Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2019 i Birds and Blooms Extra

I have a brown thumb when it comes to houseplants. The one lucky bamboo stalk I proudly displayed on the desk in my college dorm room had a solid run—I think it lasted three years before it turned yellow and shriveled up. Fifteen years later, I have yet to keep a succulent alive for more than a few months. I know my plants need more natural light, but after reading Grow an Indoor Oasis on page 38, I learned that I’m a classic overwaterer. Tovah Martin, author and plant pro, says many gardeners include “water the plants” on their weekly to-do list. But that’s far too frequent. Turns out, you should check the moisture level of your soil daily, Tovah says, but only water when the plant actually needs it.…

The more birds that find and return to your feeders, the more often you need to fill them. To keep up with demand, it makes sense to buy birdseed in bulk! Stocking up during a sale saves you money, plus it cuts down your trips to the store, which saves you time. It’s a win for you and the birds, but it’s important to keep excess food fresh and free of rodent and insect infestations. Luckily, it’s easy to manage your bulk food with these simple tips. Inspect for Dust It begins at the store. When you’re shopping for seeds, avoid picking up dusty bags. The food has likely been sitting there for a while, and it could be close to expiring. Go for Hulls Buy seeds with hulls, like…

The fluttering intricate blooms of orchids are one of the most entrancing sights in the flower kingdom. These elegant beauties are beloved houseplants around the world, and many are easy to grow at home with no special equipment. To get started, choose a more tolerant variety. Then, when you’ve mastered basic care, delve deeper into the world of orchids. Soon your home will be full of these distinctive, exotic plants! Beginners should start with an easy-care orchid, such as phalaenopsis or cattleya, in bloom or just about to bloom. These species have a reputation for thriving under regular household conditions, and you can find a quality plant for less than $25 at your local grocery store or nursery. Phalaenopsis orchids do best when they’re kept in daytime temperatures in the…

My friends and I love to explore and experience the best of each season in Ohio. Last winter brought a rare influx of snowy owls. We heard that one snowy was consistently seen at a local farm, so we headed there, hoping to catch a glimpse. When we arrived, this magnificent bird seemed to be waiting for us. We shared the same space for about 10 minutes before it moved on. It was a beautiful moment despite the subzero temperature. Winter is truly glorious here. Katie Heade MASSILLON, OHIO I looked out my window and was so surprised to see this handsome pileated woodpecker perched on my birdhouse. During the summer, the bluebirds call this seashell-covered house their home. Cindy Heitmuller WEST BRANCH, MICHIGAN I had so much fun watching…

IT STARTED WITH ONE simple wish—to be surrounded by plants all year. After discovering that so many unusual outdoor plants can thrive inside, Tovah Martin, author of The Unexpected Houseplant, was hooked. More than 200 houseplants dwell throughout her Connecticut home, and she continues to be fascinated by the lessons she learns from them. GETTING STARTED Houseplant journeys begin in many different ways. If your houseplant history reminds you of a jilted love story, you’re among friends. It may have involved a beloved begonia that perished due to heavy, albeit well-intentioned, watering—or a reluctant obligation, such as your Aunt Martha’s gifted African violet. “Many of my plant lectures turn into therapy sessions,” says Tovah, laughing. Houseplant newbies should start by picking up a plant that catches the eye at the…

True or False? A. FULL ALBINO BIRDS always have pink or red eyes. B. AN ALMOST ALL WHITE snowy owl is likely an adult male. Females and immature males have more brown markings on the body. C. BOTH SNOWY AND GREAT egrets have black legs and yellow bills. answers on the bottom!…

THINK SPRING Cheryl Bertou of Rochester, New York, hosts a seed party every February. Guests trade seeds, share gardening tips and dream of spring over desserts and drinks. Make Fill an old watering can with greenery and berries from your backyard. It’s an easy way to add color and winter cheer to your indoor space. Feed Be on the lookout for a hand-feeding hot spot in your area! Jen Corso of Amherst, Ohio, went to the Brecksville Nature Center and hand-fed a titmouse and other birds. GET AWAY The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival is Jan. 23-28 in Titusville, Florida. Head to scbwf.org for details, including how to join one of dozens of land and water field trips. CELEBRATE  Do something for the birds on Jan. 5—it’s National Bird…

HUMMINGBIRD HINTS To extend the life of sugar water, boil it first. Store a batch in the refrigerator to keep it cool, and change the mix in your feeders every couple of days. SUET SECRETS Store your excess cakes in the freezer for up to a year. Avoid feeding suet during the summer months—it spoils quickly in hot weather. “I store bags of birdseed in small galvanized garbage cans with handles that secure the lid for a tight fit.”Pat Northington AUSTIN, TEXAS…

