Groundhogs’ Day on February 2 means winter is half over. Whether the groundhog sees his shadow
or not, the calendar says there are really only six more weeks until spring is
officially here. Regardless, we
could still be in for some rough winter weather.
February is for lovers. So, cold or not, why not show someone
how much you care by sending a bouquet or floral arrangement this Valentine’s
Day - - or any other day this month?
Valentine’s Day ties with
Mother’s Day for the number one floral holiday. Although traditional, long stem roses are not the only way
to express love and friendship.
Sweetheart or miniature roses are slightly less expensive and are
available in the same range of colors – from red and pink to white and yellow,
even pale lavender and peach.
Proper care of those cut flowers will prolong their lives and your
enjoyment. Re-cut stem ends,
change the water and wash the vase every couple of days. Floral preservative is not just a
gimmick ,it really works. So use
what your florist provides.
If you want something
different, ask you florist to make an arrangement with a red and white color
scheme by mixing carnations and rose buds with tulips and baby breath. Another
alternative is to give your sweetheart a potted azalea or cyclamen. The possibilities are endless. Use your imagination. Your florist will be happy to work with
you.
Let us not forget the Orchid. Orchids come in all colors except blue,
and in all sorts of beautiful and bizarre shapes, and in a wide range of
sizes. In the natural world there
are more than 20,000 species of orchids growing in every type of habitat- from
tropical rain forest to the tundra and semi-arid desert – on every continent except
Antarctica.
Most orchids require relatively
high, but filtered, light intensities and should be grown in an east or south
window. However, a few will grow well under low intensity fluorescent
lights. Orchids require regular
fertilization and moderate air circulation for best growth.
Orchids vary in their water
requirements. Many tropical orchids are epiphytes, growing on the side of
trees, and will not do well if their roots stay wet. Epiphytes should be grown in a very porous potting medium
such as coarse fir bark, lava rock, or coarse perlite. Terrestrial types rooted
in soil require a well-drained, finer textured growth medium.
February Chores
During the nice February days, you can get outside to start spring
pruning and some clean-up chores in the yard and garden. Most trees and shrubs are best pruned
at the end of the dormant season.
Branches pruned from early spring flowering plants such as forsythia,
cherry and flowering almond , can be brought inside and forced to bloom early. Pruning of these, as well as spireas,
lilacs and other plant that bloom before June 10, should be pruned immediately
after flowering. Pruning later in
the season will eliminate flower buds already formed for next year.
One of my rules of pruning is that if you can’t think of a reason to
prune a plant, don’t do it. The
primary objective should be to promote health and vigor. For the first few years after planting,
regular pruning can help to develop a strong branch structure, reducing the
chance of storm damage.
Snow and ice are still a reality. Use sand or cat litter rather than salt to melt ice along
sidewalks and driveways to prevent soil and plant damage. Do not use granular fertilizer either
because excessive amount of it, too, can damage plants. It also pollutes lakes and rivers as it
runs off paved surfaces and frozen ground. For this reason never fertilize on frozen ground or over the
snow.
Remove build-up dust and grime from the leaves of houseplants with a
shower. Plants with large leaves
can be wiped clean by hand with a cloth or a pair of clean, soft gloves. Use one hand on the upper surface and
one below. Water works just fine
to clean and shine leaves. Some,
but not all, leaf polish products contain oils, which will clog leaf pores.
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