Growing Orchids

Orchids are a Showy Tropical Flower that can be grown inside homes, outside on patios, screen rooms or hung from trees. Orchid flowers can be almost any color so you can always find your favorite shade. Some orchids have flowers that last only 2-3 days while others may last over a month. Different orchids have different bloom seasons, but most of the more popular types bloom in the late winter and spring.

If you like fragrance there are some types of orchids that smell like coconut, chocolate other familiar smells. Orchids can be purchased at most large garden centers or orchid nurseries. Get detailed instructions for your orchid plant when you buy it since different plants may have slightly different water and light requirements. Orchids are grown in a very different growing mix than other plants. This material is well drained and requires watering frequently. Frequent fertilizing also helps make better growth and more flowers. Some people fertilize weekly with special orchid fertilizer.

Another way to grow and display orchids is to grow them on a piece of drift wood or piece of tree branch. Orchids in the wild usually grow on trees or rocks, so this is a very easy way to grow them at home. After a number of years, the wood will rot and the orchid then has to be reattached to a new piece of wood. You can also attach orchids to outside trees or palms and, once they are rooted on, need little attention as they grow under natural conditions.

If you like cut flowers, many orchids are grown commercially. You can cut your own flowers and use them as you like in your home.

If you want to attend free meetings of local orchid societies or to learn more about growing orchids, call the Palm Beach County Extension Service @561-233-1750 for times and dates of orchid society meetings.

If you want to see hundreds of orchids growing outdoors in a tropical rain forest setting, visit Gene Joyner’s Unbelievable Acres Botanic Gardens in West Palm Beach. Call 561-242-1686 for tour information.

Growing Herbs and Vegetables in Containers

If you enjoy eating at home and growing some of your own vegetables and herbs, you already know how great it is to be able to pick fresh things for the table. Herbs in particular are easy to grow and add flavor and nutrition to many types of meals. If you haven’t grown herbs before, it isn’t that difficult. Most people grow herbs in containers or hanging baskets and some garden centers have beautiful plants in attractive containers.

Remember that most herbs don’t have to be in full sun to grow well and most are OK in screen rooms or even inside the home if they get enough light. Fertilize herbs with soluble or grandular dry fertilizer every 2-4 weeks. Water herbs regularly enough that they don’t wilt or drop leaves. A 5-8 day watering schedule is average, but overgown plants in small pots may need more frequent watering. Herbs and vegetables can also be grown in outside beds. Purchase seeds or plants and plant in well drained soil. Water 2-3 times a week and apply fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. If weeds are a major threat, mulch can be used as a weed barrier, and it will also slow water loss.

Check plants every day or two for pests or disease which can show up any time. Picking off problem pests or removing diseased leaves is better than spraying chemicals. If you do this regularly, plants will still produce plenty for you to enjoy or share with friends.

If you have vegetable or herb growing questions, call the Palm Beach County Extension Service Master Gardner Hotline @ 561-233-1750 or 561-276-1260. To see herbs, tropical vegetables and many beautiful plants visit: Gene Joyner’s Unbelievable Acres Botanic Garden in West Palm Beach. Call 561-242-1686 for tour information.

Time To Plant Fall Annuals

This is the time fall annuals are readily available and flowers in the home or on the patio are popular. Typically flowers planted now will last until April and then are replaced with other more heat tolerant types for summer season.

Annuals and bedding plants can be planted outside or kept in containers or hanging baskets. Favorite flowers for this time of year are impatiens, begonia, petunia, salvia, alyssum, celosia, marigold and many others. Most garden centers have both seeds and young plants of many of your favorites so its not hard to have color in your home or patio. Flowers do best in bright light and need a well drained soil.

Fertilize every few weeks if outside or every 2 weeks if in a container. Some slow release fertilizers are also available that only have to be applied every 2-3 months and this saves labor. Some types of flowers may get attacked by insects or disease so check plants regularly for damage. If you need to spray most garden centers have products to control most common problems. If you don’t like to use chemicals then pinch off insect or diseased plant parts and throw them away.

