Learning some facts about rare flowers or common posies can launch a new hobby

The smell of a rotting corpse is more seductive than the fragrance of costly perfumes—if you are one of the swarm of pollinating insects drawn to the four-foot-wide bloom of the grand Titan Arum, one of the world’s largest—and most stinky—flowers. The stench exuded by the seven-foot-tall “corpse flower” is a mesmerizing attractant to pollinators who must work fast, for the bloom remains fully open for only one day. Facts about flowers reveal that after the one-day stand, the blossom rather quickly collapses, until it is naught but a slimy mess. Anyone seeking facts about flowers may stumble over detailed information about the corpse flower, a rare plant that in its lifespan of some 50 years blooms no more than four to six times.

Thankfully, hundreds of stink-free, pleasantly aromatic flowers are readily available for enjoyment at home. A touch of the exotic can be had by anyone willing to research some facts about flowers, especially those flowers with an affinity for indoor environments. Among those in that class are a multitude of orchids. One beauty especially is known for its large, four-inch yellow flowers and raspberry-red spotted lips. It is heralded as a vigorous grower who is happy on a window sill. The plant is a Black Jewel Orchid. It is a sure bet for anyone whose inquiries into facts about flowers are hoped to lead them to a category titled easy-to-grow.

Carnivorous flowers are wondrous curiosities

Facts about flowers don’t often delve into the origins of some of the world’s strangest and most rare flowers—carnivorous flowers. Some 600 species have been discovered. Biologists remain astounded at the methods some plants—pitcher plants, sundews, flytraps and such—use to attract nutrients. Facts about flowers will show some orchids also are carnivorous. One who enjoys facts about flowers easily could build an orchid greenhouse and observe up close some of the available species of carnivores—or just grow an abundance of beautiful household flowers and plants. An orchid greenhouse enables the study, propagation and enjoyment of flowers all year long.

Venus Flytraps are Americans

Carnivorous plants often are listed in facts about flowers but their dining habits continue to astound observers. The International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) is one organization offering guidance and facts about Venus Flytraps and other carnivores among the 600 or so species and subspecies in the “meat-eating” group. The ICPS offers comprehensive facts about flytraps and other plants.

• Venus Flytraps are found only in North Carolina and South Carolina
• Flytraps live in warm, humid environments such as bogs
• They are illegal to collect; mostly acquired from licensed sources
• Only one species (Dionaea muscipula) is known but cultivars abound
• Venus Flytraps reach five-inches wide and develop up to eight traps

Many flowers are easy to grow from cuttings

Any source of facts about flowers will indicate that many roses, begonias, geraniums, African violets, perennials and shrubs are easily reproduced through cuttings. All that’s needed is a very sharp blade, some light potting soil and pots, clear plastic bags that act as little greenhouses and a dab of rooting gel for each cutting. The advantage of rooting gel over the messy rooting powders used in grandma’s day is one of convenience and efficiency. The gel coats the stem of the cutting and holds the hormonal ingredients against the stem. There is no powdery flake-off or clumps of dust. The rooting gel is a handy product with a long shelf life and if some investigation into facts about flowers is done beforehand, success in propagating with cuttings is just about carefree.

How to propagate plants from cuttings

• Select a stem cutting 3- to 6-inches long from the growing tip
• Cut the stem with a sterilized razor blade held at a 45-degree angle
• Dip stem into rooting gel, to about one-third of the lower end
• Place gelled cutting into pre-made hole in a pot filled with soil
• Trim away excess leaves to reduce the loss of water
• Cover with inverted glass jar or clear plastic bag to keep humid
• Mist regularly, keep out of direct sunlight and maintain 70 to 75°
• When sprouts appear, remove bag and nurture new growth

Chances are your green thumb turns a darker shade of brown from time to time. Not every gardener knows all the facts about flowers or can grow at will rare specimens such as Thailand's rare parrot flower, one whose colorful namesake resembles the bloom. But facts about flowers will show that propagation from cuttings is the easiest way to have lots of floral clones.