Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day with Beautiful Plants from Costa Farms

We all know it - teachers are truly unsung heroes. They work tirelessly to make sure that their students are inspired by new ideas every day. A teacher’s impact extends far beyond the classroom and often across lifetimes. These educators support their students and inspire them through their everyday work. 

Say thanks by gifting a beautiful houseplant from Costa Farms in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 3. Live houseplants are a wonderful addition to any classroom or office — they’re decorative, boost well-being and purify indoor air.  

Every day, teachers challenge students to learn, to explore and to grow. Reward the teachers in your life with a stunning houseplant — the gift that keeps on growing — to show gratitude.

Celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day with these 5 tips from Costa Farms!

Celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day with Costa Farms on January 10th by recognizing all of the amazing benefits houseplants provide. They’re decorative, boost well-being and purify indoor air.

“Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to show your houseplants a little TLC,” says Justin Hancock, garden expert at Costa Farms. “Thank a plant today for bringing beauty into your home and office, making you feel good and naturally cleansing the very air you breathe inside.”

Here are 5 simple tips to celebrate the day:

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:

GMG's Friday Find: Loving Orchids for Valentines Day!

Costa Farms

Did you know that after New Year's Day, Valentine's Day is the most celebrated holiday around the world. Throughout history, this day is honored with romantic traditions that include cards, candy, and gifts to express love and appreciation.  If those diamond studs are not in your budget this year, and you love flowers, consider the orchid.  Unlike cut flowers that are short-lived, the orchid blooms for weeks as a continual reminder of someone's love expression. And better yet, as a beneficial houseplant, will continue to yield for years.

Orchids offer classic, timeless beauty. This restful and romantic orchid garden features a tiny landscape: orchids, arbor, and organic white bowl in perfect harmony. The double slender stems are topped with open flowers and round buds waiting to open. Orchid blooms flower for up to 6 weeks, which makes this mini garden a winner on Valentine’s Day.

Orchids are easy...really!  To water, simply place the plant in your sink and drench with water, let drain, and replace in it's location. Wait until the moss or medium is 95% dry before watering again.  Light requirements are a cinch.  If you can comfortably read with the light in a room, your orchid will be very happy.  Direct sunlight is not recommended.  

Orchids are the perfect Valentines Day gift for everyone on your list. So give a little love and give an orchid...easier on your wallet than diamond studs for sure! Happy Valentines Day from all of us at Garden Media Group.

~Peggy
Garden Media Group

Mother's Day gifts that keep on giving!

Here at the Garden Media Group we’re sharing great last minute Mother’s Day gifts that are practical, long-lasting and stylish. Live plants for Mother’s Day are gifts that keep on giving and will add beauty to her home and garden.

1) Orchids. Orchids are exotic plants with stunning flowers that are surprisingly affordable and simple to grow. These gorgeous flowering plants keep blooming for months with little to no effort long after her special day is past. Look for Phalaenopsis orchids, which are the most popular and come in a variety of colors in decorative containers, for under $20 at your local retailer. For more tips on caring for your orchid, visit  http://www.orchidsareeasy.com/

2) Tropical plants. Surprise mom with an instant backyard make-over. New tropical plant varieties are ready to place in any sunny spot for immediate color. Carefree desert roses from Hines Growers like Adenium Kissable Pink, Red and Blush have bright, colorful flowers and a unique bonsai-like appearance. Sun-loving, Bahama Bay hibiscus ‘Amazon Queen’ has ruffled swirls of orangey blooms that look great in the landscape or on decks, patios and porches.
For more information on the many varieties of tropical plants and plant care, visit http://www.hinesgrowers.com/

3) Herbs. Mom will love a living herb plant that’s a meaningful, sustainable gift, no matter what variety you choose. Herbs are ideal choices for their low maintenance, beauty and versatility as both a functional flavor in the kitchen or aromatic scent to enjoy. Pamper mom with an easy to prepare homemade herbal facial scrub that’s great for her skin and smells citrusy.

