Susan's Classroom-June Care
June is upon us and it's time for "Cincinnati summer". We've really had a beautiful spring, some say a little on the wet side, but that's ok. Hibiscus, Mandevilla vines, and Caladium are a few plants that thrive in hot humid weather. Mandevilla won't even bloom unless it's very warm, and Caladium will go dormant if night temperatures drop below 55F. Now that it is getting very warm, it's time to turn up the watering. Adjust to the flow of the weather, and don't let a few showers fool you into thinking the rain was enough to get to the roots of the plants. Feel the soil down about an inch near the plant and respond accordingly. If the soil is wet, don't water. If it feels dry, water it thoroughly so the water gets to the roots where the plant can use it. Remember that hot, sunny, or windy days will dry out plants very quickly, especially if they are newly planted. This is true for shrubs and trees too, and they should be watered even more deeply. Your plants are depending on you to keep them at their blooming best all summer, so don't hide out in the air conditioning and expect them to fend for themselves. They'll reward you with many months of beautiful color if you just take care of them. Enjoy!
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