Power Picks – Indoor Plants

It’s The FINAL COUNTDOWN! Duh duh duh da da da……….

Yesterday Seth and I unleashed our top plant picks for the yard and for containers. By no means are those the only options. They might not even be the best options for your plantings. They are just plants that Seth and I believe in and like.

Today is the final round of our co-founder matchup.  Now that we’ve discussed the yard and containers, there’s only one major arena left: Indoor Plants.

Some of you will call them house plants or potted plants, but that doesn’t really sum it up. The plants we’re talking about today don’t discriminate. They don’t care if you live in a house, an apartment, or even that van down by the river! We’re talking about those plants that are staples in your scenery. Think of them more like plant pets.

So who has the better plant picks Seth or myself? You decide in this final (for now) roundup!

-Mason, Co-Founder of GrowIt! (mday55 on the app!)

The picks are in! Which Indoor Plants are your favorites?

Seth’s Top 3:

1. Used Orchids – The plant business guy in me encourages people to throw plants like orchids, poinsettias, and other potted plants away after they are done blooming. The plant nerd in me likes buying orchids that are discounted, just to see if I can bring them back to life, and get them to bloom.  Surprisingly, they are rather easy to care for; give them a bright indirect light (so don’t put them in the window, just a bright room), water them thoroughly once a week (I put them in my shower for a few minutes), and a lot of patience.  Summer is a good time for these types of projects because the light levels are really high.
2. Umbrella Plant – Ok, so this plant may be considered to be rather boring, BUT, this plant is  SO easy to take care of, I doubt anyone can kill it (I don’t mean for that to be a challenge). Another great thing about this plant, is you can easily keep it at any size that you want, just by snapping off its new growth. The plant in the photo has been that same size for the last 4 years. It’s easy! And I really do believe the green color adds an element to the living room that lacks when it isn’t there. The plant can also be found it brighter colors.
3. Echeveria – this is an easy to grow succulent that has been popping up on the app more and more. It has a nice blue hue to the foliage. The blooms’ bright orange color contrast the foliage in and exciting way that you just don’t get from a green plant. The plant nerd in me really likes the architecture of the plant and how it is completely different than most other plants.  It doesn’t require much water, so you will see it in many interesting containers.

Mason’s Undeniable Top 3:

1. Cyclamen – I really like Cyclamen because they are versatile. For most of us that live in the frozen north, cyclamen are considered a houseplant that we can bring outside for some well-deserved sunshine. However, in some parts of the country, cyclamen can be considered perennials that bloom year after year. The growth habit on these is awesome because it’s so controlled and the flower has to be one of the most beautiful on the planet.
2. Succulents and Cacti of ANY kind – Want to start gardening, but don’t know what to grow? Go to your nearest garden center and ask them to show you their succulent display. Even though you won’t find lots of blooms, you are going to see more shapes and textures than you thought possible from plants. You’ll see plants that look like rocks (lithops), plants that look like dishes (paddle plant), even plants that look like Shrek’s ears! These are the ultimate gateway plants.
3. Cylindrical Snake Plant – Snake Plants are common fixtures in office buildings around the world. However, the Cylindrical Snake Plant is a rarer beast. This thing looks like something straight out of Jumanji. Sometimes growers even “train” their plants with string and wire to get them to intertwine. Again, all about texture here and a very easy plant to care for.

 

To see more photos of these plants, search for them in the Search feed under the “plants” tab in the App.

Which founder has the best taste in plants? Let us know in a comment, or post a picture on the app of your own favorites!

Power Picks – Container Edition

Ding Ding Ding! It’s time for Round Two! In our last post you learned what plants Seth and I consider to be top performers in the yard. You also had the chance to see how Seth clearly isn’t as refined in his plant selections as I am.

It’s ok we still love him.

Now we’re bringing you our Top 3 picks for container use. These are plants that rock all summer long on the patio or balcony.

Again you get to decide which one of us has the better taste in plants!

