A Beautiful Juxtapose- Celosia and Gerbera

At a glance, they may not make the best partners but we’d like to think otherwise, just like a wonderful relationship where opposites attract! The Celosia and Gerbera compliment such a beautiful juxtapose with their personalities.

Getting to know Celosia and Gerbera

The Celosia

Originated from parts of Africa and Asia, Celosias are very unusual flowers in shape and texture. They come in bright pink, red, white, purple, yellow and orange. Also known as Cockscomb or Woolflower, they bear resemblance to a piece of coral or a psychedelic brain.

Celosia blossoms are formed with hundreds of tiny flowers packed in dense, brightly colored flower heads that usually stand above the foliage. Generally, this flower falls into 3 types:

• The Celosia Cristata - with crests of wrinkly looking knobs
• The Celosia Plumosa - with plumes of featherlike flowers
• The Celosia Spicata - with spikes or elongated cones.

 
[Celosia Cristata] source: http://goo.gl/y3f2rR

The Gerbera Daisy

Native to tropical regions in South America, Africa and Asia, the meanings of Gerberas stem from those attributed to the general daisy family. Daisies are also a classic symbol of beauty. However, the gerbera variety holds an added meaning of cheerfulness.

The Gerbera Daisies comes in various forms. Generally, this flower falls into 4 types:

• Single Flowers– with a row of non-overlapping petals (ray florets) with a green center (disc florets). These are the most common gerberas available in the market.
• Double or duplex– with a double row of overlapping petals with a green, black, or dark red eye.
• Crested doubles– with two rows of overlapping petals with one or more inner rows of shorter petals with a green, black, or dark red eye.
• Full crested doubles– with solid overlapping rows of petals with an inner row diminishing in size, covering the eye entirely.

[Pink Gerbera Daisies] source: https://goo.gl/LLAlyY

Do you know?

Celosias made good dried flowers and has medical values. It can be used as a treatment for intestinal worms (particularly tapeworm), blood diseases, mouth sores and eye problems. The seeds treat chest complaints and the flowers treat diarrhea. The leaves are used as dressings for boils and sores.

Gerbera Daisies contain naturally occurring coumarin derivatives. As plants, they are a tender perennial plant and attract bees, butterflies and birds, but are found to be resistant to deers.

How To Care for your Celosia and Gerbera Daisy?

Both the Celosias and Gerbera Daisies have long vase life spans but these simple tips will help you to have them around longer.

1. Place your long-stemmed gerbera daisies in a vase where the water is about one inch deep.
2. Cut gerbera daisies can soak up water through their stems and essentially begin to weaken and decay if the water is too deep. By keeping only shallow water in the vase, the stem stays stronger longer and continues to keep your gerbera daisies fresh!
3. Celosia is a no fuss flower and can last up to 14 days if properly cared for. Just care for it as you would treat your gerbera daisies and it should bloom proudly alongside.
4. OR you can always separate them into two vases to brighten up more spaces in your home or office. Just have fun experimenting mix-and-match!
5. Avoid your flower vase near ripening fruits and vegetables on the kitchen counter. This will definitely shorten their vase life.
6. Remember to trim the stems at a slant and change the water every 2-3 days. Here you go, now your space is blooming with a beautiful juxtapose!

[Gerbera Daisies in a vase) source: http://goo.gl/c34rr6

[Red Celosia Cristata on a dinner arrangement] source: http://goo.gl/OP1FzS

Fun Trivia!

Celosia means Silliness (but that name calling has a cute sweet teasing to it, like when you tease a loved one!). And Gerbera is the name of an anime exclusive town in Sinnoh (Pokemon)! Who would have guessed?

Never be afraid to try something new, Bloomsters! Till next week, have a beautiful one ahead.