| |
| |
 |
|
While your ficus plant is adjusting to its new home, it may drop a noticeable amount of leaves. This is normal, and with proper
care, it will begin to thrive again in no time. Just pick up the fallen leaves, remove the yellow ones still on the plant, and
cut off dead and dry twigs. This will help the light penetrate to the inside foliage and promote new growth.
Be careful not to over water your ficus. Feel the soil with your finger tip, and if it feels dry to the touch one inch below
the surface, it's time to water it – but if the soil feels moist, hold off for a day or two. Keep in mind that your ficus will
need less water during the winter. When your ficus is new, mist it daily as well. To provide proper humidity and prevent the
roots from standing in water, place the planter on a plant tray or saucer filled with gravel.
Display your ficus in a bright spot with indirect light, away from drafts and large windows that change temperature throughout
the day. Use plant fertilizer monthly throughout the growing season, but not during the winter months.
|
| |
 |
|
Kept indoors, gardenia plants like well-ventilated spots that get at least five hours of sunlight a day, but if you move your
plant outdoors in the summer, be sure to keep it in a shady area. To keep its soil moist but not soggy, soak it thoroughly until
you see water running out of the drainage holes, but don't allow the container to stand in water.
|
| |
 |
|
Hyacinths thrive in bright locations, and do best when their soil is kept moist but not soggy. Water yours thoroughly and then
place it in a sink (or outside if the weather is mild) to allow the water to drain completely. The stems of these bulb flowers
can be supported with decorative bamboo stakes and raffia ties to prevent the weight of the flower from causing the stems to
topple in the pots.
When your hyacinth is finished blooming, you can replant the “forced” bulbs in your garden in the fall. They will take a few
years to fully recycle and bloom abundantly.
|
| |
 |
|
Place your hydrangea in a sunny, bright spot that receives indirect light, and keep its soil moist by watering it thoroughly
and allowing excess water to drain. In the fall, allow it to rest and lose its leaves by placing it in a cool, dark location (a
basement or cellar) without water. In January, bring it out again to a spot with plenty of light, and it should bloom in time
for spring.
|
| |
 |
|
Although ivy can survive in a range of temperatures, it's more vulnerable in the winter with dry air from heating. To make sure
it gets enough moisture, set the planter on a tray or saucer filled with pebbles and water.
Display your ivy in a bright spot with indirect sunlight. In the summer, you can move it outdoors to a protected area, but make
sure it's out of direct sunlight, which can burn its leaves.
|
| |
 |
|
Known for their bright small flowers in abundant clusters atop waxy leaves, kalanchoe plants are among the longest lasting
blooming plants you can have in your home or office. Keep the soil moist, but not overly saturated. Do not allow the pot to sit
in a pool of water. Pinch off blooms as they pass their prime. These plants could last 3 to 4 weeks depending on the room's
temperature. Sensitive to cold temperatures, storage below 40 degrees F could cause foliage to become soft and damaged.
|
| |
 |
|
Despite their elegant, graceful appearance, orchids aren't difficult to care for, and by following a few simple guidelines, many varieties will bloom for you again next year.
Keep your orchid in a well-ventilated spot with partial shade, away from radiators, air conditioning, and strong drafts. To help maintain the right level of humidity, set the planter in a tray of pebbles and water so that the pot sits out of the water. This prevents the roots from rotting, and allows the moisture to circulate.
Orchids gain their water from the relative humidity in the atmosphere, they do not absorb water in a traditional way from the roots and soil. For stability, orchids are often potted with the roots in a growing media that should not be overly wet. Orchids require a period of dormancy during the winter in order to bloom again in the spring, so allow it to rest in a sunny spot, and don't water it at all during this time. When its blooms are gone, cut the spike an inch above the foliage, leaving the old canes in place.
|
| |
 |
|
Kept indoors, rose plants will do well in bright, indirect light. Keep their soil moist, allowing it to dry out a bit in between waterings. Remove any leaves that have yellowed while indoors, and pinch off spent blossoms to encourage new blooms.
|
| |
 |
|
Display your Oriental Lily in well-ventilated spot with bright, indirect sunlight, taking care to keep it away from air conditioners, heaters, and strong drafts. While in bloom, water it whenever the soil feels dry to the touch, and feed it with a water-soluble fertilizer. When it's done blooming, you can replant it outdoors in mild climates. Since pollen can stain clothing and furniture, carefully remove the anthers (the orange coated tips at the end of the stamens) with a tissue.
|
| |
 |
|
Your fragrant, pre-sprouted paperwhite narcissus will bloom within about 2-3 weeks if kept in bright, diffused light.
Water them thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch, but don't allow the plant to stand in water. Cool-weather plants
at heart, your paperwhites will bloom longer if kept away from heat.
|
| |
 |
|
Even though we associate poinsettias with the mid-winter holidays, they're actually a tropical plant and need to be kept away from drafts and cold. Too chilly temperatures can cause their colorful leaves (called bracts) to drop.
Keep the soil of your poinsettia moist and allow it to dry out only slightly in between waterings. Encourage new blooms by pinching off spent blossoms and adding plant fertilizer when it's actively growing new buds or leaves. Poinsettias can also be cut from the plant and used as cut flowers. When you cut a stem, a milky-white sap flows from the cut end. Place the stem in water immediately to allow it to hydrate before mixing it with other flowers.
|
| |
 |
|
Native to the jungles of tropical America, your philodendron prefers medium, indirect light and it will do best in a bright spot with indirect sunlight. (If its new leaves develop smaller and farther apart, it's a sign that it's receiving too little light.) Many types exist including large split-leaf varieties, and the distinctive ruffled-edge philodendron xanadu. Keep its soil evenly moist, but allow it to dry out in between waterings. In the winter months, when growth slows, keep it slightly drier. Over watering will cause the leaves to turn yellow, while under watering will cause them to turn brown and fall off.
Philodendrons tolerate the natural levels of humidity found in most homes, but because of their tropical origin, they respond particularly well to high humidity, so mist them regularly to promote lush growth and shiny foliage. Dust their leaves with a damp cloth and feed them houseplant fertilizer in the spring and mid summer.
|
| |
 |
|
Your new schefflera plant may thin out a bit and loose some leaves as it adjusts to its new home. This is normal, and with proper care, it will begin to thrive again in no time. Although it adapts to a wide variety of light levels, the schefflera arboricola prefers medium to higher light, which keeps it full and more compact. If your plant does stretch out, don't be afraid to prune it – it can handle even an occasionally radical pruning and come back strong.
Scheffleras don't like to sit in water, but do best when their soil is kept moist. If its leaves begin to turn black and drop off, it's a sign that the soil has stayed too moist. On the other hand, if you notice that the tips of the plant begin to wrinkle, you've allowed it to get too dry. Wipe its leaves-both the tops and undersides-with a damp cloth to remove dust and prevent spider mites.
|
| |
 |
|
With dark green leaves that can be more than a foot long, the spathiphyllum plant produces hood-shaped white blooms, and in some cases, can grow up to 4 feet tall (although many varieties are developed to be compact).
These plants can wilt easily, so it's important to keep the soil moist, providing good drainage and emptying excess water from trays or saucers to prevent their roots from rotting. Display them in a spot with bright, indirect light. Low light slows their blooming cycle, and too much direct sunlight may cause burn spots on their leaves. Wipe their leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust.
|
|
|
Toll Free 1 888 842 1179
