Houseplant of the Week: Coleus

Posted on by

Most people know about Coleus as an outdoor plant. Its bright array of foliage colors (red, pink, orange yellow, burgundy and purple), are patterned on leaves that can be pointed, oval or scalloped. The almost endless varieties have made Coleus a popular bedding plant for decades.

But it is also a wonderful indoor plant. It is a relatively easy plant to care for, making it a good choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Caring for Your Coleus

  • Light – Coleus plants need bright light, but they should be protected from direct sunlight, which can scorch their delicate leaves.
  • Watering – Coleus plants need moist soil, but they should not be soggy. Water the plant regularly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Be sure to empty any saucers or drip trays after watering to prevent the roots from rotting.
  • Fertilizer – Coleus plants should be fed about once a month.
  • Temperature and humidity – Coleus plants prefer warm temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also tolerant of high humidity, but they can tolerate lower humidity levels if necessary.

SOS for Blood – Please give on 9/15

Posted on by

Blood supplies nationwide continue to be at critically low levels.

Summer brings a surge in need coupled with low donation rates as people go away on vacations and fewer businesses and organizations host blood drives.

To help combat this situation, Warner’s Nursery will be hold a blood drive with Vitalant on Friday, September 15 from noon to 5 pm.

Please register today to make your appointment to save a life by giving blood.

“If enough blood is not available at any given moment, delays in patient care can have life-threatening consequences,” Vitalant Chief Medical and Scientific Officer Dr. Ralph Vassallo said. “By making an appointment today and donating tomorrow, next week, even next month, you become a lifeline for patients.” 

It’s estimated that every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of blood. And the blood that is donated doesn’t have a long shelf life: platelets (critical for people with clotting problems, cancer, or undergoing major surgery) are only good for about five days and red blood cells (needed for acute blood loss or transfusions) only last for about 42 days.

That’s why your donation is so very vital, particularly while supplies are so low.

Basic Eligibility Requirements to Donate Blood

  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Weight at least 110 pounds
  • Be in good overall health
  • Bring some form of identification
  • Eat within two hours ahead of donation

In addition to the good feeling you’ll get from donating blood, there’s some other benefits, including a coupon for 15% off regularly priced items at Warner’s. You’ll also be entered into a  drawing for a chance to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Warner’s.

All you need to do to sign up is go to the Vitalant website, click on “blood drive code” and enter the code “P2AFN.”

Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you on Friday, September 15.

Happy Gardening (and Lifesaving),
Misti

Houseplant of the Week: Echeveria

Posted on by

Is it any surprise that a houseplant this beautiful is named after an artist?

In 1787, Atanasio EcheverrĂ­a y Godoy was part of the Royal Botanical Expedition to New Spain, an exploration of areas throughout what is now California, Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico. He created hundreds of drawings of the plants they discovered and cataloged, including this group of succulents.

There are about 150 species of Echeveria, most of which feature the beautiful rosette design. They are sturdy plants that can be grown in the shade, but can also take some frost. All the species are drought-resistant, but they tend to grow better with regular watering and fertilizing.

Most species lose their lower leaves in winter. Since these droppings can be fertile ground for a fungus that can then attack the plant, you should remove them regularly.

Caring for Your Echiveria

  • Light: Echeverias prefer full sun to partial shade. However, avoid direct afternoon sun, particularly in the summer, as your plant can actually get sunburnt. In the winter, get them to the brightest window in your home, so they can get their fill of sunlight.
  • Watering: Moderate amounts of water are needed from spring through fall. (Wrinkled leaves? That’s your plant telling you it needs more water.) The plants biggest issues tend to come from overwater, so be careful not to soak your plant too much.
  • Feeding: Not required but, as we mentioned above, they will grow better with some extra nutrients. It’s easy to overfertilize an Echeverias, so dilute your fertilize more than usual and use less often than recommended for other plants.

Houseplant of the Week: Dieffenbachia

Posted on by

Showy, beautiful and easy to care for, Dieffenbachia can make a super indoor plant.

Its tolerance for low light and numerous varieties make it a favorite houseplant for homes and offices. 

One word of caution, however. If you have small kids or pets, you’ll probably want to make sure you place this plant out of reach. Diffenbachia’s milky sap is a mild irritant and should be kept from bare skin. The sap can even result in temporary loss of speech if ingested by causing swelling of the tongue and throat! That’s how Dieffenbachia came by it’s other name, “dumb cane.”