-Mason, Co-founder of GrowIt!

The Picks are In! Who is King of the Container?!

Seth’s Top 3:

1. Mandevilla – This plant has vibrant colored flowers that love the full sun and can make a great center piece to any container.  Put this plant along with some sort of trellis and combine it with some plants that will trail to create an awesome combination container.  New breeding on this plant has helped create less vigorous plants that allow you to have the same great flower on a much smaller plant.
2. Tropical Hibiscus – If you think flowering plants are too boring for your taste, then I dare you to try out a hibiscus plant as the centerpiece for your containers.  These tropical plants are not hardy unless you live in the south, but are exquisite for summer.  They bloom all summer long and have big & bright flowers.  You can get these plants small or big; as a bush or as standard (this means it has the stem and then the ball of growth at the top, this is better if you are mixing it with other plants). They do well by themselves in a smaller container, or you can put them in a bigger container and add some flowers around it to create a nice combination.
3. Banana Plant – No, you will not get any bananas from this plant, but you will be adding a nice tropical feel to your containers.  A good banana plant can add some visual structure and appeal to a container.  They have some great varieties that have some darker colors in the leaves that can contrast your flowers.  It also adds come good height to a container.  Plus for me, adding that tropical feel to the Midwest just makes me happier! These plants love sun, so keep it in the sunniest spot and watch them flourish.

Mason’s Top Notch Picks:

1. Cannas – Want something tropical looking that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? Go with a Canna! These things are great centerpieces for any mixed container, and they come in a variety of colors. Red is the classic, but you can find pink, orange, and yellow as well! Putting some mixed containers by the pool? You definitely need to try a Canna or two.
2. Heuchera – You didn’t see that one coming did you?!?! One of the more recent trends has actually been to start bending the rules when it comes to mixed containers. You don’t have to plant strictly annuals in containers anymore. Swap out that coleus for a Heuchera. At first people might look at you like you’re crazy, but then they’re going to realize that you’re a friggin’ genius!
3. Ornamental Pepper – Color is cool, but texture is better! There’s no better way to “spice” up a container than to throw in some Ornamental Peppers. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. I also love these because they’re extremely heat tolerant. If you want something that can handle the summer burn, go with an Ornamental Pepper. If you’re really bold, maybe just use an edible variety in your containers. That’s what we call dual purpose!

To see more pictures of these plants, search for them in the Search feed under the “plants” tab.

We’d love to know your favorite plants for containers. Leave a comment or upload them to the app!  

Power Picks – Yard/Landscape Edition

At GrowIt! we see a lot of plants. I mean A LOT of plants. Seth and I literally travel the country to see plants. If we’re not checking out plant photos on the app, we’re out in the garden taking photos of our own.

Over the last year, one thing has become clear. Everyone has their own opinions on plants. Some of that depends on where you live. Plants that perform in Florida, just might not cut it in the tundra that is the upper Midwest. However, some of the opinions out there are just based on who you are.

To highlight examples of differing opinions, Seth and I thought we would give you our top 3 plant picks for landscape, container, and indoor use. I’ll let you be the judge at who has the better taste in plants….. but clearly it’s me.

-Mason, Cofounder of GrowIt!

The Picks for Yard/Landscape Use are in!

Seth’s Top 3:

1. Whopper (large) or Dragon Wing (medium) Begonia – These plants are dynamite! They thrive in shade and in sun. They have bright red or pink flowers that cover most of the plant. This plant pretty much looks awesome every time I see it.
2. Angelonia/Summer Snapdragon – If you are in the northwest, I apologize for picking this plant as it may not do too well for you. This plant loves heat and loves sun, and if it has enough of both can look really good in the landscape.  They have a bunch of great colors and it can get you outside the normal petunias if you are looking for something different.
3. Butterfly Bush – If you are a sucker for butterflies, then you have to try this plant out! It comes in an array of colors and many different sizes from a small 3′ bush to a large 8′ bush. It’s flowers are very fragrant, and butterflies love landing on the cone like flowers. It is a perennial for much of the country. It really has been one of my favorites for quite a few years.

