How to Store Bulbs Over the Winter

      I love bulb plants.  They have the most beautiful flowers year after year.  We are in a climate that is not life or death for most bulbs, but still you want to protect them for next years bloom.  When the temperatures dip below 28 degrees F and the leaves turn brown it is time to get your bulbs out of the ground.  You can do this earlier in the year before it is so cold out side if you would like.
     The first thing you need to do is dig around the bulbs.  Be careful not to cut the bulb with the shovel.  After you have loosened the soil around the bulb you carefully pull out the whole bulb with the dirt clinging to it.  Leave as much soil attached as possible.  Then they need to be stored in a cool, dry place for about a week to ten days.  If you are using new bulbs that have not been planted be sure to remove any plastic packaging.  The bulb needs to be able to breathe through the winter and the plastic will cause it to sweat and rot.
     
This is a picture of what the bulb should look like after you initially dig it up.
   After they have dried for a week or so you should be able to take the clumps of dirt off.  This will help the roots from shriveling over the winter.  You need to put them in a cardboard box with vermiculite or dried peat moss.  The box needs to be stored in a room that the temperature will not be below 45 degrees F.  Also, the room should not be too warm as this will cause the bulb to sprout during the winter.
This is a way to recycle used egg cartons.  Be sure they are the cardboard kind then fill with dried peat moss or vermiculite.
     You need to store them until the night time temperatures stay above 48 at night.  They do need at least 6-8 weeks of cold in the winter.  Considering we are in a warm climate the best idea is to put them in your refrigerator.  This will provide them with what they will think is "winter".
     Periodically check on the bulbs.  Sometimes they will rot, if this happens they will be squishy.  Throw them away as they will not grow.  With proper maintenance a bulb flower garden will be a great addition to your yard for years to come.
White lilies from bulbs.White Calla Lilies
 Yellow Gladiolus
     With a little time and maintenance you could grow all these and more!http://garden-photos-com.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bulbs-Stock-Photos/G0000z.UeY_7lznU/
This link is a great tool to help you visualize what you might want to plant.  Now is a great time to purchase your bulbs for next spring blooms.  I hope this was helpful and that you might start a bulb garden soon.
Sherry

The Black Thumb

     Let's all face it.  There are many among us that are guilty of shortening the life expectancy of their beautiful plants once they get them home.  These people are known to have "black thumb".  Now we would all want to have a green thumb, but it seems there are only a few that were gifted in this way.  People joke about how they can just walk by a plant and kill it.  This is not necessarily true. In my experience you had to work at killing your plant.  It was a process that took weeks, sometimes months to happen.  The pitiful plant would be holding on hoping you would figure out how to take care of it, until it gasped it's last breath and let go and turned an ugly brown all over.

     Well, I have good news!!  With this article I hope to give you tools to be able to keep your plants alive, and thriving and growing.  The most common mistakes are; over watering, under watering, or too much sun, not enough sun.  We live in zone 8 b according to this hardiness map. If your plant comes with a care tag, be sure and read it carefully in the store before you purchase so you will know if the plant will grow in the location you have planned.  Of course this is only necessary information if you are planting outside.


     As we go into the fall/winter season your plants indoors will not need as much water.  Place the plants in front of an east facing window if possible or in a room that has an abundance of fluorescent light.  The best way to tell if a plant is doing well is to notice if the leaves are shiny and standing upright.  In other words, does it look happy?  To prevent over watering of house plants, pick up the pot and if it is light it is time to water.  If it is heavy and the soil is still soaked in water and it should be good for quite a few days.  Most plants do not like to sit in soggy soil.  They like soil that lets the overflow of water out of the pot.  Look for a container that has a saucer attached so when you water the excess can drip into the saucer.  I usually place my plants in the sink or the bathtub and fill them with water.  Afterwards I let them drain for 30 minutes or so, then dry the container and put them back in their spot.  This allows for easy cleanup.

