After Bloom Care for Amaryllis

At Logee's, we sell all our Amaryllis around the holidays and then we don't see them again until next year. However, last week I was in our greenhouses and found lots of new varieties that were in bloom, out of bloom, and other various stages of growth. Many of these Amaryllis are still in the testing phase (are the blooms big enough, do they hold on well, do they grow to the desired height,etc) but the plant care remains the same. Take a look at what to do with your Amaryllis after the bloom.

Here is Amaryllis Aphrodite a new variety that is being tested. Notice the flower stem that is almost finished blooming. It will need to be trimmed.

A close up of the flower.

Amaryllis in our office that need plant care attention.

And more neglected Amaryllis. We need to take each Amaryllis one by one and first trim off the dead blooms.

This can be done by simply removing the flower and leaving the stem to give the plant energy until a new growth begins.

This bloom will only be good for another few days but the blooms are so spectacular that I like to try to make them last as long as they can. Notice the tall green flower stem. This may turn yellow and die which is normal. Once it tips over or dies, then cut back to around one to two inches above the bulb.

Another bloom gone. This entire flower stem can be trimmed back to the two inches above the bulb now since, the new growth has already begun and is infusing life into the plant.

These Amaryllis can be grown and cared for like any other tropical plant. They can be moved outside in the summer and back inside in the winter. There are many different thoughts on how to re-bloom them. Some say, grow the plant until fall and then take the bulb out of the pot and store it in the refrigerator for 6 weeks. Finally, take the refrigerated bulb out about 6-8 weeks before you want it to flower and start the potting process and flowering process all over again.

At Logees, we like to grow Amaryllis like any other plant and keep it pot bound. The large green leaves are giving the bulb energy for next year's flowers. If you grow your Amaryllis outside for the summer and bring it in, the leaves will turn yellow and wither. Simply trim to bulb height again.

It's important to give your plant a dormancy period for about 6-8 week. Place the plant (bulb in the pot) in a cool ( 55 degree F), dimly lit area and don't water. A cool north room works well. In November (or after your designated time) move your plant into a warm sunny window and water accurately (don't over water) until your leaves appear. Flowers should bloom in time for the holidays. Here is a great article for more details about year-round care.

Amaryllis Mount Blanc is another test plant and so far looks like it is in the running with its giant white blooms.

Clean Your Indoor Air This Winter with Plants

A single leaf of Philodendron gloriosum, one of many plants that purify inside air.

Indoor plants make great air purifiers in the way of absorbing the carbon dioxide in the air and giving off oxygen in the photosynthesis process. Especially this time of year, when many of us are stuck inside with dry indoor heat and the snow outside has buried any semblance of green vegetation.

Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess', another large leafed plant that adds to indoor air quality.

Other chemicals that plants absorb are the benzenes, formaldehydes and trichloroethylenes given off typically from new carpet, plastic anything, synthetic building materials, etc. All plants are not created equal(ie: the more surface area the better air purification). Although after researching this topic, most plants are beneficial.

Philodendron 'Autumn'

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

According to a study at the University of Minnesota Extension, plants that were the most effective were the tropical and subtropical plants. A recent article in Better Homes and Gardens also talks about the benefits of clean air in your home. At Logee's, we grow many plants that can help cleanse the air.

Of course, the bigger and more vigorous they grow the better the air quality but Nasa's study has said that a dozen small plants in 6-8 inch pots can effectively clean an 1800 sq foot home.

Here's our Logee's List of the Best Plants for Clean Air.

We have a ready made category for the air purifiers. We call them our Indestructibles, which simply means they are easy to care for and can withstand dry conditions and take partial sun. Plants such as sansevierias, philodendrons, aloes, agaves, polyscias, and aeschynanthus.

Sanseviera trifasciata 'Twist' is an attractive addition to any home's interior.

Sanseviera trifasciata 'Bantel's Sensation'

Byron says Begonias are the way to go for attractive air cleansers. Plus, they are good for the inattentive gardener or the gardener who has a dry household. Begonias like to be kept dry between watering and do not need full sun.

Begonia 'Palomar Prince' is a rhizomatous begonia that fills out into a large leafed specimen. This is a 4-inch pot that we are ready to ship out.

Begonia 'Tea Rose' also in a 4-inch pot, has large green leaves with fragrant pink flowers.

Other plants that are easy to grow and are excellent to clean indoor air are below.

Anthurium 'Misty Rose' is in a six inch pot, loves the shade and is an everbloomer.