Mason’s Even Better Top 3:

1. Lantana – The Michael Jordan of plants. Lantana is a garden champ. Here in the northern states it adds great color all summer and provides good coverage. Down South, Lantana is even better. It can actually grow into a small hedge! Some blooms even give you three colors at once. What more could you ask for?
2. Dusty Miller – No garden is complete without “The Dusty”. Dusty Miller is the single greatest accent plant on the market. Possibly the most underappreciated plant out there, Dusty Miller can grow almost anywhere, and can take a beating. From far it just looks like a white plant, but up close you see that there is a texture there like none other.
3. Salvia ‘Black and Blue’ – I will challenge you to find a truer blue in the plant kingdom. There are tons of purples and even some navy blues out there, but none is as blue as ‘Black and Blue’. This plant is a killer. It does well in the occasional dry spell and provides color all summer long. It’s also great in the fact that it gets pretty big and can provide some height in combination with all of those groundcovers.

For more pictures of these plants, search for them in the app in the Search feed under the “Plants” Tab.

We’d love to hear about your favorite plants! Leave us a comment or upload them to GrowIt!

5 Plants for Early Spring!

At GrowIt! we stand by the ideal that all men and women were created equal. However, we also believe that all plants were not. Some plants bloom all summer long, but don’t bloom in the cooler parts of spring. Whereas some plants like it cool, but stop flowering in June.

Here are 5 plants that you’ve probably been seeing quite a bit of recently. They perform best in the earlier spring months before it gets too hot. If you’re looking for some last minute color for your gardens, through May these might be ok for you. However, these plants are not going to last all summer… and that’s ok! Basically what we’re saying is: take pictures of these plants when you see them, because they are in their prime now, and they’re only going to decline from here.

1. Hellebores – These early spring blooming perennials are favorites in a lot of collector gardens. Very popular in the Pacific Northwest and are generally hardy up to Zone 5 with some varieties even managing to over winter in Zone 4. So as long as you aren’t seeing temps lower than -15 to -25 degrees Fahrenheit your chances are good at this popping up every year. Some varieties have an awesome lime green bloom color which is not easy to find in the plant world!

From User: luriegarden

From User: indianajones64

2. Erysimum or Wallflower – A great flower for beginner gardeners looking to dabble in those early spring bloomers. Erysimum offers a great range of colors. Also, it’s one of the spring-bloomers that prefers the sunny spots. If you live in a warmer area (not the tundra of the Midwest) you might even see this come back for you!

From User: chaletnursery

3. Bleeding Heart or Dicentra – This perennial has one of the most unique flowers. It actually looks like a heart! Beautiful pink and white blooms year after year. However, they often stop flowering when the summer heat starts setting in.

From User: sidraisch

4. Tulips and Daffodils – We couldn’t leave out these bulbs! While tulips and daffodils are some of the most famous plants across the globe, many forget that they do not last into the summer. This is why tulip festivals are always held in the early parts of spring. Sometimes even as soon as mid-May these will begin to go out of flower. Take photos of these ASAP before it’s too late!

From User: nickflax1

From User: mrsjenclarke

5. Osteospermum – Sometimes referred to just as “Osteos” these can be a little tricky. Most varieties on the market prefer the cooler spring temps over the heat of the summer. However, some companies are working on varieties that can stand up to the heat! Before you buy this one, be sure to check the tag to make sure you know whether you’re getting something for spring interest or something that might last a little longer.

From User: cleigh

Another spring flower of note is Pericallis or Cineraria. You might have seen a lot of these on GrowIt! recently! This is because Suntory Flowers is giving away $200 in total prizes to people who upload a picture of their Senetti brand pericallis onto GrowIt! with the hashtag #SenettiRocks in the comments! One winner will receive $100 and two second place winners will receive $50. How cool is that? You could win some cash for your garden just by uploading a photo!

