Agreenplanet news

May 17

Woolly Wonders, Beneficials & Indicate Design, May 15th, 2013

Beneficial Nematodes
You Gotta Try ‘Em!   

Are you interested in using biological control? We encourage you to begin using beneficial nematodes to manage fungus gnats and other soil pests. Beneficial nematodes are relatively easy to use and are applied similar to conventional pesticides. The nematode S. feltiae is sold under the trade names of NemaShield, Nemasys, Scanmask and Entonem. All of these products are labeled as a soil drench treatment against fungus gnat larvae. Preventative applications to moist soils work best. Read all you need to know here! Also, check out this very informativevideo on how nematodes work and how to apply them!


Woolly Wonders
Eco Planters

These super cool ‘Island’ planters from Woollypocket are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles! Available in4 different sizes and styles, these stand alone pockets are soft-sided, breathable, modular and infectiously fun! The planter has a moisture barrier that wraps all the way across the bottom and up the sides. This ensures floors do not get wet. The moisture barrier also creates a reservoir of water – much like a self-watering container – that allows plants to drink at their leisure. Read more here! 


Indicate Design
Green Space

This installation byIndicate Design is for a high end software development company. Plants and containers were supplied by San Francisco Foliage!  We hand shaped palm sized dark gray slate for a custom top dressing. The enclosed area is a coffee shop/cafeteria space on a office floor. If you can dream it, we can help make it happen!
 

May 09

Going, Going, Gone! Plant Care App + More, May 8th, 2013

Fabulous Ficus! 
Nitida Globes    

Love the formal look of these Ficus nitida globes? Get them while you still can! Sadly, these beauties are no longer being produced by the grower. We only have  40 - 14” Ficus Nitida Globe 05 -6’ and   15 - 18” Ficus Nitida Globe 06-7’ available! Not only do Ficus nitida flourish indoors, they make a beautiful street tree for California’s coastal cities - including San Francisco! Keep your Ficus looking lovely, check out these care instructions and tips on pruning here! 


New Delhi Int’l Airport
Green Promotion

Our ad-libitum field reporter and former employee Sharanpal Singh snapped this shot at the Indira Gandhi Int’l Airport last week. Decorative planters seem to be a thing of the past at this super-modern airport!  Each planter flaunts a flashy advertisement. Engaging, yes… attractive?  You decide!



App Lets Users ‘Talk’ with Plants
Green Gadget

Call it a growth industry. For the gardener on the go, a new service for use on mobile devices lets plants “tell” their owners in real time when they are thirsty and, for outdoor shrubbery, allows even owners who are far from home to give them the water they need immediately. continue reading…

The Secret (and ancient) Life of Houseplants + SF Designer Showhouse, May 1st, 2013 

Premium Phalaenopsis
Now Available! 

Familiarly referred to as the ‘Moth Orchid,’ Phalaenopsis are one of the longest blooming orchids available! These gorgeous plants produce flowers that last from 2 to 4 months! What makes our 6” Super Premium Phals stand out from the rest? The plants themselves are 5 years old. This makes them hardier and capable of far superior bud counts than your average grocery store orchid. Order early, limited supply available per week!


SF Decorator Showcase 
Fashion Forward   

The San Francisco Decorator Showcase is widely considered to be the West Coast’s premier design show-house event, renowned for featuring the work of the region’s top interior and landscape designers.  Davis Dalbok of Living Green San Francisco designed this truly breathtaking vertical wall using Florafelt Architectural Grade Vertical Garden System. This year, the showcase is located at 2800 Pacific Avenue at Divisadero in SF. Open to the Public April 27th through May 27th 2013!



The Secret (and ancient) Life of Houseplants 
Leafy Legacy 

People have grown plants in pots for centuries, but it’s only recently that houseplants proliferated. The story of how plants moved indoors is a complex one that involves botanical imperialism, the horticultural explosion of the Victorian era, lighting and heating technologies of the 1900s, and changing fashions. As European countries colonized the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, they increasingly imported botanical specimens. These specimens served… keep reading.

Apr 26

Don’t Judge a Plant by its Box + Green Desks, April 24th, 2013

Don’t Judge a Plant by its Box!
Earth Day Everyday


imageAs Earth Day comes around again, we are all reminded that it is important to do our part in reducing waste. We would like to
remind you that we will take back old boxes from previous deliveries (or any of your unwanted plant boxes) and put them back to use! So, next time you receive a box that shows a little wear, remember it’s been pre-loved, and does not reflect the quality of the material on the inside!