For great herb choices visit The Growers Exchange http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/.

Here's our own gardening expert and garden/ green living trendspotter, Suzi McCoy's favorite homemade facial scrub made from wonderful herbs and citrus fruit:

Juice from 1/2 ruby red grapefruit

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary (chopped)

2 cups of white sugar

1 Tablespoon of olive oil

(add pulp of grapefruit for color)

Mix all the ingredients until blended well and add enough sugar to form a thick paste. Put into a pretty jar, tie with a pretty ribbon and voila! Let us know how this works for you!

And to all you moms and your special mom, this Sunday, May 12th, have a wonderful Mothers Day from all of us at the Garden Media Group.

~Lynne, GMG

This Earth Day, Use Houseplants To Sweep the Air Clean with O2 For You

Thank a plant on Earth Day. Silently and always “working”, these green heroes toil tirelessly to purify the environment, naturally cleansing the air and providing truly amazing health benefits! They filter indoor air 24/7 to sweep it clean from dangerous chemicals and toxins while continuously releasing fresh oxygen in homes and offices.

When selecting indoor plants, consider the plants “job”. Does it work the day shift or night shift? Is it for the home or office? Does it work in bright light or low light? This Plant Guide from O2 For You allows users to find houseplants that suit their conditions and fit their lifestyle.

According to a landmark NASA study, it is recommended that at least one or more medium sized houseplant for every 100 square feet in the home or office will help maximize the health benefits and freshen the air.

Why Are House Plants Green Heroes? People's lives depend on technology, but ordinary household products such as paints, tobacco smoke, printer ink and carpets hold hidden dangers that plants can help reduce.

Former NASA research scientist Dr. Bill Wolverton found plants improve air quality through their natural “filtering” ability. He discovered houseplants can absorb up to 87% of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), like formaldehyde and benzene, found in many homes and offices.

Houseplants work round the clock to “clean” the air! How? They absorb these VOCs into the root zone where they’re broken down by microbes. Some of the hardest working plants are the peace lilies, ferns and palms.

Bring a Houseplant to Work Put a plant on your desk to feel happier, enjoy better health and be more productive. The NASA study recommends office workers should have at least one medium size plant in their “personal breathing space” at work to effectively remove indoor pollutants.

Research conducted in the Netherlands supports this, finding office workers who had plants in their workspace out performed co-workers without plants. Workers reported they felt better and their concentration improved with plants on their desks, especially working at computers!

Another test conducted in Norway reports that 25% fewer health problems occur, in particular respiratory ailments, headache, and fatigue, when plants were introduced to their workspace.

Snake plants, broad sword ferns and rubber plants are among the top ten air purifiers recommended by experts. They’re easy to grow, are natural humidifiers and remove airborne chemicals. Other green heroes are philodendrons, dieffenbachias and ZZ plants.

Take a Heavy Night Breather to Bed Some plants actually work at night while we sleep! These green heroes “breathe out” oxygen (O2) and absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) at night, rather than in the daytime, when the majority of plants do their “breathing.”

Kate Santos, director of research for Costa Farms, the largest indoor houseplant producer in North America, recommends snake plants and orchids, particularly in the bedroom. These natural botanical air purifiers make perfect bedroom buddies to refresh and beautify these spaces for a healthy, restful night’s sleep!

“Which plant you choose, and where you place your plants is important to reap optimum benefits,” says Santos.

Santos says to consider the light, humidity, and temperature to determine the best spot for a plant. “Put a Majesty Palm in your living room, fern in the family room and a Peace lily in the kitchen. Add golden pothos or heart leaf philodendron for beauty and maximum air cleansing benefits.”

Look for the ‘O2 for You’ displays at Lowe’s Home Depot, and Walmart nationwide this April.