     Do not put gravel in the bottom of the container.  I'm sure we've all heard  this will make for better drainage and keep the plant from rotting while sitting in water.  Actually the opposite is true.  By placing the gravel in the bottom and soil on top up to the plant level, you create a situation where the plant has a small space of soil to grow its roots.  It then gets root bound and also sits in a soggy container with no where for the new roots to grow. You can purchase potting soil that is good for drainage or you can mix in your own organic matter to create a soil that will allow for root expansion and water drainage.  This picture below shows too much sun on a peace lillies leaves.

     If your plant has been placed where it was in too much sun, immediately move it.  Once it has been moved to a better location you can cut off the "burned" leaves.  Use pruning scissors and cut the leaves off.  Once you cut off the dead leaves it will allow for new growth.  Reach into the middle of the plant and cut the stem as close to the base as you can.  House plants usually come back and look great if moved from the location quick enough.
     In the fall and winter a sun room would be the ideal spot for house plants.  If this is not possible, a room on the east side of the house is best.  Keep the temperature a moderate 70 - 80 degrees if possible.  Most plants can with stand colder, but they will go dormant at lower temperatures.  In the winter, plants are really just on maintenance.  You should not expect much growth or blooms.
     The fall is the best time to plant outdoor hedges, trees, grass etc.  We enter a season of rain and cooler temperatures.  We have about one month that the plants will be dormant due to cold temperatures.  Then spring arrives and your plants have had about 3 or 4 months to get their strength and roots developed.  Just be sure to water your new plants during the winter if we do not get enough rain.
    So, black thumb disease is easy to overcome.  One of your best tools of defense is Google or any other online search.  Also, go to a home town nursery and ask them about how to care for your plant.  The big box stores are not much help in the details.  Hopefully this will help you with some of your questions.  If you have any other questions, comment here and I will try to answer them.  Good luck with your new plants!!

Sherry

Horticulture Show East Tx State Fair

     If you love gardening in unusual containers, this show is for you.   There are still a few days for you to register.  The deadline is Sept. 26, 11am - 1:45pm.  This is such a fun show, for the inventive and creative.  There is a list of general rules on the website.  You have to be able to scientifically name your plants.  Must be in fresh dirt and container.  The items will be divided up into classes.  This would be a great idea to spend time with your children introducing them to gardening.  Show them how to think outside the box of what you can grow plants in.

http://www.etstatefair.com/events/2014/horticulture-show   Here is a link to the page so you can see the pdf download of the rules and the registration form.

This picture is an example of a winning applicant from last year. It is in the category "Re-purposed Planters" If you place or win, you are awarded a ribbon accordingly. Also, your name will be in the paper and on the website I think.  There are three categories to enter.  "Backyard Botanical's", "Tom Thumbs Garden", and "Fancy Plants".  All the categories have different sections you can enter.  

This is a picture of an entry in the category "Fancy Plants".  It is titled "Fair Memories".  There are a lot of different things you can enter in the fair.  I think I am going to try this next year.  I would most likely do re-purposed containers.  Maybe if I give myself a year, I can fit it into my schedule.  Something to think about :)

Successful Fall Planting

     With cooler weather just around the corner it's time to start thinking about what we're going to do in our flower beds for fall.  There are some fun decorating holidays through the fall.  In East Texas as soon as the weather is below 90 we start with our decor.  It seems we all want to stretch this part of the year and enjoy the full length of every day.  Football season is in full swing and we can't wait to wear our first sweaters.  We all know it will be after Thanksgiving before that happens, but we can dream. Haha

     The first thing we notice driving around Tyler, are the pumpkins and the fall mums next to them.  Mums can be planted in the ground or in pots.  They are a little bit high maintenance as the limbs will continue to grow long if you do not keep them pruned.  They will come back yearly, but they require lots of pruning from spring until fall to create the most blooms.  Usually mums are cheap enough to just buy for the season splash, and then plant them in a corner or your yard and let them go.

