Parlor Plam

Ask the Expert: care of little parlor palm tree doesn’t seem to grow, a few of leaves turn brown, Mary

Plant Expert Reply:

Parlor plams (Chamaedorea elegans) are plants that thrive in low-light, so exposure to bright light sources can scorch the leaves.  Lack of moisture can also cause brown leaf tips in a parlor palm. Since parlor plams like humid enviornments but not soggy soil, you will need to mist the air around the plant every so often.  Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

For the parlor palm to thrive rather than just live, you need to fertilze it with a balance fertilzer.  You can do this on a monthly basis or every time you water it. You will need to use a very light fertizer solution if you do it every time you water.

You might want to read the our parlor palm care instructions for more detailed suggestions.

Good Luck.  I hope this information has been helpful.

Ask The Expert: Your plant-care guidelines for the Golden Pothos Ivy plant states that the plant needs a soil-based potting mix to prosperously flourish in, but at the Lowes, Home Depot, etc. nurseries, they have no potting mixes labeled “Soil-based” or even listing its soil contents, yet the stores claim that all of their potting mixes are soil-based?? I tried using Miracle Gro potting mix, but it rotted off (just above the top of the soil); 4 pots of Golden Pothos plants of mine, it did that time and time again as I would clip and replant them in the soil-and they got watered only once a week,(indoors): Could you kindly assist me in properly identifying good “Soil-based” potting mixes? thanks in advance: Sincerely,
Robert Campbell.

Plant Expert Reply:
It is kind of funny that the industry uses the terms soil-based and soil-less when referring to the type of potting mix in plant cultural information. Yet, they don’t use these terms when marketing the products for sale.

So here is a little guide to help you select the correct soil. Soil-based potting mixtures will contain things like peat, sand, vermiculite, or perlite. They generally weight more than soil-less mixtures. I like to think of soil-based potting mixtures as being a little “beefy” since they will clump together if you apply pressure. Soil-based potting mediums contain materials that naturally retain water and nutrients. Think of your soil particles - sand, silt and clay. Soil-based potting soils will have the same properties of these soil types.

Soil-less potting mixes are contain mostly peat, barks, pulmice type materials or a peat substitute like composted coconut husks. These airy and lighter weight materials allow water and nutrients a greater opportunity to evaporate or drain from the mixture. They “fluff” the soil but do not have any soil properties. Many soil-less potting mixes are specially labeled (referencing the plants that need this type of mix - like orchid soil or cactus soil).

Although Miracle Gro is an ok potting medium, it often contains a wetting agent and maybe the cause of your problems. In your case, I recommend Baccto potting soil - it is composed of reed sedge peat, perlite, sand, limestone and a few other ingredients.

I also recommend that you treat plants with established roots differently than the plants you are trying to root. With established plants wait until the soil is dry (at a 1″ depth) before you water and make sure your container has good drainage. On the plants that you are trying to root, keep the soil moist to the touch but not soggy. At the first sign of rooting pull back on your watering.

Please keep me posted. Good Luck.

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Ask Flower Shop Network: ASFA Convention:  I would like to get a printed out schedule for the convention. ~ Earlene of E & E House of Flowers in Montgomery Alabama

Flower Shop Network: The Alabama State Florists Association website has some fabulous information about their show. They also have a link to their ASFA Convention newsletter with detailed information about the show. We highly recommend taking the time to visit the site. There’s so much going on at the Alabama State Florists Association Convention (September 25-27, 2009) that you’ll want to make sure you hit all of the high points.

After working with florists across the country and some across the globe, it is easy to recognize a few simple things that each customer and flower shop can do to make sure that all orders are processed correctly and the flowers are sent without trouble. A very interesting flower sending tip was recently pointed out to me so I thought I’d share.

Always give the recipient’s full name.

This seems simple enough, right? Not always. Many customers continue to do this but some simply address the recipient by their first or last name only. Others use titles such as “Mr” and “Mrs” that can be ambiguous. If an arrangement addressed to “Mr. Jones” is sent to a home with an adult Jr. and Sr. in the home, confusion occurs. If flowers are sent to an office addressed to “J. Doe”, this may be confused for John Doe when the recipient was inteded as Jane Doe.

Though this isn’t often a problem, it is important for those sending flowers to remember the full name of the recipient when buying flowers, especially when buying flowers online. Florists who take orders by phone or in person should also consider this when asking for recipient information.This will prevent confusion and keep the flower buying process as fun and simple as it should be.

