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Plants for Wellness in 2021

Posted on by Brandi
Plants for Wellness in 2021
10
Jan
As we breathe in 2021, wellness may be top of mind for you. What better time to talk about the health benefits plants could bring to your home, then on World Houseplant Day! It’s true; plants are AMAZING for both your physical and mental health, especially at home in these looooooong winter months.

Plants improve air quality! You’re most likely familiar with the process in which plants replace carbon dioxide with oxygen, but they also remove harmful air toxins. Think about how many chemicals are floating around from all your household cleaners, candles, paint, and more. A 1989 study from NASA reports that plants absorb trace amounts of toxins like Benzene and Formaldehyde through their roots and leaves.  if you’re hoping to really take control of your air quality this year, an article from National Geographic suggests considering air purification machines or swapping to greener cleaners to make a bigger difference. Healthy air quality contributes to a healthy body and healthy mind. Plants improve focus, sleep, reduce stress levels, and increase productivity to crush those new years goals! They give you something to care for and admire.

A walk through your local greenhouse can inspire wellness. Right now, our greenhouse is FULL of adoptable plants! We welcome everyone to wander, take photographs, sketch, and follow the birdies! If you’re hoping to bring a new plant friend home but need some guidance, here are some suggestion to get you going!

  So you’re new to plants…

Are you overwhelmed by what’s out there? Let’s start with a chill plant; something a little less diva to build your confidence. Some of my favourites are the leafy ones because I don’t have the worry about dying blooms. You can find some very neat shapes and colours in just the foliage! There are so many variations of Dracaena out there, and you can find big bushy ones, or tall skinny ones to fill space in your home. Its striped leaves come in different shades of green, yellow, and red. The tree Dracaena’s sometimes come braided giving you something a little different. Schefflera can get quite bushy, and each stem produces leaves that almost look like flowers! The Snake Plant displays a beautiful pattern of green stripes on each blade as it reaches to the ceiling. The ZZ Plant can hold A LOT of water. I don’t usually soak mine in the sink for a few weeks! In fact, all of these plants are quite forgiving when it comes to watering, especially those in the Cactus and Succulent families which can go quite a while without water.

Pet Safety…

Yes. Some plants are unfortunately not dog, cat, or horse friends (If that’s applicable). ASPCA has an easy to use online resource you can access while plant shopping to ensure your curious critters are kept safe. Some options pictured below include: African Violet, Spider Plant, Boston Fern, Basil, Sage, Lipstick Plant, Tillandsia (Air Plant), and the Phalaenopsis Orchid.

 

Purify your home… or work!

Get aaaaall the health benefits with these plants! Bring these low maintenance plants into your home and work spaces to increase productivity and overall health. Have you taken part in #MonsteraMonday on Instagram yet? Now you can! Monstera are super trendy, and pretty easy to care for. Plus, you can propagate them just by submerging their nodes in water! The Spider Plant is similar in that if they’re easy to care for, and if happy, they produce lots of “babies” that you can then cut and propagate to make more! Another trendy plant is the Fiddle Leaf Fig. You see this plant all the time in those interior design posts on Instagram. These plants display broad pear-shaped leaves. Pothos are trailing houseplants that actually do well in low light situations. You can have fun guiding them around the room or trailing down your desk. Gerbera Daisies are that sight of spring you crave this time of year. They come in eye catching colours like pink, yellow, orange, red, or even white to brighten up the room. The Orchid is similar in it’s beautiful blooms, but their colouring also hold a lot of meaning. For example, white orchids symbolize innocence and purity. The Peace Lily is a beautiful plant symbolizing peace and hope. It’s ‘hooded’ blooms are delicate and white. You can expect to receive blooms year round as long as it receives enough sunlight.



Low Light Lover…

All plants need some level of sunlight, but there are options that do well in low light. Shade loving Begonia’s normally fill Calgary gardens in the spring, but sometimes you’ll see its blooms in our houseplant department. Another blooming plant that will do fine in low light and bright light conditions is the Peace Lily. There are many foliage-centric plants that do well in low light. Trailing plants like Ivy and Pothos are great options if you want something either hanging from the ceiling or spilling down the side of a cabinet. The Monstera, or “Swiss Cheese” plant will do well in low light, and they come in many variations like Deliciosa, Tetrasperma (Mini Monstera), and Adansonii.  If you want a little more colour variety in your foliage, some varieties of Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema, display beautiful patterns of red on its leaves. The Snake Plant and Dieffenbachia are two more plants that display neat patterns on their leaves. If you want to go soilless, Bamboo is a great option as you can normally find it just chilling in some water! Just make sure you swap out the water so it doesn’t go stale. Do you like tea? Quite often, you’ll find herbs at your local greenhouse, and Mint is a plant that’ll do quite well in low light conditions. When it grows, just clip off the leaves and make tea!



Let There Be Light!

If you have a bright place in your house. LUCKY! You have so many options! However, keep an eye on your leaves. You may need to move them if they start to develop burn spots. Dreaming of Hawaii? Bring Hawaii home with a showstopping Hibiscus because they LOVE sun. You can also bring this outside in the summer time for the bees! Another floral-centric plant is Jasmine. Have you smelt a Jasmine plant or had Jasmine tea? The scent is so fresh in your home, and it’s equally pleasant to look at with its small white flowers and many leaves. If you want to hang something from the ceiling, String of Pearls is a great option. It’s delicate, pretty, and its flowers are worth the wait. The Jade Plant is pretty easy to care for. This succulent likes to dry out between waterings so its very forgiving if you miss a few weeks. If you need some vibrant colours in your home, especially over the winter, then a Croton is perfect for you! Foliage-based, its leaves are a mix of green, red, yellow, orange. Absolutely beautiful.



There you have it! Some houseplant options to help bring you wellness into 2021. Did something inspire you?

Come by the greenhouse and we’ll help you find that special new plant in your life.

Happy World Houseplant Day!

Brandi  
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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.