HOW TO REPOT A PLANT:
When a plant becomes too large for the container it's in, it will probably tell you by refusing to grow, or poking its roots out of the top or bottom of the container. When this happens, it's time to re-pot.
HOW TO RE-POT:
1. Moisten the soil of your plant in it's current pot to help the soil ball slide out.2. Turn the pot upside-down and tap the bottom or squeeze the sizes gently to remove the plant. Do not pull on the plant's stem, or you'll risk damaging it.
3.Gently spread tangled or crumpled roots and remove some of the soil from the outside.
4. Select a pot that is a couple inches wider on the sides than the old pot. Don't increase the size too much!
5.Place gravel or broken clay pot pieces in the bottom of containers that have drainage holes to prevent soil from escaping. 6. Fill the bottom of the new pot with a layer of your soil or soil mixture.
7. Place soil ball into pot and fill in the sides gently.8. Don't cover the top of the soil ball. If you need to raise the plant up, add more soil to the bottom. But make sure you leave at least a 1/2 inch below the rim of the pot for watering.
9. Water the plant thoroughly and allow the excess water to drain.
TIPS FOR EXTENDING THE LIFE OF CUT FLOWERS:
When you receive an arrangement of cut flowers, you obviously want to enjoy it for as long as possible. Certain flowers will always last longer than others, but there are ways to help extend the life of your fresh arrangement.
1: place your arrangement in a cool location whenever possible. Never place your arrangement near a sunny window or a heating vent. If your arrangement ever gets too hot or too cold, it will suffer wilt or chill damage.
2: Make sure the vase or container is full of fresh water. The water will be absorbed by the stems and some of it will evaporate, so you may have to refill it!
3: CHANGE the water in your vase every other day. Bacteria can and will grow in the water and will shorten the life of your flowers. If the water looks cloudy, it needs to be replaced.
4: Re-cut flowers after a couple days. The bacteria that grows in the water will, over time, create a colony in the ends of the flower stems. Cutting about a half-inch off the bottom of the stems will get rid of it and allow your flower to continue absorbing fresh water and extend its life.
Some people (florists and consumers alike) advocate the use of "flower food" or other additives to the water. This CAN be beneficial if the instructions on the packet are followed exactly, but the water and additives should still be replaced about every 48 hours.
HOW TO MAKE A HUMIDITY TRAY:
Sometimes plants need additional humidity to promote healthy growth. Here are 3 simple steps to create a humidity tray to set under your plant to raise the relative humidity.
1: Select a tray or saucer that is wider than your plant
2: Fill the tray with gravel about 1 inch deep.
3: Fill the tray with water just below the top of the gravel.
Now, you simply place your plant on top of the gravel. Refill the tray as the water evaporates.
TIPS FOR EXTENDING THE LIFE OF CUT FLOWERS:
When you receive an arrangement of cut flowers, you obviously want to enjoy it for as long as possible. Certain flowers will always last longer than others, but there are ways to help extend the life of your fresh arrangement.
1: place your arrangement in a cool location whenever possible. Never place your arrangement near a sunny window or a heating vent. If your arrangement ever gets too hot or too cold, it will suffer wilt or chill damage.
2: Make sure the vase or container is full of fresh water. The water will be absorbed by the stems and some of it will evaporate, so you may have to refill it!
3: CHANGE the water in your vase every other day. Bacteria can and will grow in the water and will shorten the life of your flowers. If the water looks cloudy, it needs to be replaced.
4: Re-cut flowers after a couple days. The bacteria that grows in the water will, over time, create a colony in the ends of the flower stems. Cutting about a half-inch off the bottom of the stems will get rid of it and allow your flower to continue absorbing fresh water and extend its life.
Some people (florists and consumers alike) advocate the use of "flower food" or other additives to the water. This CAN be beneficial if the instructions on the packet are followed exactly, but the water and additives should still be replaced about every 48 hours.
HOW TO MAKE A HUMIDITY TRAY:
Sometimes plants need additional humidity to promote healthy growth. Here are 3 simple steps to create a humidity tray to set under your plant to raise the relative humidity.
1: Select a tray or saucer that is wider than your plant
2: Fill the tray with gravel about 1 inch deep.
3: Fill the tray with water just below the top of the gravel.
Now, you simply place your plant on top of the gravel. Refill the tray as the water evaporates.
