A little of this, a little of that

Welcome, everyone. Our get-together today is like early spring Buckeye weather – some of this, some of that. Our forecast calls for scattered garden topics with a 100% chance of sophomoric humor. So, here we go.

Realize, dear readers, that I have previously killed air plants. With that thought in mind, our two potted Christmas cactus houseplants, named “X” and “Mas” (genus Schlumbergera, a tropical epiphyte), never bloomed this past Christmas season. I incorrectly assumed that they flower naturally – wrong, my bad. Here is what I failed to do.

Starting in October, the plant needs six to eight weeks of uninterrupted 12-14 hours daily of darkness – a rest phase. Keep cooler temperatures in the 50-60 degree range to help trigger budding. Blooms are better if the plant is pot-bound. These plants thrive on benign neglect, so don’t overwater, and no fertilizer either in this “down” period. It seems there are three different types of cacti – Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Maybe our Christmas cactus is an Easter cactus. We’ll see what happens.

Reader question

Medina Weekly reader Arla Lesak posed this question to me: how to use orange peels in the garden? It seems, Arla, that orange peels contain citrus oils, which are a natural deterrent to ants, flies, aphids and slugs by targeting their nervous systems. They also act as an organic animal repellent for cats, dogs and squirrels from digging in your garden. Orange peels are a compost booster, being rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – a “green” material. For soil nutrients, chop or cut into smaller pieces (easier to decompose), then scatter or mix into soil around plants and vegetables. Thanks for the question, Arla. Hope these natural methods are appealing.

Write on

A very necessary garden tool that we can use daily and is virtually no cost is a garden log or journal – your own daily notes and events compiled from year to year. It’s a handy personal reference guide to your annual garden journey.

All's Fair

Speaking of dates, mark your calendar for the Medina County Fair, Aug. 3-9. The fair will proudly celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Special displays, events, foods and exciting entertainment are being planned for fair week. If you’re a fair exhibitor, watch for patriotic and birthday-themed categories and entries in numerous departments.

Take it slow

In our busy and hectic lives, it’s nice to slow down and smell the native posies once in a while. Here are some low-maintenance home landscaping ideas to try.

Put in a rock garden – use different rock combinations of color, size or texture, then tuck in some plants – voila, done. Rocks don’t require any care while being stoically aloof.

Expand low-maintenance mulch beds, but don’t add plants – maybe use whimsical ornamental garden decorations. Use and embrace the homegrown beauty of native plants. They are less work, better acclimated and easier to maintain.

Try ornamental grasses – durable and versatile while not eaten by deer or rabbits.

Hardscaping – non-natural elements – includes fire pits, pergolas, raised beds, stepping stones, pathways, patios or decks. Meadowscaping features diverse plantings that create an eco-friendly landscape.

Nature imitates life

The desert of Death Valley, California, recently experienced a super bloom – where millions of wildflowers germinate and bloom, exploding into vast swaths of multicolored meadows. So, when you think life has you wandering in a hopeless and barren desert, hold on because an amazing super bloom will head your way.

In closing, I told my wife Pat she should embrace her mistakes – so she gave me a big hug.

Until we meet again – peace!