Archive for the ‘Interior Plants’ Category

Interior Plant Care Tip – Lisa Cane

Posted on: February 26th, 2012 by frank No Comments

The Lisa Cane

by Fank A. Hornstein/PlantWorks Design Group

If you are looking for an excellent low-light plant, then look for no other than Dracaena Lisa. Dracaena Lisa are fantastic low light plants that look very similar to a Dracaena Janet Craig. You will see that, unlike Janet Craig, the leaves of Dracaena Lisa are much narrower. The lush dark green foliage of Dracaena Lisa are attached to its notable green trunk, which is also used to distinguished it from Dracaena Janet Craig. 

 The green trunks of Dracaena Lisa and the upright growth of the plant made them perfect cane plants. Exotic Dracaena Lisa canes are nice focal point in easily seen areas at home. A combination of Dracaena Lisa in staggered canes or various heights make them very attractive even in narrow spots in offices or buildings.

The Lisa Cane like to be kept on the dry side. Allow the tip 3-4 inches to dry down and then thoroughly water. The plant should never sit in water. If there is water in the bottom of the liner or planter you have given the plant too water. Remove this excess water immediatly.

Ths Lisa Cane is a pest free plant. It rarely ever gets any types of pests.

Amaryllis Bulbs -The Secret to Getting Them to Re-bloom

Posted on: February 20th, 2012 by frank No Comments

 Amaryllis Bulbs -The Secret to Getting Them to Re-bloom

 

Perhaps you received an amaryllis bulb as a gift for the holidays. No other interior flower can add such a volume of delightful color in a home during the long winters than the amaryllis. With so many colors to choose from – white, with streaks of red, various shades of red, orange,and yellow you will certainly want to take care of your plant to insure that it reblooms year after year. It’s not hard to do once you know the secrets. PlantingThe large amaryllis bulbs are often purchased in potted kit form with directions included. These potted bulbs require only watering and light to begin growth. Plants which are already growing are available at many florists.

If you purchase unpotted bulbs, choose a pot or container having drainage only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the bulb’s diameter. When planting the bulb there should be only ¾ to 1 inch of space between the bulb and the sides of the pot. Use a potting soil consisting of equal parts garden loam, peatmoss, and Perlite or sand. Packaged, commercial potting soils having good drainage may also be used.

Plant the bulb so the top one-third to one-half of the bulb is above soil. After planting, water thoroughly and place in a warm, sunny window.

Care After Planting

Water thoroughly when the container soil is dry to the touch. Excessive moisture can cause bulb rot. As roots begin to develop and fill the container, the soil will dry more quickly and watering should be adjusted accordingly.
In several weeks a flower bud will begin to emerge. The bud will usually, but not always, appear before the foliage. Once the growth of the bud and foliage has begun, rotate the container daily to prevent the plant from leaning toward the light. Plants will occasionally require staking to keep the flower stalk in an upright position. To do so, gently insert a stake into the soil using care not to injure the bulb. Then carefully tie the stalk to the stake. Stakes may also be inserted at planting time.

If you’d like to prolong bloom, try the following method. When the flower bud begins to open, use tweezers to remove the yellow anthers inside the flower before they shed pollen. This may extend the flower bloom by several days. When the amaryllis is in full bloom the flowers will last longer if the plant is moved to a cooler room at night (55-65 degrees) and kept out of direct sunlight during the day. Large bulbs may send up two or three additional flower stalks.

After Flowers Fade

Remove the flowers after they fade. The withered flower stalk can be removed with a sharp knife near the neck of the bulb. Do not cut off any foliage, because the leaves are needed for photosynthesis to replenish food reserves in the bulb. It is essential to keep the foliage growing vigorously, because after flowering, the bulb initiates flower buds for next year’s bloom.