     One of my favorite plants for fall foliage is the Croton.  It has beautiful wide leaves full of fall colors.  It is a little bit touchy to take care of.  It requires sun/ filtered sun and moderate water.  Not too much water, but not too little.  The more sun it gets, the more colorful the leaves are.  This is a plant that cannot be planted outdoors as the freeze will kill it.  It instantly adds a breath of fall to the patio or dark area of your yard.  This picture below shows 4 pots of Croton along with some stems of dried wheat and dried Indian corn.  I also like to use these same items for centerpieces in my home.  The leaves of the croton stay beautiful for quite a while and even dried they are pretty.

     The Japanese Red Maple is a wonderful outdoor ornamental tree.  By ornamental I mean it will always be small.  These only grow 10 feet tall or so.  Their profuse foliage literally can look like fire in the sunlight.  They are very beautiful and add a gorgeous touch to any outdoor garden.

     There are so many beautiful plants that bloom in the fall or have leaves that look as if they are blooming.  Now is the time to transplant them into your flower bed.  After the harsh sun and drought of summer, you can bring your yard alive with bright beautiful bedding plants, annuals or perennials.  With the season of fall we have here they will last for weeks, usually through Thanksgiving.  As you get these plants going in your flower bed, you can take sprigs and bring them inside to decorate with.  As long as you keep the flowers in water they will do great.  That is one of my favorite things about having beautiful flower beds, the fact that I can bring the flowers inside a little at a time.

     I'm ready for fall.  I love summer, but am so thankful for a change in the seasons.  So, let's all get our fall on ya'll.  Take a quick trip out to Harris Nursery on hwy 69 N in Tyler and they will help you with your selection.  http://harrisnursery.com/  Or Blue Moon Gardens in Chandler, they are both wonderful, quaint plant shops that are locally owned and would be glad to help you. http://www.bluemoongardens.com/   Have fun on your adventure.

     

   

FloralApp for our Website

I'm so excited that we now have our very own App. I can hardly remember before all my apps.  I love having accessibility at my fingertips.  My kids tell me I have "grown up" apps.  Things they can't imagine themselves ever needing or using.  My experience with my apps has been that I didn't realize how much I needed it until I downloaded it.  Overall an app is either informative or helpful.  As far as a floral app goes, it is definitely helpful.  Anywhere you are you can now see all our new products.  Once you download and sign in it is exclusive to The Flower Box.  The app has categories listed for you to choose from just like the full site.  There are hundreds of arrangements, large and small.  The icon is a Bird of Paradise flower.

You can download the app from The GooglePlay store of from ITunes or you can use your code scanner on your phone. Look for the word "floralapp" and when you see the picture above you know it is the right one. It is free in either place.  Once downloaded you need to use the code 5975561 (our phone number) to access The Flower Box.  Now, anytime you have the need or desire to send a beautiful bouquet or other gift item, we are right at your fingertips.
As you enter the site, you will be directed to a few pictures and a "shop now" button.  You can choose this and it will take you to a list of categories.  You can then choose which category fits your occasion best.  After choosing your favorite arrangement, you can then complete the order from the app or call The Flower Box to speak with someone regarding your order.  Either way it is very easy.  To download our app you need to follow this link:http://www.theflowerboxtyler.com/floralapp.asp
Or go to the home page of The Flower Box's website and scroll down to the bottom of the page and see the banner at the bottom of the page. http://www.theflowerboxtyler.com/

I hope you all will download our app and happy shopping :)

Upcycling in Your Flower Bed

     First of all anyone who knows me knows I am a recycling fanatic.  I drive my kids crazy telling them which sack to put "trash" in.  Most things are now recyclable if you take the time to look.  A lot of items can be recycled in your garden.  I have used broken pots, old tires, pieces of wrought iron etc.  I used an old ashtray stand with a ceiling light fixture to make a bird feeder.  Tiffany lamp style. Haha
      Recently on Pinterest I've been adding pictures to our account on my Upcycling Flower Gardening  Board.
http://www.pinterest.com/flowerbox5846/flowerbed-recycling/
     This is a link to my board where you can see a lot of cute ideas.   Years ago people naturally recycled everything.  When money is tight, people keep what they have and you learn to use items in other ways than their original intended use.  Now, we have the internet to help us along with our imagination.  You can find items to plant flowers in everywhere.  I love these snails!!  What a great use of large old tires.




