Have you been wondering how we grow our plants? Did you know that not all plants are grown from seeds? That’s right, we can also grow plants from cuttings too!

CUTTINGS

What is a cutting? When certain plants are fully grown, we cut small pieces off that can be used to start a new plant. These small pieces of plants are referred to as “cuttings” and need to be nurtured to grow new plants.

Starting in January each year, we receive boxes of cuttings from all over North and South America. These boxes need to be opened, counted, and sorted right away to prepare them for planting. This is very important as every single plant has a specific pot and mix that it belongs to. Each individual cutting will be stuck into a soil pod that is part of a tray.

The trays of freshly-planted cuttings are put onto special racks in the greenhouse where they get watered by an overhead misting machine every 10 minutes. This ensures that the cuttings don’t dry out before they have the chance to be properly rooted. Once they have roots, the baby plants can get planted up into larger pots.

SEEDS

Almost all our herbs and vegetables are grown from seeds that we plant ourselves.

We use hand-fed seeding machines to drop the seeds into place on a tray of soil. These trays move on a conveyer belt that adds the appropriate amount of soil, fertilizer, and water for each pot. Some trays can hold up to 250 seeds at a time! The trays are then transferred onto carts that are rolled into the germination chambers.

Depending on the plant, they may remain in the germination chamber for two to five days. The germination chamber controls the temperature and humidity to ensure that the seeds have optimal conditions to sprout.  

After germination they can then go into their temperature specific zones in the greenhouse. Many plants will be seeded right into the pot they will be shipped to you in, but others may need to be planted up into larger pots. 

TO YOU

After the plants have taken root, and been planted up into their correct pot size, they go to a greenhouse for the remainder of their growth period. Our planning team is responsible for planning out the timeline for every single seed and cutting we receive. Before we receive the supplies, they already know when/where the plants will be stored and grown - it’s a lot of work!

After arriving in the greenhouse, the plants are cared for by our growing teams until they are ready to be shipped. Greenhouse staff pick-up plants based on the orders we print, and load them onto carts that get delivered to our shipping warehouse. From the warehouse they get loaded onto trucks and transported to its destination. That’s you!

We are welcoming this new year with open arms. But before we go too far ahead, we wanted to send a genuine thank you to our community. Your patience as we navigate uncertainty, your ability to adapt with changes around you, and your unending commitment to your own communities to keep going even when the odds are against you is truly inspiring.

So, thank you all, for an amazing year and here’s to 2021. May we continue to adapt and still come out victorious.

Succulents are one the most easiest indoor plants to care for. There leaves are designed to hold moisture in so you don't need to water often. 

Water

Let your succulents dry out completely in between watering. Drain any excess water.

Light

Succulents need lots of light. Be sure to rotate your bowl every 5 to 7 days for maximum exposure to all plants. 

Fertilize

They only need fertilizer 2 times a year. Once in the spring and once in the summer.

Maintain/Soil

Succulents prefer porous sandy soil that drains well. Over watering is the most common way these easy to grow plants die. Don't let you succulents be over watered. 

Temperature

Ideal temperatures for succulents shouldn't drop below 15°C. They handle heat very well. Sometimes bathrooms have too much moisture so monitor closely and watch for yellowing leaves. Move to a dryer location and make sure you let your succulents dry completely before watering again.

The kitchen window staple.

Water

Thoroughly water when the top of the soil is dry to touch. Be careful not to over water by making sure the pot doesn't get too heavy. Drain any excess water that is in the tin planter. 

Light

Herbs do best with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. They can be grown indoors and are great on window sills that still have access to sunlight. (and your cooking)

Fertilize

Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer such as our Flower and Veggie 10-15-19 fertilizer every 5 to 6 weeks. Of course if you are drinking tea or coffee and want to give your herbs a boost, the grounds are very beneficial and green way of fertilizing. (they don't need this often though)

Maintain

Snip off the leaves and/or stems to use in your favorite dishes. Doing so will also promote more growth. Don't be shy either. The more you harvest the more growth you will get from your herbs. It may seem like too much but as long as your taking care of the plant it will thrive.

Temperature

Can be placed outside once temperatures are above 10° - 15° celsius and all danger of frost has passed. 

So you've purchased a tropical planter! Now what?

Water

Tropicals don't like to be overwatered. Test the soil by touching it and if there is soil stuck on your finger don't water, if there is no soil on your finger you can water. The Kalanchoe however does like to stay moist. When you water your planter start and end with the kalanchoes. Make sure there is no excess water. Drain if needed.

Light

Indirect sunlight will keep your tropicals thriving. Filtered by blinds and curtains are great. The leaves and flowers burn very easily in direct sunlight. 

Fertilize

Tropicals benefit from fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks in the spring and summer. Then once they slow down growing in fall and winter, fertilize every 3 to 4 weeks.

Maintain/Soil

When you water it is best to lift the moss and get right to the soil. This will ensure that your moss stays fresh for longer. Tropicals like high acidic, loose well draining soil that is high in organic matter. Pinch off stems of flowers that are done blooming. 

Temperature

Tropicals benefit from humid warm places. They do not do well under 15°C and keep them away from drafty places. 

Victoria is a hard working mama and wife. She has lived in Chilliwack her whole life and loves to explore the beautiful valley with her husband and baby. They are active in their church community and spend lots of time outdoors with family. Victoria also spends time being creative. She loves to paint and she is rarely without her camera.