Category Archives: Seasonal Blooms

Buy Orchids for Valentine’s Day!

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— Author: Kim Parker, Laramie County Advanced Master Gardener

Catleya Orchid, Photo Credit: Kim Parker

On Valentine’s Day, think about giving a live plant with long-lasting blooms instead of cut flowers!  Orchids are the second most popular flower and represent love, beauty, and refinement.  They come in a dizzying array of colors and sizes. Orchids do well in our homes or offices and the flowers can last for several weeks or even months! Here are some easy tips to keep your orchids alive and reblooming for many years to come!

Bring home a healthy plant!
The best thing you can do to ensure a long-lived orchid is to bring home a healthy plant. Do the orchids all look healthy, or are there a lot of sick and dying ones in the display?  For a healthy plant, look for:

  • Leaves that are firm and plump and not wilted, wrinkly, or floppy.  Avoid plants with missing or broken leaves or leaves with brown or black spots.
  • Roots that are firm and plump – bright white or silvery if dry and grass green if wet.  Growing tips will be pointy and grass green or slightly purple and are a sign of a healthy plant.
  • The flowers closest to the plant will open first and should be open all the way, not wilting, falling off, or missing.  Purchase an orchid with at least 3 unopened buds on the end of the flower spike, so that you know it will continue to bloom for a long time.
  • Bugs are good at hiding, so if you see some with just a glance, go to a different store!  Look into the leaf crevices for any crawling insects like scale, mealy bugs (white cottony bugs), thrips, or aphids.  We’ll talk more about those in another blog!  Fungus gnats are not serious pests and can be controlled by watering correctly.
Phal Display, Photo credit: Kim Parker

Water only when they need it!
Orchids are tropical plants and should never be “watered” with ice cubes!  Most orchids are epiphytes, which means they do not grow in soil, but on tree branches or rocks, allowing their roots to drain completely.  Water your orchids when the medium begins to dry, about every 3 to 7 days.  Hold under tepid water for 30 seconds and let drain completely.  Remove from the decorative pot before watering if there are no drainage holes.  The fastest way to kill your orchid is to allow the roots to sit in water! 

Find the right light!
Orchids are particular about how much light they need.  Most grow well in bright, indirect light, or under fluorescent lights like African violets or Christmas cactus. Avoid direct sun from south or west windows.   If the tag does not tell you how much light they need, check out the American Orchid Society culture sheet for your type of orchid.

Stay tuned for our next orchid article (coming May 2024) covering the most popular, widely-available orchid!  Phalaenopsis, or “Moth” orchids, have big, beautiful flowers that last up to 6 months! For a bonus, they are the easiest to grow, too!

Houseplant Appreciation Day – January 10, 2024

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Written By Marla Smith, Laramie County Master Gardener

What is Houseplant Appreciation Day?

Houseplant Appreciation Day is an annual event celebrated on January 10th, dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the beauty and benefits of houseplants. It’s a day to honor these green companions that bring life and vibrancy to our indoor spaces. Whether you have a small collection or a jungle-like oasis, Houseplant Appreciation Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate and care for your leafy friends.

How to choose the right houseplant for your home

My journey into indoor gardening began in high school when my sister gave me a cutting from her Swedish Ivy plant.  With a successful start, I added Wandering Jews, Spider Plants, and Burro’s Tail succulents to my collection.  Enjoying the beauty of houseplants sparked a gardening passion which I then took outdoors.  It is safe to say that I have garden year-round for year all the while never leaving Wyoming! 

Selecting the right houseplant for your home can be a delightful experience. However, it’s important to consider a few factors to ensure the plant thrives in its new environment. First, assess the lighting conditions in your home. Some plants thrive in bright, indirect light, while others prefer low light conditions. Understanding the lighting requirements of a plant will help you find the perfect spot for it in your home.

Next, consider the level of care and maintenance you are willing to provide. Some houseplants are more demanding than others, requiring regular watering, pruning, and fertilizing. If you’re a beginner or have a busy lifestyle, opt for low-maintenance plants that can withstand occasional neglect. Succulents, snake plants, and ZZ plants are great choices for those who want to dip their toes into the world of houseplants.

Additionally, consider the available space in your home. If you have limited floor space, consider plants that can be placed on shelves or hung from the ceiling. On the other hand, if you have ample floor space, larger plants like monstera or fiddle leaf figs can make a bold statement. Consider the overall aesthetic of your home and choose plants that complement your existing decor.

Houseplant resources and communities

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow plant enthusiasts, there are numerous resources and communities available at your fingertips. Here are a few to explore:

  1. Online Plant Care Guides: Many websites offer comprehensive plant care guides that provide detailed information on specific plant varieties. These guides typically include information on light requirements, watering needs, and common issues to watch out for.
  2. Social Media Plant Communities: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are home to thriving plant communities. Join groups dedicated to houseplants, follow plant influencers, and participate in discussions to share knowledge and learn from others.
  3. Local Plant Nurseries: Visit our local plant shops to connect with experts and fellow plant lovers. They can provide valuable advice and help you source unique plants for your collection.
  4. Botanical Gardens: Explore Cheyenne’s botanical garden and travel to those in Colorado.  Attend workshops or classes dedicated to houseplants. 

