Houseplants need some of your love, too
Your indoor plants, whether permanent residents or just winter visitors, need a little loving care this winter. They have to deal with the dry heat of most heating systems, reduced light, cold and/or hot drafts from heating vents or opening outside doors, and frosty window panes.
Give them a little humidity with under-plant gravel and water-filled trays, or run a humidifier. Misting does not provide adequate humidity.
Also consider a light breeze, a low fan blowing through the plants will lessen problems with molds and fungus problems. The breeze discourages spores from settling on the plant leaves.
Hold back on the fertilizer, most plants don't need or want any additional feeding unless they are actively growing.
If you insist on feeding them, use a dilute solution of 50 percent or less. Resume feeding once they start to grow again.
Clean your plants. Dust collects on your plants just as it does on your furniture and knickknacks. Wipe or sponge the leaves with tepid water, or give them a nice shower.
If you must use detergent, select a mild dish soap in lots of water and carefully rinse to remove any soap residue.
Flush pots now or in spring. A good flush of water through the soil will wash out any built up salts left behind by fertilizers.
The Lehigh Valley Flower Show
Looking for a bit of spring? Look no further than the local Lehigh Valley Flower Show (lehighvalleyflowershow.com), March 8 through 10 at the Agri-plex at the Allentown Fairgrounds. This year's theme is “Flower Frenzy” and features displays of flowers, shrubs and water features created by Lehigh Valley landscapers.
There are educational seminars and demonstrations, children's activities and vendors. Bring your garden questions for the Penn State Master Gardeners. Enjoy the train layout of the Lehigh Valley Garden Railroaders. Let the kids visit with the lop-eared bunnies, paint a frog — that's also a musical instrument, make slug slime or visit with the Peeps mascot in the Peepmobile.
Adults can enjoy the Allentown and Emmaus Garden Clubs' make-and-take, Design with Nine, an inexpensive ($2) chance to create your own arrangement with nine floral stems.
Or for a more intense experience, join Rich Mar's florists for a flower arranging class that includes materials, containers, instruction and show admission for only $30. Other options include Paint and Sip where you will be instructed to create a 11x14” painting while enjoying complimentary beverages (Stonekeep Meadery and Wine Cellars ($25) or the Miniature Fairy Garden Workshop which includes instruction, a 7 inch container, two plants with potting soil, fairy folk and accessories ($25).
Check out the website under the exhibits/seminars for information, costs (if applicable) and required preregistration options. Friday is Senior Day with a $1 discount on admission.
A scholarship from Bethlehem Garden Club
The Bethlehem Garden Club is now accepting applications for its yearly scholarship. This year's scholarship will be $1,500 which will be offered to graduating seniors from the Bethlehem area who are continuing their education in the areas of conservation, horticulture, landscaping, floriculture, environmental studies, forestry, botany or a related field.
The application along with the signed letters of recommendation must be received by April 30.
Applications and signed letters of recommendation can be mailed to the following address: Bethlehem Garden Club, P.O. Box 1183, Bethlehem PA 18016 Attn: Scholarship or emailed to bgcscholarship@gmail.com. If further information is needed, please see bethlehemgardenclub.org
More on ‘Where are the birds’
I am a longtime reader of your column and have written to you in the past.
A recent letter in your column from Carole Bauder prompted me to write to you again. I live in Lebanon County and am having the same problem that she is. I have tried everything, too, but still no birds at my feeder.
I finally decided to try mealworms in a tray feeder with a dome lid. Boy, did that ever do the trick! Within ten minutes of filling the tray and getting back into the house, I looked out at the feeder and I had numerous Bluebirds feeding with several on the ground patiently waiting for their turn! Needless to say, the mealworms did not last into the next day. Every time I refill the tray, they are back again in no time. However, still no birds at our other feeders.