How to Rebloom the Amaryllis

It can be challenging to coax an amaryllis to rebloom each year. It’s easily accomplished if certain procedures are followed. The key to rebloom is found in the plant’s native habitat. The amaryllis is a native of the tropics, a region receiving nine months of rainy weather and three months of dry weather. The plant grows lush leaves throughout the rainy season, but when the dry season approaches the plant enters a rest period or dormancy in which the leaves die down and the plant remains inactive. When the rainy season begins again, the plant produces a rapid flush of growth accompanied by a flower stalk. Therefore, the blooming time of the amaryllis is regulated by the moisture of the environment. After blooming in its native habitat, the plant continues to grow throughout the remainder of the moist season. During this period the plant is storing up energy and forming flower buds in the underground bulb for next year’s bloom. Continue fertilizing twice each month. This outdoor growth period is critical. It is during this time that the amaryllis plant is storing up energy to produce flower buds inside the bulb for next year.

In late summer before frost take the plant indoors and discontinue watering, but give it full light. Keep the pot in a cool (50-60°F) basement or upstairs room. The leaves will usually die down during this rest period which is like the dry season of the tropics. After the leaves die, the plant may be stored in the dark.

In mid-winter repot the bulb into a pot no more than 2 inches larger than the bulb’s diameter. (Amaryllis perform better if slightly pot bound.) Plant the bulb so that only the lower half or two-thirds of the bulb is covered with well-drained potting soil. Use caution to avoid unnecessarily disturbing roots. If a total repotting isn’t needed, simply remove some soil at the top of the pot and add fresh soil leaving the bulb intact.

In mid to late winter you’re ready to bring the plant into regrowth. Place the plant in a sunny south window and water well. Healthy growth should soon begin with either leaves or the flower stalk beginning growth firs

 

How to care for paperwhites

Posted on: February 6th, 2012 by frank No Comments
The Seattle TimesWinner of Eight Pulitzer Prizes

Home & Garden

How to care for paperwhites

Tips on keeping paperwhites standing up.

Paperwhites

To prevent paperwhites from stretching and leaning, move them to a bright location as the stems emerge. Turn the pot every day or two. Water with a 10 percent solution of rubbing alcohol, which will keep the stems stouter. If the narcissus have keeled over, cut them for the vase and discard the bulbs.

Adrian Higgins, The Washington Post

 

 

 

 

 

Top 2012 garden and lifestyle trends

Posted on: February 5th, 2012 by frank No Comments

Top 2012 garden and lifestyle trends: cultivate the new good life with the power of plants

(ARA) – In today’s world where news travels at the speed of now, people are searching for balance and purpose and are tapping into the power of plants to cultivate the ‘new good life’.

“Plants are powerful,” says Eric Liskey, deputy garden editor for “Better Homes and Gardens” magazine. “Whether it’s enjoying garden-to-table meals or sharing great new plant finds, people are naturally drawn to plants.”

Besides beautifying our homes and gardens, plants play a vital role in our health and well-being. They elicit powerful positive emotions, revive neighborhoods, and influence everything from what we eat to life’s milestones.

“Plants are no longer a luxury, but a necessity for our lives,” says Susan McCoy, trendspotter and outdoor living expert. “Plants can live without us, but we can’t live without plants.”

The power of plants. For a growing army of eco-conscious Gen X and Y’s, recycling, repurposing and upcycling is now a lifestyle.

Dr. Charlie Hall, professor of horticulture at Texas A&M, says, “Gen Y’s are embracing a connection with plants based on economics, environmental impact, health and wellness.”

These rural and urban curators are planting home and community gardens and renewing urban spaces with an eye toward functionality and artistic design.

Here’s what McCoy and her team of Garden Media Group trend spotters see for gardening in 2012:

1. Urban knights. A growing army of ‘urban knights’ are creating oases wherever they can find a patch of earth. They’re planting shrubs, flowers, edibles and pop-up gardens on balconies, in alley ways, and on street parklets – even in abandoned buildings.

From yard sharing and raising chickens to ‘step gardening’ and harvesting rain water, urban knights are finding a ‘new good life’ by getting grounded with the earth.

2. Eco-scaping. From rocks in the garden to rocks in the living room, nature’s influence can be found both indoors and out.

