Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse Co.

Houseplants…Superheroes in Green Suits?

Jared Foertmeyer — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:00:21 +0000

We all know that houseplants can be beautiful additions to the home, but did you know that these plants are also powerful air cleansers, working day and night purifying the air in your home? Houseplants are often overlooked for their ability to remove toxins and pollutants in the air, and are instead substituted with noisy and often unattractive electric air purifiers.

Many common houseplants are the best air purifiers, removing chemicals such as:

1. Benzene – a known carcinogen.

2. Trichloroethylene – a central nervous system disruptor.

3. Formaldehyde – a known carcinogen.

During the late 1980′s, NASA conducted a study to see which houseplants were the most effective at removing toxins. The goal of the study was to determine the best plants for cleaning the air in space environments. Luckily for us Earth-faring individuals, the results of the study apply to Earthen environments as well.

The study revealed that one medium sized houseplant per 100 square feet of floor space can significantly remove toxins in the air, in some cases upwards of 90% in 24 hours.

NASA’s research has shown that these plants are very effective at counteracting off-gassed chemicals from furniture, carpeting and other man made materials in the home.

Most of the plants on the list will tolerate low light levels. This is because many of them originate from dense, tropical rainforests where the ability to effectively photosynthesize under low light is imperative for survival.

So, the next time you look at that pothos vine crawling down your plant stand or that stately dracaena in the corner of your living room, give that green fella a pat on the leaf and say “thanks for looking out for me pal”.

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Growing Green with Foertmeyer & Sons

Jared Foertmeyer — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:01:32 +0000

Growing Green at Foertmeyer & Sons!

Greetings from Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouses. 2013 is here and so begins another great new spring season. As our business grows so does the opportunity to learn how to be better stewards, growers, and caretakers of our plants, business resources, operating systems, and of course the environment that we all share. Below are a few ways that we have been able to incorporate more of a “Go Green” approach to how we grow plants and manage the resources we have been given here at Foertmeyer & Sons.

www.zwartssystems.ca Zwarts systems has been in business for 40 years now! Zwarts specializes in water management systems, and has been helping Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouses do so for the last 10 years! Our Zwarts system allows us to recycle, recapture, filter, and reuse our water every day! Flooded benches, water silos, and a high capacity/high efficiency cloth filter all serve to preserve, maximize, manage, and cleanse the water used here at the greenhouse.
www.danielsplantfood.com Daniels plant food is a seed based plant fertilizer that utilizes a low salt formulation. Whats so great about a low salt fertilizer you ask? Well simply put, low salt fertilizers are much easier on and for nurturing the plant’s roots. Too much salt in your plants soil chemistry results in toxic soil, which is damaging to your plants roots and its ability to utilizes its nutrient uptake! Daniels plant food low salt formulation allows for steady, healthy, easy nutrient uptake for our plants which of course results in healthier happier plants!
www.damatex.ca Dymatex is an environmental control system which utilizes moisture and irrigation controls for our greenhouse via moisture control sensors! Dymatex computer controlled system is first of its kind for the greenhouse industry. Dymatex allows us to pinpoint irrigation needs which once again allows us to save and manage our water consumption!
Aquamats sub-irrigation system. Aquamats help us reduce water consumption by up to 90%! Aquamats utilize a capillary mat system which allow’s us to capture and use water from rainfall. The capillary mat characteristics also allows for even water distribution for all potted plants being grown on the aquamats! Aquamats truly help us make the most of our water!
Agam dehumidification & Heating System. Brand new this year is the Agam VLHC dehumidification & Heating system! The Agam system is a unique and revolutionary dehumidification filtration & heating system which prevents humidity related problems, while reducing energy expenses and fungicide use.

The Agam system converts water vapor into water and heat by blowing the air through a matrix of desiccant-filled elements in a compact cooling tower. In this process vapor condensation naturally warms up the desiccant and this heat is released by the unit into the greenhouse as warm dry air.

This technology enables us to save up to 70% on our heating expenses!!

