Winter Plant Care Tips

The cold, rain and even snows of winter are here for a while. Your indoor, tropical, house plants may begin to struggle. Exotic Plants would like to remind you of a few easy tips to keep your green friends happy. We recommend setting aside a certain day of the week to care for and water your plants. Like Sunday afternoons ... always check in with your plants, most plants require water weekly but some may need an incredibly small amount or no water at all, in the darkness of winter. So ... keep the soil damp, make sure they are getting good light, hold off on feeding or repotting, and keep them away from drafts coming from windows, doors or heating vents. These can all cause dramatic changes in a plant. And remember, they ARE living things, so the dropping of a few extra leaves in winter will give them the energy they need to make it through a rough winter.

Miltonia "Pansy Orchids" Are In Bloom ....

Look at this happy orchid !!! We have many of these beautiful "Pansy" Orchids available for you at Exotic Plants this week. Miltonia or "Pansy" Orchids are deliciously colored orchids with many blooms, that have a large face, similar to a pansy. They like warm household temperatures and will have blooms that you can enjoy for more than a month because of all their bud stages. They enjoy bright but filtered light and like to be kept moist. And of course, if you decide to take one home with you, all of our orchids come with a care sheet for your special orchid. Happy New Year from Exotic Plants !!!

Lady Slipper Orchids ....

Specialty Paphiopedilum or "Lady Slipper" orchids have arrived at Exotic Plants in quantities. These gorgeous orchids look difficult but are one of the easiest orchids to grow indoors. They are often one of the longest blooming orchids and are available in a wide variety of colors. Come on in and take a look, if you decide to take one home ... as always ... all of our orchids come with a detailed care instruction sheet. Maybe your princess needs a "slipper" this holiday!

Snowy Hydrangeas

We have some beautiful snowy hydrangeas that just arrived! These gems make nice holiday gifts, are easy to care for over the winter, and enjoy transplanting in the spring. They can be enjoyed inside this winter, just keep moist, check weekly, make sure they have good winter light, and remove dead blooms. They really are an outside plant. So be sure to transplant in the spring, to a shady area, where the soil can be kept moist. Think about these snowy treats for a friend this holiday!

ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY!

Sunday, December 20th from 11 am to 5 pm

Please join us for a day of special treats, discounts,

and shopping throughout our store.

Refreshments, music, customers, and employees

will enjoy a few moments of holiday cheer!

POINSETTIA CARE ....

Ok .... you came to our open house, purchased a few poinsettias and need to know how to care for them now.

Here are a few tips:
* Place the poinsettia where it will receive good indirect sunlight in your home.
* Keep them away from large warm or cold drafts.
* Ideally poinsettias prefer daytime temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees. and don't like ANY temps below 50.
* Then check the soil daily, to make sure it is damp. Never allow them to sit in water and water when dry.

And an interesting fact: Poinsettias were introduced to the United States in 1825 by our first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsette.

Saturday, November 21st, from 10 - 6 pm - We'll host a HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE at our Howe Avenue Shop. All of our holiday poinsettias and plants will have just arrived. We'll offer a special 20% off all poinsettia purchases and holiday orders this day only. Enjoy the day or a few minutes with us and some hot cider & donuts.

Hope to see you!