Bird of the Week - 1/31/18

Blue Jay

Basics: This bird is easily recognized by it’s perky crest and blue, white, and black plumage, as well as it’s noisy calls. The Blue Jay is a very aggressive bird at the feeders, because of its size and character. Even though some people do not like to attract Blue Jays, they are a beautiful addition to the winter backyard.

Housing: Open nesting flat platform are necessary, as in their natural habit they are attracted to flat spaces on tree branches.

Food: Offer a variety of food, to attract the maximum amount of Blue Jays to your area. Peanuts, black and striped sunflower seeds, elder berries, cherries, dogwood and acorns are Blue Jay favorites! Since the blue jay's bill is powerful and all purpose, it can handle the peanuts either in the shell or out. Suet is also something that attracts jays.

How to attract: Install a bird bath, put out a variety of seeds, berries, and suet, as well as maintaining flat platform areas around your yard.

Fact: Dinnertime is all the time for birds. Birds have a high body temperature and a high rate of metabolism, and digest their food rapidly. Each day they have to eat a lot to store energy and body fat.

Tip: Use baffles or put up temporary covers to keep the feeders from becoming clogged with ice and snow.

Bird of the Week Special:

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Prince Wild Birdseed
44# Bag, Regular $15.99

Just $11.99
 

Good through 2/5/18. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases. Print this page or mention offer at the checkout counter.

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Plant of the Week - 1/31/18

Tillandsia (Air Plants)

       Tillandsia plants are epiphytes and need no soil because water and nutrients are absorbed through the leaves. The roots are used as anchors only. They are sensitive to frost and are used as an indoor plant in our area. Reproduction is by seeds or by offsets called "pups". A single plant could have up to a dozen pups. Tillandsias love bright, indirect sunlight. Some Tillandsia will bloom on a regular basis. In addition, it is quite common for some species to take on a different leaf color (usually changing from green to red) when about to flower. This is an indication that the plant is monocarpic (flowers once before dying) but offsets around the flowering plant will continue to thrive.

       If the air is dry where you are growing Tillandsia, you will need (at minimum) to submerge the plant in water for 2-3 hours about every two weeks. Otherwise, you can use a soaking mist once or twice a week (more often in a hot, dry environment; less often in a cool, humid one). In conditions of extreme drying, and consequent moisture loss, Tillandsia cannot get replacement water from their roots like a terrestrial plant, or draw on internal reserves like a succulent. Do not water with distilled or softened water because of the salt content. Filtered water, tap water that has sat long enough for the chlorine to dissipate, or bottled water is fine. Pond water, aquarium, or rainwater is preferred if possible.

       Tillandsia make great terrarium and mini garden plant choices. They are fun to grow in areas that plants needing soil cannot be grown. They are also a fun plant for children to grow.

Plant of the Week Special:

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20% OFF Tillandsia Plants

Good through 1/24/18. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases. Print this page or mention offer at checkout counter.

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Houseplant of the Week - 1/23/18

Peace Lily

       Peace lilies (spathiphyllum) - which are not true lilies, but a member of the Araceae plant family - are renowned for their easy care and make excellent houseplants for the home or office. The peace lily is hardy, forgiving, and will even let you know when it is thirsty - look for the telltale droop. Most commonly, these plants have dark green leaves and white “flowers.” But what most people think of as the flower is actually a specialized leaf bract that grows hooded over the flowers. These lovely plants not only brighten up a living space, but are also excellent at cleaning the air of the room they are in, breaking down and neutralizing toxic gases like carbon monoxide, benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde. 

       Peace lilies prefer medium to low light. They will produce “flowers” when they receive more light; they will bloom less and look more like a traditional foliage plant in low light. Avoid putting your peace lily in a window sill or in a spot where it will receive direct sun light. Keep the plant several feet away from a window to help keep light levels consistent.

