Blooming at Flora Filipina

But more important, people from all walks of life have found great pleasure in nurturing and sharing their joys of horticulture with friends, neighbors and associates.

I have been to flower shows, both small and large, but nothing compares to the breathtaking sight at the Clamshell in Intramuros during the recent Flora Filipino Expo.

Guests of Honor included plant lovers and environmentalists: Vice President Noli de Castro, former Secretary of Justice Hernando Perez, former First Lady Ming Ramos, socialite Gretchen Cojuangco and the Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Edu Jarque.

There were no massive displays and decorations set up by the hosts, The Philippine Orchid Society and The Philippine Horticultural Society, to fill up the large area. The beauty came from the assemblage of individuals and small group exhibitors, of which there were over a hundred and, I may add, not a tasteless one among them.

I do not claim to have a profound knowledge about plants and flowers but I do know that my love and special interest in them and the beauty they exude have brought me many hours of pleasure and joy. In a world of confusion and noise, flowers and plants can provide inner quiet and relax tensions.

Let me share what I have learned at the exposition in celebration of the 6Oth Anniversary of the Philippine Orchid Society and the 30th anniversary of the Philippine Horticultural Society.

ORCHIDS are indeed easy to grow and are surprisingly tough plants, if only one follows a few basic guidelines. In addition to meeting their temperature and light needs, the most important thing to remember is that orchids thrive in an atmosphere that is fresh and not too dry, with good air circulation.

The plants can be hung from tree branches or they can be mounted on platforms that permit quick drainage. The best outdoor location is in a sheltered corner of the garden where they receive early morning sun and afternoon shade.

Petunias

The most important requirement is a location with plenty of light. Petunias need at least six hours of good sunlight and they perform better in full sun all day. The more shade they receive, the fewer the blossoms they produce.

It is a good idea to remove faded flowers including the portion below each flower where seeds will develop. It keeps plants looking fresh, healthy and well groomed.

VANDAS:

The strap-leaf vandas and ascocendas flourish in bright light but will not tolerate full sun. They also thrive hung from trees in places where they are shaded from the noonday sun, but will get direct light until 10:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. Plants that are yellow are in too bright spot and plants that are too dark green may not flower. Most vandas bloom twice a year, and the ascocendas can bloom up to six times a year. BROMELIADS are excellent indoor plants. They display an incredible range of form and size and they are grown primarily for their colorful foliage. The leaves may be green, gray, maroon, spotted or striped. The upper leaves of many species change color when plants are about to flower.Some species have red tips on the apex of their leaves that resemble fingernails and are often called "painted fingernails". The flowering parts of a plant may arise from the cup or be borne with the cup. The "cup" is water holding tank or reservoir formed at the center of many bromeliads by a rosette of overlapping leaves. Flowers are often small but very colorful. FERNS should be grown in cooler areas of the garden, usually in deep shades. Never expose ferns to full sun. Often times, ferns such as the Boston and sword outgrow their pots. One will then have to divide them. Use a sharp garden knife to halve or quarter the root ball, spreading the roots in the new soil and water abundantly. Ferns need periodical grooming to help them maintain health and vigor. You can wash a fern plant occasionally with warm water and a soft brush.

And now let's be candid. In today's fast and often bewildering pace, personal environment is perhaps more important than at any other previous time. Plants and flowers liven our surroundings, nurture our mind and enrich our soul. We also know that a compatible environment helps to make us better, more understanding, more fulfilled and fulfilling human beings.

The greatest success with plants is achieved when they are given at least a little tender loving care and an effort is made to meet their special requirements. Whether we like it or not, our plants, at least in part, express us to the world. And that is a large and important challenge.