Flowering Plants for Mother’s Day!
Giving flowers on Mother's Day is a gift most moms love. The choice is vast, so here are three of my favourites.
Flowering Planters
Hanging baskets overflowing with flowering plants are the perfect Mother's Day gift! When you buy a planter, consider whether it is meant to be placed in full sun or shade. Also keep in mind that the larger the planter, the less often your mom will need to water it, as the soil won’t dry out as quickly. These beautiful flowers will benefit from natural fertilizer. There are slow-release fertilizers that can be added to the soil once and will dissolve with heat and water. All that remains is to surprise your mom, who will think of you every time she looks at her planter!
Orchids
People love orchids because of their beautiful blooms, which can last for several months. There are white, pink, yellow and even orange orchids. Phalaenopsis is the most popular and easy-to-care-for variety, a good choice if your mom is just starting her collection. Orchids have grey or green aerial roots that can spill out of the pot. Do not cut them, as they are vital to your plant’s survival. Place the orchid in good light but avoid direct sunlight as it can burn the foliage. You will notice that your plant grows in wood chips or moss rather than soil. Watering is therefore slightly different: water one to two times every 15 days with room temperature water when the substrate is completely dry. Water your orchid by filling the sink with about five cm of water and soaking it for 10 minutes. Drain the sink, let your orchid sit for another 10 minutes and that’s it, the watering is done! When your plant is done flowering, cut the flower spike just below the lowest flower. It might look like you’re leaving a long stem bare, but this cut can promote a second flowering on the same stem! Once the stem turns yellow, cut it where it meets the leaves.
Gerbera
A spectacular flowering plant that you can replant in outdoor pots or even in the ground. Gerbera flowers are truly beautiful and can be cut to make beautiful bouquets. This plant is easy to care for, but it must not be watered too much, or its stems will go limp and won’t be able to support the weight of the flowers. If this happens, immediately transplant your Gerbera in the ground where it is surprisingly much easier to care for. Your mother will enjoy this plant’s flowers all summer long and until the first frost.
I believe the best gift we can offer our moms is to spend time with them. Why not visit your local IGA dealer with her to pick out a gift that will blossom all summer long?
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