Learn more at www.agam-greenhouses.com or www.resourcesystems.co

Hope this article was helpful, insightful, fun and encouraging to all of you fellow gardeners out there! Come visit us this spring and see for yourself all of the cool new technologies here at your friendly neighborhood garden center Foertmeyer & Sons! We look forward to another growing season and of course seeing all of you once again!

Cya Soon!

Eric Foertmeyer

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Helloborus Jacob “Christmas Rose”

admin — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:22:40 +0000

Happy Holidays everyone, we here at Foertmeyer & Sons would love to introduce you to the newest member of the Foertmeyer family of holiday flowers. For centuries, Helleborus or “Christmas Rose” has been admired for it’s spectacular winter flower display as well as it’s wide array of medicinal applications. This year we bring you Helleborus ‘Jacob’. This German selected variety touts exceptional cold hardiness and a blanket of dense year round foliage. This plants tenacity and adaptability gives it an unmatched advantage over other Christmas flowers, such as poinsettias, which can only be grown indoors. Using Jacob as an indoor plant during it flowering period, can be quite rewarding. Jacob’s gold and white flowers will warm your home for nearly two solid months. Once Jacob is done flowering and the soil has thawed, move Jacob to a shady spot in your landscape, where it will provide winter blooms for every year thereafter. Jacob makes the perfect gift for the eco-conscious gardener in your life.

Discover the sustainable alternative to the single season poinsettia, and welcome Jacob into your home and your garden for this Holiday season and many more to come.

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Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse Presents “Plants for Purpose” Fundraiser

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:47:07 +0000

‘PLANTS FOR PURPOSE” Help yourself while you save others!
Foertmeyer and Sons Greenhouse introduces our NEW! “Plants for Purpose” fundraising program. This program offers you the opportunity to help raise needed funds, plus also save the lives of others.

Q. How is this possible?
A. When you participate in a “Plants for Purpose” program you will also be helping ICU Mobile provide Image Clear Ultrasound Mobile RV clinics to pregnancy centers and communities throughout the US and foreign countries.

Q. How are lives saved?
A. ICU Mobile provides free ultrasounds to women experiencing unplanned pregnancies. ICU’s experience shows that over 85% of abortion-minded women who see their baby’s image aboard an ICU Mobile choose life. The baby’s life is saved and the mother and father’s lives are spared the emotional heart ache that follows the choice for abortion.

Q. Who is ICU Mobile? (www.icumobile.org)
A. ICU Mobile (pronounced “I See you”) is the pioneer and leader in mobile ultrasound ministry. We want to provide a convenient comfortable environment where every woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy can have the free opportunity to verify her pregnancy and see her unborn baby. Now the mother can make a fully-informed, life affirming decision. 85% of mothers who see their unborn child choose life!

We believe this is the perfect fundraising/community service project for all organizations with Right to Life convictions.

Maybe your school participates in the Right to Life, Washington DC youth rally each year. Consider this “Plants for Purpose” the perfect fundraiser.

If your school is looking for a meaningful community service please consider partnering with ICU mobile and Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouses “Plants for Purpose” fundraising program and ministries.

Contacting Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouses for additional information becomes the next step. The goal to provide the funding for one ICU Mobile RV Clinic per year is within our collective reach. Please consider this your invitation to help that goal become a reality!
Best to you and your school/organization,

Mark & Eric Foertmeyer
Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse Co.
5311 S. Section Line Rd.
Delaware Oh 43015
740 881 4237 ext 2

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Grasses – Perfect Fall Perennials

admin — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 21:32:00 +0000

You’ve probably always heard that fall is a great time to plant perennials, grasses, trees and shrubs. In recent years, many have learned the truth behind the age old adage the hard way. For example, think back to the spring of this year. Many people planted lawns and ornamentals with the hope that their seeds and plants would get established through the rainy spring season. Then the nation was gifted with driest year since the 1930′s. Water bills and temperatures soared while plants withered under unbearable heat. Countless plants and dollars were lost during the drought. If on;y more people had planted in the fall of last year, plants would have been better established and more suited to weather the weather.

Perennials in particular are excellent candidates for a fall planting project. This blog will outline a few of the excellent perennial grasses for the landscape. With a huge variety of texture, color and seasonal interest, grasses are both utilitarian and graceful.