Houseplant Appreciation Day 2024 is a day to celebrate the beauty and benefits of houseplants. So, grab your watering can, put on your gardening gloves, and join us as we celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day!

Marla Smith

Christmas Cactus Care Recommendations

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Christmas Cactus with pink blooms
Photo Credit: C. Wissner

Christmas Cactus Care Recommendations

Written By

Catherine Wissner

Laramie County Master Gardener and Retired University of Wyoming Laramie County Extension Horticulturist

So, you brought home a Christmas Cactus, and it didn’t have care instructions… 

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera sp.) despite the common name they actually aren’t and need more water than you think.   Not a true cactus, but they are a succulent, native to tropical rainforests, where they soak up the high humidity, filtered sunlight, and warm temperatures.  I have several large Christmas cacti in my house, their favorite location is the east window.   The location is cool, around 65 to 70 degrees and no drafts.  They are near the bathroom, so they get extra humidity. My oldest, I inherited from my mother, who received it back in 1983. It starts to bloom early November and goes well into December.

They like their soil to be evenly moist, I check the top third of the soil and water accordingly.  Typically, if they dry out and stay dry, they will drop flower buds, remember they are a tropical plant. 

When you bring one home, give it a good drink of water.  Let the water drain out, keep it out of drafts or excess heat.

Feed with a low nitrogen house plant fertilizer from August through February.  Nitrogen should be no more than 5%. Too much causes rapid growth and few flowers. The second number, Phosphorus, and the third number, Potassium, should be 10% or less. Phosphorus helps the plant flower.  You can find out what your house plant fertilizer has on the label.

There are three different types of Christmas cactus.  The most common one sold is the Thanksgiving cactus.  This one blooms the earliest and continues to bloom for a couple months.  Christmas cactus will start blooming early winter and go through January, their leaves are slightly different. There is also an Easter cactus, which blooms late winter into early spring.   

Aster, Prof Kippenburg

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Dwarf Blue Fall Aster, another survivor of the Sept 9, snow and cold, this daisy like blue Aster has a yellow center and purple – blue petals. Grows up to 24 inches and as wide, easy care with medium water requirements. It can form a thick clump and can be used as a colorful fall blooming border.  A fall blooming sun lover attracting native bees, butterflies and honey bees it can also be used as a cut flower.

Aster, Pink Bouquet Dwarf

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Pink Bouquet Dwarf Aster, just now blooming and survivor of the Sept 9, snow and cold. This dwarf Aster only grows to 15 inches with a 24 inch spread, hardy to 8,500 feet and has a medium water requirement.  This sun lover blooms from September to mid fall, makes a nice cut flower and is loved by native bees and butterflies.

Anemone tomentosa, Grape Leaved

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It’s important to have flowers blooming from April to October.  This late summer bloomer is one of the last flower restaurants open for bees and butterflies to feast on.  Grape-leaved Anemone a true show stopper growing up to 3 feet tall with large pink flowers attracting butterflies. Hardy to 8,000 feet has medium water requirements will go from full sun to part shade, blooms August to frost. Another easy care easy to grow long lived perennial.

Saponaria x lempergii Max Frei

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It’s important to have flowers blooming from April to October.  This late summer bloomer is one of the last flower restaurants open for bees and butterflies to feast on.  This pretty pink Rock Soapwort is great for rock and crevice gardens, only grows to 18 inches tall but can spread to 2 feet. Another low water user, hardy to 7,000 likes full sun and is easy to grow.  Native bees and some butterflies like this plant.

Anaphalus margaritacea

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It’s important to have flowers blooming from April to October.  This late summer bloomer is one of the last flower restaurants open for bees and butterflies to feast on.  Finally in full bloom Anaphalis “Pearly Everlasting” this perennial started to bloom in June and now September is in full bloom. This long lived hardy perennial good to 9,500 feet, grows 2 feet tall and as wide if not more. Has low water requirements likes’ full sun to some filtered shade.  Another last restaurant open for native bees and butterflies.

Rabbitbrush

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It’s important to have flowers blooming from April to October.  This late summer bloomer is one of the last flowering restaurants open for bees and butterflies to feast on.  This perennial dwarf blue Rabbitbrush is perfect for small flower beds, getting 2 feet tall and as wide, hardy to 8,500 feet, very low water requirements and a beautiful golden yellow from late August to early October.  This scaled down native plant attracts native bees and butterflies in droves.

Solidago rugosa Fireworks

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It’s important to have flowers blooming from April to October.  This late summer bloomer is one of the last flower restaurants open for bees and butterflies to feast on.  Solidago rugose “fireworks” is the tallest of the Goldenrod family and can reach 3 feet tall with a 12 inch spread.  It likes filtered shade is hardy to 6,500 feet, takes a bit more water has beautiful bright yellow flowers from late August to October.  This is a great long lived perennial flower that feeds bees and butterflies.