     There are a few things you have to consider when reusing an item.  Such as, does it have drainage to prevent over watering?  Will the container deterioate in the process of being outdoors, or to sunshine exposure, water, bugs etc.?  Some of these problems can be overcome.  By drilling holes in the container you can prevent over watering.  Adding coats of extreme weather outdoor paint will help with corrosion and rust.  It might take a little extra thought but it will be well worth your effort.
     Your imagination is the limit of what you can use in your garden.  Here are some really neat ideas.  When kids outgrow the abundance of rain boots what better way to liven up a fence row than with colorful flowers in their boot.  Recycle gardening is also a way of extending the memory of an item.  Instead of throwing it away, you can put it in a place where you can see the item and bring back the memory of it's original use.  In this way, you can keep your children small, your grandparents with you and many more memories a part of your everyday thoughts.
     Follow The Flower Box on Pinterest and I will keep adding pictures to all of our boards.  If you have created any wonderful upcycled flower gardens please leave a comment telling about them. :)

Orchid Plants and Cuts

Some of my favorite plants are orchids.  They are quite elegant with their one long stem of beautiful flowers.  They require somewhat of a green thumb, but are not too difficult.  As long as you remember they originate in a very tropical climate and grow naturally in humid rain forest type conditions they should do fine.  I recently came across a new color variety I had not heard of in the orchid group.  "Chocolate Orchids" or as they are also known "Sharry Babies", the flowers emit a wonderful chocolaty smell.  I'm sure this could cause a problem with some people as they would need to have a bar of chocolate near.  Imagine an orchid full of blooms and you walk in the living room and it smells as if it were covered in chocolate.


Potting Chocolate Orchids:
As I stated earlier, Orchids require high humidity.  A pot that is larger than the root bulb is required.  After you select your container make sure it has adequate drainage by adding pebbles in the bottom.  This will be useful especially if you have a tendency to over water house plants.
Temperature:
As with any tropical plant, they do not like temperatures below 50.  In our region here in East Texas they will not survive the winter outside.  Your orchids need to be kept inside and watered daily or every other day, even in the winter.
Light:
Your orchid will require a good bit of light.  It will thrive best when it is placed where it can receive light in the morning through early afternoon.  Not direct light, but indirect.  Near a window, but not where the direct sun can scorch the leaves.  Once this happens it will cause permanent damage to the leaves.
Another option for enjoying orchids without the work would be to buy cut stems.  Simply take them home, change the water daily, re cut the  stem daily and they should last a week to 10 days.   They come in bunches of 10 stems from the local florist if you wanted to buy one bunch.  Otherwise most florist would sell a few stems at a time.
Some of my favorites are "Splash Orchids"


These naturally occur with a splash of purple on a white orchid.  You can also purchase these in a turquoise color.  I did a bridal bouquet with these and it was beautiful!

This is the bridal bouquet.  I loved working with these orchids.  They are absolutely stunning!  They are special order, so should you need some give us a call early.
Orchids come in every color and size.  They are a truly beautiful house plant.  Placed in a wonderful ceramic contemporary container and they can hold the attention of the room.  With proper care the orchid stem should continue to bloom to the end.  So when you purchase them and there are only a few blooms open, take care of them and you will be rewarded with a complete stem full of orchids.

I hope you enjoyed this article, if so leave me a message telling me what you might like to know from a real florist.  I'm open for topics of you're interest :)
Sherry