Posts Tagged ‘Mexico’

Without a doubt, the season’s most popular flower is the Poinsettia. And what an interesting background it has! Originating from Mexico and Central America, the plant’s real name (in Nahuatl) is “Cuetlaxochitl” (which means petals as resistant as leather). Upon their arrival on the American continent, the Spaniards changed the name to “Flor de Nochebuena” (which means Christmas Eve flower), because it blooms in November and December.

In the United States, Canada and certain European countries, the plant is known as Poinsettia. This is because in 1828, Mr. Joel Poinsett (US ambassador in Mexico), presented the plant as a gift to many of his friends and decided to name it after himself.

Poinsettia

For many years, the Ecke’s, a German immigrant family had a monopoly on poinsettias. Albert Ecke had settled in Encinitas, California in 1906 and started to sell the plant. His son Paul discovered a way in which to produce plants that were prettier and bushier; his “grafting” method was a well kept secret for many decades. Paul Jr. then took it upon himself to revolutionize the poinsettia industry by making it as popular as possible through means such as television. Thanks to his efforts, demand for the poinsettia soared pretty much all over the United States, from Thanksgiving right through Christmas time.

In the 1990’s, a university discovered the “grafting” method and made it public, which opened the doors to competition. Today, the poinsettia is the most cultivated plant in the United States. In many countries, new commercial varieties are sold by greenhouses to flower vendors year round, thanks to new technologies which include photoperiodism and temperature control.

While we’ll be posting on how to care for your poinsettia in a few weeks, please note that the ideal temperature for the plant is between 20-22 °C (68–71.6 F), 18 °C (64. 4 F) when blooming. Temperature changes and draughts are two things the poinsettia does not like.

Poinsettia

Now for some links:

General information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poinsettia

About the Ecke family business:

http://www.ecke.com/new1/

A poinsettia-related legend:

http://www.ecke.com/html/h_corp/corp_legend.html

As a small “PS” to our posts about orchids over the last few weeks, we thought we’d share this with you today.

When we use a lemon or eat an apple, we can picture exactly where the fruit comes from. Same for sugar and eggs. But do we all know where vanilla comes from? Of particular interest with the baking season just about to begin…

Did you know that vanilla comes from an orchid? One with pretty white flowers that grows like a vine. In fact, look at the label next time you buy vanilla yoghurt.

Vanilla Flower

                                        Photo: Wikipedia

Here’s a detailed image of a vanilla plant. (Click on the image to enlarge)

Parts of the Vanilla's Flower

                          Photo: Wikipedia

Most of us buy vanilla in a small bottle. This, of course, is vanilla extract.  It is prepared by a process that is rather complex and costly: most commonly, cured vanilla beans or pods (the fruit of the orchid) are cut up into very small pieces and then percolated with alcohol and water.  This curing process takes up to several months.  (Careful: culinary experts agree that artificial vanilla-flavored products to replace the real extract do not do the trick, especially when freezing dishes). 

Upon arriving in Mexico, Spaniards came to know vanilla from the Aztecs in the Tenochtitlan region, which now constitutes Mexico City.  The latter had obtained the vanilla from the Totonacas in Veracruz. Today, vanilla from Papantla is considered to be the highest quality vanilla in the world. 

Here is a picture of a vanilla plant taken at the Botanical Garden in Montreal, Quebec, Canada:

Vanilla Plant

Here are some interesting links to find out more:

General background

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_(genus)

To take care of an orchid plant, click on:

http://www.gardenguides.com/92928-care-vanilla-bean-orchid.html

For fascinating insights of the history of vanilla:

http://www.clanorchids.com/culture/vanilla.html

http://www.nielsenmassey.com/historyofvanilla.htm

http://www.indepthinfo.com/vanilla/history.shtml

Host plants, simple shelters and non-chemical pesticides.  Organic gardening and monarch butterflies? Yes, an especially important link exists here. The other day, one of our readers in Mexico pointed out a very interesting article, based on findings that monarchs “medicate” their little ones with “medicinal” plants. 

Monarch Butterfly

Interesting facts about monarchs 

We already know, amongst others, that these beautiful butterflies  

• Migrate every year
• Overwinter in Mexico
• All converge on a very small number of wintering sites

Now, we learn that monarchs have a way to treat their little ones with certain “medicinal” plants    

Apparently, certain species of milkweed plants help cure parasite infections in monarchs and their larva.  Additionally, females who are infected with parasites like to lay their eggs on plants that they know will be better for, if not cure, their offspring. 

Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar

Sources:  

http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2010/10/14/revela-investigacion-que-mariposas-monarca-se-automedican 

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1929832/monarch_butterflies_treat_offspring_with_medicinal_plants/index.html# 

What are the best ways for our Canadian and American fellow gardeners to enjoy monarchs in their very own gardens as they make their journeys? 

Three things to keep in mind for monarchs: 

1.      Plant host plants which attract monarchs (especially in light of the new studies mentioned above) 

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Attract-Monarch-Butterflies 

Keep this in mind when planning changes in your garden and/or ordering seeds. 

2.      Build simple shelters for them: 

http://www.backyardgardeningtips.com/tag/monarch-butterfly/ 

3.       Use natural pest control (such as ladybugs) and non chemical pesticides, such as insecticidal soap: 

http://www.ehow.com/list_6569591_types-do-monarch-butterflies-eat_.html 

For a general overview of these fascinating butterflies, go to: 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterflies

Monarch Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly

Colorful flowers in San Miguel de Allende

This is the third and last of three posts for this week, with pictures taken by a biofloris friend on trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in August.  On Tuesday, we showed photographs of a lovely private garden in Los Frailes, on the outskirts of San Miguel de Allende and yesterday, attractive roof tops seen around the town; today:  photos of plants, trees, shrubs and flowers taken here and there downtown San Miguel.

Just a reminder: for more information on San Miguel de Allende, check out Wikipedia.  Another neat site is that of the Garden Club of San Miguel de Allende.

Enjoy the colors and please write to us with your impressions! Unfortunately, the biofloris friend who submitted the pics doesn’t know the names of all the plants; do you know them?

Bugambilia and other flowers in San Miguel de Allende

Colorful wall and flowers in San Miguel de Allende

Courtyard garden in a restaurant in San Miguel de Allende

More colorful flowers in San Miguel de Allende

Plants in the courtyard of a San Miguel de Allende restaurant

Trees on a Rooftop in San Miguel de Allende

This is the second of three posts for this week, with pictures taken by a biofloris friend on a recent trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  Yesterday, we showed photographs of a beautiful private garden in Los Frailes, on the outskirts of San Miguel de Allende.  Today, we’ll be looking at attractive roof tops seen around town; tomorrow:  photos of plants, trees, shrubs and flowers taken here and there downtown San Miguel.

Just a reminder: for more information on San Miguel de Allende, check out Wikipedia.  Another neat site is that of the Garden Club of San Miguel de Allende.

Enjoy ! And let us know what you think! Unfortunately, the biofloris friend who submitted the pics doesn’t know the names of all the plants; do you know them?

Rooftop edge as seen from the street, San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende Rooftops

San Miguel de Allende Rooftop with Cathedral in the background

More rooftop edges seen from the street in San Miguel de Allende

View from one rooftop garden of another, San Miguel de Allende