PLANT BLOG #2

Today’s topic: poisonous plants. Some plants while appearing friendly are really not. 


Some of the more common interior plants that are poisonous are Mistletoe, Diffenbachia, Ficus, Cyclamen, Peace Lily or Spath and Pothos as well as English Ivy. Care should be taken if you have animals or young children nibbling on these. These plants traditionally will not be fatal, but can irritate the mouth, skin and stomach lining. The Pencil Plant is a more harmful plant that can cause skin irritations wherever the milky sap touches it and can cause serious stomach and mouth issues if ingested. 


Two other highly poisonous plants that are not as widely known about are the ZZ plant as well as the Sago Palm. While all parts of the ZZ plant should be avoided from ingestion, only the seeds of the Sago are poisonous. These plants carry a dangerous level on the poison scale and they should be carefully monitored if around pets or children. 


If you have a plant concern or question, please e-mail me at robin@drdelphinium.com. 


Thanks for reading,
Robin

Summer Floor Change

Summer has arrived here at Dr. Delphinium! Upon stepping in the door, you'll be refreshed by our bright and bubbly design. Designers Kelley Faulkner and Heather Freeman have created a summer oasis that awakens the senses. Drawing inspiration from coral, sky blue, sunny yellow and delphinium blue, the floor evokes memories of a warm and lazy summer day at the beach.

PLANT BLOG #1

Plants have many similarities to people.  They grow, have needs and prosper in the right environments.  Plants provide many uses to humans, including medicine, food and wood.  Additionally, they provide fragrance, colors for dye, weapons, and a multitude of other applications. 

Plants indoors help both physically and mentally.  They help to improve air quality by reducing the amounts of mold and bacteria in the air, as well as clean the air by absorbing pollution from smoking and cleaning products.  Mentally, it has been found that plants in the workplace yield workers that are more productive. 

When I look at plants, I am happy.  I am amazed at their minimal needs while being so efficient.  I am mesmerized at what nature has created and how plants have evolved.  I don’t know where these blogs are going to take us, but I hope that I can write something that is educational and uplifting; the way I feel when I observe plants.

Thanks for reading,

Robin

PLANT BLOG #4

This week’s topic: DO NOT be afraid of orchids!

Some people are terrified of these absolutely exquisite flowers that have a lasting power of anywhere between 6-8 weeks. We have had some clients who have reported back to us that their orchids have maintained blooms for almost 3-4 months. I think that 4 months is a bit much to ask of an orchid, but I do think that for the money, an orchid is by far the best bang for your buck.

Helpful tip #1: Please don’t over water your orchid. Watering once every 10 days or so depending upon the variety is sufficient. Take your orchid still in it’s grow pot and submerge the pot into room temperature water for at least 2 minutes. Allow the plant to drain thoroughly before replacing in its decorative pot. I know a lot of you out there are saying at this point to put an ice cube on top of the moss. This might work in your particular situation and I know several very good friends who tell me that I am wrong, but newer research does indicate that the cold temperature of the water from the cubes can harm the roots by sending them into shock. So there you go, you have been forewarned.

Helpful tip #2: Do not repot your orchid when you get it home and it is in bloom. This will most certainly kill it. You only repot an orchid every 2 years or so and NEVER when it is in bloom. Repot after the blooming cycle is finished. Another no-no, please do not put your orchid into traditional potting soil. Just as bad as repotting, soil suffocates your orchids’ roots and will kill it as well.

Helpful tip #3: Keep your humidity up. These plants while used to growing in the forests do very well if there is at least a bit of water in the air. You don’t need to get some fancy humidifier; you can simply put a plate of water directly under the plant making sure that you don’t have any roots touching the water.

While I am sure that we are not going to have world wide orchid grower dominance, perhaps we will have given you the courage to step out of your comfort zone and try an orchid or two.

Thanks for reading,
Robin

PLANT BLOG #3

Today’s topic: Helping beat this HORRIBLE heat!

 Regarding this heat, we all know we have been saddled with these normally August temperatures since early June.  What is the best way to help out our container plants?

 If you are discussing indoor plants, people tend to water more in the summer and less in the winter because they mimic their outdoor watering.  However, you should be watering slightly less in the summer because your air is cooled and more in the winter when the heat is on and drying out your soil.

 Outside, you can add mulch to the top of your potted plants, which will help keep the moisture in, versus evaporating.  Second, you need to water thoroughly and depending on where the plant is located, you may be able to water less if a longer watering period is afforded.  A quick sprinkle will not get down to the roots and provide the water that the plant needs.

 Water outdoors in the early morning or late afternoon hours.  Watering during the day will not be very beneficial, because of the evaporation and run off due to the dry soil.  Additionally, watering at night can cause the foliage to be more susceptible to fungal diseases.