General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 2. Water Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. 3. Protect Protect from cold temperatures and frost. Plants can suffer in temperatures below 40 degrees F., especially if roots are overly wet. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for snails and slugs. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.

  February 1. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 2. Water Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. 3. Protect Protect from cold temperatures and frost. Plants can suffer in temperatures below 40 degrees F., especially if roots are overly wet. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for snails and slugs. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.

  March 1. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 2. Water Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for snails and slugs. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.

  April 1. Buy For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). 2. Plant Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. 3. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. 7. Transplant Repot every other year in fresh orchid mix to avoid soggy soil conditions.

  May 1. Buy For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). 2. Plant Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. 3. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. 7. Transplant Repot every other year in fresh orchid mix to avoid soggy soil conditions.

  June 1. Buy For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). 2. Plant Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. 3. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide.

  July 1. Buy For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). 2. Plant Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. 3. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide.

  August 1. Buy For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). 2. Plant Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. 3. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide.

  September 1. Buy For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). 2. Plant Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. 3. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide.

  October 1. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 2. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide.

  November 1. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 2. Water Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. 3. Protect Protect from cold temperatures and frost. Plants can suffer in temperatures below 40 degrees F., especially if roots are overly wet. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for snails and slugs. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.

  December 1. Fertilize Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. 2. Water Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. 3. Protect Protect from cold temperatures and frost. Plants can suffer in temperatures below 40 degrees F., especially if roots are overly wet. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for snails and slugs. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! April For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). May For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). June For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). July For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). August For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better). September For outdoor growing, buy mature plants from specialty growers, or order plants by mail (the bigger the better).

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? April Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. May Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. June Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. July Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. August Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. September Plant in containers in porous epiphytic orchid mix, or for larger plants, make a special planting bed of orchid mix. For outdoor growing, plants must be in shade, in a warm spot near the house that is protected from wind, rain, and cold temperatures.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? January Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. February Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. March Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. April Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. May Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. June Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. July Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. August Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. September Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. October Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. November Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. December Feed monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. February Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. March Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. April Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. May Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. June Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. July Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. August Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. September Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. October Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. November Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool. December Water regularly, but keep on the dry side when temperatures are cool.

  Protect When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved? January Protect from cold temperatures and frost. Plants can suffer in temperatures below 40 degrees F., especially if roots are overly wet. February Protect from cold temperatures and frost. Plants can suffer in temperatures below 40 degrees F., especially if roots are overly wet. November Protect from cold temperatures and frost. Plants can suffer in temperatures below 40 degrees F., especially if roots are overly wet. December Protect from cold temperatures and frost. Plants can suffer in temperatures below 40 degrees F., especially if roots are overly wet.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? January Watch for snails and slugs. February Watch for snails and slugs. March Watch for snails and slugs. April Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. May Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. June Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. July Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. August Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. September Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. October Inspect for ants and mealybugs. Watch for snails and slugs. November Watch for snails and slugs. December Watch for snails and slugs.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? January Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. February Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. March Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. April Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. May Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. June Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. July Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. August Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. September Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. October Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. If necessary, control ants and mealybugs with a pesticide. November Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. December Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.

  Transplant When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements? April Repot every other year in fresh orchid mix to avoid soggy soil conditions. May Repot every other year in fresh orchid mix to avoid soggy soil conditions.