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:)

Showing posts with label Houseplants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Houseplants. Show all posts

Monday, April 29, 2013

When Their Roots Are Growling….FEED THEM!!! Plant’s Get Hungry Too!!!

 
TOOTSIE TIP!!!!
A quick tip for fertilizing/ feeding your plants... do it first thing in the morning. Plants are waking up and getting their juices flowing...they will benefit the most from a morning feed.  After all...don't they say "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?"
 
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Loads of questions have been coming my way about Fertilizing and feeding ... I thought I would take that as a hint to post and share with you some of the things I know about the topic...
 
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FERTILIZING/ FEEDING FACTS
It is possible to simply stick your plants into the soil and walk away. Watering alone will help keep them alive, but if you want to see them THRIVE…give them a kick in the roots and add a little fertilizer or organic plant food to your regimen. Fertilizer/ plant food gives your plants the added nutrients that your soil may be missing . These nutrients help keep them strong and healthy, and loaded with blooms.
 
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Chemical Fertilizer is made up of three primary ingredients:   Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium . These will be listed on the label of the fertilizer in number.
Nitrogen (N) will always be the first number.
Phosphorus (P) is the middle number, and
Potassium (K) will follow up last.
If your label reads 26-13-0 that means that you have 26% Nitrogen, 13% Phosphorus and 0% Potassium.
 
Each element in the fertilizer recipe accomplishes a different task.
Nitrogen helps the leaves and stems grow and stay green.
Phosphorus aids in healthy root growth, flowering, and fruit/seed production.
Finally Potassium helps the plants stay healthy and resist disease. It also helps to keep the actions of the first two ingredients in balance.
 
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When purchasing a fertilizer/ plant food you will need to consider a couple of things:
How often you want to apply the product, and what you are looking to accomplish with the product are the best questions to ask yourself.
 
The specific rules of fertilizing/ feeding are different for each brand, or plant, but in general you should follow a couple of simple guidelines. NEVER fertilize/ feed a seriously dry (to the point of wilted or collapsed) plant. Pre- water the plant to allow the roots to be ready to absorb the food and then apply the fertilizer treatment.
 
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When watering newly seeded plants, it is best not to water with fertilizer or plant food at the first sign of germination. It is best to wait until the plant has it’s second set of true leaves. The sprout that first pushes out of the soil is very tender and may be burned by the fertilizer of any kind. At this point, the soil should have enough nutrients to sustain life for a few days or weeks until more foliage develops.
 
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More is NOT better when fertilizing/ feeding your plants. It is possible to burn the leaves and roots of a plant by over-fertilizing/ feeding.

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If I had to choose, I would choose to err on the side of caution and add a little bit less than to risk adding too much. It is best to feed during daylight hours.   Watering at night leaves us open to a host of issues with moisture and and rot, and problems. (a whole other post in itself)

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In the past, I have tried the fertilizer sticks that you add to the side of the soil in potted plants. I have not found them to benefit my houseplants in any way. In fact, a few months after inserting them into the soil, they were in exactly the same condition as the very first day! My plants seemed to take no benefit from this form of feeding.   I have tried many different types of organic and chemical fertilizers in the past.   I think it depends on personal preference and availability as to what will work best.   
 
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I have not touched on the different types of fertilizers/foods today,  but will say that there are MANY different brands and techniques.  I did not want to focus on specifics as I do not endorse any particular brand or type of feeding.   I also did not want to cause a huge fight…there are a lot of people who have very strong feelings about fertilizing/ feeding of any kind.   For some this is a very HOT topic.   I choose to keep my preferences to myself…and not dredge up any drama!  I really love ALL my followers, and do not want to offend anyone!
I will say that I am quite intrigued with the latest trend in organic/natural feeding products that are out there, and have been trying a few of them on my houseplants.

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In the case of my gardens…I would love if any of you have any ideas how I can use some of the organic type of plant foods to feed them…I have a LOT of watering to do…and I don’t want to spend the entire day watering with a watering can…I need to use the garden hose to do this…and would love some advice on using one of the sprayers to feed organically!

