My plants are indoors most of the year and put outside in the summer.
We get a lot of flowers.

Inside, I lost one plant to scale before I knew how to treat with
systemic, and mist in the winter with slightly soapy water to keep
down spider mites. They are really not that hard to take care of.
Maybe because my well water is slightly acidic, I've never had an acid
problem.

Types of Gardenia Plants

Types

Gardenia Augusta, known as Cape Jasmine, is the most commonly grown gardenia. Grown outside, it reaches a height of 6 feet or more. Several cultivars have been cultivated for optimum appearance and fragrance. Augusta Beauty produces 2- to 3-inch double flowers and blooms for up to three months. Mystery is more compact and produces semi-double cream or white blooms from mid to early summer. Veitchi, referred to a florist gardenias, are grown in pots in greenhouses for florist and those who seek houseplants. It grows erect and produces pure white double blooms. Gardenia Thunbergia, referred to a Star Gardenia, grows to a height of 10 feet and produces large 4-inch single blooms.

History

Gardenias originated from the tropical lands of South Asia and Africa. In their natural habitat gardenias grow in leaf litter and humus beneath trees. They derived their name from Alexander Garden a physician in Charleston, South Carolina. Gardenias are often associated with love and romance and were favored by southern women for their fragrant blooms. Its popularity increased rapidly when the gardenia corsage was invented by Rod McClellan in 1937.

Features

Gardenia blooms range from single to double blooms in shades of cream and white. The waxy green foliage makes a striking contrast to these delicate flowers. Gardenia fragrance is heady and sweet, perfuming an entire yard in warm summer evenings. Its appeal comes in part from its fragrant blooms and in part to the striking display of blooms in the moonlight.

Geography

Gardenias thrive in zones eight and nine, but are sensitive to cold and must be grown as houseplants or in nurseries throughout most of the United States. Container specimens can be summered outside and returned to the inside when weather cools in late summer or early fall.

Considerations

All varieties of gardenia are finicky houseplants that require bright southern light that poses a challenge for northern homes. Grow lights must supplement the natural lighting during the winter, set on a timer for 12 hours of sunlight and 12 of darkness. They require distilled water kept a room temperature as they cannot tolerate hard water and cold water will stunt their growth. They require evenly moist soil and will suffer from either over or under watering.

On Feb 15, 3:35*pm, BobWalsh
wrote:
Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might
be helpful for some members in this forum....

[...]

*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

[...]

***Bob, I really truly do appreciate your kindness in posting this
comprehensive article on Gardenias

But something snapped within me key melodramatic music when I read
"comprised of". This incorrect usage seems to be spreading like
kudzu.
It isn't just you, believe me!

One can say "comprise" with a direct object: "flowering plants
COMPRISE 142 species...

or

One can say "composed of": "flowering plants COMPOSED OF" 142
species...

But one ***cannot*** say "comprised of".

There, I got it off my chest. So why don't I feel better...it's
probably a losing battle. sigh

HB

In article
,
Higgs Boson wrote:

On Feb 15, 3:35*pm, BobWalsh
wrote:
Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might
be helpful for some members in this forum....

[...]

*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

[...]

***Bob, I really truly do appreciate your kindness in posting this
comprehensive article on Gardenias

But something snapped within me key melodramatic music when I read
"comprised of". This incorrect usage seems to be spreading like
kudzu.
It isn't just you, believe me!

One can say "comprise" with a direct object: "flowering plants
COMPRISE 142 species...

or

One can say "composed of": "flowering plants COMPOSED OF" 142
species...

But one ***cannot*** say "comprised of".

There, I got it off my chest. So why don't I feel better...it's
probably a losing battle. sigh

HB

Huh?
omprise |k?m?pr?z|
verb [ trans. ]
consist of; be made up of : the country comprises twenty states.
€ make up; constitute : this single breed comprises 50 percent of the
Swiss cattle population | ( be comprised of) documents are comprised of
words. - Oxford American Dictionary

Bad enough to be retentive, but wrong on top of it? Oy!
--

Billy

E Pluribus Unum

Palestinian Villages May Soon Go Dark Once Again
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,815476,00.html

On Feb 17, 8:34*pm, Billy wrote:
In article
,
*Higgs Boson wrote:









On Feb 15, 3:35*pm, BobWalsh
wrote:
Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might
be helpful for some members in this forum....