Be sure to stay tuned as we’ll be getting ready to see even more color in the garden as the temps get warmer! Next time we’ll be talking about all those plants that love the heat!

Bring On Spring!

It is getting hot out there!!! Have you looked at the temps lately? Spring is breaking down the front door.  As we get further into the planting season we thought it would be a great idea to check in with everyone and fill you in on what we’ve been up to!

Have you seen us this spring? Seth and I have been covering a lot of ground this past month telling everyone about GrowIt!

One of our latest events was the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. We had an awesome time and had the chance to make some new friends. We also had the chance to check out some new plant trends first hand.

Small space gardening was featured in many ways at the show. There were vendors selling small succulent terrariums. There was a whole display of window box gardens. There were even some planter boxes designed to get the most out of the limited space that you might have.

One of the other major themes of the show was children’s gardening. We learned that flower shows aren’t just for your grandmother anymore. The Chicago Flower & Garden Show was loaded with activities for kids. It’s not like they cornered off a jungle-gym and labeled it the “Kids Corner” either; they had multiple gardens where kids could interact and learn. Whether they were planting pansies and learning about bugs, or planting veggies and learning about the benefits of fresh food, there were smiles from ear to ear.

The smells in the building were terrific. There were hyacinths EVERYWHERE. Along with planted hyacinths and even a planted rose garden (yes it was awesome), there was also a large floral presence at the show. Mariano’s sponsored the show and had a fantastic display of cut flowers to be purchased right on the show floor. This way people could take home some color even if the temps weren’t the nicest quite yet. There were also some very interesting “tablescapes” as well. These seemed to blend a wide variety of ideals. It was like a floral type of landscaping, mixing ideas from the garden and the kitchen.

Seth and I also had the chance to talk about what’s coming in the world of gardening. The first thing that we proposed is that since after years of effort, we haven’t been able to come up with a better word to replace gardening, we just have to change the definition. Gardening isn’t just about having a backyard and a massive flower bed. Gardening refers to the act of growing any plant. Are you growing a cactus on your coffee table? Guess what… you are a gardener. Aside from trying to start a “Garden Revolution”, we also talked about how a new wave of technology was sweeping the garden world.

All in all it was a fantastic week and we met a lot of people. Keep an eye out for us this spring as we continue to travel the country spreading the colorful message of GrowIt!

-Mason, Co-founder of GrowIt!

www.growitmobile.com 

Love Is In The Air… Plant!

At GrowIt! we’re always looking for creative, outside of the box ideas!

Our friends at Plant Jungle have provided us with another fantastic how-to guest blog!

Roses are a traditional Valentine’s day gift, but if your S.O. is not traditional, you may want to get them something that is not as standard as roses. How about a Tillandsia driftwood centerpiece? Or a Tillandsia coral centerpiece? It is the perfect gift for the minimalist plant lover.

Items for customized centerpiece:

*   Waterproof glue
*   Tillandsia
*   Driftwood or dry coral skeleton
*   Lichen
*   Moss
Tillandsia, aka air plant, is quite versatile as it can grow almost anywhere as long as it is in a well-ventilated area. If you want to add moss as an accent, we recommend gluing at a lower area away from the Tillandsia because the moss tends to hold too much moisture which is incompatible with Tillandsia. I solved that conundrum by placing the Tillandsia at the crown or highest point of the driftwood while placing the moss at the bottom. This placement ensures that the excess water will spill from the Tillandsia onto the moss. Therefore, the Tillandsia doesn’t get root rot and the moss gets enough water.

