How can dahlias be made to bloom on National Day?
If you want dahlias to bloom on National Day, you can carry out renewal pruning after the first flowering in early July. First twist and break the branch you intend to cut, leaving a height of about 20 cm, and cut it off after it wilts, to prevent rainwater from entering the hollow stem and causing rot. After pruning, watering should be controlled appropriately, and new shoots will soon sprout from the base of the stem.
If you want dahlias to bloom on National Day, you can carry out renewal pruning after the first flowering in early July. First twist and break the branch you intend to cut, leaving a height of about 20 cm, and cut it off after it wilts, to prevent rainwater from entering the hollow stem and causing rot. After pruning, watering should be controlled appropriately, and new shoots will soon sprout from the base of the stem. If you want to use the single-stem training method, remove all side buds once the new shoots have grown to a certain height, leaving only the main branch; if you want to use the four-stem training method, prune according to the potted training method described above. After growing for more than two months this way, the branches will be full of flowers and the blossoms will be in full bloom on National Day.
Fresh flowers
With the development of science, there are more and more ways to control flowering periods artificially, mainly by controlling environmental conditions and changing the habits of flowers so that they bloom during the National Day holiday.
In the Beijing area, roses bloom from May to November, but to concentrate their blooming around National Day, following the habit that roses can bloom about 4-5 days after pruning, you can, around August 15, leave 4-6 cm at the base of the branches and pinch off the tips above plump buds. After pruning, strengthen water and fertilizer management, and by late September the flowers will bloom in succession.
Osmanthus In the Beijing area, the normal flowering period of osmanthus is September. To make it bloom on National Day, you can move it indoors in early August and raise the room temperature above 17°C. Keep the potting soil slightly moist, do not fertilize, and let the flower buds grow more slowly. 10-15 days before National Day, move it outdoors again. At this time the outdoor temperature is low, which helps the flower buds grow rapidly, and it will be in full bloom right on National Day.
Scarlet sage Scarlet sage is the main flower for National Day flowerbeds. Following the characteristic that scarlet sage can bloom about 25 days after bud removal, if you want it to bloom on National Day, you can remove the buds before September 5, or take cuttings in early July. Pay attention to providing appropriate shade, and ensure timely ventilation and drainage, so that the seedlings grow vigorously and will bloom on National Day.
Cockscomb In the Nanning area of Guangxi, the normal flowering period of cockscomb is from July to October. If you want it to bloom on National Day, you can sow seeds at the end of June and strengthen water and fertilizer management, and it will bloom on National Day.
Dahlia If you want dahlias to bloom on National Day, in the Nanning area take cuttings in mid-June and care for them carefully, and they will bloom on National Day.
Chrysanthemum If you want chrysanthemums to bloom on National Day, the method used in Nanning is to shade them from 17:00 to 20:00 every day starting from July 14, then uncover them after 20:00; shade them from 5:00 to 8:00, then uncover them after 8:00. With normal management, they will bloom after 7-4 days.
National Day flowers
National DayThe term "National Day" originally referred to a country's joyous occasion and first appeared in the Western Jin Dynasty. Lu Ji, a writer of the Western Jin Dynasty, once recorded in his essay "On the Five Ranks of Feudal Lords" that "on National Day one alone enjoys its benefits, while when the ruler is in trouble none shares his harm." In China's feudal era, no state joyous occasion was greater than an emperor's accession to the throne or birthday (in the Qing Dynasty the emperor's birthday was called the Longevity Festival). Therefore, in ancient China, an emperor's accession to the throne and birthday were called "National Day," while today the anniversary of the country's founding is called National Day.
In China, National Day specifically refers to the anniversary of the official founding of the People's Republic of China.
Origin of National Day
October 1, 1949 is the anniversary of the founding of New China. It should be noted here that in many people's impression, on October 1, 1949, a founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China attended by hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians was held in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
In fact, this impression in people's minds is not accurate. Because the ceremony held in Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1949 was the grand ceremony for the establishment of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, not the founding ceremony. In reality, the "founding" of the People's Republic of China, that is, the establishment of the People's Republic of China, had already been announced a week before October 1 of that year. At the time it was not called the "founding ceremony" either, but was called the "founding grand ceremony." The time was September 21, 1949. On that day, Mao Zedong, director of the Preparatory Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, had already proclaimed the birth of New China in the opening speech he delivered at the first session of the CPPCC.
So then what is the story behind the October 1 National Day?
At the first meeting of the First National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, committee member Xu Guangping, Lu Xun's wife, spoke and said: "Committee member Ma Xulun asked for leave and could not come. He asked me to say that the founding of the People's Republic of China should have a National Day, so he hopes this conference will decide to designate October 1 as National Day." Mao Zedong said, "We should make a proposal, suggest it to the government, and let the government decide."
On December 2, 1949, the Central People's Government adopted the "Resolution on the National Day of the People's Republic of China," stipulating that October 1 of each year would be National Day and using this day as the day to proclaim the founding of the People's Republic of China. Starting in 1950, October 1 of each year became a grand festival celebrated joyously by all ethnic groups across the country.
