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September Sunday Seminar Series: Wintering Houseplants

September Sunday Seminar Series: Wintering Houseplants
Happy first week of autumn!

Are you feeling the seasonal shift in your neighbourhood? Calgary is gorgeous right now with the changing leaves, the corn mazes, Pumpkins After Dark at Canada Olympic Park. I mean, this September has been SO nice! We’ve escaped “Snowtember” and have been gifted an extended growing season which rarely happens. There’s so much you can still do outside! You can still plant trees, shrubs, and perennials, at a discount I might add. Time is running out though on our seasonal sale, so make sure to visit by the end of the month. You can also plant spring bulbs right now like tulips, daffodils, garlic, allium, and more.

While there’s still lots to do outside, you may also have thoughts about your houseplants. They’re going through a seasonal shift too! They’re going into dormancy, and are going to experience different conditions heading into winter. You’ll need to keep an eye on repotting needs, lighting conditions, watering changes, and pests.

If you missed today’s webinar on wintering houseplant or would like a copy of Colin’s PowerPoint, click here: GA September Webinar – Wintering Houseplants

Some key points from this information-rich webinar:

Repotting
  • Fall is a good time to report as your houseplants are entering dormancy. Reasons to repot:
    • The plant has become rootbound and needs more room to grow
    • Soil is depleted of nutrients and water just runs straight through.
  • How to repot a plant:
    • Select a suitable soil. We carry many specific types: All-Purpose, Tropical Mix, Cactus Mix, Orchid Mix, and African Violet Mix,
    • Select a pot ONE size larger. Upcycle pots. Consider cover pots instead of saucers for a dressier look. Just make sure to water outside the cover pot so roots aren’t sitting in water.
    • Ensure the plant has soil around it and firm down, not compress.
    • Ensure soil does not mound over the crown of the plant. Make it level with the existing soil.
    • Water accordingly.
Lighting
  • Light is a key component of photosynthesis (plant food). As lighting conditions change, monitor how much sunlight your plant receives and consider moving the plant or investing in grow lights.
    • Lightbulbs: These are great because they can twist right into an existing lamp and are quite affordable. We carry them as singles or in a pack of four
    • Light Bars: These are great if you’re looking to cover a lot of plants. They can hide under a shelf, or hang in a plant stand. Growtronics LED light bars are long-lasting and provide a full spectrum of light. You can use these not only for your houseplants, but also for herbs, leafy greens, or even seedlings in the spring.
    • Grow Kit: You can get an all-in-one kit that comes with a moveable light and trays so you can grow herbs, microgreens, and leafy greens all year indoors!
Fertilizing
  • Avoid fertilizing houseplants in the winter. The plant is in dormancy and won’t be taking in as many nutrients so if there’s fertilizer sitting in the soil your roots could burn or succumb to future problems due to salt buildup. Make sure to remove any fertilizer stakes as well.
Watering
  • Watering is purely observational at this time of year. There’s no cookie cutter schedule we can give you. Some plants will require less, some will require more based on where they are and what they’re exposed to.
    • Consider where your plants are. Are they next to an air vent that is drying how the soil quickly? Are they next to a cool window and taking a while to dry out? Are they getting at least a few hours of sun?
    • Consider how dry your home is. Is the air really dry? You may want to install a humidifier to help keep your plants from drying out too quickly.
    • Consider what your plant is sitting in. Are you watering your plant in a cover pot? Check to make sure the plant isn’t sitting in water. Remove the plant when watering and return it to the pot after it’s drained.
  • For the first few weeks of winter and fall, check on your plants daily. When in doubt, underwater to avoid root rot. Soil surface may be dry, but may be wet near the bottom.
  • Helpful Tip: If you choose to spray your leaves for that boost of moisture, clean foliage before spraying with filtered water. Dust can accumulate! This ensures water and sunlight will reach the leaf.
Pests
  • Dormant houseplants are weaker. Keep an eye out for unwanted visitors and treat them accordingly. This is especially important when you’ve brought in a plant from outside.
    • Quarantine. As soon as you see a creepy-crawly, immediately quarantine it and the surrounding plants in a room with the door closed. s
    • Apply an insecticide. Use insecticidal soap, oil, or nematodes to combat the issue. Follow the instructions fully.
  If you run into any issues or have any questions throughout the winter when it comes to houseplants, we’re open year round to support you. Feel free to reach out on our facebook, Instagram, or twitter, or email our houseplant team directly: [email protected] Now, go cozy up with your houseplants! 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.