“Borders are blurring between indoors and out as nature becomes more important in our lives,” says Bobbie Schwartz, president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. “Many people want their gardens and their homes to be sanctuaries of tranquility, reflecting their ideal concept of nature.”

Beauty and sustainability are key. Liskey says that people want the “beauty and romance” of a garden with less work. “Gardeners want easy, low-maintenance plants that give plenty of color.”

The new Bloomtastic! dwarf butterfly bush Lavender Veil from Hines Growers is low maintenance and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with richly-colored abundant blooms.

“Herbs are popular as cooking shows and healthy eating habits grow,” says Briscoe White, head herb farmer at The Growers Exchange. “It’s easy to pot up herbs indoors and out for fresh ingredients year round.” He recommends planting containers of herbs de Provence for beauty and cooking or edging a landscape border with lavender.

3. Occupy local. People are “occupying” local farmers markets and joining CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) for fresh produce, plants and products.

“Farmers markets are our new backyard veggie gardens and are becoming our local grocery store,” says McCoy.

According to the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, sales of “locally produced food” reached $4.8 billion in 2008.They project that locally grown foods will generate $7 billion in sales dominated by fruit and veggies in 2011.

4. Conscious consumption. According to the 2010 Cone Survey, 83 percent of consumers still want to see more brands, products and companies that support worthy causes.

“We’ve finally moved from “me” to “we” and consider our earth and each other when we purchase,” says McCoy.

American Beauties Native Plants‘ partnership with the National Wildlife Federation is a great example of this mind shift. When you buy an American Beauties’ native plant like the new groundcover, ‘Blue Moon’ woodland phlox, for example, a donation is made to NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Program.

5. Water watchers. “There is no single issue greater than water,” says Dr. Hall. Recent drought and regional water restrictions are causing us to grow plants, flowers and vegetables with less water.

Soil amendments like the new SoilReef biochar are considered by many scientists to be the “black gold” for gardening. Its high carbon content and porous nature help soil retain water and nutrients, saving gardeners time and money.

Look for EcoCover organic mulch discs in all Bloomtastic! plant containers to help save water and reduce weeds.

Hydroponic gardening is hot, allowing plants to grow year-round in nutrient rich solutions that actually use less water.

6. In living color. Neon colors, pop art and color blocking are influencing fashion on the runways and fashion in the garden. From Tangerine Tango, the new Pantone color of the year, to deep purples and soothing greens, colors are all over the landscape.

Rich, gem colors create your own personal piece of paradise. Tropic Escape Hibiscus from Costa Farms produces huge flowers that last twice as long as regular hibiscus and are perfect for decorating patios and landscapes.

Create a technicolor summer with new Bloomtastic! Bambino bougainvillea and multi-colored bougainvillea patio trees. Hines’ new Patio Tropics Desert Rose, Adenium Kissable Pink adds intense tropical color to patios, balconies and poolside.

7. Inner gardening. Decorating our inner gardens with houseplants for better, healthier lives is now the norm. These natural oxygen machines clean indoor air while bringing life to any room.

Whether you want ferns, peace lilies or palms, bring nature in and green up your spaces. To learn more about the benefits of indoor houseplants check out www.O2forYou.org.

8. Techno-gardening. With the rise of smartphone technology, consumers are able to go directly into the buying experience. According to TrendWatching, ‘dealer chic’ is on the rise where securing the best deal is not just accepted – it’s admired.

Gardening is going digital with free e-zines. Costa Farms’ “GrowingStyle” magazine brings designer tips and the latest plant info from growers and designers in this free app. Garden products are going high-tech, too. Now’s there’s a way to rid your yard of pesky critters. New motion activated sprinkler repellents from Havahart provide caring control solutions that safely rid animals from your yard.

9. Seedlings. From the White House to the neighborhood schools, kids are learning how to grow their own food and take care of the planet.

McCoy says we’ve ignored two generations of gardeners and need to get kids back to having fun growing things. She says the popularity of fairy gardens is ideal for kids and the young at heart to share the whimsical world of plants and appreciate the joy of gardening.