Martha Stewart visits Flora Grubb
Shopping in San Francisco

The one and only imageMartha Stewart visits local nursery and design center Flora Grubb Gardens. Quite taken by Flora’s collection of plants, Martha discuses her visit in her on-line blog, She even included this beautiful photo highlighting plants from SF Foliage! How cool is that?


Green Desk
Outdoors Inimage

What happens when nature surrounds technology instead of technology surrounding nature? Luke Dahl and his team from Stanford University decided to find out. Check out their findings, photos of the living workspace and view their presentation here!

Apr 19

SF Exploratorium Exhibit & Groovy Gift Ideas! April 17th, 2013

Groovy Gift Ideas! 
Bamboo Hangers 


We are always searching for the latest and greatest. Recently, we stumbled upon these cute compositions!Now available from SFF, bamboo hanging displays are perfect additions to any nursery or garden center! With four styles to choose from there is sure to be something for everyone.Click on each picture for more information!











Crooked Nest Exploratorium Exhibit  
MORE Local Talent

Today, San Francisco’s Exploratorium is re-opening in a new location on Pier 15! Local design gurus at Crooked Nest expertly constructed this beautiful display for the grand re-opening using plants from SF Foliage! Their one of a kind menagerie includes specimen sized Tillandsia xerographica along with other colorful exotics like Vrisea ‘Philippo-coburgii’ and Billbergia ‘Hallelujah’.Check out more from Crooked Nest on their Facebook page!




Focus on Fertilizer
Here’s the Scoop 

Fine-tune your fertilizer formulations and improve your plant nutrition program with this advice from university researchers and technical experts. Check out the links below for more information!

When Fertilizing, Don’t Neglect The Root Zone

Potted Plants On Controlled-Release Fertilizers

Organic Fertilizers In Greenhouse And Nursery Production

4 Tips For Using Controlled-Release Fertilizers In the Greenhouse

Green Walls Buyers Guide & Local Design Feature! April 10th, 2013

Springtime at SFF! 
Beautiful Blooms


Spring blooming Odontoglossumare now in stock. The scientific name is derived from the Greek words odon (tooth) and glossa (tongue), referring to the two tooth-like calluses on the base of the lip.These beauties won’t last long, order early for best selection!


Reynolds-Sebastiani Design
Local Talent

Check out this amazing design by locally owned landscape company Reynolds-Sebastiani! They specialize in high end design, build and care. We love how they have incorporated our specialty bromeliads into this outdoor patio project in San Francisco! Some of their choices were Vriesea Red Chestnutand Tillandsia fasciculata.  Check out more fabulous designs on their Facebook page!


Green Walls Buyer’s Guide! 
What You Need to Know

Do you have the Right Stuff to do Green Walls? Find out the success strategies of other interior plant-scape companies and their green wall projects.

The Green Walls Buyers Guide is available in its entirety hereso you can compare systems and decide which one will work for each of your projects. There’s a system out there to fit every size, every space and every budget!

Job Openings & The Design Stylebook for Houseplants! April 3rd, 2013

Job Opportunities at SFF 
Sales Development


Interested in a job in Horticulture? Look no further! SFF is hiring a full time sales member! 

This position works closely with other sales members, greenhouse management and staff to guarantee successful fulfillment of sales orders. Read the entire job descriptionhere!

Please send resumé to employment@agreenplanet.com.
For questions, please call (415) 707-1392.
www.agreenplanet.com


Spring Plant Care! 
Growing Season  

Spring is a time of growth for indoor plants. Plants will beovercoming their winter rest, and will begin to grow faster with the increased light. Spring (especially late spring) is a great time to catch up on needed plant maintenance, such as re-potting, fertilization, and propagation. Take a look at this handy care guide for more information!


Indoor Plant Décor - Just Published! 
The Design Stylebook for Houseplants


With more and more people (5.9 million-plus) working from home or retiring from the workforce (10,000 new baby boomers retiring every day) the quality of the home environment is becoming more important than ever. Jenny and Kylee know that adding living plants to the decor pays off in enjoyment, pride of place, and an increased sense of well being (not to mention lower blood pressure, higher creativity and cleaner air quality). House stagers and decorators know that well placed plants add value to a home. In Indoor Decor, the authors show how to design with plants and enhance one’s personal style. The book is divided into style categories, like “Peaceful Zen,” “Classic Elegance,” Modern Eclectic,” and “Vintage Vibe” - with photo collages of style elements, step-by-step how-to’s, and plant and container selection and care tips for all environments and seasons. Check out the author’s Facebook page for more information!

