I’ve always been one to research topics of interest and find myself constantly seeking inspiration and guidance from what I fondly call “the oracle,” known to most of you as Google. Since I’m passionate about plants and flowers, and there’s a world of information available on-line, I do a lot of cyber gardening to learn more about my favorite pastime.
When I was growing up, my parents had an encyclopedia set called, “The Book of Knowledge.” There were many of these large heavy volumes which sat on a bookcase shelf in our living room and were relied upon heavily by my family for all kinds of information. They were the search engines of our day! Although already out-of-date when I came on the scene, my siblings being much older than me, I still consulted these beloved books for homework assignments and more until I was old enough to visit the town library and do more current research on my own.
Who would have believed in the 1960s that in just a couple of decades many of us would have personal computers in our homes and along with that the ability to look up anything, any time, on the World Wide Web! Today, most of us carry a personal computer with us at all times in the form of a smartphone, a pocket-sized device that allows us to accomplish more tasks than I can even list. As we close in on the year 2020, we are never without instant access to any and all information and it’s this unlimited access to learning that has so enriched my life!
Photo by Marianne Krohn on Unsplash.com
As a gardener and garden blogger, there are always questions to be answered and lessons to be learned. Over the past year, through internet research, I’ve learned how to propagate African violets from a single leaf and start new begonias from cuttings. After watching a few “how-to” videos, I repotted all my phalaenopsis orchids with confidence and watched with pride as they began to thrive! I’ve learned about the importance of garden design and plant placement and have used foliage and flower colors in new and creative ways. I’ve achieved quite an education, right here in the comfort of my home!
Photo courtesy of Rotary Botanical Gardens
For me, the internet has become my private schoolroom, and learning through cyber gardening has expanded my personal knowledge base while also providing a constant source of inspiration. As I look forward to more learning on-line, I am grateful for all the available technology that has helped me to grow right along with my plants!
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“I met you on somebody’s island
You thought you had known me before
I brought you a crate of papaya
Then waited all night by your door”
“Jungle Love, it’s drivin’ me mad, it’s makin’ me crazy . . .” (from the song by the Steve Miller Band)
Palm Trees Mingle with Pines on Florida’s Pine Island (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
On a recent trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast, my daughter and I were fortunate to make Pine Island our home base. Friends of my daughter’s graciously put us up in their guest cottage while also sharing gourmet meals and the use of their car for nearby day trips. It was a dream vacation and, upon arrival at this lush tropical paradise, I was instantly struck with jungle love!
Florida Bananas (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
Our hosts’ six acres of land in the village of Bokeelia was covered with palms, mangoes, bananas, coconuts, the ubiquitous pines and much more, some trees happily sharing their branches with air plants, hanging moss and the bright blooms of orchids. Bold bromeliads of many shapes and sizes covered the ground with a sizzle of hot color, while overhead, circling birds constantly filled the clear blue sky. A neighbor’s towering pine held a pair of huge nesting Ospreys at its very top, each parent taking turns flying off to bring back food for their young. There was such an abundance of vegetation and bird life that it was hard to take it all in, and this old Yankee gal was always finding something new to gawk at.
Bromeliads are Common Florida Landscape Plants (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
Pine Island is definitely off the beaten tourist trail and not what most people expect when you mention a Florida vacation. The largest island of Florida’s west coast, its 18-mile length is partially framed by Mangroves whose myriad tangled roots provide a safe haven for a variety of wildlife. As the name implies, there are pine trees everywhere, and although there is plenty of water all around, there are no sandy beaches. It’s this lack of beaches that keeps most tourists away and helps Pine Island maintain its remote jungle wildness.
No Beaches but Plenty of Water Views (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
Just a short drive down the road in Matlacha (Mat-la-shay) are galleries, shops, cottages and restaurants, all brightly painted to complement the canal and water views. Although much more touristy than Bokeelia, the area has a laid-back retro feel to it, and life progresses at a leisurely walking pace. The fresh tropical salads and seafood served here, such as Grouper and Mullet, were especially delicious!
Colorful Matlacha Shops and Galleries (Photo courtesy Authentic Florida)
We took several short day trips off the Island which included visiting the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers and the enchanting islands of Sanibel and Cayo Costa. Our last full day was spent at the Naples Botanical Garden where we were wowed by 170 acres of tropical beauty including the largest orchid garden in the continental United States.
The White Sand and Aquamarine Water of Sanibel Island (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
Although I wanted to share my experience of staying on Pine Island, I was also hesitant to write about it. Just like its residents, I don’t want this pristine tropical island to be ruined by development. As people continue to move to Florida in droves, I wonder how long this remarkable place will retain its tranquil wildness. I can only hope it will be for a long time yet to come.
One of Many Striking Orchids at the Naples Botanical Garden (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
Special thanks to our hosts, Ana and Steve, who made this trip not only possible but oh so enjoyable. Good night, Pine Island!
Pine Island Sunset (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
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Late winter is the perfect time to treat your houseplants to a rejuvenating “spa” day. Just like us, plants get winter-weary and experience their own form of cabin fever. Many were brought back into the house last autumn after a luxurious, moisture-laden summer vacation and for months now they’ve survived with little natural light, no fertilizer, and desert-dry heated air – not exactly favorable conditions for most plants. By February, your houseplants are ready for some serious pampering.