-Stacey
Garden Media Group
 

Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens

Last week I decided to take my daughter to explore the amazing Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens. It was a gorgeous day out, so what better way to spend it than by walking the beautiful grounds at Longwood. After exploring the meadows and the forest, we headed inside to the Garden's four-acre Conservatory to see the orchids. I was blown away as we wandered through the indoor gardens. It was incredible to see thousands of colorful orchids draping from walls and spilling out of containers and baskets. We didn't want to leave!


Here are just few of my favorites from our fun-filled day! 

If you happen to be in the Brandywine Valley area, the Orchid Extraganza will be on display through March 25th, 2012. I promise you won't be disappointed!


-Stacey
GMG

GMG Hits Homerun with Plant for the Cure®

We are so excited to be involved with a wonderful cause marketing project from Costa Farms. They are teaming up with Lowe's to offer consumers a beautiful pink Phalaenopsis orchid to help raise funds for the breast cancer movement during the month of October.

Through the Plant for a Cure® program, Lowe's will donate 10% of the purchase price of orchids bearing the Plant for a Cure® tag to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.


A special thanks to our friends at Better Homes & Gardens who featured this great plant pick in their October issue. I hope you'll join me in supporting this worthwhile cause, while adding a touch of beauty to your home.

-Stacey
GMG

Orchid Tree Shows Off Tropical Beauties

My friend Sandy Mills loves orchids. She has them all over her 19th century Chester County farmhouse which has been a bed and breakfast for more than 25 years.

Sandy is a wonderful hostess, cook and gardener . . . and has a very handy husband.

When Sandy wanted to move her orchids outside, Tom suggested he make wire baskets so she could hang them in the shade of the tree in their front yard.

They are happy as if they are in some tropical jungle, look fabulous as you drive up and are lovely to enjoy from inside the house.

Orchids are really easy to grow. Here are a the ABC's of orchid care from our friends at Costa Farms:
A - Always wait until the bark or moss is almost completely dry before watering. And never leave your orchid in standing water.
B - Be sure to keep your orchid out of direct sunlight. Place them in a well-lit area, but not in direct sunlight. I didn't know this: the larger the leaf of an orchid variety, the less lights it needs.
C - Confidence that you will be successful in growing your own orchids. They love a little neglect and to be out of the spotlight.

For more tips on growing these and other easy care orchids or to find a retailer near you, visit Orchids Are Easy.


Suzi, Garden Media Group

Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Still need some last minute Mother's Day gift ideas to show mom how much you care? Then here are some simple ideas, plants and cool garden products that you can find at any local garden retailer to brighten up her day.

• Orchids make perfect "living gifts" and are great if you're on a budget. They're easy to grow and the flowers keep blooming for months with little to no effort! Plus you can find them for under $20.

• Why not give her a coupon to her favorite garden center? Better yet, buy her a flowering plant and offer to help plant it in her garden.

• Is you mom an animal lover? How about a nice piece of cast stone garden statuary such as small bird, frog, rabbit, dragonfly (pictured) cat or dog that she can nestle among her plants? She'll think of you every time she's in the garden!

• Does your mom dig garden tools? Then here's a great idea from Centurion. Their new FlexBox has all the essential spring planting garden tools in one box. The kit includes a 10 gallon pop-up tub perfect for potting soil and collecting weeds plus three tools that make garden chores a cinch -- a trowel, cultivator and transplater. What more could she ask for!

Just grab a pretty basket, tuck in your pretty plants and products, tie it up with a pretty bow, and voila! ... gifts any mom will love!

Happy Mother's Day!

-Stacey

GMG

Take Your Kids to Work Day at Martha Stewart

This Thursday I'll be taking my daughter, Morgan, to the offices of Martha Stewart Living in NYC for their annual Take Your Kids to Work Day.

