Prunethis

Botanicus Holiday Decorating Presents the iTree

iTree artificial Christmas tree has LED flashing lights programmed to Holiday season music. Available in 7 1/2′ with 450 multi and 450 clear decorative bulbs, 9′ has 750 multi & 750 clear 5mm Led. Remote controlled speaker box has many standard holiday music programmed with SD card, all included. For more information about ordering your iTree contact us at Botanicus.com

Kamal Meattle: How to grow your own fresh air

Prune this Episode #27: Guide to Holiday plants Poinsettia at a farm in New York

History of Poinsettia
Poinsettia is a succulent wildflower native to Mexico. The botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima (Yu-for’-be-a pul-ker-e-ma). The name ‘poinsettia’ comes from Joel Robert Poinsettia of the United States ambassador to Mexico during the 19th century. The red “flowers” are actually bracts (modified leaves). The actual flowers are the small yellow and red bud-like structures found in the center of each cluster of the bracts.

Picking the perfect poinsettia
Around Thanksgiving is the best time to purchase your poinsettia. Select your plant from a local nursery that specializes in plant sales. Look for a plant with dark green leaves, bright colored bracts (this is the red, pink or white part of the poinsettia). Also it is important to note the temperature of where the grower has displayed the plant.

Caring for your poinsettia
1. When transporting your poinsettia enclose completely plastic or paper to protect your plant against temperature change.

2. Once you get your poinsettia home keep it away from warm or cold drafts, heater vents, open doors and windows. The cooler the building or house and the higher the humidity, the longer the color will last.

3. Since poinsettia is a tropical plant it should be kept in a room between 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures will shorten the plant’s life. Poinsettias thrive in natural light.

4. Check the surface of the soil twice a week. When the soil is dry an inch down soak thoroughly. Only allow plant sit in about an inch of water if more drain off.

5. Fertilize the poinsettia if you keep it past the holiday season. You can apply fertilizer once a month. When in bloom there is no need to fertilize.

6. Poinsettias are very sensitive to bruising, so keep them out of high traffic areas. Avoid touching the milky sap, keep away from your eyes and face while handling the plant. Wash hands after touching the plant. The sap may cause a rash on people with sensitive skin and a burning sensation in the eyes. Place the plant out of the reach of small children and animals.

Poinsettia Plant Care PDF

Prunethis #26: Guide to Peace Lily care at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed rebuilt conservatory

In this clip you will get the pleasure of touring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House Indoor Garden. This garden is donated and maintained by Botanicus Interior Landscaping Company. Learn all about how to care for peace lilies & bog plants. Kathryn provides a step by step guide to fertilizing soil and watering in this beautiful historical rebuilt conservatory. Just one more reason to come visit beautiful upstate New York – Buffalo especially!

Prunethis Episode #25: How to identify ferns by there spore patterns at the FLW Darwin Martin House

Kathryn walks us through the FLW rebuilt Darwin D. Martin Conservatory where Botanicus Interior Landscaping has designed, donated and maintains the indoor gardens. Learn how to identify spore patterns on different varieties of ferns such as a rabbit’s foot fern, a Boston fern, a staghorn fern and a bird’s nest fern. The great close up shots in this video will help any amateur green thumb identify and propagate their own ferns. Enjoy and don’t be afraid of spore!

Prunethis Episode #24: Frank Lloyd Wright Conservatory at the Darwin Martin House

Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright rebuilt Darwin D. Martin Conservatory from the comfort of your own home! See the drip-emitter watering system and learn how to set up your own. You will not believe how inexpensive and easy it is to do. Botanicus has done an amazing job of maintaining these beautiful indoor gardens. The plants look amazing!

Prunethis Episode #23: How to care for my new tropical plant?

Have you ever bought a plant from your local nursery and had no idea how to care for it? Did you know that almost all the plants you buy at the store are tropical plants? In this quick clip Kathryn gives us tips on how figure out what kind of care our plant needs based on root structure and the color and texture of the foliage. Kathryn provides Step by Step instructions on how to re-pot and maintain your plant through the year. Enjoy!

How to care for a tropical plant.

Plant care tips to remember when you do not know what kind of plant you have.
1. Most plants you buy at local stores are tropical plants and prefer temperatures between 60-80 degrees.
2. Check the color and texture of the leaves. The more colorful the leaves are the more light the plant will need. Many green foliage plants can do well in lower light.
3. To determine how much water your plant needs check the roots. Fine or thin rooted plants need more water more frequently and should not dry out thoroughly. If the roots are thicker you can let the plant dry more thoroughly.
4. Remember it is natural for the plant to lose shed leaves as it adjusts to the changing environmental conditions in your house.
5. Wait until the warmer months to repot your plants.

tropical plant care PDF

Prunethis Episode #22: Tips for care of house plants in Spring & Summer

Learn to care for house plants in Spring & Summer. Kathryn provides tips on watering, re-potting, trimming, fertilizing, providing adequate sunlight and pruning brown tips. Trim Away! If you follow these simple tips your plants will flourish through the growing season and look great year long. So, prune away!

Things to remember when caring for your house plants in the Spring & Summer

1. Spring & Summer is the growing season with longer days. Trim and prune heavily in March and April and lightly prune in June & July.
2. Check soil more often use the drench and dry method.
3. Inspect your roots to see if your plants need a slightly larger pot. Spring is the time re-pot.
4. Use any water soluble fertilizer every 3rd or 4th watering.
5. Indoor plants should be kept out of direct sun if brought outside.

spring & summer plant care PDF

Prunethis Episode #21: Care of indoor plants in Fall & Winter

Learn to care for indoor plants in Fall & Winter. Remember this time of year is when plants often go into a dormant state because they do not have as many opportunities to photosynthesize. Kathryn provides tips as to when to prune, how to check soil, providing adequate light, what to do about yellowing and browning leaves, fertilizing, over watering. This video has a ton of useful information when it comes to providing the most hospitable environment for your plants – don’t miss it!

Things to remember when caring for your house plants in the
Fall & Winter

1. Day length is shorter your plants will get less light which means less growth during this time of year. Natural Shedding will occur.
2. More cloudy weather so less direct sunlight. Try to provide your plants with as much direct window light as possible.
3. Less water and frequency of watering every 2-4 depending on soil moisture. If it is still wet from your last watering do not water your plants until it is dry.
4. Night temperature is lower during this time of year plants may go into dormant stage. Fertilizing and Trimming generally is not needed this time of year.

fall & winter plant care PDF

Prunethis Episode #20: Guide to propagating house plants in water.

In this clip Kathryn guides us through how to propagate houseplants in water. After watching this video you will know which plants root easiest in water and which root best in soil. Kathryn gives tips on containers to use and which plants can live permanently in water. Starting new plants in water is a simple and easy way to Go Green in your home.

Things to remember when rooting plants in water

1. Make a clean cut with scissors or pruning sheers.
2. Remove 50% of foliage.
3. Use any container that can hold water.
4. Use filtered water when available.
5. Remember to remove any rotted cuttings and change the water often.
6. Vine plants can be rooted in water and left permanently in water.
7. Woodier plants can be rooted in water and should moved to soil at the fist signs of root growth.

Plants that root easily in water

Pathos, Philindentren, Piggyback plant, Coleus, Spider plants, Ivy, Tradescantia

Woody plants can be started in water or directly in soil.

Draceanas, corn plants, Ficus or weeping fig, Dwarf shiffalara, Arboricolas, Aralias, Tleomele, Chinese evergreen aglaonema

How to root plants in water basics PDF