Caring for Your Dieffenbachia

  • Light: It likes bright but filtered light, particularly in the spring, when it’s tender new leaves can get easily burned. Make sure to rotate your dieffenbachia so they don’t pull to one side of the planter.
  • Water: Keep your Dieffenbachia moist, but be careful not to overwater.
  • Fertilizer: Feed every couple of weeks with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage growth

5 Easy Peasy Houseplants

Posted on by

There are so many great reasons to add houseplants to your home, office, or dorm room. They add color and life to any space, help improve air quality, and reduce stress. Plants can even make you more productive!

The great news is that you don’t need to be a certified horticulturist in order to enjoy the benefits of having houseplants. There are several houseplants that don’t require a “green thumb” in order for them to flourish.

Here’s some of the easiest, most forgiving plants to cultivate:

Sansevieria

You might know this plant as the Snake Plant or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue. Some call it Viper’s Bowstring Hemp because the strong fibers were once used for bowstrings. The plant’s bold and slender upright leaves, typically edged in a green-gray color, make it quite a stunner. It’s also quite forgiving; the only thing you need to worry about is overwatering it. 

Among this plant’s variations is the “whale fin” sansevieria (Sansevieria Masoniana) which takes its name from its wide, paddle-like leaves. Typically dark green with lighter mottling, these leaves can grow to a whopping four feet long by 10 inches wide. Learn more about Sanseviera here. 

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum, better known as the “Peace Lily,” is a great example of a spadix type of plant, where a spike of tiny little flowers is encased in a curved leaf-like structure known as a spathe. (Peace Lilies are sometimes called Spathe flowers.) Besides being beautiful, Peace Lilies are easy to take care of and can acclimate to lower levels of light. Peace Lilies symbolize purity and innocence. They are often given as a gift to those who have suffered a loss, as the white lily represents the rebirth of the soul. Find out how easy it is to cultivate this plant here.

Pothos

The easy-going nature of Potho makes them a very popular first plant for houseplant newbies. They have thick, waxy, heart-shaped leaves that are typically green with yellow or white sections (known as variegation). These versatile houseplants look great in a pot or hanging in a container, with their vine-like stems cascading down. They grow well in bright light or low light, meaning they will flourish anywhere in your home. Find out why this is one of the most popular species for first-time plant owners here and check out the “neon” version too.  

Succulents

Because they are able to store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, succulents have adapted to survive in dry conditions, such as deserts. The come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and there are many different species to choose from. Among the most popular are aloe vera, echeveria, kalanchoe and the jade plant. 

Philodendrons

In addition to being easy to care for, philodendrons are very diverse; there are more than 400 subspecies of this plant! This includes the ever-popular Monstera deliciosa, more commonly known as the split-leaf or swiss cheese philodendron for the holes that develop in its large heart-shaped leaves. Then there’s the Philodendron Birkin, a man-made plant created from two cultivars, which has pinstripe vegetation on lush dark green leaves. Rumor is that the name ‘Birkin’ came from the expensive Hermes handbag. One of the newest plants in this family is the Philodendron ‘Atom’ which is a dwarf cultivar. This compact plant will only grow about 12 inches high and has a very bushy appearance with deep-green leaves that are ruffled, which is why it’s also known as the “lacy” philodendron.

These are just a few of the plants that are relatively easy to care for and will bring beauty to your home without requiring you to be a plant expert. To learn about these and other houseplants, visit our houseplant experts at Warner’s Nursery.

A Perfect Plant Partnership

Posted on by

One of the great things about being in a gardening business in Northern Arizona is the talented horticulture experts you get to work with. We truly value our relationships with other gardening organizations, and one of our most special partnerships is with the Coconino Master Gardeners Association.

The association is part of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, a statewide network of knowledgeable faculty and staff that provides lifelong educational programs for all Arizonans.

The Master Gardener program’s volunteers provide free science-based horticulture information for our region, including data and guides on plant selection, insects, plant diseases, planting, pruning, irrigating, fertilizing, and more. They are probably best know for their program to train new Master Gardeners, a 15-week course, followed by 50 hours of volunteer gardening work to become certified.

But you don’t need to to become a Master Gardener yourself in order to benefit from the extension program’s expertise. Coconino Master Gardeners are our partners in Root Camp, Gardening 101 series, providing more than a dozen excellent one-hour seminars throughout the spring and summer for our customers.

Later this month, Coconino Master Gardeners will be hosting its annual Garden Tour, a chance to view and learn from the creators of seven beautiful vegetable, flower and native plant gardens around Flagstaff. The self-guided tour will be from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, August 12.

Tickets for the tour will be sold from 9 am to Noon at Warner’s Nursery the day of event. Tickets are $15 and all proceeds will benefit the Coconino Master Gardener Association community grants. (You can also buy tickets on EventBrite, but the ticket cost is $17.85 to cover processing fees).