[...]

*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

[...]

***Bob, I really truly do appreciate your kindness in *posting this
comprehensive article on Gardenias

But something snapped within me key melodramatic music when I read
"comprised of". *This incorrect usage seems to be spreading like
kudzu.
It isn't just you, believe me!

One can say "comprise" with a direct object: *"flowering plants
COMPRISE 142 species...

or

One can say "composed of": * "flowering plants COMPOSED OF" 142
species...

But one ***cannot*** say "comprised of".

There, I got it off my chest. *So why don't I feel better...it's
probably a losing battle. sigh

HB

Huh?
omprise |k?m?pr?z|
verb [ trans. ]
consist of; be made up of : the country comprises twenty states.
€ make up; constitute : this single breed comprises 50 percent of the
Swiss cattle population | ( be comprised of) documents are comprised of
words. - Oxford American Dictionary

Bad enough to be retentive, but wrong on top of it?

I'"ll' cop to "ëlegant ''.

Oy!


***From one of the many Web sites struggling with this usage":
============

Comprise or Compose?
Comprise means "is made up of" or "consists of." The whole comprises
the parts.

Compose means "make up" or "make." The parts compose the whole.

Incorrect: The rock is comprised of three minerals.

Correct: The rock is composed of three minerals.

Correct: The rock comprises three minerals.

Correct: Three minerals compose the rock.

If you are confused, just say, "The rock is made up of three
minerals," or "Three minerals make up the rock."

==============

People who want to sound intelligent, but are actually ignorant, say
"between you and I", because in the back of their confused little
minds, "you and me" sounds vaguely...not fancy enough. They also fail
to distinguish between colloquial usage -- "Who's there?" "It's me"
and the strictly correct " It is I" which NOBODY says.

Same with "compose" and "comprise". This tsunami of ignorance has
gained strength in perhaps the last eight to ten years, and is
probably unstoppable,
since hoi polloi does not read, and is often taught in school by
teachers who are lamentably ignorant of grammar and syntax.

HB

On 2/18/12 12:59 AM, Higgs Boson wrote:
On Feb 17, 8:34 pm, Billy wrote:
In article
,
Higgs Boson wrote:









On Feb 15, 3:35 pm, BobWalsh
wrote:
Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might
be helpful for some members in this forum....

[...]

*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

[...]

***Bob, I really truly do appreciate your kindness in posting this
comprehensive article on Gardenias

But something snapped within me key melodramatic music when I read
"comprised of". This incorrect usage seems to be spreading like
kudzu.
It isn't just you, believe me!

One can say "comprise" with a direct object: "flowering plants
COMPRISE 142 species...

or

One can say "composed of": "flowering plants COMPOSED OF" 142
species...

But one ***cannot*** say "comprised of".

There, I got it off my chest. So why don't I feel better...it's
probably a losing battle. sigh

HB

Huh?
omprise |k?m?pr?z|
verb [ trans. ]
consist of; be made up of : the country comprises twenty states.
€ make up; constitute : this single breed comprises 50 percent of the
Swiss cattle population | ( be comprised of) documents are comprised of
words. - Oxford American Dictionary

Bad enough to be retentive, but wrong on top of it?

I'"ll' cop to "ëlegant ''.

Oy!


***From one of the many Web sites struggling with this usage":
============

Comprise or Compose?
Comprise means "is made up of" or "consists of." The whole comprises
the parts.

Compose means "make up" or "make." The parts compose the whole.

Incorrect: The rock is comprised of three minerals.

Correct: The rock is composed of three minerals.

Correct: The rock comprises three minerals.

Correct: Three minerals compose the rock.