National Day flowers
The meaning of National Day
National symbol
National Day is a characteristic of the modern nation-state. It emerged along with the appearance of the modern nation-state and has become especially important. It becomes the symbol of an independent country and reflects the country's state system and political system.
Functional expression
Once this special commemorative form of National Day becomes a new, nationwide holiday form, it carries the function of reflecting the cohesion of the country and the nation. At the same time, the large-scale celebratory activities on National Day are also a concrete expression of the government's mobilizing and rallying power.
Basic characteristics
Displaying strength, enhancing national confidence, reflecting cohesion, and exerting rallying power are the three basic characteristics of National Day celebrations.
National Day flowers
The journey of cultivating National Day flowers, with "Chinese-developed" varieties appearing for the first time in square flower displays
In terms of the quantity of flowers used in Tiananmen Square displays, chrysanthemums account for almost half. Although China has a long history of chrysanthemum cultivation, the flower breeding technology of developed countries in Europe and America is far ahead of China's, and their ornamental value is stronger. The flower varieties displayed in Tiananmen Square are mainly introduced from the Netherlands, the United States and other countries. This year, this situation will be reversed. After 3 years of cultivation, the flower and tree company has bred 20,000 chrysanthemum plants with complete intellectual property rights, which will be placed in Tiananmen Square during National Day. This is the first time in 28 years that square flowerbeds have displayed self-owned intellectual property flower varieties on a large scale.
For the square flowers, the best ornamental chrysanthemums from abroad were selected and crossbred with wild chrysanthemums native to China to breed new varieties. However, while it is easy to choose good foreign chrysanthemum varieties as female parents, finding good Chinese wild chrysanthemums is not easy. For this reason, Gao Shang and colleagues went in batches to the plateau meadows of Henan, Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet to collect wild chrysanthemum varieties.
National Day flower displays use 49 new and superior flower varieties
The conventional varieties of National Day flowers include 46 types and 160 cultivars; the new and superior varieties include 12 types and 49 cultivars, including impatiens, wax begonia, black-eyed Susan, petunia, spider flower, pansy, German chrysanthemum ball, Australian foxglove and others. Landscape experts introduced that these new and superior flowers were carefully selected from over a thousand varieties. They are bright and lively in color, can reflect the enthusiastic atmosphere of National Day, and will give citizens a visual impact, ensuring a natural, economical, beautiful and lasting effect for the flower arrangements.
At the same time, they have strong resistance to pests and diseases, and their flowering periods all exceed those of ordinary flowers. Most of them can remain in full bloom until late October. Therefore, the three-dimensional flowerbeds composed of these new and superior flowers will not leave Chang'an Avenue until late October.
According to landscape experts, the addition of new and superior flowers will also play a prominent role in highlighting key points and paying attention to the entire line along Chang'an Avenue. On the basis of ensuring the overall landscape level of the entire line, it will play a prominent role in areas visible to drivers, key areas viewed from above, and areas where pedestrians can view up close.
National Day flowers
Commonly used flower varieties for National Day flowerbeds
1. Scarlet sage
A member of the Lamiaceae family, Salvia genus, an annual or biennial herbaceous plant. Both the corolla and calyx are bright red. Grown in masses, it is brightly eye-catching and is excellent material for setting off the enthusiastic atmosphere of National Day. During cultivation it needs repeated pinching to keep the plant short and form dense clusters of flowers, making it the main material for decorating National Day displays.
2. Ground-cover chrysanthemum
A perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. The flower colors are mainly yellow and rose-purple. It grows rapidly, tolerates pruning, and its flowering period is easy to control. It is propagated by early-spring cuttings each year, and its flowering period can last until mid-November.
3. Cockscomb
An annual herbaceous plant of the Amaranthaceae family, Celosia genus. It is red, with a head-like inflorescence, strong heat tolerance, neat and robust, and is an ideal material for forming characters, borders and color blocks.
4. Coleus
A perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family, Perilla genus. It has rich flower colors and can be propagated in large quantities by cuttings. The combined pattern effect is outstanding, making it an ideal cultivar for color-block applications in flowerbeds during National Day.
5. Marigold, autumn zephyr lily and Dutch aster are not only used in "July 1" flowerbeds, but are also widely used in National Day flowerbeds.
National Day flowers
National Day flower-giving etiquette
October 1 of each Gregorian year is the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On "October 1," large flowerbeds and flower mounds are commonly used as environmental decoration. For National Day, it is appropriate to give combined flower baskets or bouquets. During National Day, in order to set off a warm atmosphere, various techniques are often used to make off-season flowers bloom, bringing flowers of spring, summer, autumn and winter into bloom at the same time, reflecting the prosperity of the motherland.
