Sage Garden Herbs - HELIOTROPE 'FRAGRANT DELIGHT'

HELIOTROPE 'FRAGRANT DELIGHT'

CAD $3.95

Pruning: Regularly prune stem tips to encourage branching. Avoid cutting deep into older woody growth, and avoid pruning flowering stems until flowers are finished.

Growing in Containers: Well suited to a medium sized pot (8-12").

Fertilizing (Containers): Add up to 25% quality compost to your potting mix. Fertilize every one to two weeks with a balanced organic plant food during the active growing season. In addition, using Sea Magic kelp weekly improves the over all health of your plants, increases stem strength, flower set, root development, and resilience to diseases.

Watering (Containers): Water deeply when top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. During hot weather, check pots daily. The addition of up to 25% Diatomite is an excellent organic method for managing water in pots; Diatomite holds several times its weight in water, and slow releases it out as the roots require water. This helps manage both over and under watering!

Growing in Mixed Planters: Well suited for larger mixed planters.

Fertilizing (Garden): Plant in a garden bed amended with quality compost. No additional fertilizing is required, although Sea Magic kelp food is an excellent "vitamin" for your plants. Sea Magic improves root development, encourages stronger stems, and excellent flower set. Sea Magic can be added to the garden every one to two weeks.

Watering (Garden): Water daily for the first two weeks post transplanting, then only as conditions require.

Beneficials Attracted to this Plant: Butterflies and ladybugs

HELIOTROPE 'FRAGRANT DELIGHT'

CAD $3.95

What about Grow Lights? Simple fluorescent grow lights make a huge difference when wintering this variety indoors. We recommend the ultra efficient and compact T5 units, which are inexpensive and easy to install. Leave lights on 16-18 hours per day to simulate summer daylight conditions.

General Indoor Care: This variety is happy when grown warm year round. Bring indoors by Labour Day, and choose a location that is bright and never gets below 15 C. Avoid heat/air conditioning vents. To improve humidity for your plants, set up a pebble tray; this is simply a layer of rocks set on the plant's saucer (not in the pot, but below it!). Any water that runs through the drainage holes is captured among the rocks and evaporates up around the plants. Rinse plants under fast flowing fresh water every few weeks to remove dust and significantly reduce the chance of pest problems.

Indoor Container Suggestions: Minimum 6" pot with excellent drainage. Avoid strawberry pots (those with multiple pockets) or other types of mixed planters.

Winter Fertilizing: Repot or refresh soil in fall, when bringing pots indoors. Add up to 25% quality compost. During the lower light months (October-January), fertilize monthly with a balanced organic plant food. As light levels go up, and new growth emerges, increase fertilizing to bi-weekly. If growing under lights, fertilize bi-weekly right through winter. Soluble (non-organic) fertilizers are not recommended, as these can cause burning or difficult-to-manage changes in the soil.

Winter Watering: Water deeply when top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Check soil moisture two to three times per week.

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