If you are confused, just say, "The rock is made up of three
minerals," or "Three minerals make up the rock."

==============

People who want to sound intelligent, but are actually ignorant, say
"between you and I", because in the back of their confused little
minds, "you and me" sounds vaguely...not fancy enough. They also fail
to distinguish between colloquial usage -- "Who's there?" "It's me"
and the strictly correct " It is I" which NOBODY says.

Same with "compose" and "comprise". This tsunami of ignorance has
gained strength in perhaps the last eight to ten years, and is
probably unstoppable,
since hoi polloi does not read, and is often taught in school by
teachers who are lamentably ignorant of grammar and syntax.

HB

You and I are have very similar views on this subject. See my
http://www.rossde.com/malaprops/index.html.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary

On Feb 18, 8:18*am, "David E. Ross" wrote:
On 2/18/12 12:59 AM, Higgs Boson wrote:









On Feb 17, 8:34 pm, Billy wrote:
In article
,
*Higgs Boson wrote:

On Feb 15, 3:35 pm, BobWalsh
wrote:
Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might
be helpful for some members in this forum....

[...]

*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

[...]

***Bob, I really truly do appreciate your kindness in *posting this
comprehensive article on Gardenias

But something snapped within me key melodramatic music when I read
"comprised of". *This incorrect usage seems to be spreading like
kudzu.
It isn't just you, believe me!

One can say "comprise" with a direct object: *"flowering plants
COMPRISE 142 species...

or

One can say "composed of": * "flowering plants COMPOSED OF" 142
species...

But one ***cannot*** say "comprised of".

There, I got it off my chest. *So why don't I feel better...it's
probably a losing battle. sigh

HB

Huh?
omprise |k?m?pr?z|
verb [ trans. ]
consist of; be made up of : the country comprises twenty states.
€ make up; constitute : this single breed comprises 50 percent of the
Swiss cattle population | ( be comprised of) documents are comprised of
words. - Oxford American Dictionary

Bad enough to be retentive, but wrong on top of it?

I'"ll' cop to "ëlegant ''.

Oy!

***From one of the many Web sites struggling with this usage":
============

Comprise or Compose?
Comprise means "is made up of" or "consists of." The whole comprises
the parts.

Compose means "make up" or "make." The parts compose the whole.

Incorrect: The rock is comprised of three minerals.

Correct: The rock is composed of three minerals.

Correct: The rock comprises three minerals.

Correct: Three minerals compose the rock.

If you are confused, just say, "The rock is made up of three
minerals," or "Three minerals make up the rock."

==============

People who want to sound intelligent, but are actually ignorant, say
"between you and I", because in the back of their confused little
minds, "you and me" sounds vaguely...not fancy enough. *They also fail
to distinguish between colloquial *usage -- "Who's there?" *"It's me"
and the strictly correct " It is I" which NOBODY says.

Same with "compose" and "comprise". *This tsunami of ignorance has
gained strength in perhaps the last eight to ten years, and is
probably unstoppable,
since hoi polloi does not read, and is often taught in school by
teachers who are lamentably ignorant of grammar and syntax.

HB

You and I are have very similar views on this subject. *See my
http://www.rossde.com/malaprops/index.html.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: *California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary

***Wow, you really went to a lot of trouble & covered a lot of ground.

So far, my hair shirts are stored in a drawer called "Language
Horrors".

One category is "Words often confused and misused: Some examples:

WHO-WHOM
LAY-LIE
COMPOST-COMPRISE
HOME-HONE
MAY-MIGHT
RETICENT-RELUCTANT
PEDAL-PEDDLE
REIGN-REIN
PROSTRATE-PROSTATE
SUSPECT-SUSPICIOUS
INCIDENT-INCIDENCE

(contributions invited)

Actually, WHO-WHOM is a 9th circle of Hell all unto itself. More a
syntax problem than a simple confusion. Sigh So few understand the
difference between the subject of a dependent clause and the object of
a preposition. And if hoi polloi did, they probably wouldn't care.

