Plant show well attended

PRESCOTT – There was a packed house at the Stokes Center for the annual Master Gardener Plant Show and Sale Saturday, April 14.

Inclement weather prevented vendors from setting up outside, but plenty were on hand inside. Doors to the plant sale opened at 7:30 a.m., but people arrived around 7 to get first dibs on the plants. When the doors opened, patrons swarmed in, checking the different plants and buying those they just couldn’t live without.

Claudette Harris, club president, said the members worked tirelessly for a month to put this on. She said the Master Gardeners use the Prescott High School greenhouse to raise their plants and all funds raised go back into the community. She reminded everyone of the silent and table top auctions, adding more than 120 people pre-registered for the event.

Chris Olsen was the keynote speaker, talking about turning yards into jungles. Olsen talked about the use of tropical plants and using them both inside the home as well as in the yard as they are perfect for heat and humidity, and add style and flair to the landscape.

Having live plants inside, he said, helps remove toxins from the air and can help keep people healthier along with being colorful and providing inspiration. He suggested mixing plants up in a “funky” way as well as using different types of containers for the plants, instead of just clay pots.

Those attending were urged to get out of their comfort zone, layer plants, place them in front of mirrors, use Spanish moss and to put a saucer in the bottom of containers to keep water from leaking onto the floor.

He told those present one of the major problems for indoor plants is being over-watered. All these plants really need, he said, is to be kept moist and talked about the “oops” method of watering. This is saying oops when tipping water onto the plants and raising the water container back up. By doing this, he said, it will give the plants about five teaspoons of water, which should be plenty.

Olsen told the audience to mix the heights of the plants, using different kinds of stands, as well as using books to put plants on. Old books, he said, can be picked up cheaply at book sales, auctions or garage sales, and make excellent plant stands.

Terrariums, he continued, are the rage now. One of the reasons for this is they’re low maintenance and add to home décor. In addition, he said, plants can be sculptures, especially agave. He suggested using succulents during the summer as they’re attractive an inexpensive.

Olsen also suggested mixing colors and textures.