All About Air Plants

  

Tillandsia, commonly known as air plants are among the most interesting plants you can grow in your indoor garden. These unique plants don’t require soil in order to grow so they can be displayed in many creative ways. Air plants are epiphytic, meaning they grow naturally on trees, rocks and often, other plants. They absorb water and any nutrients they need through specialized hairs (called trichomes) on their leaves. Once you understand their basic care, they are actually very easy to grow. Just like plants that grow in soil, air plants need light and water in order to flourish. When you get your air plants home, place them where they will receive bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun as air plants will sunburn. Given the proper light, some varieties of air plants will change color and “blush” red, or pink and then bloom. If possible, keep your plants away from drafts, heating and air conditioning vents. These conditions will cause your air plants to dry out faster. Because air plants take up moisture through the leaves, it’s important to keep them hydrated. 

While misting helps raise the humidity, it’s not enough to give air plants the water they need. Plan to soak each air plant for fifteen to twenty minutes once or twice a week; once a week if your plants are growing in a cool, humid spot; twice a week if they’re located in dry, warm spot. It’s also possible to soak your air plants for up to twelve hours every ten to twelve days. Whichever method you choose, use bottled water or tap water that has been left out overnight so that the chlorine evaporates. Do not use distilled water. 

Add a pinch of Epiphyte's Delight fertilizer to the water every other soaking to provide nutrients. When it comes to displaying your air plants, the possibilities are endless. Tillandsias can grow anywhere – on rocks, seashells, in ceramic pots, on ceramic figurines, attached to wood, cork or a stone, in glass holders, even attached to a magnet on your refrigerator. Tilly Tacker is a clear, waterproof air plant glue that will allow you to attach your air plants to virtually any surface you want. With a little care, your Tillandsia plants will thrive in your home for many years to come.   

 

 

How to Start Seeds Indoors

Starting plants from seed is a great way to get exactly the variety of vegetables and tomatoes you want. In addition, warm weather crops such as tomatoes and peppers require long growing seasons and you’ll generally get the best yields by starting them early indoors. Kale, radishes, lettuce and many other vegetables can be started indoors and then transplanted or you can wait a few more weeks and seed them directly. In fact, many cool weather crops can be planted in the ground in early March.   Begin by selecting the variety of warm weather crops you want to start indoors. For best results, choose seeds from a local supplier. 

Take time to read the seed packet. You’ll find valuable information regarding planting depth, spacing and days to emerge on the outside of the packet. For even more detailed product information, read the inside of the seed packet. Make sure the packet is labeled for 2021 season. Next, you'll need seed starting trays and inserts. There are a number of inserts you can use. The only difference is the cell count. You can also choose peat pots in a variety of sizes to start your seeds in. 

Seedlings started in peat pots can be planted directly in the garden, which reduces transplant shock.  Add a 2" or 7" dome to help keep in the moisture, while your seeds sprout. Once you have your starter containers, pick up some seed starting mix. Use seed starter, not potting soil. You'll have much better results. It's a good idea to moisten the seed starting medium before you sow your seed. Check the back of the seed packet for sowing instructions. The seed package will tell you how deep and how far apart to plant the seeds. 

Heat mats help seeds germinate faster and root deeper, by keeping the soil temperature constant. Even as the room cools off at night, the soil stays warm and seeds will sprout faster. Once your seeds are up and have grown two or more sets of leaves, it may be time to add some supplemental lighting. Common grow lights include T5, LED, CFL and Incandescent. Providing adequate lighting is one of the most important aspects of growing strong, healthy seeds indoors. If you’ve had problems with seedlings growing long and spindly, it’s a sign they need more light.  Feed your seedlings with a mild liquid fertilizer once they've developed three or more sets of true leaves. As your plants grow, use a small fan to circulate the air over your plants. This helps them develop strong, sturdy stems.  As to when to start your seeds, a good rule of thumb is six to ten weeks before the last average frost date, which is May 15. If you’re not sure how to get started growing seeds indoors, stop in. We’ll be glad to help you choose the seeds and supplies and lights you’ll need to grow your own tomatoes, peppers and vegetables.   

 

 

Colorful Houseplants to Give for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to delight that special someone in your life. A live houseplant is a very personalized gift and will remind them of you long after Valentine's Day is over. Some plants to consider for Valentine's Day gifts include Azaleas, Cyclamen, Senetti, Kalanchoe and miniature roses.  With a few exceptions, these will do well bright, indirect light and room temperature. 

In their natural environment, Azaleas live in the understory of high trees. They thrive in cool, filtered sun. As houseplants, Azaleas do best at cooler temperatures, ideally around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler temperatures will also help the blooms last longer. Keep them well lit, but out of direct sun. 

 

Kordana roses are specially developed miniature roses that will do well indoors if you keep them in a window where they will receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade and away from drafts.

 Cineraria plants should be placed in bright, indirect light, with a temperature of around 60 degrees F. The key to growing Cineraria indoors is to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. 

Cyclamen plants like bright, indirect light and cooler temperatures and like to be kept moist. 

Kalanchoe will do well in the low humidity of most houses this time of year. They like to dry out a little between watering. Place them in a bright room, out of direct sunlight. With a little care these beautiful houseplants will bloom for many weeks after Valentine's Day.  

Best Indoor Plants for Clean Air

Houseplants add beauty to our homes and offices, they have a calming effect on us and they give us a sense of well-being. In addition to their obvious attributes, houseplants make us healthier by removing pollutants from the air and adding oxygen back into the room. All houseplants do this to a certain extent and some are really good at purifying our indoor air. 

An outstanding air-purifying plant is the Peace Lily. Peace Lily are very easy to grow. Place them in a spot where they will receive bright, indirect light, keep the soil moist and feed them every three or four weeks and they will reward you with beautiful white flowers and cleaner air for many years. 

Schefflera is a houseplant that features leaves that form a pattern that looks like an umbrella, thus its common name “Umbrella Tree”. Schefflera are great choices for clean air houseplants because they are very tolerant of indoor conditions. 

Pothos plants are easy to care for and they'll do well in areas where you don't have a lot of light.  

Snake plants do best in bright light. You can keep them in a place with low light. They just won't grow as fast. They also like their soil on the dryer side. 

Aglaonema or Chinese Evergreen will tolerate low light and moist but not soggy soil. Let the top inch or two of soil dry out before you water this plant. 

With its large, interesting foliage, the Dieffenbachia plant prefers bright light but will do okay in low light situations, so it's a great choice for many offices. All varieties of Ferns will help improve the air in your home or workplace. In addition, Dracaena, Spider plants, English Ivy, Aloe Vera are houseplants with good air purifying qualities. Not sure about which houseplant to choose? Stop in and we'll help you pick out the best plants for your home and office. You'll feel better surrounded by calming greenery and you'll breathe better too!