Cattleya Orchid
What to Plant
Annuals/Perennials/Wildflowers: Plants that perform well in garden beds and containers during the coolest months include impatiens, geranium, begonia, dianthus, and dusty miller. See
Annuals: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/annuals
Perennials: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/perennials
Florida Wildflower Foundation: https://www.flawildflowers.org/.
Herbs: Certain herbs will thrive now that temperatures are cooler, including parsley, tarragon, thyme, dill, and fennel. Herbs: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/herbs
Vegetables: Many vegetables can be planted at this time of year. This is the last month to plant Irish potatoes, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, mustard, and turnips. Vegetable Gardening in Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/vegetable_gardening
What to Do
Landscape: It is a good time to plant woody shrubs. Remember “Right Plant/Right Place” and match the mature size with the location. Water frequently gets new plantings off to a good start.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/FFL-Plant-Guide_v030624_web.pdf
Shrubs: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/shrubs
Trees: Prepare for hurricane season now by checking trees for damaged or weak branches and pruning if needed. Hire an ISA-certified arborist. International Society of Arboriculture: https://www.isa-arbor.com/For-the-Public
Lawn and Garden Care: Pruning: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/lawn-and-garden-care-pruning
Irrigation: Water plants if temperatures remain higher than normal and rainfall is scarce. Lawn and Garden Care: Irrigation: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/lawn_and_garden_care_irrigation
Shrubs and trees: Prune non-spring flowering shrubs and trees this month to improve form.
Arbor Day: Celebrate Florida Arbor Day (the third Friday of January) by planting a tree in your yard or community. Arbor Day in Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/arbor_day
Crape myrtle: Remove seed pods, crossing branches, and small twiggy growth to improve the appearance and form of the plant, if desired. Hard pruning is not required. Crape myrtle: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/crapemyrtle
Cold protection: Bring sensitive plants like orchids inside if frost or freeze is predicted. Thoroughly water and cover sensitive plants in the landscape 12–24 hours before a freeze. Lawn and Garden Care: Cold Protection and Chilling Damage: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/lawn-and-garden-cold
Pests: If scale insects are a problem, apply horticultural oil to citrus, shrubs, and deciduous fruit trees while plants are dormant. Apply copper spray to mangoes after bloom for management of Anthracnose disease. Lawn and Garden Care: Pest Management: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/lawn-garden-pest-management
