In the current wave of “houseplant mania”, it’s important to remember that houseplants provide numerous benefits in addition to adding amenity to the indoor landscape. Scott Evans, Horticulture Program Coordinator for Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties reports that water vapor given off via transpiration is a big plus for the indoors, as well as their capacity to absorb potentially harmful gasses such as formaldehyde, ammonia, bioeffluents and volatile organic compounds.
Category: Plant Decor
COVID-19 – Extend Poinsettia Life With Proper Care
The December glory of a poinsettia can fade to January/February paleness in a matter of weeks. Those bright red, white or pink leaves (bracts) can turn limp, curl up and drop, creating a desire to toss it out with the rest of the Christmas leftovers.
Norfolk Island Pine – A Great Option for Christmas
If you lack the space for an 8 foot Christmas tree, or detest the 3 foot plastic types, here’s a great option for you – a Norfolk Island Pine.
Poinsettia Gifts May Include Whiteflies
My good friend Dave Robson who is a horticulturist in Illinois reminds me that while poinsettias are great for holiday gift giving (for your friends/family/neighbors and yourself!), sometimes pests tag along on the plants.
Christmas Tree Success
Okay, you’ve picked out the perfect tree and set it up in your favorite spot. All done, right? No, wait, there’s more. There are several more factors to consider:
The Amaryllis
Of all the holiday plants, the amaryllis boasts some of the largest flowers and can be one of the easiest to grow for next year’s re-bloom. Bulbs received as gifts can be planted right away and their fast growth will amaze everyone, even those with brown thumbs. Hybridization has greatly expanded the red-flowered offerings of…
Keeping Fresh Greens Fresh
The holiday season is upon us and many of us will be putting up live/fresh cut trees. There is nothing better than the smell of fresh cut greens indoors to celebrate the spirit of the season. However, there are a few tips that you can follow to make sure that your tree and greens stay…
All That Glitters
Trendy or not painting plants is a surefire way to kill them. Plants have pores (stomatal pore) that are located mostly on the surface of leaves. These pores are how plants gain access to carbon dioxide to carry out the process of photosynthesis. They are tiny and typically not visible with the use of a…
Taking Care of Poinsettias
I had a client call me one September day and asked if it was time to bring her poinsettia into the light. Oh yes and by the way, she mentioned the plant had been stored in the closet for the past nine months. Hmmm… On the positive side of things, I thought it was great…
When Salt Attack
As a gardener I am sure you have experienced first hand the accumulation of salts on when using clay pots. Clay pots or a staple in the garden industry and to the home gardener. They are inexpensive and easy to use. In my family we have terracotta pots that have been passed down from our…