PLUMP THEM UP WITH HYDRATION
The first step toward rejuvenation is to thoroughly wash and rehydrate your plants while trying to emulate a soaking summer shower. Small plants can easily be brought to the kitchen sink where the leaves should be gently but thoroughly sprayed with tepid water, top and bottom, washing off winter dust and grime, while larger plants can be placed in the shower or tub. If you have any plants that are too large to move, simply clean each leaf with a damp cloth. Take the time to inspect each plant for insects or disease and remove any dead foliage. While you’re at it, scrub the pots and saucers clean of any dirt or slime. After the leaves are clean, wet the soil (again with tepid water) until the pot is heavy and you can see water draining from the bottom. Alternatively, you can soak the pots in a water-filled sink or tub for an hour; just fill to cover about 3/4 of the pot size. In either case, it’s important to let all the excess water drain away from the plants so that the soil doesn’t become soggy. Remember, you want to hydrate, not drown!
Once your plants have been sufficiently hydrated, you may want to start fertilizing again. I always stop fertilizing in October and let my plants “rest” during the darkest months when growth slows to a crawl. By mid-February, however, the days are growing longer and that extra light translates into growth triggers for many plants. After a long winter’s fast, they’re ready to begin feeding again. I prefer to use a gentle organic fertilizer for my houseplants, like Neptune’s Harvest; the seaweed formula is much less fragrant and therefore better suited to indoor use. Begin a regular feeding schedule but don’t overdo it – think of fertilizer as a healthy snack rather than a six-course meal!
DECISION-MAKING TIME
Now is also the perfect time to take a serious look at your houseplants. Are there any that need a larger or smaller pot? Are there some that are diseased or just doing poorly? Decide what needs repotting in fresh soil and what should be (dare I say it!) discarded. It’s also a good time to begin stem or leaf cuttings from your favorites that you can later share with friends.
Heart-leafed Philodendron roots easily in water (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
REPOT OR NOT?
When repotting, you can use a good quality all-purpose soil for most houseplants but you can also choose a potting soil specific to a certain plant type such as African violet soil or orchid mix. Bear in mind that plants perform better in the type of soil they prefer. Another important point is to choose the right size pot for your plant and this can be a little more tricky since some plants like to be potbound while others have roots that spread rampantly to fill any space. You may have to do a little internet research for your specific plants but the effort is well worth it; after all, they’ll be living in this environment for a long time and the right conditions can make the difference between thriving and just surviving!
Repotting Plants for Spring (Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com)
MOVE THEM AROUND
Now that your plants have been rehydrated, fed or repotted with fresh soil, make sure you place them back into the best light conditions possible, remembering that this time of year the light is growing stronger daily. Orchids tend to burn easily in the bright sunshine of spring so you may want to back them off a little from the ever-strengthening daylight while any potted herbs will be happy to fill that sun-drenched spot. Sometimes just moving a plant to a different location will give it a new lease on life.
Orchids appreciate filtered spring sunlight (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
ENJOY A LITTLE TENDER LOVING CARE
Just as the seasons change outside, conditions inside our homes do, too, so it’s important that we take a little extra care during the year to keep our houseplants happy. All plants love the attention given during a spa day and will respond almost immediately with uplifted foliage and new vigor, looking fabulous again! And now that you’ve finished properly pampering your plants, how about that fragrant Epsom salt soak by candlelight for yourself?
Rabbit’s Foot Fern looks revitalized after a good soaking (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
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The holidays are upon us once again and that means decorating our homes in celebration of the season. Every year, garlands of fragrant greenery, wreaths, and trees fill our homes and our senses, but houseplants can also make a cheerful contribution. By including colorful winter blooms around the house we can add even more sparkle to festive occasions AND these same plants will continue to please long after the holidays are over.
AMARYLLIS
White Amaryllis (Photo courtesy item.rakuten.co.jp)
One of my favorite winter blooms is the stately Amaryllis. These tropical plants are usually purchased as bulbs from which large flowers emerge in 6 to 12 weeks. You can choose from a rainbow of colors which will complement any decor. African or Christmas Amaryllis is an early variety which can be potted up in November for a stunning December show. Although the flowers last only a couple of weeks, you can stagger different varieties to keep the show going all winter.
ANTHURIUM
Bright Red Bracts of Anthurium (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
Anthuriums are popular houseplants that bloom virtually non-stop with heart-shaped bracts or spathes similar to the Peace Lily. Add to this the fact that they come in white, red, pink, yellow, orange or green and you have instant, colorful holiday decor. One word of caution is that Anthuriums can cause gastric upset if ingested, so place these beauties out of reach of children and pets.
CYCLAMEN
Cyclamen adorn the Mantle (photo courtesy of Gardenista.com)
Cyclamen, with their vibrant silken flowers and mottled dark green foliage, look like they belong in a fairy garden. They are especially fetching with fresh holiday greenery, and their petite size makes them perfect for grouping as in the mantle display above.
Exotic orchids such as the Phalaenopsis above are available year-round and the many varieties and colors can create high drama in holiday displays. An extra bonus is that the blooms usually last several weeks, carrying us right into spring!
POINSETTIA
Poinsettias in Many Colors (Photo courtesy Purdue University)
Classic Poinsettias are probably the best known of all holiday houseplants. The large blooms are really bracts that last for many weeks. Look for lush, full plants with dark green leaves. The great thing about poinsettias is that you can find them in small, medium, or large containers to fill any space in your home.
“Apple Blossom” Amaryllis in February (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)
There are many winter blooming plants available at florists, garden centers and even grocery stores, and there’s something for every budget. Take the time to read the plant care tag to ensure that your plant will be happy in your particular home conditions. Experiment with something new or stick with something tried and true, but don’t be afraid to bring a little floral excitement into your holidays and beyond!