 
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TOOTSIE TIP!!!!!
Water with warm water! Watering with cold water will shock the roots of your plants and stop them growing until they recover. Just think of it as bathing yourself in a pool of ice water…how long does it take you to warm back up?
 
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Well…that’s all I that I know about Fertilizing and/or Feeding the plants!  
 
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Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!
 
*)*)*)   Silence and a smile are two powerful tools. A Smile is the way to solve many problems but Silence is the way to avoid many problems.
 
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com

All of my house and garden plants are planted in Sunshine potting mediums.  
sun_gro_family

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers April, 5/13

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WELCOME!

Do you know what day it is???

It’s Friday !!!!  

Friday is a BIG day for us here at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else here…lol)  It’s a big deal because it means it’s PARTY TIME!!!!

Fertilizer Friday is the day of the week than an ELITE group of gardeners from all around the world get together, snap photos, link up and Flaunt Their Flowers!!!

If you are new to Tootsie Time and Fertilizer Friday, I just know you are asking yourself…”How do I join?”

Well…it’s easy really. Here’s all you need to know to become a part of this great group of gardeners, bloggers and friends:

If it is spring or summer where you live, you need to snap a few photos of what you have growing, blooming or just love to look at that is of the plant variety…if it is winter where you live, you may post past favorite photos…or indoor plants…whatever you like.

The only criteria is that it is a plant or something growing!

You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, but if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly!

All I ask is that: Your post must include the logo above and/or a link to Tootsie Time, or the linky will be deleted.

So?????....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...
 
Spring has arrived in Alberta…SLOW, but sure, the snow is melting away!   Yay!   We are eventually going to see some spring flowers blooming in our gardens!   Just….Not tonight I’m afraid…my areas is under a freezing rain warning with a chance for a few centimeters of snow to follow!   UGH…Mother Nature is sure being coy this year!
 
In spite of the slow start to the spring in the gardens, my greenhouse is in full force right now, and I had to make some more room in there for the annuals to do their thing!   That means I had to bring ALL of the houseplants that live in the perfect conditions in the greenhouse, into the house.  I am loving being surrounded by lots of plants all the time, but sadly my plants don’t love it in this house.  It isn’t quite bright enough for them in here.   They will survive the short visit to the main house, and will move back to the greenhouse when the risk of frost outside has passed!
 
Not including the several that I have at the Cowboys’ house and the ones that I have waiting to go to the farm for Grammie and Grampie….These are my few measly houseplants that I have right now.   Take a look:
When I was young and single, if I had a little money, I buy plants. If there was any left over, I would buy food and clothing.  I have always LOVED my plants.  Some of the plants in this post are among those I purchased all those years ago!
 
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There are 9 houseplants in this photo!   They are all over the living room window!   I love sitting in the Queen Chair and just being surrounded!   Ya…I know…but that’s me!
 
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This is the area beside the fireplace between the living room and the dining room.  There are 5 plants here.   Again, I love this part of the room too!   I wonder why? ha ha!
 
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This is the Dining Room window area.  I still need to move the two pots on the dining table into better places, but for the most part, I am enjoying that view  that these 5 plants gives while we eat!  

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This wood crate of plants lives on the kitchen counter right now…I quite love it there above the dishwasher. 

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I am quite sure that My “Busy” will be ever so happy to get Mom’s houseplants out of her room….but until then, she has lots of light…and I need it!  ha ha!  

Please try to ignore the other items in this mess of a bedroom.  I am in the middle of a re-make of this room, and things are just a little messy right now!

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I would have preferred to keep these two in the greenhouse to finish recovering from whatever it was that made them look so icky, but they are for now going to be in “Busy’s pigpen…er..I mean room until the greenhouse has a vacancy.

