The weather is still cool, but it is time for some spring color. Pansies are the perfect choice for containers. They thrive in the cool weather and come in a variety of brilliant colors. If you are past the danger of severe frosts, or if your days are a little warmer and you have a container that can easily be moved indoors when the temperature plummets at night, go ahead and plant your pansies now.

Light

Pansies like cool weather, but they don’t like full shade. Be sure to find a spot that allows at least a few hours of direct sunlight to shine on the pansies everyday. If your container moves easily, simply move it to the brightest portions of your deck or patio as the sun moves throughout the day.

Choosing Plants

Better Homes and Gardens recommends that when you are choosing your plants at the nursery, avoid the temptation of purchasing the plants with the most blooms. These plants are older and in the long run will give the fewest blooms. These plants also tend to be leggy and sometimes even have yellowed leaves. Instead, purchase plants that are smaller and bright green. There should be healthy looking leaves and a few buds. These plants will thrive well when placed in your container, and will have the best show of blooms later on.

Potting

DIYLife suggests that you purchase a potting soil specially mixed for container plants. This soil will allow for the proper drainage, to keep your pansies moist but not soggy.  Many of these potting soils also contain a slow release fertilizer, so that you do not have to worry about fertilizing for abundant blooms. Plant the pansies in clumps. They don’t spread well, but they will fill out a container well when planted in random clumps rather than rows or circles. Before they go into the container, gently loosed the sensitive roots. If they have become compacted, pull them apart a bit so that there are some loose hanging roots.

Keep moisture consistant. Pansies like a lot of water, but not to remain soggy. It is especially important to water if you are expecting a frost, this will help the pansies recover quickly.

Care

Once the pansies are established and producing plentiful blooms, be sure to deadhead regularly.  Pull of the spent flowers and any seeds that are starting to form. This will keep your pansies blooming prolifically for the whole spring season.  Pansies also make lovely little flower arrangements. You can place a small clump in a bud vase or other small container and enjoy a few blooms indoors. Pansies are edible as well. The flowers can be used to add color to salads or decorate cakes and other baked goods. Unfortunately, the flowers are also a tasty treat for bunnies. Sprinkling a little blood meal around your pansies may deter them.  If you eat your pansies, make sure that they have not been sprayed, or been near to anything sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.

With the onset of summer’s heat and humidity, comes the end of the pansies. They will not survive in hot weather. So, once your pansies become unsightly, remove them and replace them with summer annuals.

Pansies are a great, low maintenance way to greet the spring. What other spring annuals do you enjoy putting out?

Photo “Pansies Purple and Yellow” courtesy of Cindy Shebley

"Spring is Here" by aussiegall

As winter continues with its dark nights and chilly days, it is exciting to start thinking about the color and warmth spring will bring. Now is the perfect time to plan out and even plant  spring containers. Consider using some of you favorite bulbs in a container to create a cheery springtime display.

Getting Started

To get started first choose the bulbs you want to use then, based on their size, choose a container. NewPro Containers has a great choice of indoor and outdoor containers.  The National Gardening Association suggests you allow for 1 inch between the tip of the bulb and the rim of the container, and a few inches between the bottom of the bulb and the bottom of the pot. For example, if you have a 2 inch bulb, your pot should be at least 6 inches deep; 3 inches of soil, 2 inches for the bulb, and 1 inch between the top of the bulb and the rim.  You can plant several different kinds of bulbs in the same container. Place the larger ones towards the bottom and the smaller bulbs closer to the top, taking care not to place the bulbs on top of one another. Make sure the bulbs that you plant together have relatively similar blooming times. You do not want some plants languishing and turning brown while others are just starting to bloom. If you want to have succesive blossoms plant several different containers each with bulbs that bloom at different times. Place the container that is flowering in the most prominent position.

You can use regular potting mix formulated for houseplants in your container. When you pot the bulbs add fertilizer formulated for bulbs, at the rate specified by the manufaturer to the soil. Once, the bulbs are planted with just the tips showing above the soil, water the container thouroughly. Make sure that your pot is able to drain well. The soil should stay moist, but if it stays soggy the bulbs will rot.

Time to Chill

Depending on what type of bulb you use, it will need a period of 8-14 weeks of cold in order to flower. These temperatures should average between 35 and 40 degrees. If you live in a place that has warmer temperatures, find a cool place to keep your containers such as a garage, basement, or refrigerator. If you live somewhere much colder, if you place the containers outside they could freeze, because they do not have the insulation from the ground.  You can keep the container outside and when freezing temperatures threaten, bring the containers to a cool place indoors, or keep the containers in a space you know will not become very cold. While your bulbs are chilling, be sure to watch the moisture in the soil. If is becomes dry about an inch deep in the container, add water.

