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  • … This orchid produces up to a dozen 4-inch flowers bloom in a blend of orange, yellow, red, and coral with brownish spots on the Pedro Bonetti vanda … basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … bloom up to three times each year with flowers lasting six to eight weeks. They grow best in bright light and should be watered when dry, typically about every five to seven days. The … basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … particularly appreciate the lower costs associated with keeping this orchid "warm enough" in their greenhouses during Chicago winters. The orchid family consists of a large number of … basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … winter debris from lawn and garden beds. Avoid walking on wet soil. Also, keep the following in mind: When weather permits, remove burlap screens erected to protect plants from wind or road … all danger of frost has passed. Help plants acclimate to the outdoors by hardening them off, i.e., putting them outside for progressively longer periods of time, usually seven to 10 days. … germination and planting dates, keeping in mind that plants will need to be hardened off (i.e., set outside to help them gradually adjust to the outdoors) for seven to 10 days. After that, …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … growing season. It is common for these cracks to reopen the following winters and close again in the summers. While these cracks can allow diseases and other organisms to infect the tree, … watering and avoiding compacted soils around the tree. Note that frost cracks can also occur in maples, lindens, walnuts, willows, and other trees. If the tree leafs out abnormally in the spring, have the tree assessed by a certified arborist for safety. Please contact Plant …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Q. I am fascinated by the use of flowers in preparing certain food dishes. Are there some basic guidelines to follow when choosing the … with pesticides or fungicides. Use only flowers you have grown yourself or ones sold as edible in the produce section of stores. A few popular suggestions to start you on your way include … nasturtiums, lilacs, dianthus and certainly the flowers of all herbs. Pick the flowers early in the morning, wash the blossoms and dry them thoroughly on paper towels. Decorate hot dishes at …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … all cool-season lettuces and vegetables as they ripen. If squash vine borer has been a problem in your garden, cover small transplants of squash, cucumbers, and zucchini with row covers to … to encourage branching and keep them from flowering. Snip or cut off sprigs of herbs to use in cooking all season. A fascinating nature project for families is to plant dill or fennel to … of the month. Large varieties require a 100-day growing season. If you gently carve names in developing pumpkins, the letters will enlarge as pumpkins grow. Stake or cage tomatoes and …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … The monarch birch is native to Japan where it is naturally occurring in woodlands. It is relatively rare in cultivation. The primary ornamental feature of birch trees is the bark. Many of the common … susceptibility to bronze birch borer infestations, birch trees can be challenging to cultivate in the Chicago region. The genus  Betula  includes an indeterminate number of species of the …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … The Virginia roundleaf birch is a critically endangered native species, which occurs naturally in the wild in only one county of Virginia. The primary ornamental feature of birch trees is the bark. Many … susceptibility to bronze birch borer infestations, birch trees can be challenging to cultivate in the Chicago region. The genus Betula includes an indeterminate number of species of the birch …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most … derive moisture and nutrients from the air and support from another plant; few orchids grow in soil. Orchids usually prefer a diurnal temperature fluctuation -- meaning warmer days and …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant