Mintish dots by Mints Design I San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Flowers and Design » plant care

Winter Care

dot@mints — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 08:26:27 +0000

So it’s winter!! and you want to prevent your plants from getting a cold… here comes the tips.

1. Too much or too little water
I hate to tell you there’s no golden rule. While some people turn on their heater all day long and some don’t, your watering routine is really decided on a case by case basis. If you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, use your fingers to feel soil to check whether it is moist or a bit dry out. And remember, every time you water your plants, make sure you water it thoroughly and let the water completely runs out of the bottom.

2. Too cold
Well, if you are sitting in your cozy room with your blanket, think about your plants!! One of our customers put the new plants in the garage for few days, and unfortunately, the roots were freeze to death.

3. Too Dry
You can’t live without your lotions and so does your plant. It’s really a dry season and most of the indoor plants are not used to it. So put a dish of water next to your plants or turn on your humidifier.

The amaryllis is in season now!!

dot@mints — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 07:52:58 +0000

The amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is in season now!! They are originated in South America’s tropical regions and their gorgeous blooms, which come in variety of colors, such as red, white, pink, and orange, make them a very popular Christmas flowers. Remember to put it down on your Christmas shopping list.

Light: Provide plenty of light for blooming, but avoid too much direct sunlight.

Water: Keep soil moist when blooming. In late summer, let the bulb dry off and start watering it again in fall to ensure a new growth.

Temperature: During blooming, keep it in a cool place to prolong the flowering time.
Feeding: Fertilize regularly for it to bloom again.

Basic Orchid Care

dot@mints — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 07:33:32 +0000

Light – Give bright indirect sunlight and always avoid direct sunlight as it may burn the leaves and prevent it from flowering. For Alamedans, you may move your orchids to outdoor for fresh air, morning mist, and good indirect sunlight (not when temperature is below 50 °F).
Water – Keep the soil moist but do not over water. In general, water it once a week or you may simply soak it in pot of water for 15 minutes to ensure it gets enough water, but remember to drain out water completely. You may also feel the moisture of the soil with your finger to check whether it is damp or moist before watering again.
Temperature & Humidity- The ideal temperature for most Orchids is between 64°F to 75°F. Orchid loves humidity, so if your environment is a bit dry, you may put a dish of water next to your orchid to raise the humidity.

Feeding – Plants can be killed by over-feeding.