Ready For The Move

When the tips of the bulbs begin send up green shoots, you can move the container outside. If it is not warm enough, you can continue to keep the containers in a cool and dark space and this will inhibit growth. The National Gardening Association suggests that once you move the containers outside, if temperatures become warmer than 75 degrees, keep the container shaded. Temperatures warmer than this will encourage the bulbs to grow too quickly and become leggy and top heavy. 

With care and planning you can have beautiful spring bulb containers to greet the warmer weather. Remember to allow for time to chill and monitor the moisture in the containers well so that the bulbs do not rot. What are your favorite spring bulbs? Do you have any container recipes you have found successful?

"Christmas Cactus" by anna.baba

If your Christmas Cactus is blooming just in time for Christmas, you are either very experienced or very lucky. It is rare that the Christmas Cactus puts on its show at just the right time, often it will bloom early or late.  With the right care and some practiced timing, the Christmas Cactus can bloom beautifully for the holidays.

Origins

The Christmas Cactus is a succulent that originates from Brazil. In its natural habitat, it grows in the forks of trees and rock outcroppings in Southern Coastal Forests. In the Southern Hemisphere, the conditions are right for the Christmas Cactus to bloom in May. That’s why Brazilians refer to it as Flor-de-Maio, Flower of May. It’s flowers come in a variety of colors including pink, purple, peach and cream.

Blooming

The budding and blooming of the Christmas Cactus are determined by light and temperature. Continuous nights of darkness for at least 12 hours are needed for the cactus to bud. According to Purdue Extension, if you start moving your plant somewhere dark (a closet for example) for twelve hours during the night around mid-October, it will put on buds in time for the holidays. Alternatively, lower temperatures will induce buds. If you expose your plants to 50-55 degree temperatures starting in November it should be ready to bloom by Christmas.

While Christmas Cacti like dark nights to bud, they also like bright light during the day. A sunny location in the house will encourage more blooms. However, do not let the name cactus fool you, they do not endure high temperatures. They can be brought outdoors for the summer, but take care to leave them in a shaded or partially shaded area. If the leaves, which are truly modified stems, begin to turn red you know your plant has been exposed to too much light.

Water

Watering your Christmas Cactus is also vital to its health. Like other cacti, it can tolerate drought, but unlike other cacti it doesn’t thrive on it. The Christmas Cactus must be watered regularly, but not over watered. It does not like to be soggy. Check the soil to make sure the top two inches are dry before your add more water.  According to “The Complete Christmas Cactus Guide,”  the plant needs less water in the fall and winter and more in the spring and summer. In order to keep water moving through the potting soil, use a mix that provides plenty of aeration. Clemson Extension suggests using 60-80% potting soil and 20-40% perlite.

Propagation

The Christmas Cactus doesn’t mind being pot bound and can live in a relatively small container.  It is also easily propagated.  Simply, pinch off portions of the stem containing three to five segments in May or June. Allow the cut end to form a callous for two days in the open air. Then plant  up to three cuttings, one inch deep, in a four inch container. Clemson Extension then recommends thoroughly watering the pot, and placing a plastic bag over the top of the plantings. This will create high humidity that will encourage root growth. The bag can be removed after roots are established in three to eight weeks.

A Christmas Cactus can be a beautiful decoration just for the season, or an interesting long-term addition to your collection.As you help your new Christmas Cactus grow and blossom on time, you can find the perfect container for it at NewPro Containers.

Have you grown a Christmas Cactus? Do you have any tips for helping it bloom during the holidays?

Photo “Christmas Cactus” courtesy of anna.baba 

"poinsettias in the backyard" by Jan Smith

With Christmas time just around the corner, and all of your plans made and holiday plantscapes carefully crafted  it is time to relax and enjoy the holiday. Grab a cup of eggnog, relax and enjoy as we celebrate the season’s most popular plant with some fun facts, in honor of National Poinsettia Day which happened this week on December 12^th.

 History

The poinsettia was first introduced to the United States by Joel Poinsett. Poinsett was a United States ambassador to Mexico in the 1820s. Botany was also one of his favorite hobbies. He found the plant and brought it home to a greenhouse in South Carolina(University of Illinois Extension.)

 Long before being brought to the United States, the Aztecs prized the poinsettia, calling it Cuetlaxochitl which means flower with leather petals (gomexico.about.com.). They used the red bracts to make dye and to reduce fevers.   In it’s natural habitat, where temperatures remain between 50 and 70 degrees the poinsettia can grow to be a large bush over 10 feet tall.

"Poinsettia" by Robert Nunnally

Sales

According to Living Arts Originals, it was Albert Ecke that first sold the poinsettia on street corners. His son improved the plant through grafting, so that it was fuller and more beautiful as a potted plant. His grandson marketed the plant, sending it to television stations so that it would appear on air during Christmas time.   All of their efforts have paid off and the Ecke family still grows 70% of poinsettias purchased in the United States. 