In total I have 27 plants inside my house right now.  If you ask me…that is not near enough…I LOVE my plants…and they make my house feel just right.   I am excited for the spring planting in my gardens, because that means I have plenty of room to grow even more beautiful tropicals in the greenhouse all summer, fall and winter long!
This brings us to the end of my flaunt for this week…and YOU know what that means!!!

That means…I can’t wait to see what you have!
Well…what are you waiting for???


GO!!! 

Get your flaunt on!!!

I wish all of you hugs and smiles, and safe and happy weekend plans!

Thank you all so much for dropping in today, and to those that faithfully link in to this party…and who are patient while waiting for me to FINALLY visit you…it seems there are not enough hours in a day anymore...THANK YOU!

Until Next Time... Happy Gardening!

*)*)*)   remember that one good deed can shift the balance of the whole world. Never underestimate the power of your goodness and kindness.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com
All of my houseplants are planted in Sunshine potting mediums.  
sun_gro_family
To choose the one that is right for you…click the photo… it will take you straight to their Page!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Red Queen Chair…Starts A Change…In Time For Spring!

Just a few weeks before Christmas, I was out and about doing a little gift shopping, and found a gift just for ME!

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I was in one of my favorite antique shops that is in an old creamery in a small town in central Alberta, when I happened upon this baby.  I fell in love almost immediately.  When I first spotted this chair, there was a sign sitting on it that said “Queen”.   And thus this chair is called the Red Queen Chair.

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At first I wasn’t really all that crazy about the red/pink upholstery…but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it…and soon, I was crazy about it!
 
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I asked how much she was…and was totally blown away to hear that it was less than $100!  SOLD!

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I could hardly wait to get home and put this lovely old chair into my living room!   Did I mention that this chair is BIG?  Ya…Big…and very comfy.  When you sit in it, you almost bounce…the original springs are still in great working order…and this chair is super cozy!

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Well…I brought my wonderful Red Queen Chair home…and set her in the corner by the fireplace.  I like it there…but I am not crazy about the rest of the room.   It just NEEDS something!  Since it is almost spring, I figure now is as good a time as any to get a few spring changes made and clean it all really well!

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Grammie and Grampie gave us these two occasional chairs for Christmas this year…and I think they are gorgeous, but just not right for the spot that I have them in…

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The living room is just not “right”…something has got to change.  So…I sat and stared at it for a while…(that is how I get my best ideas—and it finally came to me)

I snagged the old window from behind the Red Queen Chair, and got to work.

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I added three brackets as feet to the bottom of the window.  The reason I didn’t use four brackets will become clear soon…not to worry…there is a method to my madness!  :)

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Once the feet were secured, I added an L bracket.  I attached the bracket to the wall and attached it to the top of the door with one screw.  (by adding only one screw to the top, I will be able to move it and adjust the angle I have it sitting at)

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Ta-da!  We have a standing window!   Now…take a look…do you see the ‘feet’ we put on?   If I would have added the fourth one, I would forever be stubbing my toes on it as I walk past it!  That would NOT be a good thing.

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So far… So good…right?

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These guys think so!

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By simply moving that window into the open, I defined the living room a little better, and added a room divider or sorts to the space.   It sounds funny to say this but by making the living room a little smaller, I actually created MORE space!

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My little helper loves it in the living room when I am moving things around.  He likes to ride the chairs as I slide them from place to place…He helped me all evening!

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This is just perfect!   I didn’t take down the plaque or the vines on this side…I figure it is a window working on both sides now, and the Lords Prayer is so pretty on there…It can stay!

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I love this little resin plaque.  I actually bought several of them a few years back and gifted them to some special people in my life.

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I shuffled things around and around and around…until I think I got it just right…at least for now.  I had to bring a bunch of plants in from the greenhouse this week, as it is planting season, and I am running out of space…so the tropicals have to move into the house for a few months…This is hard to deal with, as this house does not offer a lot of good lighting for plants.   They suffer just a little bit in here…but they bounce back right after I get them back out to the greenhouse…so I think I can stand to have them inside for a bit.