Then there are larger categories, like

DECLINE OF THE PERFECT TENSE

IN TERMS OF (this is one of my pet hates. People can't think ahead
to frame a sentence; they back in; can't get out fall back on "In
terms of".
Can't
resist an example, Congresscritters are particularly egregious
violators in this regard.

In terms of the contraception debate, there
were only men on a panel about this subject.
Translation: There were only men on a panel
about contraception.

I could go on. But I was shoveling compost, so must get back to that
more rewarding task.

HB

In article
,
Higgs Boson wrote:

On Feb 17, 8:34*pm, Billy wrote:
In article
,
*Higgs Boson wrote:









On Feb 15, 3:35*pm, BobWalsh
wrote:
Hi Everybody,

I just published an article about gardenia plants and thought it might
be helpful for some members in this forum....

[...]

*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

[...]

***Bob, I really truly do appreciate your kindness in *posting this
comprehensive article on Gardenias

But something snapped within me key melodramatic music when I read
"comprised of". *This incorrect usage seems to be spreading like
kudzu.
It isn't just you, believe me!

One can say "comprise" with a direct object: *"flowering plants
COMPRISE 142 species...

or

One can say "composed of": * "flowering plants COMPOSED OF" 142
species...

But one ***cannot*** say "comprised of".

There, I got it off my chest. *So why don't I feel better...it's
probably a losing battle. sigh

HB

Huh?
omprise |k?m?pr?z|
verb [ trans. ]
consist of; be made up of : the country comprises twenty states.
¤ make up; constitute : this single breed comprises 50 percent of the
Swiss cattle population | ( be comprised of) documents are comprised of
words. - Oxford American Dictionary

Bad enough to be retentive, but wrong on top of it?

I'"ll' cop to "ëlegant ''.

Oy! Would you stop shooting yourself in the foot? I understand you,
obscure heteronym, or not.


***From one of the many Web sites struggling with this usage":
============

Comprise or Compose?
Comprise means "is made up of" or "consists of." The whole comprises
the parts.

Compose means "make up" or "make." The parts compose the whole.

Incorrect: The rock is comprised of three minerals.

Correct: The rock is composed of three minerals.

Correct: The rock comprises three minerals.

Correct: Three minerals compose the rock.

If you are confused, just say, "The rock is made up of three
minerals," or "Three minerals make up the rock."

==============

People who want to sound intelligent, but are actually ignorant, say
"between you and I", because in the back of their confused little
minds, "you and me" sounds vaguely...not fancy enough. They also fail
to distinguish between colloquial usage -- "Who's there?" "It's me"
and the strictly correct " It is I" which NOBODY says.

Same with "compose" and "comprise". This tsunami of ignorance has
gained strength in perhaps the last eight to ten years, and is
probably unstoppable,
since hoi polloi does not read, and is often taught in school by
teachers who are lamentably ignorant of grammar and syntax.

HB

Since experts disagree, and communication was established, I'd say,
"relax".
--

Billy

E Pluribus Unum

Palestinian Villages May Soon Go Dark Once Again
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,815476,00.html

On Feb 18, 11:48*am, Billy wrote:
In article
,
*Higgs Boson wrote:




*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

[...]

***Bob, I really truly do appreciate your kindness in *posting this
comprehensive article on Gardenias

But something snapped within me key melodramatic music when I read
"comprised of". *This incorrect usage seems to be spreading like
kudzu.
It isn't just you, believe me!

One can say "comprise" with a direct object: *"flowering plants
COMPRISE 142 species...

or

One can say "composed of": * "flowering plants COMPOSED OF" 142
species...

But one ***cannot*** say "comprised of".

There, I got it off my chest. *So why don't I feel better...it's
probably a losing battle. sigh

HB


Well, there goes the Reformation. I suppose you have an aristocratic
citation to support this assertion, or is it based on divine revelation?

For them, there
are no standards; there is only what -- dare I say "hoi polloi"

It's tough to find a non-provocative expression for the masses in this
country where everybody is, in theory, equal.