       Peace lilies like a consistent temperature between about 65 and 80 degrees F. Protect your plant from drafts and cold or drastic changes in temperature. Fertilize peace lilies in spring and summer to help them bloom. Use an organic fertilizer since they are sensitive to chemical fertilizers. Peace lilies like to be watered a lot at once, but also need a chance to dry out afterward. The plant will droop a bit when thirsty, telling you when it needs a drink! Watering about once a week and spritzing leaves with water will help keep your peace lily hydrated. If your plant seems to completely droop, don’t give up: water and spritz it and give it a chance to revive. They will usually will perk back up. They do not like chlorinated water. If your water is chlorine-heavy, let a container of water stand overnight before watering the plant.

       Note: Keep peace lilies out of the reach of small children and pets, as all parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate, an irritant and toxin.

Plant of the week Special:
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20% OFF
Peace Lily Plants

Good through 1/29/18. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases. Print this coupon or mention offer at the checkout counter.

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Bird of the Week - 1/23/18

Eastern Bluebird
 

Basics: (our Missouri state bird), Male Eastern Bluebirds are a brilliant royal blue on the back and head, and warm red-brown on the breast. Blue tinges in the wings and tail give the grayer females an elegant look. This species of bird is one of our favorites along with the Cardinal.

Housing: Eastern Bluebirds don’t often visit feeders, but they are a great prospect for nest boxes if you have the space to put one up in your yard, and if your yard isn’t too hemmed in by trees or houses. Bird houses should be placed 4-7 feet above the ground. Face the houses on fence posts or tree trunks that face south to protect them from the prevailing northern winds.

Food: Their feeder favorites are mealworms and small pieces of fruit or berries, including raisins. When insects and other natural food supplies are scarce, they will also eat small peanut and sunflower kernels, as well as suet. Bluebird feeder types range from dish-style to the predator-resistant, house- style.

How to attract: Offer mealworms, (dried or live, we carry both). Put out a bird bath! Blue birds are quite attracted to water, especially running water. Above all, patience is required when learning how to attract bluebirds. Bluebirds are very loyal visitors if they find what they need for survival. They are social birds as well, and travel in pairs.

Fact: The oldest recorded Eastern Bluebird was 10 years 5 months old.

Tip: Discourage feral cats, and keep pet cats indoors to decrease the threat to the bluebirds.

Bird of the Week Special:

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20% OFF
Dried Mealworms

Good through 1/29/18. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases. Print this coupon or mention offer at the checkout counter.

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National Squirrel Appreciation Day is January 21!

SQUIRRELS! Whether you love them or loathe them, National Squirrel Appreciation Day, January 21st,  is a great time to take a few moments and learn about these nutty animals. We found some great articles on the National Wildlife Federation's website:

10 Nutty Facts to Make You Appreciate Squirrels
Dani Tinker, NWF.org

Nutty Ways to Celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day This Year
Danielle Brigida, NWF.org

Visit us for this special offer in honor of Squirrel Appreciation Day:
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20% OFF
Peanuts and Squirrel Food

Good through 1/22/18. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases. Print coupon or mention at checkout counter.

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Houseplant of the Week - 1/16/17

Succulents

       In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants that have some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. They have the ability to thrive on limited water sources, such as mist and dew, which makes them equipped to survive in an ecosystem which contains scarce water sources. Succulents  are often grown as ornamental plants because of their striking and unusual appearance.

       Many desert-adapted succulent plants thrive and flower well on a sunny window ledge, tolerating the dry atmosphere in centrally-heated homes and offices. They have become widely popular in recent years due to their unique appearance and hardiness. They work great in combination plantings and miniature gardens because of their slow growing nature.

       When growing succulents, use a cactus and succulent potting mix that will drain well and a container that will drain excess water at the bottom. Place succulent plants in an area that receives bright light from a window. Some varieties will do well with direct sunlight. However, some varieties need indirect light to avoid sun scorch on the leaves. These will do best with the use of a sheer curtain to filter direct sunlight.

       Be sure not to over-water your succulents. Let the soil dry out between waterings. They do not need much fertilizer. A light treatment in spring or summer is sufficient.

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Houseplant of the Week Special:

20% OFF
Succulent Plants

Good through 1/22/18. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases. Print this coupon or mention this offer at the checkout counter.

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