Moth orchids come in a vast variety of flower colours & patterns.

Phalenopsis or Moth Orchids, once exotic, are found in stores everywhere these days. Their gorgeous, waxy blossoms can last all winter before they fade. The trouble with these beauties, is getting them to produce flowers a second time. Too often they are tossed out, and treated as annuals. At a recent meeting at my local garden society, I found out I’ve been doing it all wrong. Tips below are for Phalenopsis or Moth orchids.

1. Orchids need full sun. Many orchid books will tell you to keep them out of direct sun, and give them filtered light. In summer, outdoors, this is fine advice. Mine summer outside under an umbrella. But, in Canada, in the winter, indirect light isn’t sufficient. I was growing my (not flowering) orchids in a north facing window, and have since moved them to a sunny south one.

2. Orchids need a temperature drop at night of 15 degrees. If you can turn your thermostat down at night this will help. I don’t control the heat in my apartment, which is quite warm all winter. I am now closing my drapes, leaving the orchids on the cool windowsill side, at night to get this temperature drop.

3. Feed weekly, weakly. Feeding your orchids with food at half strength or less every time you water.

4. Nice dark green leaves mean your orchid is less likely to flower. Leaves should be a paler green. I thought my orchids were on their way to flowering because the leaves were so dark green. Nope.

5. The pot is only there to stabilize the plant and its roots. In its natural habitat, orchids will grow on tree branches. Some roots can hang over the edge of the plant. You don’t need a fancy orchid pot. The plastic one it came in is fine.

6. Orchids and their roots aren’t delicate. When repotting you can handle the roots without fear, and cut off any withered ones. Settle roots into new pot, leaving some outside the medium.

7. Only grow orchids in orchid mix, (bark, perlite, charcoal), never soil. Or you could even try growing them in a container of wine corks. The growing medium is only there to hold the plant, and to keep the moisture around the orchid leaves and roots while watering.

As spring arrives, the male goldfinches feathers become more and more brilliant yellow.

Some of us, (*cough*  gardeners), merely endure winter, counting the days till spring. Guilty as charged, even in this blog. No leaves, no grass, no flowers. When will it end? Yes, I too was an avowed winter hater until I began to feed the birds in my backyard. Winter—and the garden—was suddenly full of life. Bird life is so enjoyable, I don’t even mind trudging out bright and early to fill the feeders. The soft flutter of a chickadee wing whizzing past your ear is a sound everyone should hear at least once. A simple bird feeder filled with black oil sunflower seed will bring many species: chickadees, cardinals, bluejays. Find a spot in your yard where you can watch from a window, and hang a feeder. You’ll have live entertainment with your morning coffee.

Best quality seed mixes from Mill Creek is available at Fiesta Grocery now.

Chickadees, the birds that are the most tolerant of humans, will eat out of your hand. A good activity (or should I say non-activity) for kids: Get them to stay motionless while holding out seed in a mittened hand. It’s such a thrill when one alights to pick up a seed. A thrill for grownups too.

Black oil sunflower seed is the best all purpose seed for most birds. (the solid black seeds, not the stripey ones) It packs the highest nutritional punch. There are also mixes, tailored for certain birds’ taste buds. You want to get a good quality mix, without a lot of cheap filler that birds don’t like and won’t eat anyway.

Fiesta Gardens has moved all our bird seed supply into the grocery store. We carry different blends with a high quality mix of seed from Mill Creek Wild Bird Seed. Their Garden Friendly Blend:

contains only food so there is no waste or debris on the ground and anything that does drop to the ground gets eaten. . Additionally there will be a garden pay off later in the spring since this blend will not germinate; thus no weeds !

Mill Creek has done their research, and know a meadow bird from a forest bird, who like different things. They tailor their mixes for birds’ seasonal and environmental requirements. They also have a special mix for City Birds:

Seasons Urban Bird is the most nutritionally perfect formula made for city birds in the world. This means that your birds will have higher protein in the spring and summer for muscle growth in young birds. In the colder months, we provide higher carbohydrates so birds can generate warmth. Calcium is added during egg production seasons and grit is added during months where grit is difficult or dangerous to find.

