Gardening and rearing flowering plants is one of the most fulfilling hobbies out there. It takes time and discipline to nurture these plantings into blooming plants. But many of the flower myths out there make people lose interest. Such plant myths can actually slow down your progress, and you should steer clear of most of them.

 

Myths about flowers are a common mainstay in folklore. Plants in mythology have been used extensively to convey different types of meaning. They have been associated with all types of omens and events, both positive and negative. Flower mythology has grown as human culture and religion expanded, so different religions have their own takes on the locally available flowers.

 

Here are a few myths about flowers and plants that you should ignore:

 

1. Lemonade or sugar is suitable for your plants.

Under no circumstance, use sugar-infused water or lemonade for your plants. Your plants will become greener sooner than usual, but these mixtures are also notorious for exponentially increasing bacterial growth.

 

Sugar-rich water combined with humid soil is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Not only will it make it harder for your plants to grow, but it will actively kill them too.

 

Do not add bleach or vodka either. These are old-time hacks that did not have the highest success ratio. These days you can buy dedicated flower food  at our Georgetown, MA, florist, who will also be able to give you the best advice according to the local climate and soil too.

 

2. Lilies will die if their anthers are removed.

Anthers are the pollen-containing part of the flower that helps to pollinate and spread across the field where they are. But since they are at your home, anthers can be a nuisance during springtime. This is when they are the most active and release a lot of pollen. 

 

Dogs are highly allergic to their pollen is highly allergic  and not the mention the mess it makes when it gets on fabrics fabrics. You can easily remove these anthers, and it won’t affect the plant in any way. Gently pull them out and throw them away. Afterward, wash your hands so that there is no residue on them. 

 

3. A penny at the bottom will not help.

Copper is an essential mineral that acts as a fungicide and protects plants. But copper hasn’t been used to make pennies since 1982. If you have the newly minted coins, adding them to the soil does not make any difference..

 

This is an age-old practice that worked 50 years or so ago but as of now, it is just a myth. Adding a penny that is dated pre-1982 wouldn’t help a lot either. You might be adding bacteria with the coin, which might slow down the growth of the plant. 

 

 

 

4. Bigger pots do not mean accelerated growth.

The size of the pot has nothing to do with the growth of the plant. The amount of water, sun, and nutrients that it will get will be much more of a factor in its growth. All of them have a genetic code that allows them to grow at a certain pace.

 

A big pot might be great for plants that are bigger, but if you plant something in a big pot, there could be water damage to the root. This will lead to the roots rotting away. 

 

5. Always keep flowers in a sunny location.

Placing flowers in the sun might not be the best idea if you have freshly cut flowers. It will drastically shorten their lifespan and lead to them wilting away soon too. To make your flowering plant bloom, keep them in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

 

Massachusetts flowers can be picky about where you place them, so do your due diligence beforehand. They will take their time to bloom, but you will be able to enjoy them for much longer. Fresh cut plants should be placed away from direct sunlight so that they can last a lot longer. Go to any local florist, and they will be able to tell you the best conditions for your plant. 

 

6. You need to water them regularly.

Having a consistent schedule might work for most things, but your plants are something that won’t take kindly to this. The amount of water needed by a plant depends on a variety of factors. For example, different varieties of plants need different amounts of water to be healthy. 

 

On top of that, plants that are in an area with an abundance of light will need to be watered more often than those in a shadier place. One good rule of thumb is to stick your finger down the soil for an inch. If your finger comes out without any residue, then the soil is overdue for watering.

 

7. Place stones and pebbles at the bottom.

Contrary to popular aesthetical choice, all the stones and pebbles must be at the bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage. It is very common to see these on top of the soil, but they add no value to the growth of the plant like that.

 

Natural soil has a lot of rocks in it and is semi-porous. Adding these rocks will help you recreate the natural conditions of the soil. If the lower level of soil remains wet for a long time due to a lack of proper drainage, then the roots will rot. 

 

8. Humidity control

Placing a dish filled with pebbles and water will not affect the humidity around your plant. As the water evaporates, it will spread in all directions, meaning that it is not necessary that it will affect your plant. 

 

Grouping your plants together is a great way of increasing the humidity of the space. This way, you can ensure that there is a humid climate available that is conducive to their growth too. 

Summary

These are some of the most common plant myths that are associated with the flower myths you can ignore. Not only are most of these outdated, but they can be harmful to your plants in the long run too. So the next time someone gives you any of these tips or tells you myths about flowers, you can simply listen to them, come back home, and do the right thing.

What are the flower myths?

Flowering plants have many myths associated with them. For instance, the daffodil gets its name from the Greek figure Narcissus. This mythical figure was cursed to fall in love and was so obsessed with himself that he wasted away in front of his own reflection. The myth says that this was because he rejected the nymph Echo, whom he was meant to love. After this, the god Nemesis punished him by making him love his own reflection.

What do flowers symbolize in mythology?

The flower mythology can be traced back to ancient Greece, where they were associated with the underworld. The flower Narcissus, for example, is associated with the Greek goddess Demeter.

According to this myth, Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, was swallowed up by the earth when she plucked a Narcissus flower. She was then reborn as the wife of Hades and could only visit her mother for six months of the year. As the first flower to bloom in the spring, the Narcissus symbolizes the return of Persephone to the surface and Demeter to her happy life.

The nymph Paeonia was a beautiful goddess favored by the god Apollo. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, had a thing for her. She transformed him into a beautiful peony. That’s why peonies have such a powerful symbol in mythology: they symbolize beauty and love.

These are just a few of the many stories behind the symbolism of flowers and plants in mythology.

Which flower symbolizes death?

Black roses are the extreme form of red, while white and purple chrysanthemums are more common in Europe. The chrysanthemum symbolizes death, but many other types and colors of flowers express death.

For example, the red poppies are the flower of remembrance for war veterans. The calla lily’s meaning, on the other hand, represents life and fertility. It is an ancient Greek symbol originating in Greek culture. In Asian countries, chrysanthemums are widely used as farewells.

A beautiful flower may be poisonous, but that doesn’t mean it’s not attractive. In Greek mythology, the red anemone grew from the blood of Adonis, a beautiful young man. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, visited Adonis after a fierce boar killed him. Her tears mixed with his blood, and a red anemone grew. Since then, this flower has become a symbol of death.