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Happy New Year!
Welcome to a new beginning in 2011. We hope that you can look back on 2010 and at least be able to say, "Eh, we survived, had some fun and and it wasn't all that bad." We feel grateful to be in business and to have your support. Thank you for that!
Yes, the not-so-subliminal "10% off" message in the title above was meant to get your attention. Hope it worked!
| | All Supplies 10% off in January |
As usual, in January we are offering 10% off on all supplies. Those of you who received gift certificates during the month of December can benefit twice this month, as you can spend your 10% bonus dollars on merchandise that's 10% off. Now that's a bargain!
The 10% off theme has been extended to other offerings also. For the first time, Oak Hill will offer a 10% discount on orchid show plant "pre-orders" for any show at which we will be selling in 2011. Think about that. You can now not only save the shipping and handling, but an additional 10%. We will drive the plants to the show for you in a nice warm van. What a deal. For more info on a show near you, check out the show schedule on our upcoming events page.
This 10% off on pre-orders also applies to any lectures or programs in which Oak Hill participates this year, i.e. orchid society meeting presentations, etc.
We promise to do our part toward making sure you have a Happy New Year!
Best wishes,
Greg
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January Special - 10% Off
on All Supplies | |
| | "Corkid Raft" |
Repotting any time soon?
See the "Quick Links" list above and to the left? Clicking on those links will take you to six different pages of orchid-related supplies, on which you can save 10% in the month of January. Even if repotting is a couple months away, doesn't it make sense to save now?
NEW! - we are now offering a new size for our Oak Hill Potting Mix - a 1.5 cu ft. bag. This size is half the volume and weight (about 30 lbs.) of our large bag, so it is easier to handle and less expensive to ship. Available in both the medium and seedling grades.
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Show Pre-Orders - 10% off
on Plants all Year!
| | Is There an Orchid Show Coming to Your Town in 2011?
| | orchid show |
For the first time Oak Hill Gardens is offering 10% off of all plants "pre-ordered" for any orchid show in which we are participating. (this does not apply to wholesale orders, of course). Get your order in early and we can save you not only the shipping charges, but an extra 10%. (Large bags of media will not be transported to orchid shows, for lack of room) In the next two months Oak Hill Gardens will be at the following shows. You may pre-order plants at a 10% discount with free delivery! Grand Rapids, MI - January 22-23 St. Louis, MO - January 29-30 St. Paul, MN - January 29-30 Madison, WI - February 5-6 Ames, IA - February 12-13 Lansing, MI - February 26-27 (see upcoming events page or call for details!) This 10% discount offer applies to orchid society presentations and lectures, as well. Usually we CAN bring large bags of media to these events, if we are driving. Just ask!
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| Growing Tip of the Month - by Liese | |  A Watched Pot Never Boils
"When is it going to be ready, Mom?" I had heard this question at least 10 times in the past hour. Jared, our younger son, was peering into the oven watching his big brother's birthday cake. The pleasant odor filled the house. Jared let out an exasperated sigh when I explained that it still had a while to bake, then cool completely, then be frosted before we could eat it.
It is much the same thing watching the flower spikes of our orchids form. Anticipating the beginning of a new spike and watching for it to appear sometimes seems to take forever. Even once the small nub of a spike does show, it sometimes will take months before the buds are formed and begin to crack. Our Phalaenopsis clones, for instance, first started to push out their spikes in early September. Most will not begin to bloom until mid-January into February. That's four months!
A few years back I remember watching a batch of Eria stricta form their bud spikes . The batch had just recently become blooming size and all had multiple spikes. The spikes grew quickly, much like other Eria species we know. They even formed their buds within a week or two. Then they stopped! The spikes, large buds and all....just sat there, month after month. Finally, 2 1/2-3 months later, the flowers began to open. They bloomed for a week, then turned brown and fell off. This is their yearly cycle, normal for this species.
Cattleyas also seem to "take forever." Sometimes sheaths are formed when the new growth appears in spring or early summer. Often those sheaths will just sit there, empty, until their blooming season begins - 6 months later in fall or early winter. Again, this is normal for certain varieties. Once fall hits, cooler nights arrive and buds are formed.
Sometimes buds and spikes can be stunted by low humidity, dark cloudy days, and cool temperatures. Spikes will form more quickly when bright, sunny days abound, bringing with them the warmth of the sun. If humidity levels are very low, the dryness of the air can cause buds to turn yellow and drop - or simply stop forming until a proper environment returns.
Orchids are slow growers, most requiring 4-7 years before mature enough to bloom. The new growths, even on a mature plant, usually take one year to develop and bloom. But the beautiful and fascinating flowers they produce are well worth the wait.
So slow down and enjoy the entire orchid growing and blooming process. Patience is a virtue.
You'll have to excuse me now - Jared has just informed me that I have a cake to frost!
Liese
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We wish you good health and prosperity in the new year!
Sincerely,
Greg, Liese and Hermann |
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