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| September Newsletter |
Chicagoland Orchid Festival
September 2009 |
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 Dear Oak Hill Friend and Customer,
Now that the summer months have all but come and gone, we have begun to set our sights on the 17th Annual Chicagoland Orchid Festival (and we hope that you have, too!).
This event takes place simultaneously at Oak Hill Gardens and three other nurseries in the Chicago suburban area over the three day
weekend of September 25-26-27, 2009 Lycaste Lemon Twist
(Friday-Saturday-Sunday)
Guest growers from all over the country (and Ecuador) will be selling their wares and giving orchid-related lectures during the festival at all four locations. See more details regarding locations, vendors and lectures at the the Festival Website
Free plants will be offered with every purchase at Oak Hill Gardens. Visit all four greenhouses over the four day weekend and become eligible for one of seven (7) gift certificate prizes woth a total of $1000.00! See the festival website for a copy of a grand prize application.
Just in time for the festival, Oak Hill Gardens has just published (and mailed, if you are in our physical database) our Fall 2009 New Offerings These are varieties that were not included in our Spring catalog that we either propagated or imported and grew up over the summer. Check out the list and pick up what you need at the festival. They are also available for shipment immediately!
In addition, we are offering special prices this month on nine different varieties of Bulbophyllums and Cirrhopetalums. The more you buy, the more you save! See details on the special in the block below.
Finally, Liese offers up some advice on considerations for Fall and Winter Orchid Care in her "Growing Tip of the Month." See the article further down the page.
We certainly hope to see you at the festival!
Best wishes,
Greg |
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| Garage Sale
You want deals?
The "Garage Sale" feature at Oak Hill Gardens is always a hit with bargain hunters. We pull out the Chevy cargo vans and bring in the discounted plants so that you can reap the savings! Do I sound like a used car salesman? So what! Break your piggy bank and bring your spare change, 'cause we'll be wheelin' and dealin', grinnin' and spinnin'! Greg will do a special dance for every order over $200.00. You won't wanna miss that...... See the festival website for more details on all of the special events/features
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Festival Programs/Lectures
Hermann pontificating
 Each festival location will have informative orchid related programs given by experts in the field. Don't miss these free seminars. Check out the schedule on the Festival Website at the link below:
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New Plant Offering
81 new orchids varieties available just in time for the Festival !
Angraecum Crestwood
 Every year about this time we offer several dozen new varieties which have rooted in over the summer. Check out this new list of orchids, available at Oak Hill Gardens, at the link below:
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Bulbo/Cirrho Special
For September we are offering special pricing on nine (9) differents varieties of Bulbophyllums/Cirrhopetalums. As usual, the more you buy, the more you save. These plants normally go for $15.00 each, but can be yours for as little as $10.00 each, if you order 6 or more! Whoa!
Info at link below:
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Growing Tip of the Month - by Liese
 Fall and Winter Orchid Care
Even though it's early September, fall seems to be in the air. The days are slowly getting shorter, the nights cooler, and some trees are even beginning to lose their leaves. The kids are back in school and our summer "routines" must change.
Most of us are creatures of habit. Watering our plants every Saturday morning and fertilizing once-a-month, whatever it may be. What one must remember is that as the seasons change, the climate conditions change, thus, the care of your orchids must also change.
Fall brings shorter days, cooler nights, and lower light intensities. These conditions are necessary to push many orchids into spike. However, the care we give them must change slightly to accomodate the new season. During the fall and winter months, the plant growth of orchids slows down and, in some cases, stops entirely until spring. Because of this, we usually cut back of our watering and fertilizing. It is good to switch foods to a blossom booster formula (i.e. 10-30-20) during the fall and winter. Blossom booster cuts back on the nitrogen and pumps up the phosphate, a combination that encourages blooming. With the lower light during these months the orchids simply do not use up as much food, so make sure to reduce your fertilizing frequency and/or switch to a blossom booster.
The plants also do not use up as much water during the fall/winter months. You will want to water your plants thorougly as usual. However, due to the darker, cooler days, it may take longer for your plants to dry out. If you are growing in a greenhouse or basement area, you may only have to water every 10-14 days. However, everyone's conditions are different. Our home is very dry during the winter due to the forced air heating system constantly kicking on. This dries out the orchids in the house and forces me to water twice a week, instead of just once.
The best thing to do is to evaluate and change your orchid care as the seasons change. Be aware of the plant growth and moisture content. Don't get caught up in too much of a "routine" of caring for your orchids. Learn to study the plant and decide on it's specific needs for that week, month and season.
Happy Growing,
Liese
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Please come to the festival if you can. It is always a good time!
Sincerely,
Greg, Liese and Hermann
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