Just a handy heads-up!

Ask the Expert: please give me tips on china doll aralia plants
every year i buy one of these but with no luck. is there a secret i am missing? i can grow almost anything inside and out.please help thank you Rosemary


Plant Expert Reply:
Here are a few plant care guidelines for China Doll Aralia (Radermachera sinica):

• Keep it away from temperatures below 65 degrees and away from heaters or radiators.
• Place in full bright light but avoid light sources that shine directly on the plant.
• Check the need for water frequently. You will need to let the soil dry  to the point of almost wilting but not beyond.
• Fertilize the plant once a month with a water soluble during the growing season (spring & summer) and bi-monthly the rest of the time.
• All growth comes from top. Prune occasionally. After pruning you might need to cut back on watering for a while.
• Watch for signs of  Aphids, Mealy Bugs and Spidermites.

These plants tend to go through severe transplant shock. It is important to place them in the optimum location as soon as you bring it home.  The first few weeks will be the most difficult for the plant.  Don’t fertilize and watch your watering very closely.  Good luck. Keep me posted.

We are so excited for Scott Darhower of Apple Blossoms Floral Design & Gifts who was just voted The Best Florist of Tampa for 2009. What an honor! Scott is an excellent designer and savvy business owner so we were not shocked at all to see him earn such a lofty honor.

Christmas Decorations by Apple Blossoms Floral Design

Scott’s skills are impressive to say the least. Like many other talented Tampa florists, Scott does it all. Not only does he create beautiful floral works of art for most major occasions, but he is also one of the finest wedding florists in the area. His unique mastery of making art meet beauty keeps people returning to his flower shop just to see what his creation will be for their next occasion.

The inside of his shop is a work of art as well. You walk in and get a glimpse inside his creative mind. He decorates the shop for each major holiday in a very upscale, unique way. Spending a great deal of time at the shop, Scott makes his flower shop as appealing and homey as possible. It is familiar, pleasant, warm and inviting. It takes merely opening your eyes to his designs to imagine what your own home can look like. If he can do that in his shop, imagine what his designs will look like in your home, office or at your wedding? The possibilities are shocking.

We are very proud of Scott for his recent award. We know that it was definitely earned. Way to go Scott! Congratulations!

Ask the Expert: Will leaves grow back on Peace Lily?
I have a peace lily and I cut the flower and leaf down to the soil by accident.  I guess I should have only cut the flower down to the leaf.  Are the leaves going to grow back or am I going to have a bare spot where I cut the leaves?  Please help.  Thanks.  Marlene

Plant Expert Reply:

Luckily peace lily leaves are like hair.  They will eventually grow back and fill in the bad trim.

Did you cut back several of leaves? If so you might want to fertilize the peace lily with a light solution of a water soluble fertilizer.  This will give the peace lily the nutrients it needs to produc the leaves.  Also, during this growth stage be careful not to over water your plant.

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this plant/flower?

Pinnate Leaves & Blooms

The growth habit is erect.  It’s leaves are pinnate, in an alternate arrangement, they are oval, scalloped, have an uneven base and a blunt tip.  I live in zone 3, southern Alberta Canada.  Shelly

Plant Expert Reply:

Can you tell me a little more about this plant.  I am having trouble
identifying it.  It could be Agastache (hyssops) or Sanguisorba (burnet) or something in the mint family.  Does it have a scent? Are they growing in a high and dry environment or a low boggy environment?  In sun or shade?  The bloom-like structure in the picture - fresh or a spent bloom?

Once I get the answers to these questions, I should be able to pinpoint the
id.

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this flowering plant?

Knotweed

Hi,

This plant was about 1″ tall this May and I thought it was Oleander. Now 3 months later it is more than 3feet tall and started growing multiple buds off of a single stalk. What is the name of this plant? Niru

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe the plant is a Persicaria lapathifolium commonly known as a knotweed or in this case a pale smartweed.  Although some states consider it a weed, in Illinois it is considered a native wildflower. It likes marshy or boggy types areas.  It will attract bees, wasps, flies and small butterflies.  This plant contributes to the habitat for wetland areas by giving several caterpillar species a food source. These caterpillars become the food source for many types of wildlife including waterfowl.

Keep in mind this plant can become weedy and very invasive.