Plant care tips and tricks
Dear Diary February always feels like a secret holiday for me because it means the Southern Ontario Orchid Society Show is here again. The Toronto Botanical Garden becomes a dreamscape of blooms and gentle chatter. As soon as I walk through the doors I can smell the faint sweetness of orchids carried on the warm …
“Fourth Time’s the Bloom” – A Zygopetalum Orchid Journey The first time I met a Zygopetalum orchid, it wasn’t love at first sight. It was love at first scent. The intoxicating, rich perfume was like nature’s finest cologne bottled in waxy green and purple blooms. I had to have one.I brought my first Zygo home …
The Long Wait for Episcia ‘Picasso’ I first spotted Episcia ‘Picasso’ in the background of one of my own videos. I hadn’t even noticed it while filming. I was too focused on getting the shot, adjusting angles, and making sure everything looked clean on screen. It wasn’t until I sat down to edit that I …
The Whisper of the White Ghost It was one of those breezy days in Niagara Falls, the kind that teases you into wandering just a little farther than you intended. I had set out on a routine plant hunt, chasing down Hoya varieties, when a quiet pull guided me into Vermeer’s Garden Centre, a familiar …
A December Surprise: My Rat Tail Cactus Story I’ve always been drawn to the unusual, the striking, and the slightly unexpected, especially when it comes to cacti. For years, I’ve admired the Golden Monkey Tail and its snowy sibling, the White Monkey Tail (Cleistocactus colademononis), with their wild, trailing stems like something out of a …
Collecting Tephrocactus Geometricus in Canada, A Rare Cactus Journey As a cactus enthusiast living in Canada, finding Tephrocactus geometricus feels like discovering a hidden treasure. This uncommon cactus, known for its round, geometric segments and paper-like spines, isn’t something you just stumble upon at your local nursery. With Canada’s cooler climate and limited cactus availability, …
🌿 Story: The Plant That Found Me It was just after the world started breathing again. Lockdown had eased, masks were slipping off, and people were rediscovering the joy of being out. That’s when I wandered into a little coffee shop downtown. I can’t recall its name now, but I believe it was somewhere near …
The Day My Balcony Started to Smell Like a Corpse A few weeks ago, I came across a listing on Facebook Marketplace that stopped me mid-scroll. A local seller was offering a set of unusual succulents: Stapelia asterias, Stapelia desmetiana, Stapelia gettliffei, and Orbea ciliata. Each plant was labeled in the photos and looked mature …
How I Acquired My Euphorbia Lactea ‘White Ghost’ It was a beautiful summer day in Toronto, the kind of day that begs to be spent outdoors surrounded by nature. I made my way to the Toronto Botanical Garden, which is nestled within the lush grounds of Edward Gardens, a perfect oasis tucked away from the …
The Secret to a Blooming Butterfly Orchid 🦋🌸 The Toronto Flower Market buzzed with life that spring morning. Tables overflowed with vibrant greens, pops of color from early blooms, and the gentle murmur of plant lovers swapping tips. I wandered between stalls, the scent of damp earth and new growth weaving into the crisp April …