Syracuse NY Florist - The Gardens of Venus

Plant Care (the basics)
 

        

 

African Violet - African Violets may bloom for up to nine months and then go dormant for a while.  Allow
to dry out between watering (which will help blooms).  Water from the bottom to protect the leaves.  
African Violets like moderate to bright indirect light. Avoid sudden temperature change.  Take off
wilted blossoms.  Fertilize monthly.  
Aglaonema - also known as Chinese Evergreen, these do well in medium to low light, they make a 
good bedroom or bathroom plant. Allow the soil to dry between watering.  Don't let these completely dry out.
Amaryllis - You may need to stake your Amaryllis as they can get top-heavy.  You may have received this as
a gift, in the form of a bulb. Start the bulb in a bright sunny warm room at first, when the buds come out bring
to a cooler spot. Water moderately.  Do not let your Amaryllis sit in water.  
Areca Palms - Give your Areca Palm medium to a bright light, keep moist, but do not over-water. 
Trim fronds when they become brown. 
Azaleas - Azaleas like cool, sunny areas (but try to avoid direct sunlight), keep moist but do not over-water.
Remove dead flowers.  Some azaleas can live in Northern climates and bloom wonderfully in the spring.
Other azaleas are meant to be indoor plants so make sure you ask which kind your azalea is.  
Bonsai Plants - Bonsai's like bright, indirect sunlight, keep soil moist to dry, water every few days from 
the bottom.  Prune your bonsai plant to retain it's shape but be careful not to clip off new flowering buds. 
Fertilize monthly. 
Boston Ferns - Nearly all ferns like indirect light and a moist soil mix.  
Bromeliads - Bromeliads like bright sunlight, keep soil moist, let dry occasionally, use rain water or
distilled water as salt may cause damage to this plant.  .  
Cactus - cactus enjoy bright sun, but indirect light is best. Water thoroughly and allow to dry completely
between watering.  
Calla Lilly - Callas like cool, sunny places and keep moist, but don't over water.  
Christmas Cactus - from low light to bright sunny areas Christmas Cacti are versatile plants that can easily 
be with you for a very long time.  In summer you can plant these outside indirect sunlight.  
Bring back indoors in the fall.  Do not put in direct sun.  This is not a true cactus and needs water
but do not over water.  During the month of Oct. give no water to encourage the blooms.  
Chrysanthemums (Mums) - these like bright sunlight, place by a window (until blooms then avoid bright sun)
do not over water, just keep moist, water when the surface feels dry.  
Cyclamen - Do not over water your cyclamen plants, keep soil moist but not wet.  Do not let
this plant dry out.  Cyclamen like cooler temperatures and indirect but good light.  
Daffodils (also Narcissus) - give your daffodils moist soil and cool temperatures.  High light.
Use stakes if needed.  
Dieffenbachia - Popular because they grow well indoors in different lighting conditions, 
but they prefer indirect light.  Water thoroughly after the top inch or two become dry.  
Easter Lilly - Keep the soil somewhat moist and keep in an area with indirect sunlight.  
Ficus Tree - Occasionally the ficus will drop a lot of leaves, especially after a move,
Do not over water.  When the soil gets dry below one or two inches down it is time
to water again.  You can spray your ficus with a mister, especially when new to your home.  
Ficus trees do well in bright but indirect sunlight, away from drafty areas.  Do not
fertilize in the winter months. 
Gardenias - Indoors keep your gardenia in a moderately sunny area, when you move it outside
your gardenia will like indirect sun better.  Keep soil moist, but not overly so.  
Hyacinth - bright sun for your hyacinth plants.  Water frequently but let water drain through.  
Stakes might be needed.  Indoor hyacinth plants can be transplanted outside in the fall. 
Hydrangea - hydrangeas like bright areas with indirect light.  Water thoroughly and allow it to
drain through.  You can store these for a few months (cool/ dark place) and take out again in 
January to bloom again for the spring.  
Ivy - although ivy is a hardy plant and can survive different temperatures, do not allow it
to become too dry with indoor heat.  You can set your ivy plant on a tray with rocks and water
to keep it moist. 
Kalanchoe - This is a long blooming plant, hardy and durable for your home or office environment.
Keep the soil moist, but not sitting in water constantly.  Do not let your kalanchoe sit in temperature
below 40 degrees.  
Roses - indoors roses need bright but not direct sun.  Let it dry between watering.  
Orchids - orchids need good ventilation but not a drafty spot.  Partial shade.  This is another
plant like the  ivy that we recommend you sit on a tray of rock and water.  They need the
moisture from the air around them.  Your orchid may go dormant in the winter months.  
Do not water when the blooms are gone. Cut spikes off  an inch above the leaves.  
Oriental Lily - these love good ventilation and bright but indirect sun.  Keep away
from a strong draft.  Water when the soil feels dry.  Feed occasionally with liquid
fertilizer.  You can plant outdoors in some climates.  The orange color pollen may
stain clothes, you may want to remove it with a tissue.  
Paper Whites - This plant is from the Narcissus Family.  Keep it in bright, but indirect sunlight.
Water thoroughly when dry but do not allow the plant to sit in water constantly.  Keep away from
a heater.  
Poinsettias - Keep your poinsettias away from drafty conditions and cold weather.  
Keep the soil moist but allow it to dry slightly between watering.  If you cut one of the stems
a liquid will come from it, let it sit in water a while before putting it with other cut flowers.  
Philodendrons - Keep in indirect but good light.  Keep the soil moist but allow it to dry 
a little between watering.  Mist them regularly and dust the leaves with a damp cloth.
Give house-plant fertilizer in the spring.  
Spathiphyllum - Keep the soil moist but maintain good drainage.  Bright indirect sunlight is best.
Dust the leaves with a damp cloth.  Otherwise these tropical foliage plants require little care. 

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 Call:  315-380-1724
Email: VenusGoldenJewel@aol.com