(Note to self: Go out front and check if my WE ARE THE 99% sign is
still firmly dug into the lawn.)

Of course you do, but I think we're back to arrogant, and dismissive.

More like despair. Sometimes if you call a thing by its name, you get
hammered. Like, people still call the U.S. a "democracy", when it has
demonstrably become a "plutocracy". The truth can be painful. Denial
is more comfortable if you don't mind reliquishing use of the brain we
were given by (a) "God" or (b) evolution;


speaking of "getting hammered": Years ago, a telling incident. I was
demonstrating -- one of the two times I ever got out on the battle
lines -- with a Sierra Club group on some environmental problem; can't
even remember what it was. I noticed that the counter-demonstration
across from us looked very different from us. They were dressed
differently; they had a whole 'nothr look to them. I made a casual
remark to that effect to a fellow Sierra Clubber -- and got my head
handed to me! Wow!

[...]
This post, on one of the many sites that wrestle with this issue,
nails it neatly: * Ignorance and pretentiousness.

[...]
or ³is composed of² or whatever. Simple logic, people: Know your
place.

Know your place? A tad arrogant isn't it?

***Ask the author.

What happened to your old .sig. Now THEM were fightin' words!

Sorry I ever blew my grammatical stack. Used to suffering in silence,
but once in a while...

Now back to gardening.

HB

In article
,
Higgs Boson wrote:

On Feb 18, 11:48*am, Billy wrote:
In article
,
*Higgs Boson wrote:




*Gardenia* is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142
species
belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are
indigenous to
the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

[...]

***Bob, I really truly do appreciate your kindness in *posting this
comprehensive article on Gardenias

But something snapped within me key melodramatic music when I read
"comprised of". *This incorrect usage seems to be spreading like
kudzu.
It isn't just you, believe me!

One can say "comprise" with a direct object: *"flowering plants
COMPRISE 142 species...

or

One can say "composed of": * "flowering plants COMPOSED OF" 142
species...

But one ***cannot*** say "comprised of".

There, I got it off my chest. *So why don't I feel better...it's
probably a losing battle. sigh

HB


Well, there goes the Reformation. I suppose you have an aristocratic
citation to support this assertion, or is it based on divine revelation?

For them, there
are no standards; there is only what -- dare I say "hoi polloi"

It's tough to find a non-provocative expression for the masses in this
country where everybody is, in theory, equal.

(Note to self: Go out front and check if my WE ARE THE 99% sign is
still firmly dug into the lawn.)
Ahem. If you are the 99%, who the hell are the masses?

Of course you do, but I think we're back to arrogant, and dismissive.

More like despair. Sometimes if you call a thing by its name, you get
hammered. Like, people still call the U.S. a "democracy", when it has
demonstrably become a "plutocracy". The truth can be painful. Denial
is more comfortable if you don't mind reliquishing use of the brain we
were given by (a) "God" or (b) evolution;


speaking of "getting hammered": Years ago, a telling incident. I was
demonstrating -- one of the two times I ever got out on the battle
lines -- with a Sierra Club group on some environmental problem; can't
even remember what it was. I noticed that the counter-demonstration
across from us looked very different from us. They were dressed
differently; they had a whole 'nothr look to them. I made a casual
remark to that effect to a fellow Sierra Clubber -- and got my head
handed to me! Wow!

[...]
This post, on one of the many sites that wrestle with this issue,
nails it neatly: * Ignorance and pretentiousness.

[...]
or ³is composed of² or whatever. Simple logic, people: Know your
place.

Know your place? A tad arrogant isn't it?

***Ask the author.

What happened to your old .sig. Now THEM were fightin' words!

Sorry I ever blew my grammatical stack. Used to suffering in silence,
but once in a while...

Now back to gardening.

HB

Beware hubris.
--

Billy

E Pluribus Unum

Palestinian Villages May Soon Go Dark Once Again
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,815476,00.html