Houseplant of the Week - 2/6/2018

Dieffenbachia

       Dieffenbachia is a herbaceous, tropical plant with a straight stem and simple and alternate leaves that contain white spots and flecks, making it attractive as indoor foliage. Species in this genus are popular as houseplants because of their tolerance of shade. If the leaves are chewed or eaten it can cause temporary swelling of the tongue and throat, leading to a temporary loss of speech - hence the plant's common name of dumb cane. This is caused by the effect of raphides (needle shaped crystals of calcium) in the leaves of the plant. While it is usually not serious, it can cause suffocation. Avoid placing this plant where children or pets might be tempted to taste it.

       Most dieffenbachia varieties do best in a filtered light situation, where bright to moderate light shines through a sheer curtain or other filtering window cover. Filtered light is particularly important in the spring and summer, when the dieffenbachia houseplant is producing new, tender leaves that are subject to sunburn. Rotate the plant regularly to provide adequate light to all sides of the plant and prevent it from reaching toward the light on one side. Most cultivars do fine in a low light environment; growth may be slower or stop, but the plant will remain healthy and attractive.

       Overwatering is a common problem with many houseplants, and the dieffenbachia plant is no exception. Plant the dumb cane in a well-draining soil and water lightly, keeping the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Check the soil to make sure it is dry an inch down before watering. Fertilize twice a month to encourage growth and health. A houseplant food high in nitrogen can be applied at half strength.

       Browning bottom leaves on the dieffenbachia is normal for the plant; Snip them off to keep the plant tidy. If other leaves appear bleached, with a webby substance on the underside, check and treat the plant for spider mites with insecticidal soap spray or neem oil.

Plant of the Week Special:
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20% OFF
Dieffenbachia Plants

Good through 2/12/18. 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 - 2/6/18

Downy Woodpecker

Basics: This bird can be identified by its white back, black nape, and black wings with white spotting. Another amusement on this species is its quick moves up and down the tree trunks.

Housing: Mount your wooden birdhouse to the trunks of mature trees. There should be about 1- ¼" inch hole for your woodpeckers to enter/exit.

Food: You can get pretty close to these birds as they feed, due to their being quite brave. Add a Suet feeder, and Suet to get a close up view of these beauties feeding near your home! Suet is a great food source for all woodpecker species in our area.

How to attract: Downy Woodpeckers are attracted to places where food is abundant

Fact: This is the smallest Woodpecker in North America.

Tip: Downy woodpeckers look very similar to hairy woodpeckers. However, remember that when distinguishing between the two, downy woodpeckers are smaller, with smaller bills.

Bird of the Week Special:
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20% OFF
Wooden Woodpecker Houses & Feeders

Good through 2/15/16. 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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Landscape Projects in WINTER - Special Offer!

 

       Winter is a great time to plan, design and even get started on installation for new landscape. Hardscapes including patios, walls, paths and more can be installed when the weather allows in winter months.

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10% OFF

Hardscape Materials
for landscape jobs signed by 2/21/18
 

Hardscape materials including block, stone, base layer rock and sand included. Labor, plants, soil, mulch and decorative rock excluded. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous orders. Print this page or mention offer to the designer.

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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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