Anthurium 'Red' is also called the "Hawaiin Volcano Plant" and grows on a volcanic rock.

Calathea lancilota "Rattle Snake Plant" is one of my favorites for its maroon markings on its long sword-like leaves.

In the main greenhouse is this Maidenhair Fern that not only adds greenery but is lovely in its shape and form. Ferns are more difficult to grow. They need lots of humidity and water.

In the foreground is a stray branch from our Ficus Pumila plant that covers the inside ceiling of our retail store. We have a built in air cleaner with this plant.

Finally, think lots of leaf surface. The Alocasia sp. Zebrina gets relatively large leaves and has an attractive striping on the stem.

But we are talking BIG with this next variety.

This large elephant ear known as colocasias esculenta 'Thailand Giant Strain' is extraordinary in its leaf size and structure. Let's just say one plant this large would take care of your entire household clean air needs. Notice our son, Elijah when he was 12 years old, amongst the leaves. This was grown outside for one season but can easily grow inside in a pot if you have the space and full sun exposure.

New Greenhouse- Ready for New Year

We celebrated the opening of our new Greenhouse with a ribbon cutting ceremony in late December. Our local senator, Don Williams was present and complimented us on taking our business to the next level. (From left to right- Laurelyn Martin and Byron Martin;Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn); Jonathan Healy, the USDA Rural Development State Director).

We also had an opportunity to take a group photo of our amazing staff!

Here is a bench of Angel Wing Begonias which grow more easily in this new structure. Some of our new features include automatic vents, automatic watering and heat retention curtains. The energy efficient aspects will reduce our fuel consumption by 70 percent and makes us a truly "Green" company.

More rows of begonias. On the right our town economic developer, Elsie Bissett and Logee's financial manager, Marie-Claire enjoy the plants.

However, for all our die-hard Logee fans, our seven retail greenhouses that have character and charm will remain open with display plants.

You can still walk under an archway with ficus pumilla covering the ceilings and doorways. the real "Secret Garden" remains and actually connects to of our retail greenhouses.

The original entrance opens into the "Long House" which continues to boast spectacular floral displays- Like this Chenille or Lipstick plant with red long velvety catkins.

To see the actual ribbon cutting ceremony, click on the video below.

Blizzard At Logee's

Like everyone else in the Northeast, we had a genuine Blizzard. The old-fashioned Nor'easter that dumped a lot of snow on us at Logee's. This is the day after and except for a bit of snow on the roofs, we were amazingly fine! Take a look!

Our sign is just about covered from the 22 inches of snow.

A day later and we are open for business.

Our Lathe House under a blanket of snow. In the springtime, hanging baskets and flowers galore will be bursting forth with color.

Next to the Lathe House is a bush covered with the heavy snow. The two snow lumps in the lower left of this picture are the hardy bananas that we are wintering over. We'll see how they do in the springtime.

The lattice sides on the tool shed serve as a climbing structure for our goji berries and honeyberry plants in the springtime.

Inside one of our retail greenhouses, the snow has covered the panels and is preventing light from shining through.

This bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst' is usually in a bright spot, but until the snow melts it is getting a bit of shade today.

The snow you see is actually covering our under ground greenhouse called the Herb Pit. Once it warms up a bit, we will carefully shovel the snow off the glass.

This branch of our greenhouse is known as the Potting Shed and that layer of snow is bringing shade to our plants.

Inside the potting shed, it is rather dark for this "Golden Trumpet Vine" (Allamanda Cathartica 'Williamsii'

Our camellias in the big house still poking their heads out with lots of brilliant color.

Another Colorful surprise in the Big House called Tibouchina urvilleana "Edwardsii'

Empty snow-filled benches.

Pallets of soil will need digging out.

Another burst of color in the Greenhouses.

Clerodendrum Quadriloculare "Fireworks Plant"

An Angel Wing Begonia called 'My Special Angel' in the darkened Greenhouse.

The white plastic wrapped statue in the left is a fig wintering over.

Another fig wrapped in black plastic.

Horticulturist Byron Martin with a hot cup of green tea in one hand and his cell phone in the other.

The old range, emptied of plants but giving way to the blue sky through its metal ribs. In the spring this propagation house will be dismantled.

The outside of our new propagation greenhouse.

Lots of life inside our new building.

At the top of the photo you can see the shadow of snow, which will continue to melt in the gutters.

A christmas cactus Schlumbergera 'Cristen' at our grower's desk.

The seven circuit labyrinth resting 'til springtime.