Some flowers can be cut and used for cut flowers and that is a bonus. Some fast growing flowers may get too big too quickly and require regular pruning to limit plant size. Pruning can be done at any time but will take several weeks for the plant to grow back to flowering again after pruning. During the winter months some flowers outside may experience cold damage and have discolored leaves. These will usually drop of and be replaced with the return of warmer temperatures. Bring tender potted flowers inside on cold nights for protection. Most cold fronts are gone after 2-3 days and you can return your potted plants outside.

If you need free advice on flowers or foliage plants call The Palm Beach County Extension Service Master Gardener hotline at 561-233-1700 or 233-276-1260. To see flowers and plants suitable for our area visit: Unbelievable Acres Botanic Gardens in West Palm Beach. Call 561-242-1686 for tour information.

Vegetable Gardens in Containers

Fall is the best time many people like to put in a vegetable garden and this a very nice way to save money on food. Many garden centers already have a wide assortment of your favorite vegetables, herbs and flower seeds.

You can grow most vegetables in containers on a patio or terrace and it doesn’t take an expert. Pick a pot of an appropriate size with drainage holes, some bagged potting mix or topsoil and your favorite vegetable seeds. Plant the seeds barely under the soil in the container for best results. Water slightly everyday until seeds sprout. With few exceptions you will get more plants than you need if you get high germination.

Thin out plants to only 1-4 per pot depending on pot size. For best results keep vegetables in a bright sunny location not deep shade. Once sprouted, water every
few days as required to keep plants from wilting.

Fertilizer is also needed and most garden stores have several types for vegetables. Some are liquid, some soluble powders and others are dry pellets. All should be ok to use if label directions are followed closely.

Some larger growing vegetables like tomato or pepper may need to be staked to support the plant. Vines like squash or cucumber may need a small trellis since they can grow many feet if left alone. If you are growing leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach or mustard etc. these can be grown in smaller containers.

Monitor vegetables several times a week for insects or disease. Many people simply break off infested plant parts rather than spray but if you need to spray, garden centers have products for use on vegetable plants.

Our garden season starts now and goes into May, so you have plenty of time to get started. For advice on gardening, contact: The Palm Beach County Extension Service. 561-233-1700 or 561-276-1260.

You can also see vegetables grown in a tropical setting at: Unbelievable Acres Botanic Gardens, West Palm Beach, FL. Call 561-6-242-1686 for tour information

Flowering Plants 

for your 

Home or Patio

   Container Gardening 

Many people love plants and spend large amounts of money on them, only to lose them because they are put in the wrong place or not given correct watering, light or proper fertilizing. If you buy a fantastic plant you aren't already familiar with, always ask the nurseryman or salesperson how you should best care for it when you get it home. To insure the best and proper care for your newly purchased plant, here are some basic rules for keeping house plants and patio plants happy and healthy.

1. Don't over water. Plants can decline or die by giving them too much water causing root rot or leaf diseases. Once or twice a week watering is all most plants need and cactus and succulents might be happy watering only every 2-3 weeks.

2. Keep plants in areas that have enough light for normal growth. Even shade loving plants need bright indirect light to grow well. Plants placed in extremely shaded dark areas will soon decline or die over time.

3. Plants in containers over time use up all the available fertilizer in the soil. This requires you to apply fertilizer to sustain normal growth and flowering. You can use liquid or dry granular type fertilizer and always follow label directions exactly to avoid burning your plants.

Any time you need expert help diagnosing plant problems. You can get free advice from the Palm Beach County Extension Service at 561-233-1750 or in South County at 561-276-1260.

If you would like to see examples of tropical plants that would grow well for you, visit South Florida's only Tropical Rain Forest/Botanical Garden, Unbelievable Acres with thousands of beautiful plants from around the world. Unbelievable Acres is open by appointment only. Please call 561-242-1686 for tour information.

Gene Joyner conducts tours of his  Unbelievable Acres Botanic Gardens every 2nd Saturday.

Entrance to the tour path.

Tropical rain forest plants  along the tour path.

Tropical garden setting.

Unbelievable Acres garden nursery.

Salvia, Purple Shield and Variegated Coleus are among the hundreds of plants grown at Unbelievable Acres and available for purchase at their nursery.

For tour information or directions to 

Unbelievable Acres please call 561-242-1686.