Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Cut Flowers, Gloxinia, Selecting an Arborist

I recently received some cut flowers as a gift.  How do I prolong their life?  Several things can be done to lengthen the vase life of cut flowers. Begin with a clean vase and remove all foliage that will be below the water line. Place flowers immediately in water to prevent air from entering the stems. If flowers have been out of water for more than a few minutes, cut off the bottom portions of the stems under water. Add a commercial flower preservative to the water and check the water level daily. Change the water frequently. Place the cut flowers in a cool, brightly lit location in the home or office. Keep arrangements away from heat sources and drafts. 

How does one care for a gloxinia?The gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) is a flowering houseplant that’s related to the African violet. Plants produce large, velvety, bell-shaped flowers that may be white, pink, red, purple or blue.  Gloxinias are commonly sold at florist shops and greenhouses in late winter and spring. 

Place plants in a brightly lit location in the home. Gloxinias prefer temperatures of 65 to 75 F.  The potting soil should be kept evenly moist. When given good care, plants may bloom for several weeks. 

Most gloxinias are discarded after flowering. However, they can be coaxed to bloom again if given proper care. Gloxinias need to rest after blooming. To induce dormancy, gradually cut back on watering. When the foliage dies back, trim it off and place the pot in a cool (50 to 60 F), dark location. Let the gloxinia tuber rest for two to four months. Repot the tuber in fresh potting soil when new growth appears. Place the repotted gloxinia in a brightly lit, warm (65 to 75 F), humid location and resume normal care. 

I need to have some tree work done.  How do I select a qualified arborist?  Trees are valuable assets to the home landscape. Occasionally the services of a professional arborist are needed to prune a large tree or assess the condition of a tree after a storm. For many individuals, selecting an arborist is a difficult task. 

Several things can be done to increase your odds of finding a qualified arborist rather than just someone with a truck and a chainsaw. Check with friends, relatives and neighbors and ask if they’ve had positive or negative experiences with any tree service in the last few years. Consult the yellow pages in the telephone directory for a listing of arborists under the heading Tree Service. Check the directory advertisements to see if the individual or company belongs to professional organizations, such as the Iowa Arborist Association or the International Society of Arboriculture. Professional arborist organizations offer training and certification programs for their members. Membership usually indicates a willingness to remain current in tree maintenance practices. Check with city hall. Some communities require arborists to be licensed. Get references from the individual or company. Call the references and, if possible, visit past work sites to ascertain the quality of the work. Doing some background work should dramatically improve your odds of hiring a qualified arborist.

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