Incoming Bugs & Quick Orchid Notes

Brrr..... it's pretty cool in this part of Ontario, especially for very early fall.  By now, you should be moving the tropical plants that you put outside for the summer, back indoors. At least start to condition them for re-entry into the not-so-great indoors.
     It is very likely that your plants residing in their outdoors summer location have picked up a few residents of their own. Check your plants for bugs and treat them as necessary.
     Last week, we had a customer bring into our shop an overgrown Boston fern and an overgrown Spider plant. Both were in need of dividing, and this is what she wanted us to do. We did this immediately, partly to provide good customer service and partly to get them out of my shop as soon as possible.
     While getting to know these plants intimately, I captured a couple of pill bugs which isn't too hard to do; but I still didn't want them wandering into my shop of healthy, happy, beautiful tropical plants, that are indeed for sale. The planters this customer was using were the self-watering kind and a hiding mosquito emerged from the water reserve well in the pot.
     Neither of these bugs are very threatening to the health of your tropical plants; but the point is  Check Your Incoming Plants for Bugs. If these bugs had have been spider mites, mealy bugs, fungas gnats or scale, the result could have been much more severe. Left undetected in September or October, these pests would have multiplied many times over by January and February when they would finally be discovered, everywhere.
     We sell more insecticide products in February than any other month. So, Check Your Incoming Plants for Bugs!


Quick Orchid Notes : The  2013 Orchid Show and Sale is presented by the Central Ontario Orchid Society this coming weekend Saturday, Sept 28 and Sunday, Sept 29 in Cambridge, Ontario. For more information, visit their website at www.coos.ca   

There are thousands of different types of orchids, so a very hard

question to easily answer is "How do you care for an orchid?"  The 7 major types of orchids available for consumer sales are Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Oncidium, Dendribium Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum and Vanda. Wherever you buy your orchid, ask the seller to identify the type and tell you how to care for it.

The type of orchid most commonly sold is the Phalaenopsis, These plants with the magnificent, large, long-lasting, coloured blooms grow well in average home temperatures and light conditions. These are an excellent orchid for beginners to grow. Phalaenopsis ( the Moth Orchid) account for more than 75% of all orchids sold.

1. The roots should be slightly damp all of the time; but not allowed to sit in water.
2. They thrive in humid conditions - 50% or higher.
3. Average nighttime temperature of 65 degrees F. Daytime 70 degrees F.
4. Low to medium light.
5. Should be repotted every 1-3 years with a porous potting material.
6. Fertilize regularly during blooming periods.

"How do you care for an orchid?" These are just a few quick notes about the Phalaenopsis orchid to give you an idea of the care required. Other types of orchids may require different care, so, wherever you buy your orchid, ask the seller to identify the type and tell you how to care for it.

One Last Thought - What is the most important factor that you should consider when purchasing a new tropical plant for your home? Linda will be addressing that at her talk on October 1 at the Salvation Army Heart & Home meeting. I would like to know your thoughts. Please send a comment in the space below.

Bonsai - Not for Everyone

When September takes hold and people get secure into their routines again, the interest in Bonsai increases. But I will be the first to tell you that Bonsai are not for everyone (even though I sell them).

Bonsai is not a specific type of plant; but rather a way to grow a plant. Bonsai is growing a plant in miniature. Everything is  smaller - roots, stems, trunks and leaves.
 When maintaining your regular houseplants, they always do better when all parts of the plant are in balance and you provide the essentials of life. This is very much the case with Bonsai.

 If you have ever maintained tropical fish, the same principle holds true. Because the volume in a 1 gallon goldfish bowl housing 2 or 3 shimmering beauties is low compared to a 125 gallon show tank with 20 or 30 specimen fish, the balance in the bowl is more easily upset, causing stress to the inhabitants. You have to be more vigilant in maintaining the balance. It isn't harder or even more work than maintaining the 125 gallon tank; but it is more frequent work.
 The same is true for Bonsai. Neglect them and they will not be

happy. So, before you buy a bonsai for yourself or as a gift consider these points:

• be prepared to mist your bonsai daily
• the roots must be slightly damp all of the time
• water gently and thoroughly
• feed them regularly with the right strength of fertilizer
• should your Bonsai need a winterizing regime, learn that and don't ignore that

Bonsai are a very interesting plant form hobby. After the hobby they become an art. They can be old, they can be young. They can be shaped. They are  something of which you can be proud. They are not hard to grow; BUT they do need frequent attention.
Interested? I have posted a downloadable pdf of Bonsai FAQs at our website. Check it out.

 If you want to give Bonsai a try we can help get you started. All of our Bonsai are beautiful, hardy and priced to get you affordably into the art of Bonsai.






Orchid Show:    COOS  (Central Ontario Orchid Society) is presenting its annual Orchid Show & Sale on Saturday Sept. 28 and Sunday Sept. 29 at the Cambridge Hespeler Arena. We have a very limited supply of $1 Off coupons for show admission, so pop into the Plants For All store at 66 Dawson Road in Guelph to get yours.  For more Orchid Show info go to COOS.ca

Getting Back Into Your Green Groove

It is still summer; but the weather often tells a different story. In our area of Ontario the temperature will drop to 1 degree Celsius tonight.  Be that as it may, the calendar doesn't lie.
The students are back in school and the vacations are mostly over.  Part of getting back into the routines of personal and family life is getting back into your green groove:

• plants that you have placed outside for the summer should be conditioned for coming back inside
• evaluation of your houseplant collection should be made to cull out the weak or spent plants and determine what new plants should go where
• educate yourself about what plants will benefit your home life and how to care for them and provide the environment they need.



Spathyphillum "Peace Lily"

• check your supply of plant care products -food, fertilizer, leafshine, insecticides, pots, potting mix

We will be addressing these subjects over the next little while but for now just think about making living green 
a part of your life and the life of your family.  I recently read that houseplants, regardless of how simple, are evidence of a life being in that place.  Make your home your own and get back into your green groove.

Coming Up : 
Linda will be presenting 2 different talks at the Heart & Home meetings at the Salvation Army in Guelph. The meetings start at 9:30 am and the Salvation Army is located 1320 Gordon Street in Guelph. Everyone is welcome to attend, so feel free to just show up or if you would like more information, call Linda at Plants For All (519) 767-2161 or via email plantsforall@ody.ca  
    Tuesday, October 1 : Caring for Houseplants 
    Tuesday, November 12 : Giving a Living Gift for Christmas - the Norfolk Island Pine

Closer to Now :   COOS  (Central Ontario Orchid Society) is presenting its annual Orchid Show & Sale on Saturday Sept. 28 and Sunday Sept. 29 at the Cambridge Hespeler Arena. We have a very limited supply of $1 Off coupons for show admission, so pop into the Plants For All store at 66 Dawson Road in Guelph to get yours.  For more Orchid Show info go to COOS.ca 

And One More Thing :  We now have an excellent selection of bonsai in store.

Lots of sizes, varieties and good price points. You can see pics, sizes, prices  and more information at our web site.