For a complete look at the Garden Media Group 2012 Garden Trends Report, visit www.gardenmediagroup.com.

© 2012, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved.

 

An Urban Farmer in Your Kitchen

Posted on: January 30th, 2012 by frank No Comments

An Urban Farmer in Your Kitchen

from the fabulous website Urban Gardens. Visit them at urbangardensweb.com

Toyota is designing green roof technology and now Huyandai is getting into the urban agriculture act: Nano Garden, by Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Gromo, is a hydroponic vegetable garden for the urban apartment kitchen.

Silver winner of the Fast Company Idea Awards, the Nano Garden’s got one up on Mother Nature. Instead of reliance on the unpredictability of sunlight and rain to feed the plants, Nano Garden’s built–in lighting promotes plant growth while water via your apartment’s plumbing quenches the plants’ thirst. Users control the amount of light, water and nutrient supply, setting growth speed. And don’t panic, it’s organic:  no need for pesticides or fertilizers thanks to the hydroponic technology. Nano Garden alerts users when water or nutrients are needed, and also functions as a natural air purifier, eliminating unpleasant odors. Goodbye green grocer, hello apartment farmer.

 

Interior Plant Care Tip – Golden Pothos

Posted on: January 28th, 2012 by frank No Comments

Interior Plant Care Tip – Golden Pothos

by Frank A. Hornstein/PlantWorks Design Group

If you new to plant care this is the plant to start with. It is the easiest plant to care for. The Pothos can take very low light and still survive but it does not like direct sun for any length of time.  The Pothos likes to be thoroughly soaked and allowed to almost get dry before another thorough watering. Do not allow it to sit in water for more than a day after watering it. The nice thing about the Pothos is that when it is dry the leaves will droop and that tells you that it is in need of water. Allow the runners to grow to the bottom of the planters and then clip them to stop growth. This will stop the growth at this point and promote new growth in the middle of the plant keeping a full bushy plant.

What You Should Know About Cyclamen

Posted on: January 28th, 2012 by frank No Comments

What You Should Know About Cyclamen

 

Another positive development has been the increased attention paid to producing highly fragrant flowers. A plant in full flower will quickly fill an entire room with its sweet perfume. Cyclamen will thrive in light, airy conditions, but they should be kept sway from drafts and too much direct sunlight. They abhor both drought and high humidity. Too much or too little water will cause serious damage.

Never water over the foliage and flowers, because this will encourage rot. It is far better to water around the plants at soil level, especially where several cyclamen are planted in a single container, or to water into a saucer below the plant if the container has drainage holes. Use soft water or clean rainwater. Do not place pots of cyclamen close to a heat source or behind a closed curtain in the evening.

A temperature of sixty four degree Fahrenheit is ideal, with a night time temperature kept above fifty degree Fahrenheit. The plants will stay in flower for longer if they are fed once every two weeks with a weak liquid fertilizer. Keep the plants clean and tidy by removing any fading flowers and yellowing leaves. You need to remove the entire stem, along with the dying flower or leaf, because a cut or a broken stem will encourage rot. Take firm hold of the stem near the base of the plant and give a quick, sharp tug.

After flowering has finished the plants should be allowed to go into a state of natural dormancy. Gradually reduce the amount of water you give until all the growth has died down. Then keep the plant completely dry for two or three months. Modest watering can start again.

A temperature of sixty four degree Fahrenheit is ideal, with a night time temperature kept above fifty degree Fahrenheit. The plants will stay in flower for longer if they are fed once every two weeks with a weak liquid fertilizer. Keep the plants clean and tidy by removing any fading flowers and yellowing leaves.

Interior Plant Care Tip – Phoenix Roebelenii

Posted on: January 25th, 2012 by frank No Comments

Phoenix Roebelenii

by Frank A. Hornstein/PlantWorks Design Group

The Phoenix Palm is characterized by light arching feather-like fronds in dark green color. The Phoenix Palm looks similar to the Kentia Palm except the Phoenix foliage is smaller in width and daintier in appearance. This palm is usually a very good indoor houseplant which requires little care.