Their bags are also oxy-degradable. Mill Creek blends have healthy food for every bird. Their squirrel proof bird seed is even a special blend without hot pepper, a kinder and gentler seed.

Rosemary is happiest in a Mediterranean climate.

Keeping rosemary in pots is the only way to have year-round rosemary in our climate. Bringing plants indoors over winter means a bit of special care however. Our houses are too hot and dry, the opposite of what a rosemary needs: a cool, slightly moist environment. Here are some tips:

1. Have your rosemary growing in a large size pot. If you are buying a plant now, the larger, the better. Four inch pots can dry out too quickly. If you are overwintering a plant you already have, take note that the more established your plant is in the summer, the more likely it will last over the winter when you bring it in. Plants that you dig up out of the garden in the fall are less likely to live through the winter.

2. Soil should be well drained. Add sand, grit, and peat or coir to the mix.

3. Water thoroughly, then let almost dry out, but don’t let it get bone dry.

4. Keep pot in a large, deep saucer with a 1″ layer of aquarium gravel, so that drained water will evaporate, keeping air moist around the plant. But don’t let the pot ever sit in water above the base of the pot.

5. Keep it cool. 60F or 15C. An unheated sun porch that stays above freezing is ideal. If you have deep windowsills, closing the drapes at night so that the plant enjoys the cool air next to the window can help.

6. Bright sunlight, a south or west facing window, for best results.

7. Although moist air is ideal, keep the air moving with a fan (on low), to stop any mildew forming on the leaves. This is a good tip for all your plants.

It’s true that herbs can be tricky in our modern houses, but it’s well worth giving it a try. Snipping off your own sprigs of rosemary for your dinner casserole is one of life’s greatest pleasures, especially in the dead of winter.

Growth on my chives burst into action this week. Hooray!

About this time of year, when winter is in full force, I pull out all the psychological stops to remind myself that winter’s only temporary. Does 75 days seem shorter than ten weeks? To me it does, so I’m going with that, and counting off the days.

Plants send us spring signals too. I pulled this neglected pot of chives off my deck sometime in December. It was straggly looking—you can still see the dead growth attached—but it was still alive, so I put it in my kitchen window and forgot about it, figuring at the very least it would struggle through the winter and I could put it back outside in spring. Yet, this week my chives burst into vigorous green growth assuring me what plants know in their cells: days are getting longer, sun is getting stronger. Other indoor plants are noticeably perkier too; there are even some flower buds on my geraniums. (Pelargoniums)

This particular variety of chives, by the way, is called Grolau Chives, (Allium schoenoprasum ‘Grolau’) and is particularly suited for indoor pot or greenhouse culture, staying green and less likely to become leggy. It’s worth hunting out, as fresh herbs in the winter make all the difference.

Allan Gardens Conservatory at Sherbourne and Gerrard is a hidden gem of Toronto.

There’s ice on the sidewalk, the snow shovel is suddenly a useful tool, and you have no trip to the south seas planned. You need a break. Luckily, this city has places where you can feel balmy tropical air and inhale the delicious smell of earth without leaving on a jet plane. Allan Gardens Conservatory is one such place: a Tropical Toronto oasis. They change exhibits over the season, and the winter show is on till January 8th. It’s a great outing for parents and kids. Admission is free.

The cactus house is filled with amazing textures and shapes.

A visit to Allan Gardens conservatory is a shot in the arm for a gardener, or anyone who needs a winter break. It’s a fantastic place to bring kids. There’s plenty to see at a a kid’s eye level: greenery falling onto the winding stone paths, a working water wheel, and lazy orange goldfish in the ponds.

Throwing a penny in the pond to make a wish is a fun part of the trip.