We hope you will take advantage of this unique event, and avail yourself of the terrific programs that the Coconino Master Gardener Association provides, including their classes here at Warner’s Nursery.

Houseplant of the Week: Philodendron ‘Atom’

Posted on by

It feels like every few months we get a new cultivar from the philodendron family that is more beautiful than the last. You can certainly say that of the newest arrival in our nursery, the ‘Atom.’

As a dwarf cultivar, it is compact and will only grow about 12 inches high. It also has a bushy appearance with gorgeous, deep-green leaves that are ruffled, which is why it’s also known as the “lacy” philodendron.

Here are some pointers for taking care of Philodendron Atom:

Light: This plant is native to the rainforests of Brazil and Paraguay, where it grew under tree canopies in relatively high humidity. You can replicate this by placing your plant in a warm, bright area away from direct sunlight, air conditioners, and heaters.

Water: Let the top inch of the soil dry off in between waterings. Your Atom would love frequent misting to remind it of its rainforest homeland. (In fact, it would be thrilled if you put it in a steamy bathroom!)

Fertilizing: Feed Atom with an all-purpose fertilizer about once a month during warmer months.

Soil: A good, fast-draining soil is best. You don’t want your plant sitting in water.

Houseplant of the Week: Syngonium ‘Maria Allusion’

Posted on by

Syngonium ‘Maria Allusion’ plant in a 4-inch pot in the nursery

The unique Syngonium ‘Maria Allusion’ is a beautiful and easy to care for houseplant native to Central and South America. What make’s this plant striking is it’s new leaves, which will come in pink and red before fading into green.

This plant tends to be compact with lovely arrowhead-shaped leaves.

Maria Allusion is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, making it perfect for new houseplant owners.

Caring for your Maria Allusion Syngonium:

Although relatively easy to grow – and resistant to most pests and diseases – it does have some specific requirements. It prefers bright, indirect light and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. Maria Allusion doesn’t require frequent feeding, but you should fertilize every 6-8 weeks.

Creating A Special Space in Your Garden

Posted on by

Part of the true joy of gardening is watching individual plants grow, flourish and provide beauty (and sometimes really great eats!)

But the other thing you cultivate when you create a garden is a special space – a green, leafy outdoor oasis. It makes your garden and yard another “room” where you can unwind and enjoy life with your family.

Here’s what that room looks like at my house.

My yard has a bit of everything, and we’ve set it up so there are little surprises tucked into every corner. There’s a greenhouse for me to putter in and an outdoor chess set to play with. We make sure there are different seating areas where you will have a different view of the pretty flowers, so anyone can find a spot to just hang out and enjoy.

Water features are a big part of our backyard. There’s a waterfall and stream for the kids and dogs to get in when it’s hot.  I like to have running water for the birds, so we made a boulder with a hole on top that bubbles water. They love it! They also play in the stream, bathing and drinking out of it.

Speaking of water, one big change we did make is trading our lawn for artificial turf in order to be more water wise.

There are endless choices for what you can include in your backyard oasis. It can be rustic or elegant, modern or traditional. Just make sure the elements make you and your family happy and make it easy for you to enjoy the outdoors.

Flagstaff is beautiful in the summer and it seems silly to travel somewhere else when you can, with just a little effort, create your own paradise to enjoy all summer long, literally in your backyard.

Houseplant of the Week: Rabbit’s Foot Fern

Posted on by

Fronds of rabbit's foot fern plant

The rabbit’s foot fern (Davallia fejeensis) is a beautiful and easy-to-grow tropical fern that was originally found in Fiji, but is cultivated all over the world. Like many ferns, it has lacy, graceful fronds, but what makes this fern unique is its rhizomes, which are covered with a fine, fur-like mat of hairs.

Rabbit’s foot ferns are epiphytic, which means they grow on other plants and absorb nutrients and moisture from the air in the wild. They are adaptable enough, however, that they can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, and they make a great addition to any indoor plant collection.

Growing Rabbit’s Foot Ferns

Although rabbit’s foot ferns are relatively easy to grow, they do have some specific requirements.

Light: Your fern will need bright, indirect light.

Soil: Rabbit’s foot ferns like a loamy, rich soil with plenty of peat. Look for a peat-based potting mix, which will also have a slightly acidic pH that these plants like.

Watering: Rabbit’s foot ferns need to be watered regularly, but the soil should not be soggy.

Fertilize: Feed with liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks throughout the growing season (April through September). In the fall and winter, feeding can be reduced.