Now you're probably wondering how this invite fell in my lap since I don't even work at MSL. Well, I really need to thank my client, Costa Farms. They're providing 60 of their beautiful mini-orchids for the gardening activity that day. Kids will re-pot these mini-orchids (pictured here) and then decorate the container with fun stuff like stickers and paint. Plus, they'll learn all about the history of orchids as well as how to care for them from deputy garden editor, Tony Bielaczyc. While Morgan's there, she'll also get to make homemade granola, create her own How-to book and take a tour of the MSL offices.

We're both so excited to take some time off to spend with the generous folks at Martha Stewart Living and maybe do a little sight-seeing!

-Stacey

GMG

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

Putting Orchids to bed for Winter

As many of you know, my husband and I are moving in the next couple of weeks -- not far. Just across town. One of the things that sold me on the house was the attached greenhouse. The previous owner it filled with orchids, so now I'm on a new quest: To become an orchid grower!

I've never gardened in a greenhouse before so it was nice to find these tips from the Steve Asbell that he posted from the St. Augustine Orchid Society.

General Growing Tips. Short days and cold nights necessitate adjustments for both plants and growers. Reduce water and fertilizer gradually until you reach your winter target, about half that of the summer levels. Don't fertilize winter dormant orchids and most dendrobiums after Thanksgiving. Prepare your plants for their winter home. Inspect them, remove dead leaves and sheaths with a sterile tool, and spray for pests if necessary. Protect them when temperatures are projected to drop below their winter minimum acceptable temperature. Consider removing shading from the greenhouse to allow more light during the winter months.

For more tips on wintering over cattleyas, dendrobiums, oncidiums, Phalaenopsis, vandas. , click here.

For even more detailed growing instructions from Costa Farms, one of the largest orchid growers in the US, visit Orchids are Easy.

Suzi, the orchid grower
Garden Media Group

Hard to Kill: Houseplants for the Inept

A month after moving into his new home, New York Times reporter Michael Tortorello phoned three experts to ask what new houseplants he should adopt as his own and wrote about it in yesterday's New York Times .

He spoke with our own Mike Rimland, director of business at Costa Farms; Uli Lorimer, the curator of native plants at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; and Mark Hoover, who blogs about houseplants on Plants Are the Strangest People.

Check out the complete story and slide show to see their suggestions, best tips and their favorite catalogs. And a list of their "greatest hits are below — with a star next to the indestructible plants."

Mike picked the ★ SAGO PALM (CYCAS REVOLUTA) pictured here. “You could drive a truck over it, and you couldn’t kill it,” Mr. Rimland said. Do we hear a challenge?

Enjoy!

Suzi

Garden Media Group

Halloween is Over. Time to Start Thinking of Holiday Spending!

It seems as soon as Halloween is over, Santa comes out! If this year's number of trick or treaters is any indication, it looks like the economy is turning around, and we might have some good news for which we can be thankful at Thanksgiving.

According to all reports, this holiday season is expected to be the best for retailers since 2007!

After a ho-hum 2009 and a disastrous 2008, holiday retail sales in the US are expected to increase 2.3% this year to $447.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.

The results look about the same in the UK, where sales are expected to be up 1.9%, according to a new study from Verdict Research reported in Garden International.

The report says "seasonal products and gardening items will be the main areas to push sales for DIY and gardening retailers. Eye-catching homewares ranges should provide an opportunity for gifting and entertainment."

So here are a few ideas from GMG:

Orchids are a luxury anyone can afford. Orchids from Costa Farms are easy to grow, last for months and make a great hostess gift or elegant holiday decorations.

Containers, statuary or fountains: A great gift for avid gardeners and homeowners, Campania offers a wide variety of garden “jewelry” to accessorize the garden. From classic planters, birdbaths, benches to dancing frogs, pigs, cats and dogs, just wrap them with a big red ribbon and put them under the tree.

Tools -- What gardener doesn't love a new tool in their stocking. The new titanium tipped tools from Centurion are as pretty as jewelry! This folding shovel seems a must for every mom's trunk!

