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| February Newsletter
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G(r)o(w)ing Green
February 2010
Issue # 39 |
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| Greetings!
Orchid Care 101
A few years ago, I was working the Oak Hill Gardens sales table at the local Illinois Society show at the Botanic Gardens. A woman walked up to the crowded booth and loudly declared, "Last year at this show I bought a big beautiful orchid from you, and it died within two months!" After politely expressing my regrets, I asked her how she had cared for it after she had taken it home. She replied, "I did just what you told me. I put it in the window and gave it a thimbleful of water once a week."
I apologized for the apparent miscommunication, and went on to tell her that, althought the "once a week" part was correct, a plant of that size should be doused with a copious amount of water each time. She reflected on this and said, "Oh, now ya tell me...." Then there was a pregnant pause before she asked, "So where do I get some of this 'Copious' water?"
Oh, boy....I wanted to tell her that she could find it next to the Evian brand in the beverage section of her local supermarket. But before I could speak (thankfully) another woman shopping at the table was gracious enough to give her a short English lesson......
Our new printed catalog is at the printer; you should receive it via bulk mail by mid-March. However, you can get a jump on what new plants are for sale at Oak Hill Gardens by visiting our newly posted "2010 New Offerings" list.
Cymbidiella rhodochila
 This month we are featuring a special on Dendrobium anosmum (superbum). We have vigorous, blooming-size 6" baskets of this fragrant, spring-blooming beauty. They normally go for $20.00, but this month you can get yours for only $15.00.
Our list of plants in spike and bud has mushroomed, as is typical for
this time of year. If you need some immediate gratification in the way of color, check out what's about to bloom! The plants can be seen on our homepage; just click on the link below and scroll down a bit.
 Liese's "Growing Tip of the Month" column is feaured below. She explains how, despite what Kermit used to say, it's easy to be green. It's a "must read" for Dend. anosmum
all planet conscious growers (no matter what planet you're from).
Dtps. Ever-spring Pearl 'Taida'
Have a good February!
Greg
Ribbit ! |
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| 2010 New Offerings
Get a jump on the catalog!
Rlc. Williette Wong 'The Best' AM/AOS
Our printed catalog will hit the streets in about six weeks. However, we have already entered all of our 135 new orchid varieties for sale onto the website. They have also been sorted for a quick review into a special section titled:
Browse it now to find out what you cannot live without!
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Orchids in Spike and Bud
Add some color to your collection!
Dtps. Sin-Yuan Golden Beauty 'Fairy Tale'
The last few months, we haven't had much in the way of blooming plants to offer (plus, we couldn't ship them to you due to the frigid weather here - and in most of the rest of the country!). Now, however, we have plenty to offer those of you who need to see a flower soon. Our spiking and budded varieties, as always, are listed on the homepage for your review. Just click on the link (or the photo) and sroll down a bit.
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February Special
Denbrobium anosmum
 This plant belongs in everyone's collection, according to Hermann. We have some beautiful specimen plants of this classic. One of them was in bloom in our display at the Longwood Gardens show last March; it was one of the most "talked-about" orchids by those attending. These plants make a spectacular, pendant display of lavender blooms which yield a very strong, pleasant fragrance.
This month you can obtain a blooming size plant in a six inch basket for only $15.00 (normally $20.00).
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Upcoming Orchid Shows
Save shipping!; let us
Will you be atttending one of the four orchids shows at which Oak Hill Gardens will be in February? We waive shipping and handling on all pre-orders of plants to be delivered to the show. Let us bring you what you need. Here's what going on in February:
February 6-7 Madison, WI
February 13-14 Ames, IA
February 20-21 Dayton, OH
February 27-28 Lansing, MI
For details on these shows, contact us and/or go to our event page at the link below:
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Growing Tip of the Month - by Liese
Going Green
"Going Green" seems to be the politically correct thing to do these days. Here at Oak Hill, we "went green" the day we opened our doors for business almost 37 years ago. That's the beauty of growing orchids; many of your supplies can simply be sterilized and re-used.
Any of your pots (clay and plastic) and trays can simply be dipped in a 10% bleach solution to kill bugs or mold that they may be harboring. The plant labels we sell are made of a strong, thick plastic. If one writes on them with a #2 pencil, the image lasts for years without fading and they can simply be erased and re-used.
All our knives, razor blades and clippers we dip in a Trisodium Phosphate(TSP) solution to disinfect and sterilize them between uses. TSP can be found at the hardware store. We also sell small bags of it here for $2.00.
Old broken clay pots we smash up and use for potting large Vandas. The broken pieces support the plant and hold a bit of moisture for the root systems. It works just as well as the clay pellets at no cost!
We put all of our old potting material and dead leaves, etc. on a compost pile out back. After two years we mix the composted 'soil' with a bit of peat and perlite to make a wonderful tropical houseplant soil. It also is great for your vegetable garden.
Old grapevine, hardwood pieces, driftwood and even used cedar shingles from your roof can be used to mount orchids.
The one thing you don't want to skimp on is your potting material. Fresh, new bark should always be used when repotting your orchids. Old, used or decaying bark causes root rot and should never be re-used. It is better off composted.
Oak Hill Gardens is probably one of the "greenest" businesses around. We collect rainwater in a large cistern and use it to water our plants We re-use grocery bags and cartons from our local stores to package plants. We use boxes from the food we consume at home to insulate shipping boxes during cold months (order from us often enough and you'll get an idea just how much junk food we eat!). Greg even collects his own belly button lint and uses it for insulation to plug small greenhouse leaks!
Be creative - wash, sterilize and reuse as many of your supplies and possible. This will help to prolong the life of the giant orb that we inhabit. It will also free up some cash so that you can buy a new plant or two to add color and beauty to your life!
Go green!
Liese
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Don't forget your Valentine(s)!
Greg, Liese and Hermann |
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