Welcome To The Garden Center!

We pride ourselves on providing top quality plants and garden accessories along with exceptional service. Our goal is to make gardening fun for everyone. Our staff is always happy to answer questions and if you don't see what you're looking for - ask us! We will try to find what you need.

Building on a tradition of more than 150 years, we grow and purchase high quality products that will satisfy the needs of experienced gardeners and make new gardeners successful. We pride ourselves in providing our customers with new and hard to find items.

Our garden center sits on 3 acres of ground with 3 small greenhouses. We grow about half of the non-nursery stock plants that we sell. We invite you to come and explore The Garden Center!

Growing Orchids In Indiana!

Orchids can be grown very easily in Indiana!

Light - A south or east window is ideal for most types of orchids. Direct sunlight on leaves should be avoided in most cases. The leaves of most orchids should be a medium green color. Yellow-green leaves may indicate excessive light. Leaves that are very dark green, thin and brittle are not receiving enough light. If your orchid is nor flowering, increase the light levels and use 20-20-20 plant food to promote flowering.

Water - Since most orchids do not grow in soil but are potted in a very porous mix, a thorough wetting of the roots is cruicial. Water plants generously but NEVER allow the plants to stand in water. Most types should become almost dry before watering again. This may require several days to a week depending upon conditions. An easy way to determine when a plant is dry is by its weight. If the plant feels light it may be time to water. When unsure, wait a day. However, when plants are in bud or in flower increase watering to keep flowers fresh longer.

Orchids can be grown very easily in Indiana~ and if you can grow houseplants, you can grow orchids! Like any other plant, orchids must have the growing conditions they need to survive but they are remarkably sturdy and resilient. Many orchids bloom during this time of year which is particularly gratifying while the weather is cold!

Humidity - Suggested levels fall in the 40% to 60% range. Grouping plants together is one of the easiest ways to increase humidity levels around your plants. Humidifiers are also used frequently during our cold dry winter months. Extra watering will not compensate for low humidity. Fresh air is important, place a small fan near your plants to keep the air fresh.

Temperature - Orchids, for the most part, do well with the same temperatures that are normally found at home, a range from 50 to 85 degrees is ideal. If temperatures are high maintain extra air circulation to help cool leaves. There are a few types that will not initiate flower buds unless nighttime temperatures are allowed to fall to 50 degrees or below.

Tropical orchids are now widely available, but in 19th century Britain they were a new and mysterious plant. In 1818, a box sent from Rio de Janeiro by William Swainson contained orchids as a packing material. One of these was brought to flower and later named as Cattleya labiata. The Victorians were astounded by this flower. This plant, perhaps more than any other, was responsible for the orchid craze that followed!

Fertilizer - Fertilize by mixing a balanced solution such as 20-20-20 plant food and apply at half strength with each watering. Once per month water with pure water to rinse away excess salts.

Flower Life - To make flowers last longer keep the plant away from heat, away from direct sunlight and below 75 degrees. Water plants a little extra when in bud or in flower. Some orchid flowers last for several weeks and some will last for several months! When flowers are gone follow the above directions and they should bloom again soon.

DID YOU KNOW? The first plants of each new species brought back to England fetched high prices. The largest amount ever recorded (1890) was $3,000 - FOR ONE ORCHID! The equivalent amount today???  $186,534.50!