Written by Administrator | 15 December 2005

The holidays are upon us, and now is the time for giving gift plants. Here are a few tips on giving and receiving plants.

Select plants which appear to be insect and disease free. Check the undersides and axils of leaves for signs of problems. Look for plants that are sturdy, shapely, and well-covered with healthy foliage and new growth. Avoid plants with yellow or brown leaves, wilted foliage, spots or blotches, and spindly growth.

When giving a plant as a gift, keep the recipient in mind when choosing. Do they have children or pets? If so, avoid toxic plants. (For a list of common houseplants which are toxic, see our November 2003 article.)

Try to match the plant with the environment of the recipient's home or office. For locations with plenty of light and warm temperatures, poinsettias, chrysanthemums, or other flowering plants are ideal gift choices. A better choice for bright light and cooler temperatures are cyclamens and azaleas. Choose foliage plants for low-light locations. For those with limited space, a hanging plant may be a welcome choice. 

Keep the temperature in mind when transporting plants. Our desert winter temperatures usually aren’t too extreme, but many plants will be damaged considerably if the temperature drops much below 50? F. Wrapping plants with paper will help protect plants from the cold.

If receiving plants as gifts, keep in mind that most indoor environments are quite dry in the winter. Keep them away from drafts and heating vents. Set the grow pots on a tray of moistened gravel to maintain higher humidity, if necessary.

If your home or office becomes infested with gnats, gift plants are the likely culprit. Spray the soil with a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol (50/50) about twice a week, and let the soil dry out a bit. This should eliminate the problem.

A Greener Image offers a variety or plants and flowers to go with the season. We also offer festive silk arrangements and decorations. For pricing and details, contact us today!  Have a safe and happy holiday season! 

Written by Administrator | 01 November 2005

As temperatures begin to cool with the change of the season, you may notice changes in your houseplants. Here are a few tips on what is happening with your plants at this time of year.

Your plants may be losing more leaves than usual. This is quite common during any season change. Just as people take time to adjust to the climate change, so do plants.

As the temperatures drop, you will likely need to water less. You should notice some difference in how quickly or slowly the soil dries out. Most plants need to dry out somewhat in between watering, so always check the soil.  If the temperatures have significantly cooled and you are using the heater, you may actually need to increase watering. Here in the desert however, temperatures usually don’t cool enough for regular heat usage until the winter months.

There will also be fewer daylight hours as fall approaches. This will become more significant in the winter, but be sure to keep this in mind.  A common houseplant which reacts to this are ficus trees. You are likely to see dramatic leaf drop in them during fall and winter. Plants are susceptible to insect infestations during season changes as well, so this could be another factor in leaf drop.  Examine the leaves closely for any signs of this.

Plants should not be fertilized through the winter months, so now is the time to do any last minute fertilizing. 

Written by Administrator | 01 October 2005

Halloween has become the second most popular occasion for decorating, right behind the winter holidays. Last year, we gave you some ideas for decorating with plants for Halloween. Here are a few more ideas for this year.

• Pansies are one of the most popular Halloween plants, as some varieties can withstand lower temperatures, and they come in a variety of colors. They can be found in shades of purple, black and orange.
• Chrysanthemums are another ideal Halloween flower, as they are quite hardy, and also come in a variety of colors. Having mums of oranges, yellows, bronze, and cream are perfect for evoking cozy autumn feelings.
• Calla lilies, and other assorted flowers which are often associated with funerals, are another option.
• Pumpkins are an obvious good selection for Halloween. They come in a variety of sizes, and can be used in many different ways. A good alternative are gourds, which are in the same family as pumpkins. Many gourds are twisted and have warts, creating a “scary” appearance. They can be placed in gardens or trees, and on tables and porches.

To add some Halloween flair to your plants, try placing them in a hollowed out pumpkin, or a cauldron shaped pot. Berries, spiky plants, and dark foliage can be used as accent pieces.

Do you have a few plants around that are looking sickly? Now is the time to display them! Adding fake spider webs or placing them near a black light can create quite a spooky appearance.

A Greener Image offers these plants as well as many others which can add to your fall atmosphere. Contact us today for pricing and details!