For example, spring flowers such as peony, elm-leaved spirea, peach blossom, spring azalea, cherry blossom and magnolia; summer flowers such as iris, daylily, hibiscus, summer azalea, jasmine, white bamboo, Chinese hibiscus and bougainvillea; autumn flowers such as chrysanthemum, lotus chrysanthemum, dahlia and dwarf dahlia; winter flowers such as camellia, plum blossom, nandina, poinsettia and narcissus.
Flower basket
In addition to when newly opened shops, hotels and restaurants celebrate their "grand opening" by placing two rows of a "flower basket array" at the entrance, flower baskets can also be used for weddings and celebrations, birthday congratulations, solemn courtship, welcoming and seeing off celebrities, commemorative activities, building completions, baby full-month celebrations and funerals and mourning.
The shape of a flower basket can be round, square, flat or curved; the material can be bamboo, wood, rattan or ceramic. Try to apply the principles of flower arranging, and place woody, herbaceous and vine flowers and plants selectively and harmoniously in one basket. Moreover, vegetables and fruits also carry very unusual beautiful meanings and can be arranged together with fresh flowers for viewing. In order to increase the vividness of the flowers and plants, a container for flower arranging should be appropriately placed inside the basket, and moisture-retaining materials such as sphagnum moss, wood shavings and sponge mud should be provided to prevent the flower materials from wilting too early. As for tall flower baskets, a square frame in the shape of the Chinese character "well" should be tied inside so that the flowers and plants can be inserted evenly and firmly around it, avoiding leaning this way and that and affecting the appearance.
National Day flowers
Common flower-giving etiquette during National Day
Congratulating success
When congratulating colleagues or friends on success, the following flower materials are usually given: 1) red snapdragon, representing "good fortune arrives"; 2) red dahlia, representing enthusiasm and ability; golden-yellow dahlia, representing blessing; 3) calla lily, gladiolus, white rose and so on.
Opening ceremony
For the opening of shops, companies and so on, people generally give a flower basket of abundant and colorful arrangements to congratulate them on prosperous business and abundant wealth. Flower materials should be chosen for being dazzlingly beautiful and having a relatively long flowering period, such as dahlia, chrysanthemum, rose, gladiolus, clivia, camellia and four-season kumquat, symbolizing a soaring career and everything going as wished.
Welcoming guests
Friendly exchanges between countries are very frequent. When receiving foreign heads of state, generally a primary school student presents a bouquet to the guest. There are generally no special restrictions on the flower materials; mostly seasonal bulk cut flowers plus certain matching flowers are used. For relatively large welcoming activities, large flower arrangements or flower baskets can be used. Flower materials with festive meanings can all be used.
Moving house
To congratulate someone on moving to a new home, you can give indoor plants to add vitality to the new residence, or decorative flowers, such as 1) foliage plants or bonsai such as Brazilian ironwood, goose-foot plant, green pothos column and caladium; 2) orchids and chrysanthemums; 3) peacock arrowroot, freesia and camellia. In addition, seasonal potted flowers can also be given, such as dahlia, chrysanthemum, rose, gladiolus, clivia, camellia and four-season kumquat, to symbolize a soaring career and everything going as wished.
National Day flowers
Recommended fresh flowers for National Day
There are now so many kinds of gifts that they can make one dizzy with choices. Although there are many gift styles, it is still hard to find a satisfactory gift to give. If you spend a lot of time on how to choose a gift, isn't it very irritating and a waste of time and energy? So why not think about giving fresh flowers, which is also quite good. After all, the color combinations of fresh flowers are relatively eye-catching, and you do not need to worry about the style and color tone of the gift.
Recommended fresh flowers for National Day: (Magnolia brings auspiciousness) large-flowered cymbidium
Large-flowered cymbidium, called "new beauty orchid" in Europe and America, has large flowers, a regular and full flower shape, bright colors, upright flower stems, many blossoms, rich color varieties, a long flowering period (more than three months), is not afraid of cold, is easy to cultivate and grows robustly. It is a kind of orchid deeply loved by people in many countries.
Recommended fresh flowers for National Day: warm wishes
15 pink roses, 8 pink carnations, dotted with pink spray carnations, matched with green leaves and small China asters (or baby's breath). Pink roses and pink carnations create a warm color tone, filling this fresh flower arrangement with the breath of spring. It is a good gift for elders and parents.
National Day flowers
Recommended fresh flowers for National Day: talent astonishes all around (golden-edged snake plant)
The golden-edged snake plant can release oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide, increasing the concentration of negative ions in indoor air. In a 15 sq m room, placing 2-3 pots of golden-edged snake plant can absorb more than 80% of indoor harmful gases. It is suitable for gift-giving on occasions such as a friend moving house or a boss moving to a new residence. Give it to a friend who has moved to a new home, or to a leader or relative who has moved, and bring your best wishes.
Recommended fresh flowers for National Day: graceful orchid adds joy
Pure white Phalaenopsis symbolizes sincere feelings. For National Day, when a friend moves house, or a leader or relative moves, you can all give this gift.