Miscanthus ‘Graziella’ – Graziella Maiden Grass
A large selection perfect for the back of the perennial garden or for use as a screen. This 4-6′×4-6′ mass of silvery green foliage is reliable and tolerant of challenging locations.

Miscanthus ‘Rigoletto’ – Rigoletto Japanese Silver Grass
A 3-5′ tall Miscanthus with bright white edges, Rigoletto is perfect for breaking up a border, or using as a backdrop for brightly colored perennials.

Miscanthus ‘Super Stripe” – Super Stripe Japanese Silver Grass
Horizontal gold bands grace this dark green beauty making it extra dramatic. Topping out around 4′ tall, this is a perfect mid level selection for the perennial garden or mixed landscape.

Panicum ‘Dallas Blues’ – Dallas Blues Switch Grass
Intense Blue Foliage adds an entirely different color option to the grass palette. Narrow and upright at around 6′, Dallas Blues is great in masses and groupings.

Pennisetum ‘Red Head’ – Red Head Fountain Grass
If you’re looking for a perennial grass with red tones, Red Head is an excellent choice. At 3-4′, it is well behaved, showing off a scarlet bloom head in the fall.

Schizachyrium scoparium – Little Bluestem
An Ohio native, Little Bluestem is gorgeous in both summer and fall. As temperatures cool down, the rich blue foliage takes on deep red tones. At only 3 feet tall, little bluestem is perfect for mid level plantings where it’s dramatic color can be appreciated.

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ – Dwarf Fountain Grass
Hameln is a truly adorable dwarf fountain grass. Maxing out at just 18”, Hameln is perfect in swaths along the border or small groupings for accents.

In short, grasses are perfect candidates for fall landscape additions. Stop by our garden center for your next project and let one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff members help you design your future installation.

For questions about design, availability, or whatever, email Jared at jredfoertmeyer@yahoo.com

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Perennials and Shrubs, Buy 2 Get the 3rd 50% off!

admin — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:14:48 +0000

Right now at Foertmeyer & Sons buy two of any of our 1, 2, or 3 gallon perennials and shrubs and receive the third for 50% off. Although the summer days are hot, these plants will thrive in your garden not only this year but for many years to come.

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Mums, Mums, and More Mums!

admin — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:05:32 +0000

We get asked a lot about what we do this time of the year, when all of our spring annuals are out of our greenhouses and into your gardens. Well, at Foertmeyer & Sons we try to always stay one step ahead. We planted our fall mums in early June and are busy sizing them as we prepare for the fall gardening season. Right now we are surrounded by Mums, Mums, and more Mums!

Oh and don’t worry … They’ll be full of color soon. just give them some time.

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5 Perennials That Bountifully Bloom All Summer

admin — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 20:40:04 +0000

With all of this summer heat, I thought I would feature some of my favorite, low care perennial plants that bloom all summer.

1. Coreopsis- This sun loving prairie plant comes in a variety of colors and leaf forms. One of the longest blooming perennials, coreopsis begins blooming in spring, and continues until frost. Corepsis adds an airy, though colorful flower display in yellows, golds, red/yellow and pink. New forms are being bred every year, adding new and unique variations to the already widely variable genus of plants.

2. Russian Sage Perovskia – A true presence in the garden, Russian Sage can get quite large, though some smaller forms do exist. Plant will commonly reach up to 4 feet in height, making them ideal for the back or border of the garden. Perovskia is a prolific bloomer, and extremely cold and drought hardy. Plant this sage in an area where you’ve had little luck with other perennials. The purple/blue flowers held atop silvery foliage are a truly attractive feature of Perovskia.

3. Coneflower Echinacea – Hands down, coneflowers are one of my absolute favorite plants for the perennial garden, and with all of the new introductions that are becoming available, they are still very exciting. Echinacea typically begin blooming in mid June, and with a little pruning in August, they will treat you with flowers all the way until frost. Sizes and colors vary greatly from cultivar to cultivar.