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I brought the sea shell shaped chair back out to the living room…I had it in my bedroom for a few weeks…and I put one of the chairs from Grammie and Grampie in there instead.  

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I placed the other occasional chair from Grammie and Grampie in the corner by the old stereo so that it is easy to access when we need extra seating for company.  I also re-arranged the plants a little bit.

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I absolutely LOVE the way plants make a room feel.  They are my favorite thing, so I am a bit biased…but you must admit that they make a room feel just a bit more inviting.

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A few accessories…and things are coming together.

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I am not crazy about the two chairs together…but that’s life…I only have one of each of these…and they just happen to be my two favorite chairs …so I will live with it!  I have to go to storage and get the little table that I want to put between them tomorrow…so for now it will just sit empty. :) 

I adjusted the plants a little bit…and I think I like it.
  
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My living room is tweeked!  I am happy with it for the most part…so it will stay this way.  I do have my eye on an antique sofa and love seat…lol…so you never know…you might be seeing my living room again soon! :) :)

Until Next Time…Happy Decorating!

*) *) *) To my favorite three…I love that you are still hanging on my every word…and to one of you in particular…Lying is the most personal act of cowardice there is.   You know who you are!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com
Today I am also linking this post to the parties at the following sites:
  Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen 
 From My Front Porch To Yours
 The Vintage Farmhouse
 The Brambleberry Cottage 
 Common Ground Rooted in Thyme 

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb.1 /13

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PSSSST!
Hey YOU!
Ya YOU!   
Do you know what day it is???  
It’s Friday !!!!   
Wow this week sure flew by!
Friday is a BIG day for us here at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else here…lol) It’s a big deal because it means it’s PARTY TIME!!!!
Fertilizer Friday is the day of the week than an ELITE group of gardeners from all around the world get together, snap photos, link up and Flaunt Their Flowers!!!
If you are new to Tootsie Time and Fertilizer Friday, I just know you are asking yourself…”How do I join?”
Well…it’s easy really. Here’s all you need to know to become a part of this great group of gardeners, bloggers and friends:
If it is spring or summer where you live, you need to snap a few photos of what you have growing, blooming or just love to look at that is of the plant variety…if it is winter where you live, you may post past favorite photos…or indoor plants…whatever you like. The only criteria is that it is a plant or something growing! You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, All I ask is that: Your post must include the logo above and/or abut if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly! link to Tootsie Time, or t
he linky will be deleted. So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...
Well…the temps in Alberta dropped WAY below freezing this week…it made even the snow shiver!   I was worried that my little gas heater would not be able to sustain the plants growing in the greenhouse!   I did get lucky, and things are still growing along just fine. 
I really don’t have too much to share with you all today.  I have a couple of little happenings in the greenhouse, but not too much… Next week, I will be able to share a whole lot of planting…but this week…I just have barely managed this much!  My flu bug has decided it really likes me and has decided to make itself known in spades again…so I have had a lot of time in bed…and not as much time in the greenhouse as I would have liked.   I’m telling you guys…relaxing is the most stressful thing a Tootsie can be forced into!
But enough about me…lets get this flaunting going on!
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The other Orchid opened up!!!! Yay!!!
 
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I am so happy that I have two that survived and somehow seem happy!   Yippie!!!
 
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My Passion Flower Vine is growing just wonderfully now…I can’t seem to keep it under control!
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I have one beautiful Geranium blooming!!!
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I am still most proud of my Costa Farms gifted Orchids!!!  
Well kids…that is all for me for this week…now it is your turn…What are you waiting for???
Get flaunting!

I wish all of you hugs and smiles, and safe and happy weekend plans!

Thank you all so much for dropping in today, and to those that faithfully link in to this party…and who are patient while waiting for me to FINALLY visit you…it seems there are not enough hours in a day anymore...THANK YOU!

Until Next Time... Happy Gardening!
*)*)*) we make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give. ~ Winston Churchill.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com