Houseplant of the Week - 1/22/19

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.

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20% OFF
Peace Lily Plants

Good through 1/29/19. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on
previous purchases. Print this coupon or mention offer at the checkout counter.
Code: 004

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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
Whole Peanuts

Good through 1/22/19. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Print coupon or mention at checkout counter.

Code: 004

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Houseplant of the Week - 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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20% OFF
Succulent Plants 

Good through 1/22/19. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Print this coupon or mention this offer at the checkout counter.

Code: 004

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Because Who Doesn't Love a Nice, Warm Bath?

Because who doesn't love a nice, warm bath? (Or for the wild birds, any water that is not frozen in winter).

All-Seasons decorative Heated Birdbath with deck mount - $97.99. Optional pedestal - $51.99. Heated Rock De-icer (safe for all birdbaths) - $60.99. Allied Four Seasons Heated Birdbath with tilt to clean deck mount - $80.99. Allied Heated Birdbath with sturdy weatherproof metal stand - $113.99.

Come in and check out our great selection of items to provide water for and attract wild birds:
Birdbath De-Icers from $22.99 to $55.99.
Heated Birdbaths from $51.99 to $113.99.
Birdbath Pedestals from $51.99 to $53.99.

Bird of the Week - American Goldfinch

Basics: The American Goldfinch is also known as the “Yellow finch” and can be identified by it’s bright yellow coloring, nicely trimmed in black. These birds are a social flock that travel usually in large numbers. The bright coloring is most evident in early spring, as their winter color is a very dull version of the above. 

 Housing: Most yellow finches will not nest in a bird house, but may use a basket-style house with a fairly open top as a base for building a nest. They will sometimes also use a regular birdhouse for temporary shelter.

 Food: Finches like smaller seeds such as aster, sunflower, dandelion and especially thistle.

 How to attract: The easiest way to attract these birds is with a mesh bag feeder or a nyjer tube feeder full of Nyjer Thistle Seeds.

 Fact: A group of these birds are called a charm of goldfinches. Primarily, this species is monogamous!

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20% OFF
Nyjer Thistle Birdseed

Good through 1/15/19. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Print this coupon or mention offer at the checkout counter.

 Code: 004

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Houseplant of the Week - Orchid

      Orchids are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants with blooms that are often colorful, showy and fragrant. The showy orchids favored by most people are usually either phalaenopsis hybrids or dendrobium hybrids. Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) is the most common of the Orchid family. The golden rule for orchid success is to duplicate the plant's natural conditions as closely as possible.

       Orchids prefer bright light, but no direct sun. Water them thoroughly once or twice a week - more when it's warmer, less when it's cooler. A pencil or a wooden skewer inserted into the soil will come out almost dry, indicating it’s time to water again. Make sure the water drains completely out of the holes at the bottom of the pot. Never leave the plant sitting in water! Placing ice cubes on the soil surface, to provide slow even watering as they melt, works great for watering. Provide some humidity for the plant; most do not like very dry environments. Gentle air circulation is also good for orchids.

       Keep the daytime temperature between 65°- 75°F /18°- 24°C with a nighttime temperature drop of just a few degrees. In nature, most orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other objects, clinging to rough bark or even stone. With that in mind, the growing media can be made up largely of bark chunks. Most garden centers offer Orchid soil mix that will work well. Orchids also tend to prefer smaller pots. If a pot is too large, the orchid will expend most of its energy rooting, and show no real new growth or foliage for months, so keep the containers small. They prefer being somewhat root-bound with their roots protruding from the top of the media (or aerial roots should simply hang free). However, as plants produce more new canes or spikes, they can eventually outgrow their pot.

       Orchids can be fertilized once a month - or when they are blooming only. Look for fertilizers that contain nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K), plus trace elements like iron (Fe). Do not over feed orchids - this can damage them. If you're growing your orchid on bark, use a fertilizer that's significantly higher in nitrogen (in a ratio of 30(N)-10(P)-10(K)). The bacteria in the decomposing bark will consume a lot of nitrogen. Water your orchid thoroughly before feeding.

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20% OFF
Orchid Plants  

Good through 1/15/19. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Mention this offer at the checkout counter.

Code: 004

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