Tips for Making a Moth Orchid Last

It can be three months (or more!) from the unveiling of a moth orchid’s first flower bud to the final flower closing. But the experts at Costa Farms® have tips to make orchids last longer.

“The primary thing is to ensure the conditions are good for your plant,” says Justin Hancock, garden expert from grower Costa Farms. “If your orchid is stressed, it won’t last as long as if it was in a better setting.”

Click read more to see Hancock's tips for keeping moth orchids alive and thriving:

Houseplants on a mission

The other day I was strolling through my garden center packed with perennials, fall decorations, pumpkins and  foodie fav's like apple cider donuts and pumpkin butter. It was a spectacular crisp fall day with a stunning azure sky.

Meandering my way through the crush of the crowd, donut firmly in hand, my eyes rested upon the displays of gorgeous houseplants. I was hooked.

Realizing my home is in need of sprucing up, I reckoned that houseplants are an easy way to add instant beauty to any room. And with my rather "eclectic" mix of furniture, they unify my rooms with a serene nod to Mother Nature. 

Beside adding natural beauty to our indoor spaces, did you know that these 'green heroes' provide oxygen and help remove carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds found in items like common household cleaning products, paint and ink cartridges, and even carpets?

And there are ongoing studies on the power of plants to lower blood pressure, speed healing, and help us better focus at work and in school!

With so many varieties to choose, it's easy to find houseplants that match your style, mood and taste.

Still stumped? Try orchids.They're easy to grow and a great houseplant that you'll enjoy for months to come.

Even though it's October, 'pink-up' and pick up a beautiful pink Phalaenopsis orchid at Lowe's to help raise funds for the breast cancer movement.

Through the Plant for a Cure (R) program, Lowe's is donating 10 % of the purchase price of orchids bearing the Plant for the Cure tag to Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R).

For more fascinating facts on houseplants check out Costa Farms along with their O2 For You campaign and their cool new Growing Style digital magazine - and add some "green" to your life! And let us know your favorite houseplant!

~Lynne

GMG

Costa Farms Social Summit Blooms

Costa Farms Social Summit held in Miami earlier this month was a huge hit. Everyone was blown away by seeing hundreds of thousands of orchids, ferns, succulents, cacti and other tropical plants in one location.

Here are what a few of our friends had to say about their visit:

Justin Hancock, BHG.com editor, pictured here in orchid heaven, had this to say: "Last week I had the pleasure of traveling to Costa Farms, one of the coolest companies in the horticultural industry."

Justin says the the Costa Farms trial gardens, which are open to the public, are "definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area. "

Martha Stewart Living senior associate garden editor Stacey Hirvela (pictured here with me) wrote two blog posts. In her first post "Meet Maria Costa Smith, Stacey told us about Costa Farms' sustainable initiatives. "Maria told us about some of the things that they are doing to be a smarter, better source for plants. While they are working on addressing all of the sustainability issues I mentioned, it is the packaging that gardeners will notice most." Click here to read more and take Stacey's packaging survey.

In the second post, entitled "Sublime Reputation", Stacey talks more about the plants. "When I was down in Miami visiting Costa Farms, one of the most stunning sights was the sheer quantity and precision of their growing ranges. It's pretty unbelievable to be standing in a room with nearly three quarters of a million orchids, or 60 acres of nothing but Boston ferns." Stacey posted lots of great pictures to give you an idea of the scope of the Florida nursery.

Christopher Tidrick actually won a social media contest to attend, and we're glad he did. What a delight he is. He did a great post Plants with a Purpose, A Plantsman with Passion , calling the trip to the Costa Farms greenhouses "a visual experience so surreal, there aren't really words that can do it justice." But he found the words and really recapped everything -- from Costa Farms O2 for You educational program, to the Wall Street Journal's recent article to a wonderful profile of Mike Rimland.

Here we all are in our guayaberas, or Cuban wedding shirts for our closing dinner. What fun to be Cuban for a night!

Stacey, Garden Media Group

No Fear Orchids

Did you know that Phalaenopsis orchids, also referred to as moth orchids, are the most popular orchid for growing inside the home? These little beauties usually bloom in late winter and into the spring, when are homes could really use some color.

According to Justin Hancock editor of Better Homes & Garden online (BHG.com), Phalaenopsis are the perfect choice for beginners. “Besides being the most well-known, they are the easiest to grow rewarding you with months of showy blooms with little to no effort.”

What's so great about these orchids is that they can survive in low light situations as well as moderate light. Direct sunlight is a definite no-no when it comes to these plants. Plus, they're budget friendly and come in wide array of colors making them the perfect decorative choice for any home.

Still not sure about growing orchids? Then check out this great how-to video from the experts at Costa Farms. I think you'll change your mind!

For more tips on growing orchids, visit Orchids Are Easy.com.

-Stacey

GMG