Red - Love, Respect, Courage

Yellow - Joy, Gladness, Freedom, Friendship

Pink/Peach - Gratitude, Appreciation, Admiration

White - Purity, Innocence, Secrecy

Coral/Orange - Fascination, Enthusiasm, Desire

Lavender - Enchantment

Red and White – Unity

Saturday Seminar Series for 2003 is starting up in January this year. Our seminars are FREE and conducted by local garden experts and our friendly, knowledgeable staff. Seminars will be held at the Moana Lane location at 10:00 am. Refreshments will be served. Come join us on selected Saturday mornings and let us help you achieve the garden of your dreams in 2003.

Seduction of Seeds by Lisa Braginton

Starting seeds. Often even the most inveterate gardeners respond to this phrase with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. The power that those little packets have over us is in many ways astonishing; undaunted and in control in the face of drought, hail, and all manner of impossible odds, we may be intimidated by just a few tiny begonia seeds. And for those just venturing into gardening, the "bother" of starting plants from seed may seem to be just too much.

A few successes though, (and sometimes even just one), can be enough to turn that outlook around completely. No matter that zinnias will become available at the garden center once all threat of frost is past; we’ll sow our seeds in peat pots in March to bloom in May in just the colors that we envisioned on a bleak day in January.

The element of color control is only one facet of what I might call the "seduction of seeds". That perfect plant that you read about in Fine Gardening that would just make that border that peaks in April but then declines steadily and rapidly through the rest of the summer is nowhere to be found. Mail-order sources can get it to you for an amount that you thought would cover your summer vacation – and then the earliest they’ll ship is September. But seeds for a given plant are often readily available and relatively inexpensive. And that brings us to what may be one of the most alluring aspects of seed starting: the variety of color and form, the unusual species and all at a relatively small price.

While it’s true that each type of seed comes with its own genetically coded formula to achieve germination, and that it pays to take the time to learn some of those idiosyncrasies for different seeds, it is also true that starting plants from seed can be one of the most satisfying, cost-effective, and dare I say, healthfully addicting endeavors in gardening.

Next time you’re contemplating your snowy and/or muddy and/or frozen landscape and dreaming of bright summer days, plan a visit to Moana Nursery to check out what’s new in seeds. We stock a selection that will have you planning your most awesome garden ever, and have the expertise and products you need to bring it to fruition.

Winter Houseplant Care by Julie Muhilly

With the Christmas tree gone, the house may be looking a bit empty. A new houseplant here or there may be just what’s needed to brighten up a home on a cold, dreary day.

During the short days of winter, houseplant growth slows. That means we need to change how we care for them. Improper watering, too much fertilizer and not enough light are the three major reasons houseplants don’t thrive at this time of year.

The most limiting factor is sunlight. Where you locate your houseplants may mean the difference between success and failure. Because days are short, houseplants can be helped by moving them to different areas of the house that receive more light, such as south- or east-facing windows. Avoid placing plants where drafts from doors or heating ducts may contact them. Keep in mind, the more light your plants receive, the better they will grow this winter.

Ironically, most houseplants die from overfeeding and over watering. Too much of a good thing can be hazardous to their health. We're especially guilty of this during the winter months when plants are responding to reduced daylight, lower temperatures and are not in an active growth phase. If a plant is looking tired and weak we automatically think we should be fertilizing more. But fertilizer isn't a cure. If a plant isn't in an active growth stage and you fertilize it, the fertilizer just sits there and can burn the roots.

Fertilization should be reduced. The application of nitrogen encourages new growth. Without ample sunlight and good growing conditions that growth will be weak and spindly. Usually, it is best to apply half the amount of fertilizer recommended on the label for flowering houseplants and one-fourth the amount for foliage houseplants. Too much fertilizer results in new growth that will be weak, spindly, and unhealthy.

Over watering is another way we can kill plants with kindness. This time of year when we have the heat on in our homes, our plants can dry out sooner, so you may want to check them and add a little extra water, but be careful. Too much water can actually suffocate the roots. Excess water fills air spaces within the soil, resulting in roots that receive less oxygen. When roots are starved for oxygen, they begin to die.

So with a little extra effort and attention your houseplants will survive the winter and thank you in the spring with a burst of new growth.

Check with our knowledge staff for science fair project ideas in Botany, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

How do different types of fertilizers affect plant growth?

How do different treatments change how fast seeds sprout?

What effect does seed size have on how well a crop like oats or wheat grows?

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