Plant care tips and tricks
My Dream Zig Zag Plant Pickup at the Toronto Cactus and Succulent ShowWhy Cactus and Succulents Are My Top Collection For years I have admired orchids, but cactus and succulents have become the plants I collect the most. They are low maintenance, endlessly fascinating, and come in both common and rare varieties. Over the past …
My Hoya Obovata Variegata Journey from Vandermeer Plant Drops to Years of Rewarding Blooms There is a certain thrill that comes with plant shopping during a Hoya release, and my most memorable experience was at Vandermeer many years ago. At that time, Hoya obovata variegata was still considered quite uncommon. Whenever Vandermeer announced a Hoya …
My Phalaenopsis gigantea: A Giant Among My Orchids Among the orchids in my collection, my Phalaenopsis gigantea stands out as one of the largest, yet she is still technically a seedling. Despite her size, she continues to bloom periodically, making her growth journey all the more fascinating. I have shared her story before, as she …
How to Water Orchids in One Pot and Keep Them Blooming for Months Learning how to water orchids in one pot can feel confusing at first, but once you know the signs to look for, orchid care becomes simple and rewarding. I grow three Phalaenopsis orchids together in one orchid pot, and with the right …
My House Plant Journey: From Orchids to a Full Indoor Jungle Plant collecting has been part of my life for more than twenty years. What started as a small hobby has now become a full indoor jungle that I share through my YouTube channel Life of Bellina. In this post I want to take you …
Edithcolea grandis: Growing the Persian Carpet Flower at HomeA Chance Beginning I first met Edithcolea grandis, also known as the Persian carpet flower, at Kim’s Nature. The plant was thriving when I accidentally knocked off two branches while admiring it. Feeling guilty, I brought those cuttings home and placed them in soil. To my surprise, …
The Kindness of Plant Collectors and My Surprise Astrophytum myriostigma Fukuryu The Generosity of Plant CollectorsPlant collecting is often seen as a hunt for rare specimens or a way to make money, but that is not always the case. Many collectors care less about profit and more about kindness, community, and giving plants new homes …
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 …