Looking after your flowers...

Looking after your plants…. We are often asked how to look after plants so here are our top tips: Choose the right plant for the right place. Make a note of their specific needs, read the label or invest in a good house plant book. Don’t over water - too much and you’re in danger of rotting your plant. Keep lightly moist and avoid drying out. Occasional misting of the foliage will benefit most indoor plants. Most plants do not thrive in direct sun light, but need medium, indirect light. Not too hot, away from any direct heat. At the shop we keep a consistent temp of 15 degrees, which keep the plants and flowers happy. You might want to be a few degrees warmer than that! Repot your plants when the soil is drying out faster than usual. If roots are growing through the drainage hole or the roots are wrapped tightly in the pot, they need more space. Ideally Spring is the best time repot. We use and stock a coir compost called For Peat’s Sake. The fibre structure and quality of this compost is superb at retaining both water and vital nutrients. Always use a peat free compost! Feed your houseplants. They do require a steady supply of nutrients to flourish. Liquid fertilisers are diluted in water and applied with a watering can. Most houseplants grow in Spring and Summer, so this is the best time to feed. Winter, less or no feed will be required. All these tips will make your good plant into a great plant and give you lots of pleasure. Recommendations… We stock a wide variety of plant sizes to help you bring life to the smallest or largest of spaces. One of our most popular plants has been Alocasia zebrina, known as elephant’s ear. Zebra -marked stems are topped by elegant arrowhead leaves. A strikingly handsome plant. Another favourite is Strelitzia nicolai - Bird of Paradise, with its tall stem and wide paddle shaped leaves makes it a stunning architectural plant. Other favourites include Philodendron, a fast grower with heart shaped leaves that are prettily marked. It can be grown as a trailer or climber. Ficus is an easy growing classic with broad, glossy leaves and will put up with relatively low light. Leaf & Blossom… When you come into our shop not only are you greeted by the wonderful scent of flowers but a jungle of house plants too! House plants were big sellers when the shop first opened in 1977 and the recent resurgence in house plants is great to see. People of all ages are enjoying the benefits of plants in their homes and offices. Research indicates that house plants can affect the way we feel, helping to promote wellbeing, reducing stress levels and cleaning our air. Thanks to our plants, you’ll find the L&B team are all very calm! We’d love to see you in our shop at Formal House, 60 St George's Place, Cheltenham. We have regular plant deliveries so our stock is ever changing. Here at Leaf & Blossom we love everything green!