Mar 28

Plant & Pest Seminar, Plant PARRAMYD and more! March 27th, 2013

SF Foliage Hosts PIA Seminar!  
Education & Training  


On April 5th SF Foliage is hosting a PIA Plant & Pest ManagementSeminar with Heddy Salerno!  Come hear the latest tips of trade!Whether you are a brand new plant maintenance technician or have been maintaining thriving plants for 20 years, there is always something to learn. We will be offering a discount on orders of $150 or more to attendees on the day of this class. Get more info and register here!




Tillandsia Jellyfish! 
Hanging Air Plants 

Our most popular gift item is now available in 2 sizes!  These cute conversation starters add curiosity and style to any space! We can accommodate large orders, contact us for more information!


Plant PARRAMYD
Geometric Style 


The PARRAMYD modular system, designed by the Kuwamura Ganjavian Studio, is a unique and beautiful way to tame indoor crawling plants. It consists of geometric elements that connect to each other, creating a structure that guides the way a plant grows.Continue reading…

The Unexpected Houseplant & A Few New Items! March 20th, 2013

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Dischidia Shells!   
A New Addition    


Dischidia pectinoides are also called ant plants.  These epiphytes get their name from their large, hollow sacs that ants colonize in nature.  The plants benefit from carbon dioxide and ‘fertilizer’ produced by the ants, while the ants are provided with a convenient shelter.  These ant plants produces clusters of bright pink flowers for most of the year.  These shells hang conveniently in a window and make a perfect gift!




2” Terrarium Foliage 
Cuter than Ever 


A new shipment of our popular 2” Terrarium Foliage just arrived in a fun assortment! We never know what we’ll get, and this time we were especially excited by the selection. Order soon, they go fast!




The Unexpected Houseplant
Our New Fav Read! 

Indoor plants have gotten a bad rap and are often associated with dusty and dowdy African violets, languishing philodendrons, and bloom-free orchids. No longer! It’s time for plant lovers to dust off their houseplants, update their image, and discover just how exciting, trendy, and crucial plants can be in the home. The Unexpected Houseplant, by renowned plant authority Tovah Martin, isn’t your typical, old-fashioned, dowdy houseplant book. Martin’s approach is revolutionary—picture brilliant spring bulbs by the bed, lush perennials brought in from the garden, quirky succulents in the kitchen, even flowering vines and small trees growing beside an easy chair. Keep reading…. 

How to get Hoya to Bloom, SF Conservatory of Flowers and More! March 13th, 2013

SF Conservatory of Flowers  
Greening Up!  

Wow! This gorgeous display is theFlorafelt Vertical Garden at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers. The wall measures 20’ wide by 12’ high and holds a total of 384 plants! Now sporting a few upgrades, the exhibit features the latest and greatest flora from SF Foliage!

http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/
 

Planting design by Chris Bribach of Plants On Walls.


How to Get a Hoya to Bloom
SFGate Article

Hoya carnosa, usually grown in a hanging basket, has earned itself a spot as a favorite among indoor plants. Also known as wax plant for its thick, shiny leaves, Hoya is easy to get along with and thrives with minimal care. In the right conditions, hoya produces bunches of star-shaped blooms on umbrella like stalks, called umbrels. Depending on the variety, blooms may be tiny or as large as 3 inches, with colors running the gamut from white and pale pink to yellow to deep, brownish purple. Although the hoya plant is nearly indestructible, getting the plant to bloom can be a challenge.  Click here to see more


Cork Micro Planters
Easy and Fun!


Micro planters are really popular right now, and for good reason.  First and foremost, they’re adorable!  They’re also quick and easy to make, take up little space, and add a nice touch of green at a time of the year when many of us are already thinking spring. Taking care of your planters is easy if you pick the right plants, too. I like smaller succulents, and those that are easy to propagate by breaking off leaves. They don’t require much soil or water, and they come in cool shapes and textures that keep your planters interesting!Click here to see more