Some things to consider:

*   Soak ocean driftwood prior to gluing the Tillandsia otherwise the salinity may kill the plant
*   Avoid pressure treated driftwood as it may contain copper which is damaging to Tillandsia
*   Reverse osmosis water is best for your plants as it has impurities removed while maintaining trace elements
*   Coral is more compatible with Tillandsia as it is more porous than driftwood. This porosity allows adequate ventilation.
*   When gluing your Tillandsia to driftwood, glue to porous crevices around the crown to allow for water drainage.
*   If your Tillandsia has bloomed, avoid spraying the flower. Just spray the base of the plant.

Caring for your plants:

*   Soak the Tillandsia for 15-20 minutes upon receiving your plant.
*   After the Tillandisa is fully dry, glue and thereafter mist the Tillandsia/moss once or twice a week. In drier climates, you may need to mist the Tillandsia more. Avoid overwatering!
*   If Tillandsia becomes dry, soak for 10-15 minutes
*   Water in the morning as Tillandsia absorbs carbon dioxide at night
*   Lighting: Both the Tillandsia and moss prefer indirect sunlight
*   8-10 drops of water every 2-3 days for lichens

Beside soaking driftwood, this project will take only minutes to complete and will last much longer than flowers!

About Plant Jungle:

Since 1998, Plant Jungle has been providing quality indoor plants and plant design for home owners as well as businesses. Go to www.plantjungle.com to purchase plant tools, plant supplies, live tropical plants, containers, and more.

Is your business in need of decor? Per your business’s aesthetic, we design indoor plant containers as well as provide maintenance for the well-being of your plant. Need some privacy at your office? These cubicle plant containers will provide camouflage from your nosey neighbor:  http://www.plantjungle.com/index.php/planters/cubicle-planters.html

More Than Poinsettias!

Trying to do the whole Christmas plant thing this year? Well here’s the scoop.

Believe it or not you actually have options! For years the go-to has always been Poinsettias. Classic Red, Pink, and White used to be the only varieties that you could find, but these days you can get them in just about any color as well. Just know that if you’re seeing Blue, Purple, or a Silver Sparkle, that your Poinsettia is putting on a façade. Psst! It’s Painted!  If that’s your thing we won’t judge. Just don’t let those plant purists find out.

However, we’re here to tell you that you don’t have to succumb to the pressures of Christmas past! If you want to change things up a bit this year we have a couple different plants to try out.

This first plant on our GrowIt! “Nice List” is the Christmas Cactus!

The Christmas Cactus isn’t actually something new at all. It’s a plant that used to be pretty popular but like the Poinsettia (and that “Shake it Off” song by T. Swift) it was overplayed! Now the waiting period has passed. People are starting to question why they disappeared in the first place.

It’s a showy plant that comes in a couple different colors. The most common of which are a red, and a purplish pink. The leaves have a pretty rockin’ texture too. They’re almost reminiscent of pieces on a suit of knight’s armor! Also, even though their name might suggest that they have a thorny or spiky element, they won’t stab your fingers or pets! Plus after the holidays a Christmas Cactus can be kept. It turns into a pretty cool houseplant, and you can look up methods on how to get it to re-bloom!

The other Poinsettia alternative that we have to offer up is the Amaryllis.

If you could ever use the word “sexy” to describe a plant, you would use it to describe the Amaryllis. Sleek and beautiful, it stands out as a decadent piece for this time of the year. If you’re looking to impress guests this Christmas, seek out a couple of these bad boys. Maybe even think about sending one to that special someone.

You can find them in a few different colors. Pink and white are nice, but RED is the way to go. It’s a classic look that hasn’t been overdone. Pricing usually depends on the variety of the Amaryllis. You can usually find these at shops when they’re just about to bloom. However, if you’re feeling adventurous try starting it from a bulb ahead of time!

Whether you’re sticking with the “old standard” or trying something new, we hope you have a fantastic Christmas season!

Merry Christmas!
Mason Day, Cofounder of GrowIt!
www.facebook.com/growitapp 
www.twitter.com/growitmobile
www.growitmobile.com

Guest Blog: DIY Gourd Lamp by Plant Jungle

Halloween has passed and Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. You have plenty of fantastic gourds left over but what do you do? Today we have a guest blogger with the perfect answer to this question. Megan Evans on behalf of Plant Jungle in Utah, details how to turn plain old gourds into stunning works of art.

