Care of Orchids:

Orchids may be kept indoors, or outdoors in the shade during warm weather.

Outdoors: Water every day. Indoors: water every 3-5 days. Remove the plant, keeping it in its nursery pot, from the decorative outer container. Water the pot well, and allow to drain. Replace in its outer pot.

You may add fertilizer, according to the package directions, when you water.

When blooms are spent, cut the bloom stalk just below where the first flower grew. Continue to water and fertilize as before.

Repot annually, using new potting medium. Increase the pot size, if necessary.

NOTE: Do not use softened water on plants.

Return to top

Care of Bromeliads:

Once a week, dump out any water that has remained in the 'cup' (center) of the plant. Pour in fresh water. Keep the soil barely moist.

Blooms will last a long time, but the original plant will not re-bloom. New plant(s) - called 'pups'- may appear at the base of original plant; they may be separated when they are large enough to be put into their own pot.

These new plants may bloom after about a year.

NOTE: Do not use softened water on plants.

Return to top

Care of Ferns:

Ferns do best outdoors in the shade. During warm weather, give the plant a 'shower' with the hose daily.

Feed according to package directions.
Protect from cold weather.

NOTE: Do not use softened water on plants.

Return to top

Care of Plumeria (Frangipani):

Keep in a sunny spot (at least 6 hours a day). Allow the soil to dry somewhat and then water thoroughly. Feed with Plumeria fertilizer every two weeks, according to package directions.

Plumerias should be brought indoors when the temperature goes below 40 degrees. You may move the entire pot into a sunny spot in the house. Continue to water, but less often. The plant may also be stored in the garage in its pot or lifted from the soil and allowed to go dormant (no watering is needed). All the leaves may fall off during the dormant period.

Bring the Plumeria back outside when there is no longer any danger from frost, begin watering and feeding again.

NOTE: Do not use softened water on plants.

Return to top

Care of Cyclamen:

Keep in a cool, bright spot. Check the soil every few days. When the soil begins to dry, remove the plant from its decorative container, and water the soil around the edges of the pot - try not to pour water into the center.

When pot has drained replace in its container. Remove old blooms, with their stems, by pulling firmly on the stem, or cut the stem at the lower end.

NOTE: Do not use softened water on plants.

Return to top

Care of Azaleas:

'Florist Quality Azaleas' are meant to be enjoyed in the house. Keep them in a cool place, away from heat and sun.

Every 3 days, whether or not the soil seems damp, remove the plant from its decorative container and water it, letting the excess drain out. When soil has drained, replace the plant in its container.

NOTE: do not use softened water on plants.

Return to top

Care of Hydrangeas:

Hydrangeas need a tremendous amount of water, even if the soil in the pot seems wet.

Every day, remove the plant from its decorative container, take it to the sink and pour water over the root ball. When it stops dripping, replace it in its decorative container.

NOTE: Do not use softened water on plants..

Return to top

Care of Bougainvilleas:

Bougainvilleas should be kept in full sun for at least 6 hours a day.

Feed with bougainvilla fertilizer every two weeks.

During hot summers, the plants should be watered daily; at other times, water when the soil is dry.

If a bougainvillea stops blooming, pinch the tips back (if the plant is leggy or too large for the place it is in, it may be cut back aggressively). Then, stress the plant by withholding watering until the leaves droop slightly.

In the winter, store in the garage and water sparingly. After danger of freezing is over, trim the plant to a pleasing shape and begin watering and fertilizing again.

Return to top

Care of Hibiscus:

Hibiscus are a colorful, tropical plant. In most cases, each flower bud produces a bloom that lasts only 1 day. Some of the new hibrids or grafted varieties may have flowers that last longer.

Place your hibiscus in a spot where it will receive at least 6 hours of sun daily. Water daily during hot weather, and feed with a specific hibiscus food every 2-4 weeks, according to the directions on the package.

Protect during cold weather.

Return to top