ORLANDO, Fla. – Spring is right around the corner, and with mild temperatures come the blooming season with vibrant flowers and plants.
News 6 anchor and Insider Guide Crystal Moyer went to Leu Gardens to speak with expert gardeners for some tips, tricks and household hacks to keep your plants thriving.
Eric Schmidt is a botanical records specialist at Leu Gardens, a 50-acre historic botanical gardens in Orlando. With about 30 years of experience, Eric has become an expert in gardening and has some advice for plant enthusiasts.
When do I need to repot a plant?
“Plants are fine in their original containers and pots until you start to see the roots coming out the bottom. That will cause the plant to dry out very quickly, because the pot is full of root and no soil,” Schmidt said.
What do I need to know when putting a variety of plants in one planter?
“You don’t want to put a plant that needs a lot of water with one that only needs little, or mix a shade plant with sun plants. Be sure to pay attention to the type of plant and you’ll want them to compliment each other when it comes to their growing conditions,” Schmidt said. “You also don’t want to put a plant in too big of a pot that it will overgrow too tall. Get a well-drained planting soil. You don’t want it to hold a lot of water because it can cause root rot.”
Schmidt also suggests putting plants slightly higher in the soil than it was in the original pot because it will settle on its own in the new planter.
Does Leu Gardens sell plants?
Leu Gardens is hosting its 27th Annual Plant Sale March 9 and 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More than 50 growers will be selling a variety of plants including: annuals, bamboo, bromeliads, butterfly plants, camellias, ferns, fruit trees, gingers, heliconia’s, herbs, native plants, orchids, palms, plumerias, roses, vines and more. There will also be gardening accessories and yard art for sale.
The Gardens has partnered with Foxtail Coffee & Food, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, Wild Rabbit Cafe and Peak Season Pops for delicious food, treats and drinks.
Even if you’re not interested in purchasing a new plant, admission to Leu Gardens is free during the two-day event so it’s a great opportunity take a stroll through the gardens.
What if my plants are dying?
Eric said with the change in season, you may notice some of your plants dying. They’ll look brown and limp.
“If the stem is dead, we’ll cut it off at the ground level, leaving the roots under the soil to give it a chance to sprout back from the roots,” Schmidt said. “This is a good time to give things a trimming to encourage growth.”
When in doubt, Schmidt said scratch the stem.
“Scratch the stem with your nail or tool. If you see brown, the stem is dead. Keep scratching until you get to the green part of the stem and cut the brown part leaving the healthy green portion,” Schmidt said. “Some leaves may turn brown and fall off or you can trim the leaves.”
How do I get single-cut flowers like roses to live longer?
You know the saying “a spoonful of sugar...?” It not only helps the medicine go down in the world of Mary Poppins but feeds flowers.
“You can use a lemon lime soda like Sprite and put some in the vase with water. The flower will absorb the sugar corn syrup and live longer. Bleach will help sterilize the water but not really help the flowers. Ice doesn’t hurt but doesn’t help,” Schmidt said.
“If you’d like to make your flowers last longer, you can buy a commercially prepared crystals like the ones that come in the packets when you buy a bouquet of flowers,” Schmidt said.
Whether you’re a beginner or professional with a green thumb, Leu Gardens has horticulturists on staff who will answer any questions you have about plants in your home.
Click HERE for information on Leu Gardens.
What tips, tricks or household hacks do you have when it comes to planting? Share them in the comments below.