DIY: How to Make a  Gourd Lamp 

By Megan Evans 

Special thanks to Mark Burton & Graham Hickey

Brought to you by Plant Jungle

Looking for a fun DIY project or a thoughtful holiday gift for a loved one? A homemade gourd lamp is a perfect solution for both. Young bottle gourds can be harvested for culinary purposes. Alternatively if a gourd is allowed to mature it will desiccate to form a hard woody shell. This “petrified” gourd can be hollowed, cleaned and used for a number of applications.  In fact dried bottle gourds have been used for centuries to make items like lamps, utensils, bottles, and even musical instruments such as the sitar.  As bottle gourds come in many shapes and sizes, your imagination is essentially the only limitation to what you can make with these.

Building lamps from bottle gourds is our personal favorite use of bottle gourds. The gourds themselves are very esthetically pleasing as lamps. Additionally placement of a light source within the gourd provides a fantastic glow that casts light through the designs etched into the exterior of the gourd. This provides a really nice effect that will brighten up any room in your house. Construction of a lamp from a bottle gourd essentially consists of 3 major steps: hollowing a dried gourd, carving/drilling a design on the exterior of the gourd, and then fitting the gourd with an appropriate light.

Below are some basic instructions for constructing your own gourd lamp. After mastering the basic approach to using a gourd to construct a lamp we encourage you to be creative and think of new designs and other cool uses for dried gourds. Due to the material of the gourd, we do not recommend that you leave the lamp on unattended or on for long periods of time.

Materials that you will need:

• Dried gourd
• Drill and drill bits- The largest holes were drilled with 1 inch bits with the consecutive holes being 5/16^thof an inch to 1/8^th of an inch. The largest holes can be finished with a dremel
• Sandpaper (80 and 100 grit)
• Stencils
• Compass
• A pencil
• 10 watt incandescent light bulb
• Tapped thread size 1/8^thlamp couplings
• One 2” candelabra socket
• 1/8^thCandelabra base
• 1/8^thlamp nuts & washers
• 1/8^thtapped solid hex nut

Directions:

1. Sand the gourd with 80 grit sandpaper. After thoroughly sanding the rough areas, finish with 100 grit sandpaper.
2. Measure the midsection of the largest part of the gourd and then use a geometric compass to make a concentric circle from the largest section. The concentric circles will provide a systematic placement for the pattern.
3. Use a pencil to stencil the pattern on the gourd prior to drilling.
4. Drill the largest holes around the midsection with a 1inch or smaller bit. Afterward, drill smaller holes along your traced pattern.
5. Drill the top of the gourd to fit a 1/8 Candelabra base
6. To assemble the light fixture insert the candelabra base through the hole on the top of the gourd. Fasten the candelabra in place with a steel washer and hex nut. Do not over tighten the hex nut as this may crack the gourd.

Since 1998, Plant Jungle has been in the indoor plant business selling live and artificial plants as well as plant maintenance tools, pottery, custom gifts, and plant arrangements. Give a unique gift! We can create custom corporate/client, housewarming, and condolence gifts. Additionally, we offer seasonal products such as gourds, pumpkins, and Christmas trees. Plant Jungle also specializes in patioscaping and indoor plant designs including container gardening, office plants, and plant arrangement for special occasions. Plant Jungle can customize interior plant arrangements to your specifications such as custom designed Christmas ornamental plant displays or custom designed garden containers for your business. For more information regarding our custom gifts or perusing our indoor plants go to www.plantjungle.com or contact plantjungle@twistlab.com

As always be sure to check for the latest version of GrowIt! on the Apple App Store, and stay up to date on the latest GrowIt! news at www.facebook.com/growitapp and www.twitter.com/growitmobile!