4. Catmint Nepeta – If you need to fill a large area with an incredibly tough, flowering perennial, Catmint is the perfect choice. With a spread up to 4 feet and an average height around 12-18”, Catmint is perfect as a filler plant. Trimming the plant back once or twice during the summer will rejuvinate both the flowers and the foliage, keeping it tidy. This plant is as tough as nails.

5. Butterfly Bush Buddleia – If you love blooms and butterflies, you must have this plant. Magenta, pink, white and purple are some of the colors this plant sports during the summer months. Ranging from 2 feet to 6 feet, there is a Buddleia for every garden. In my opinion, with this plant, bigger is better!

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Simple Succulents: Bulletproof Plants that Intrigue and Inspire

admin — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:36:11 +0000

Over recent years, many of you may have noticed the resurgence of an old trend. Succulent container gardening is making a huge comeback, and for good reason. But given the fact that is has been about 40 years since the heyday of the little water-wise gems, I thought I would go over some of the basics of the succulent care. Consider this blog post a sneak peak into an amazing world of different alien plants, that truly do intrigue and inspire.

Hands down, the number one killer of succulent plants (and most other plants) is over watering. I have seen some succulents survive for over six months without a drop of water. Many people purchase succulents because they fall in love with the look of them, then make the mistake of caring for the succulents as if they were any other plant. In reality, succulents can be some of the easiest plants to care for, if given just a few SIMPLE things.

Most succulents worship the sun. Find a sunny spot for your plants where they can soak up those rays.
The majority of succulents we use in container gardening are not cold hardy. Bring your plants in the home before first frost and place them in a well lit window.
Water management is important with succulents. During the growing season, water them thoroughly when the soil is dry. During late fall and winter, cut back watering to once every 1-2 weeks.
Succulents need a well drained pot. Pick a pot with a drain hole of some sort.

Given the tenacious nature of succulents, they can be used in a variety of creative applications. Experiment with different mediums for a unique and artistic look. Framed panels for hanging around the home, as well as wreaths and old shoes make excellent planters for succulents. The most important thing to do with succulent container gardening is to have fun! Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to try different plants in different applications. You will quickly learn how easy it is to care for these little bullet proof plants, and I think you will love them as much as we do.

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Keeping Your Petunia Hanging Basket Lush And Beautiful

admin — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 20:18:54 +0000

Here at Foertmeyer and Sons Greenhouse, one of our favorite things to grow is hanging baskets. The myriad of colors, textures and habits that petunia and million bell baskets offer are nearly endless. The vibrant colors and sweetly scented blooms attract hummingbirds, and give the home a distinctly tasteful flare during the summer months. People are captivated by the beauty of these heavy bloomers, but often become discouraged when they lose their plants due to one problem or another. By following a few simple steps, almost anyone can grow big beautiful flower baskets well into fall.

1. Regular watering and feeding is important for potted plants, especially those that produce tons of flowers.

Feed your basket regularly with a well balanced, liquid feed fertilizer like Algoflash.
Watering and fertilization should be done in the mornings so that the plant can fully utilize the fertilizer and H2O.
Evening watering is not a good practice and should only be done when necessary.
In hot summer weather, thoroughly soak the plant until water runs from the bottom of the pot. (typically ten seconds or so)
Do not water plants that are already saturated from rain or prior watering. Over watering is the number one killer of flowers.

2. Choose the right plant for the right place.

Petunias and million bells require plenty of sun to perform at their very best.
Choose a location with at the very least, 6 hours of sun.
Rotate hanging baskets once or twice a week for equal light distribution.

3. Don’t be afraid to give your plant a haircut! Petunias and million bells can grow exceptionally long. From a physiological standpoint, it takes a lot of water and energy to maintain every part of a 2- 3 foot long plant, during the dog days of summer.

Trim plants back around the 4th of July so that they can flush out and stay healthy for the rest of the summer.
Two days after trimming, use a liquid feed fertilizer like Algoflash to give the plant a boost. Sprinkling some slow release Osmocote fertilizer around the plants will also help with long term nutrient needs.If you are concerned with trimming back your flowers, bring them in to us, and we’ll do for free! We’ll even sprinkle in some Osmocote for you.

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