• If your plant is already potted and healthy, there’s no need to make any changes to the pot or potting medium when you bring it home. A happy orchid doesn’t need a new pot. If it’s still thriving in a few years, then look into repotting. • Many (though not all) orchids are epiphytes, or air plants. The easiest mistake is overwatering. Set the plant in the sink or tub and flush water through the potting mix, allowing it to drain freely from the bottom. Avoid letting water sit on the leaves or in the crown of the plant, where the leaves meet the stem. • Most orchids prefer filtered bright light; direct sunlight is too strong. Place the plant near a sunny window shaded by a sheer curtain.…

Happy Camper Watch a small succulent sprout out of this adorable ceramic camper. At 2¼ inches high, this pot is perfect for adding charm to any workspace. $22 at julierichardceramist.etsy.com On Point Mini concrete cone planters are made to order, approximately 4 inches long and available in five colors. A copper accent that winds around the cone and a white cotton cord for hanging are included, plus there’s an option to purchase an air plant. Starts at $18 at dovekienfinch.etsy.com Frame It! This wall art planter comes ready to hang—pot and plant included! The frame size and finish is completely customizable so it’s sure to fit your home’s style. Starts at $30 at newprojectdesigns.etsy.com Four of a Kind A jute rope connects this set of four ceramic planters, making it…

Red Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea, Zones 2 to 7 Once white berries disappear and autumn foliage drops, vivid red twigs make this dogwood a must-have colorful cool-season showstopper. Broad-spreading and fast-growing, this shrub is low maintenance and requires moist soil to thrive. Attracts:  Light needs: Best grown in full sun to partial shade. Size: 7 to 8 feet tall and around 10 feet wide. Grown for: Structure and color during cold months. Foliage: Glossy green leaves turn purplish red in autumn. Cultivars to try: Arctic Fire is compact with darker stems and Ruby boasts wine-red fall leaves. BIRD BENEFITS This multistemmed plant forms thickets, ideal for birds that nest in shrubbery, and produces white flowers and berries that attract birds and butterflies.…

1 Hellebore HELLEBORUS, ZONES 4 TO 9 Cold-weather gardens welcome hellebore’s cup-shaped blossoms. With numerous colors, and heights ranging from 1 to 2 feet, this lovely and distinctive bloomer is sure to enhance most any landscape. Hellebore is a perennial that loves moisture and shade, and you’ll probably wish it bloomed all year-round. Why we love it: It’s easy to grow and one of the first flowers to emerge in late winter or early spring. 2 Rugosa rose ROSA RUGOSA, ZONES 2 TO 7 Large, low-maintenance shrubs grow to 6 feet high and wide. The plant’s secret winter weapon is its large, tomato-shaped red hips, which show up after it blooms. Wait to prune until early spring and avoid planting in wet soil. It is considered invasive in some areas,…

LOVERS EATING SOCIALLY In winter, when varied thrushes forage for berries and nuts, they form loose flocks around their favorite fruit-producing plants, including apple, dogwood, blueberry and thimbleberry. Thrushes Robins and bluebirds are the thrushes you usually see in winter. But the varied thrush of the Northwest, the Townsend’s solitaire of the West, and the widespread hermit thrush also stay all winter. Hermit and varied thrushes feed on a variety of berries, often alone. Solitaires live up to their name in winter, each fiercely guarding its own chosen trees from berry-eating relatives. They gobble the juniper berries as well as those of the mistletoe that grows on the trees. In a scanty year for juniper berries, the high-fat mistletoe makes up the difference in solitaires’ diets. Bluebirds After insects dwindle,…

Q We see juncos only when the weather is cold or a cold front comes in. They don’t stay around every day during the winter season. Where do they go? Suzanne Nassar BROOKFIELD, CONNECTICUT Kenn and Kimberly: Although juncos may stay in the same general area all winter, their daily activities often change with the weather. A junco flock may stay out in the woods and fields as long as the weather is mild, foraging for the seeds of grasses and weeds. When conditions turn harsh, especially if the ground is covered with snow or ice, those same juncos may move a considerable distance to backyards with well-stocked bird feeders. But they won’t necessarily stay there after the next thaw arrives. Q What type of hawks are these? Sharon Clary…

Find the Hummingbird In each issue, we hide a hummingbird like the one above left. Enter to win at birdsandblooms.com/contests if you find it. Winners receive a one-year subscription to Birds & Blooms. In the November issue, we hid it on page 23. HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the U.S., its territories and possessions, or of Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec). Sweepstakes begins on Dec. 12, 2018, and ends on Feb. 8, 2019. Visit birdsandblooms.com/contests for official rules. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC. Contact Us! CUSTOMER CARE For subscriptions, renewals, gifts, payments, account info and inquiries: Email:…