So, this year, put something for your garden on your wish list.

Suzi

GMG

From Luxury to Steampunk: Indoor Plants Are Trending Again in '11

From “steampunk” Victorian hipster decor rocking among young urbanites to upscale suburban homes, decorating with houseplants like orchids, ferns and palms is another hot trend for 2011.

Steampunk blends Victorian textures and accessories with high-tech architectural features. To bring it home, we like mixing Victorian plant preferences like ferns and orchids with neutrals or shiny metallics containers from Campania International.

Chic and easy to grow, orchids add a lavish touch to any room. Plus these hard-working beauties clean indoor air from volatile organic compounds and provide oxygen. For tips on growing orchids, visit Orchids Are Easy.

Phalaenopsis (moth) orchids as well as other varieties are perfect choices for affordable, colorful plants that look as comfortable in 21st century homes as they did in Victorian days. To learn more about the health benefits of indoor houseplants check out O2forYou.org.

For more 2011 Garden Trends, visit Garden Media Group

Enjoy your indoor plants!
Suzi

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Still need that something special for your mother, grandmother or any other special lady in your life? With Mother's Day being less than two weeks away, we decided to put together a short list of fabulous garden gifts that would delight any mom.

Make her day bloom.

Orchids are the most glamorous flowering plants in the world and are a great gift for today's budget conscious shoppers. They're easy to grow and the flowers keep blooming for months with little to no effort! Look for Phalaenopsis Mini-Orchids, which come in a variety of exotic colors in decorative 4 inch and 6 inch containers, for under $15 at your local retailer. For more tips on caring for your orchid, visit Costa Farms.

Give Roses That Live Forever.

Why not give Mom something like that will continue to remind her how much you appreciate her long after her special day is over? Shrub roses are a great alternative to cut roses, which only live for a short time. Impress mom with one of the new Drift® Roses. These ever-blooming groundcover plants grow come in array of colors, form a nice compact habit and are highly disease resistant. Plus, they bloom from early spring to late fall giving your mom months of natural beauty.

Pot up a pretty plant that keeps on giving!

For a great gift that will "wow" moms and anyone who loves a pretty plant, look for the Jersey Earlybird™ 'Cardinal' Daylily from Centerton Nursery. The 4 inch bright red flower with ruffled edges held high on 21 inch stems has thick green foliage. Best of all, it blooms early in May and keeps re-blooming for nearly 100 days through zone 6, and 85 days in Zone 5. Look for Jersey Earlybird™ 'Cardinal' at garden centers.

Moms Dig Tools.

Good tools are like good jewelry for gardeners. Centurion tools with the titanium tips and bright yellow handles and the lady's line, Elizabeth's Garden, make great gifts. From by-pass pruners to loppers, the right tool makes the job much easier. Designs based on the latest ergonomic research, making using these tools a pleasure.

Happy Shopping!

-Stacey

Best Holiday Gifts for the Homebody

The editors of Money Magazine did a search and compiled a list of goodies for the home that will "delight any nester, and won't cost you a fortune.

Orchids were one of the seven gifts they recommend. "Phalaenopsis orchids are elegant, bloom for over a month, and are the easiest of all orchids to grow," says horticulturist Steven Frowine, author of "Orchids for Dummies." For the best price, skip the florist and head straight for Home Depot ($17, Home Depot stores)."

Be sure to look for the Costa Farms tag.

Mini-Orchids from Costa Farms

New this spring are ‘phalaenopsis’ Mini-Orchids being introduced from Costa Farms. These diminutive beauties are about 12” tall and come with 8-10 blooms for under $15. These affordable mini-blooming machines make perfect “living gifts” for Mothers Day, birthdays, house warming and teacher gifts, college students, and your boss and colleagues. In other words, give an orchid to someone – even if it’s to yourself. Available at neighborhood retailers, they offer consumers a great range of colors in both 3-inch and 6-inch pots.