http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/346954/the-perfect-new-year-tree

The perfect New Year tree
Bloom of the Week
By NORBY BAUTISTA
January 4, 2012, 9:51am



MANILA, Philippines — The Mandarin orange is a significant fruit for the New Year. It symbolizes a bountiful harvest, prosperity and hope for success. New Year greetings accompanied with a present consisting of a pair of oranges is a traditional practice among the Chinese. This symbolizes gold and all the good wishes for the New Year. Mandarin oranges come in different sizes and are often used to adorn homes during New Year’s Eve. It is believed that the bigger the orange is, the bigger the opportunities it represents. Scientifically known as Citrus reticulata, it is in reality a variety within the Citrus or orange family.

The Mandarin fruit can be easily peeled as its orange rind is thin and the fruit can be split into even segments without squirting its juice. This makes the Mandarin convenient to eat, as utensils are not required to peel or cut the fruit. The segments are sweet and juicy and most often seedless.

Aside from being eaten ripe, the Mandarin segments also be used in fruit salads, made into sweets and can also be canned. The fruit also contains a lot of medicinal properties. In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried peel of the fruit is used to treat abdominal distension, to enhance digestion and to reduce phlegm. It’s also a good source of vitamin C, minerals and fiber.

The Mandarin tree is drought-tolerant and can grow both in tropical and subtropical areas. However, the tree is tender and can easily be damaged by extremely cold temperatures. It is a small tree and one can grow Mandarin oranges in pots just like other types of citrus. It is most often grown from seeds or grafted. The plants are often grown outdoors exposed to full sunlight during the growing season. They are brought indoors during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Mandarin orange is established in 20-inch pots. Seeds are germinated in small pots until the plant grows to six inches in height. It should then be transferred to a bigger pot. A rich potting soil, usually an equal mixture of garden soil, compost and sand is recommended. The plant requires daily watering and it must be fertilized once a month.

A layer of rocks, gravel or broken pots in the bottom of the pot can help water drain away from the roots. Branches must be pruned regularly. The plant is usually plagued with insect pests like mites, aphids, caterpillars or white flies so it’s best to administer an insecticide solution.

Plants grown from seedlings will usually bear fruit after two to three years. Mandarin oranges thrive in cool temperatures of about 10 to 25 degrees Celsius, similar to the climates of Baguio or other high altitude places. It is also the cool temperature that makes the fruit turn orange as it ripens. It should also be noted that Citrus fruits are usually self-fertile, needing only a bee to move pollen within the same flower.

WOW, What a photo!
What they do to them?

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120117-322264.html

Who says money doesn't grow on plants?


Special Project Unit/Asia News Network
Tuesday, Jan 17, 2012

FOR the Chinese, the sight of flowers in abundance is a sign of prosperity and filling the house with pretty blooms during the Chinese New Year is a must.

For the floral business, the festive period is also a peak season for deliveries and creating novelties.

The first shipments of the more durable plants usually arrive in Singapore before Christmas, says Mr Royston Low, managing director of Katong Flower Shop.

"The flowers, usually a bit more delicate, are shipped just weeks before Chinese New Year," he adds.

The perennial favourite is the lime or kumquat tree with bright orange fruit symbolising gold, and it makes an impressive corporate gift.

According to Ms Loo Hong Xi, marketing manager for Sinflora, the dragon heart kumquat is likely to be popular in the Year of the Dragon.

The dragon heart kumquat has single fruits like the pomelo and these are about the size of a hand, adds Mr Low.

Another popular variety is the attractive four season kumquat with abundant fruit shaped like sour plums. Sinflora is selling a 90cm version at a promotional price of $18.

Other recommendations are colourful flowers such as the feathery celosia, the luxuriant hydrangea flowerheads with pink or blue petals, pussy willows, peach b lossoms and orchids such as the Phalaenopsis, known as Hu Die Lan in Chinese or butterfly orchid.

Also popular plant is the bamboo, which symbolises nobility, grace and longevity.

Far East Flora is offering the "soaring dragon lucky bamboo" and "lucky shots" series that combine the plant with golf and tennis balls.

The company's other offerings are double-petal kalanchoes of pink and white shades which look good when placed together, says its director of sales and marketing, Mr Peter Cheok. These retail from $6.80 for a small pot.

For freshly cut flowers, you can choose from a wide variety including bird of paradise, chrysanthemums, orchids, narcissus and tulips.

The novelty apple tree that was a bestseller at Katong Flower Shop last year will continue to be available, says Mr Low. A 60cm tree sells for $48.

Special glue is used to attach small American red apples - symbolising peace - to the branches of small bougainvillea plants to create this special tree.

Apple in Chinese is ping guo, which literally means and sounds like peace fruit.

There will also be lingzhi sculptures in various designs like pagodas, dragons and peacocks priced from $33.

Mr Low, a veteran in the business, says: "As long as the name sounds good and the plant is pretty, it will sell."

Caring for festive blooms

Lime tree

Water the soil but make sure it is not water-logged. Will need some shade to fruit continually.

Pussy willow

Its furry blooms shoot out from the branches and reminds the Chinese of the word fa, which means to prosper. Stand it in a large vase of water. When the flowers bloom to the desired size, remove from water and keep the plant dry. The furry caterpillar-like blooms can keep for years if kept absolutely dry.

Celosia(Feng Wei)

These feathery shrubs need a lot of water and sunlight.

Hydrangea (Xiu Qiu Hua)

Needs a moderate amount of sunlight and water to bloom well.

Kalanchoe (Wan Zi Qian Hong)

Can flower even with infrequent watering and poor light. Place it indoors away from direct sunlight.

Peach blossom

Keep it in an air-conditioned room.

Source of information: Far East Flora and Katong Flower Shop.