A little bit of summer...

Pictures from the garden.



Mandevilla



Water rock and Hostas

Grass
 

Tuberous Begonia
 

Daffodils
 

Tuberous Begonias

 

Hosta
 

Roses
 

More roses

 

New shed window

 

Pond

 

Hosta
 

Peonies

DIY: Christmas Centrepiece Arrangement

After working at a greenhouse this past year, I learned how to make centrepieces with different types of greens - and yes, they are real greens. They are super easy, but take a lot of supplies and a little practice. Add whatever bulbs, sparkly sticks, bows, and anything else you want to use to spice it up. They are great to add a natural Christmas-look to your home and will be the centre of attention at your holiday party.

Gardening 101: Orchids

Orchids are some of the most beautiful flowers. They make great indoor plants and they are easy to maintain if you know the basics. Many people are unsure of how to properly care for these plants and therefore stay away from growing them. With a few key growing instructions, orchids can look amazing in your home too.

All orchids featured in this post are from Martha's Greenhouse in Windsor. You can also find Martha's Greenhouse on Facebook!

Watering

The number one problem with orchids is overwatering. If the soil is constantly moist, it can result in root rot. Root rot destroys the orchid's roots and there is no way for the plant to take in nourishment. This will eventually kill the orchid.

Many people fear they will kill the plant if they don't water. It is actually very unlikely that an orchid will suffer from underwatering.

Experts recommend using a wooden toothpick and skewer to check moisture levels. The wood will darken if the soil is wet. If you are still unsure, wait one more day to water. At Martha's, we typically water our orchids once a week. So pick a day you'll remember.

Water your orchid in the morning to make sure any excess water on the plant evaporates by evening. Watering also depends on the heat and humidity levels in your home. These factors could result in more frequent waterings.

If watering in the sink, use lukewarm water. Water for 10-15 seconds. Allow the plant to drain out into the sink for a few minutes. If using a plastic saucer to catch excess water, be sure not to allow the container to sit in water.

Feeding

Orchids should be fed regularly with a balanced fertilizer combination of 20/20/20. This combination should be sufficient for your plant. Fertilize plant every two weeks in the Spring/Summer and once a month in the Fall/Winter.

Light

Orchids need plenty of light. Windows facing East and South are best for orchids. West light is often too hot in the afternoon while North windows are too shady. Too much direct light can cause the leaves to burn. Insufficient light is the main reason an orchid doesn't rebloom. So move around the plant if necessary.

Repotting

There are a couple reasons to repot an orchid. The main reason is if the plant out grows the pot. This shouldn't be determined by the size of the plant, but by their roots. If the roots are compacted then it is time to repot. Roots will begin to grow out of the drainage holes leaving the plant stunted in its growth. During this process, plants can be split if necessary, but be careful. Typically, most orchids don't need to be repotted during their first year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Featured on AmericaJR.com: Succulent Pumpkin Planters

My post from October on DIY Succulent Pumpkin Planters is being featured on AmericaJR.com. Click below to check it out!

http://americajr.com/news/pumpkinplanters1028.html

Painted Pumpkin Project: Don't Settle for Orange Pumpkins!

So the Succulent Pumpkins I made at the beginning of the month made it through Thanksgiving. They were a great centrepiece for the dinner, however they went to mush shortly after. Everywhere I looked, I couldn`t find anymore white pumpkins. People were either sold out or their white pumpkins weren`t the right size. I began to give up since I really didn`t like how the plants looked in the traditional orange pumpkins. And then while waiting in line at the grocery store, I saw it...the Chatelaine cover and decided: why settle for orange pumpkins? Pick a colour to match whatever room or setting you want.

I painted one black and spray painted the other brown. I wouldn't recommend spray painting pumpkins. It looks great, but takes almost 24 hours to dry. It was extremely sticky. The paint dries a lot faster. I loved the Chatelaine pumpkins. They were painted with pale pinks and shimmery golds. So you can really get creative with the colours.

All the plants used were succulents that I purchased from Martha's Greenhouse in Windsor.

 

 Black Succulent Pumpkin with Orange Bow


 

A little Halloween with the candles.

 Brown Succulent Pumpkin with Orange Bow

My two boring orange pumpkins.

 

Onyx stole my pumpkin top and ate it. Made a big mess on the grass.

Carve out the pumpkin top to fit the planter's size. Scoop out the seeds and insides. Paint pumpkins starting from the bottom. The paint will drip down and the bottoms only need one coat of paint since they won't really be seen.

Pumpkins need at least 2-3 coats.

Love the orange bows :)

 

Buddy checking out the situation - Also put a paper towel down in case there are any wet spots on the bottom!



I really love how the succulents look.

 

Add Spanish Moss to fill in the gaps and hide the soil.

Plants: Inspiration on a Fall Day

Can't believe flowers are still blooming in late October. Today has been sunny and warm, but the past few weeks have been chilly here. Not much is left, but there are still some stunning blooms around the yard.

A Mikasa tea cup my mom found at a vintage store on the weekend - apparently it is a fancy brand in the tea cup world.

 

Garden Rose

 



Blue Salvia

 

Stunning and has an amazing smell.

 

Red Begonias

 

Just Bloomed Garden Rose

 

I don't care what anyone says about Dusty Millers - I think they are beautiful.