 With its innovative marketers and natural Christmas red and greens, the poinsettia remains the most popular potted Christmas decoration.  According to University of Illinois Extension$220 million dollars worth of poinsettias are sold during the holiday season. Of that $220 million, 80% are purchased by women.  Also, you don’t have to stick to just red and green anymore. There are over a hundred different varieties of poinsettias with colors including pink, and white. However, keep in mind as you plan your plantscapes, 74% of Americans still prefer red poinsettias. 8% prefer white poinsettias and 6% prefer pink. 

"White Poinsettia" by Liz West

 Long Term Care

Poinsettias are difficult to keep and encourage to bloom again, but if you have the right conditions it is possible. These suggestions come from University of Illinois Extension. Store the plant in a space that stays between 50 and 60 degrees until spring, water just enough to keep the roots from drying. Then in the spring move the plant to a warm room and water regularly. Cut the stems back to about six inches. Provide plenty of sunlight. In the fall the plant should be kept in a space between 60 and 65 degrees. The plant must have 6-8 weeks of long nights in order to flower again.

Planning for Next Year

When you are ready to plan for next year’s poinsettias, be sure to browse the holiday selection at NewPro Containers. They have a variety of containers, including hanging, floor and table top containers that accent the festive beauty of the poinsettia.

 Your Turn to Share

What is your favorite holiday plant? Have you ever cared for a poinsettia year round? What difficulties did you encounter?

You may also be interested in these older posts about poinsettias:  Are Poinsettia Poisonous? Sell a Pot with a Poinsettia

Succulent Spiral by Duff Axom

A succulent is considered any plant that stores water, this could mean in its leaves, stem or in some cases roots. Typically, when we think of succulents, the cactus comes to mind, but there are is a large variety of arid climate loving plants that work well indoors for a number of reasons.

Care with Moisture

It is a myth that succulents are indestructible as commonly believed. To grow and thrive, they do need water and care just like any other plant. One advantage, however, is that they are able to survive on less water than other plants. It is necessary to let the growing medium become dry in between watering or the roots could rot. By the time you see the visible effects of rotted roots in the leaves, it is usually too late to save the plant. Therefore, it is important to make sure your succulents are never sitting in soggy, wet soil.

Choosing a Container and Soils

Succulent’s roots usually do not grow very deep. This allows more freedom in choosing a container.  Only a few inches of depth are required. There are a few succulents that have tap roots, if you are using one of these varieties, be sure to plan accordingly. Many succulents can also be planted  close together because they are slow growing, creating a dense and interesting arrangement. Depending on their location and access to sunlight, succulents could be a great choice for wall sconces, cubicle planters, or table top planters. Be sure the containers you choose allow proper drainage. If you would like to use a larger container you can set some pottery shards over the drainage hole and fill the bottom portion with gravel and then add your growing medium. The Succulent Plant Page suggests using a mixture of 70% garden compost and 30% grit or sand or a combination of the two to make the soil porous so that the water does not sit. You can also purchase potting soil made specifically for succulent plants.

Light

According to About.com Houseplants, succulents need bright light, so the closer you can place them to a south facing window, the better they will thrive. Bright light also promotes growth and flowering in many species. Some species can become burned or bleached with too much light, while others can become spindly or leggy with not enough light.  About.com suggests these signals to monitor whether or not your succulents are receiving the right amount of light,

 ”Some species will scorch if suddenly exposed to direct sunlight. The leaves will turn brown or white as the plant bleaches out and the soft tissues are destroyed. Alternatively, an underlit succulent will begin to stretch, with an elongated stem and widely spaced leaves. This condition is known as etoliation. The solution is to provide better light and prune the plant back to its original shape.”

Different Species to Grow

The Garden Pages suggested the Rosary Plant to fill in containers and cascade over the sides, or in hanging baskets. The Garden Pages says,

“Rosary Plants grow into mounds 6 to 10 inches high.  The leaves are just barely 1/4” long and arranged neatly along the stem to give it a square look. ”

Aloe is easily grown succulent that adds height to a container arrangement. Hens and Chicks are also a popular succulent that add some low growing texture and could be used in an arrangement or singularly in a small container. Midwest Living provides an excellent slide show of a variety of succulent species that grow well in containers. 

Indoors or outside, succulents in containers can add easy-to-care-for unique interest to any plantscape, simply maintain the right amount of light and do not over water.

Your Turn to Share

What succulents have you used in container arrangements? What are the biggest problems you have had with growing succulents? Do you have a favorite species of succulent?

 Photo “Succulent Spiral” by Duff Axom