 

Phoenix Palms grow best in bright, indirect sunlight, so place within 3 to 5 feet of a window, preferably an east window. If plant begins to show yellow or black spot on the foliage, try moving it further away from the window. It may be receiving too much direct sunlight and actually be burning the plant.

 

The Phoenix Palm prefers to stay moist, however do not let the plant stand in water. Usually a good thorough watering once a week is sufficient. If your plant begins to droop, chances are you are under watering it. If you continue to under water you plant, the plant may never return to its normal shape and appearance. If the tips of the foliage begin to turn black or yellow, you are probably over watering your palm. Reduce how often you water. Usually wait until soil is dry to touch 2 inches deep. Like most palms, this plant prefers higher humidity levels, therefore a misting a couple times a week is good.

The Roebelinii cab easily get spider mites. Check the bottom of the fronds often for the beginning of infestation. The mites are easily taken care of with a sprayer of warm water and 4-5 drops of dish soap. Soak the plant and repeat severl times.

Ten Red Hot Valentines Day Gifts

Posted on: January 24th, 2012 by frank No Comments

Ten Red Hot Valentines Day Gifts

from the greatest website URBAN GARDENS. Visit their site at URBANGARDENWEB.COM

Toss a Lovebom seed grenade bomb into your lover’s garden this Valentines Day to show how your love is blooming. (Only in the UK.)

Get in the mood with this glass Mood Moss filled heart.

Pour your love into these burlap bags with your choice of loving fillings…try sweets, potpourri, seeds, spices…$16 for four 7 X 12 inch burlap bags and four jute twine ties.

I love this adorable all-natural, felted wool acorn and plantable seed paper heart. Give ‘em to all your lovers: Set of 8, $28.

Cupid’s fingers are in the dirt with these heart shaped cast stone planters available in 12 different finishes. Small 10″ to large 15″, from $55 to $108 from Garden-Fountains.com.

Offer your Valentine a chance to dream and a special wish with these Self Growth Bloomin’ Wish Cards. Write your goals, dreams, prayers and wishes on the wish cards, then plant them and watch them flourish into a wildflower garden. Each Wish Kit includes a pencil and twelve handmade seed cards in six color combinations. $10 from Bloomin.

Commit Hoya Kerri or wax poetic about this “Sweetheart Hoya” or Heart Leaf Wax Flower succulent…available potted in the UK (shown above) from houseofplants.co.uk or in the US from Almost Eden.

Sweet wire heart bent, shaped, and formed from steel and chicken wire. Hang it in the garden, grow some plants on it. From WireHearts.

Water your garden with love then hang your hose on this heart-shaped hose reel. Measures 10 1/2″ wide x 11 1/2″ tall x 4 1/8″ deep. Made from solid steel and finished with a durable baked on powder coat paint, it can be mounted to a wall or on a post. $49 from The Sports Garden.

Be wired for love with this iron heart shaped hanging basket. $40-50 from jschroeder.com.

Indoor Landscaping: Dont Be a Dinosaur Go Green!

Posted on: January 24th, 2012 by frank No Comments

Indoor Landscaping: Dont Be a Dinosaur Go Green!

Climate change and toxic construction materials have moved indoor landscaping and green building up on the list of priorities these days. Contractors are working closely with landscapers to create what the public wants.  Consumers are increasingly pressuring builders, and their backers, to go green.  Yes, those who fuel the economy have been listening to the science, and many feel that it’s either go green, or go the way of the dinosaurs.

Green building represents something that today’s transitional generation does not have: the promise of permanence.  If we are to remain on this planet, the unspoken story goes, sustainable practices will have to become the norm.  That may mean that every home will have a victory garden €”and it may not necessarily be outdoors.  Professional indoor landscaping is a way to meet green building codes as well as to help our consumer culture make the transition from throwaway to sustainable.  When we witness the life cycles of plants and the benefits of their qualities, we will be more likely to take up green practices.