Gardeners Tips » House & Greenhouse plants

Grow Colourful Gloxinia as Houseplants

hortoris — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:03:09 +0000

Gloxinia are showy house and greenhouse plants in a range of bright colours. I have just purchased 3 tubers and hope for different colours. They will brighten up my range of houseplants flowering in about 10 weeks. Until they flower I won’t know so I borrowed this photograph from a specialist nursery.

Tips on Growing Gloxinia

Tubers or corms may be found under the name Sinningia speciosa or Gloxinia and are part of the Gesneriaceae family that includes African Violets.
Plant shallowly in good compost with the buds facing upwards, this is usually the concave side like begonias.
Water the compost with warm water from the bottom to stop the tuber rotting and keep the atmosphere humid without getting the leaves or flowers wet or they will be stained with brown blotches.
Gloxinia like plenty of bright light without direct burning sun. If the furry leaves elongate it is a sign they need more light. Do not expose to direct mid-day sun as the leaves are liable to become scorched.
Gloxinia also like a temperature above 60º when in growth but will give flowers for 6-8 weeks in return for your trouble
Plastic pots are fine but I add some grit or perlite to help avoid water logging.
Feed with half strength liquide fertiliser
Use insecticide at the first hint of mealy bugs.

True Gloxinia

Gloxinia perennis is the best known and true Gloxinia. It is a herb like plant with large, nodding, purple, mint-scented flowers.
Gloxinia erinoides has tiny white and maroon flowers. This diminutive plant is notable for having tiny but distinctly coconut-scented flowers and is occasionally cultivated as a houseplant.
Gloxinia xanthophylla The plant is a shrubby herb with small white flowers that is seldom cultivated.
In future I will try to stick to Sinningia speciosa, as the name for the popular houseplant. It was originally described and introduced to cultivation as Gloxinia speciosa.

Credits
First photo Source.
Gloxinia by joseflickrsfe CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Spotted Gloxinia by EssjayNZ CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Gesneriad Society link
“重辦大岩桐 by 澎湖小雲雀 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Gloxinia from Seed
‘Gloxinia Brocade Double Mixed is a 100% fully double-flowering Gloxinia. Plants are extremely dwarf and compact with small dark green, velvety foliage covered with these lovely double blooms in a range of five colours including purple, red, pink, purple/white bicolour and red/white bicolour. Gloxinia Brocade Double Mixed is a colourful and early flowering houseplant that can be grown under glass or on a windowsill.’ Seed is very fine. Buy from Thompson & Morgan

Olympic Torch Floral Arrangement

hortoris — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:45:55 +0000

I have been asked for ideas to create a floral arrangement that fits the description Olympic Torch.
I am not even a gold medal winning gardener, although I do aspire. Nor am I much of a flower arranger!

The spirit of this site is to encourage others to go above and beyond our horizons so I will give it a go with these tips!

Protea

Design Criteria

The winter Olympics flame pictured above would be hard to replicate in a floral tribute so I am banking on the summer Olympics as being the reason for the display.
Flowers, foliage, greenery, wood and organic matter seem appropriate materials. The Olympics is inclusive of country, sport and to an extent ability.
Size may be important but I will settle for making a statement in a home setting.
Metaphors like a Burning Bush or Torch Lily are to be avoided.
Warm colours should be in vogue despite the crystal blue above.

Baby Myrtle Bottle Brush

Plant Recommendations

Spikes and sword shapes will for the basis of a long thin arrangement.
Red Hot Pokers are available in a range of colours including the yellow above and the traditional red and yellow two tone.
Representing each continent may be a theme worth pursuing and Bottle Brush from Australasia, Proteas from Africa, Alstromeria from South America, a yellow rose from Texas may be too metaphorical, a white Delphinium spikes from Europe and Pieris japonica from Asia for texture and fire red leaves.

Pieris japonica leaves.
As n alternative to red-green leaves you could opt for smokey grey such as Eucalyptus (but they are full of flammable oils and you may end up with a real torch!)

Kniphofia Bees Lemon

See other Kniphofia Photos

White Delphinium
Growing Delphiniums

Just Joey Orange Yellow Rose

See Olympic flowers and plants

Olympic torch relay by Teligence, on Flickr and Winter Olympic Torch by Michael D W under creative commons license.

Thinking About Sunflowers for Cutting

hortoris — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 14:49:39 +0000

I have tended to drift away from growing Sunflowers but now I think my reasons may not be correct.
I tended to grow tall varieties which produce one or few flowers. They were showy but needed support from the wind in our northern hills.
The knew the space was better dedicated to other plants and the only sunflowers that grew this year were self sown from our bird feeders (and the flowers were small weedy efforts that I should have pulled up).

Reasons to Grow Sunflowers

There are shorter growing varieties that are a sensible 3-4 feet high when they flower.
Sunflowers have become popular as cut flowers and you can choose a pollen free variety just for this purpose.
Multi headed Sunflowers are just as easy to grow and far more prolific.
Some Sunflowers perform well in late summer as other annuals begin to go over.
Not every Sunflower is a Russian Giant and many smaller varieties have a British personality
Beware some red/brown flowering varieties are over earlier in the season
The lemon and yellow coloured flowers remain a firm favourite

Harewood House near Leeds has been conducting trials of Sunflowers and this variety was well finished by the first week in September.

Two Good Doer Varieties

Soraya (center pic) produces 5 inch diameter, richly-colored golden-orange flowers with cheery dark brown faces.
Soraya is vigorous, self-supporting and grows 4 to 6 feet tall. It will not fall over, even in full bloom!
They are so well-branched that you can expect upto 25 flowers from each plant during the season!
Soraya make long lasting cut flowers for the house.
The foliage is lush and not prone to mildew
Soraya is a recent Fleuroselect winner and will bloom in 11-13 weeks after sowing.
Sunflower Valentine (top picture) grows 4-5 feet.
Valentine produces long stemmed lemon yellow cut flowers with striking black disks.
Valentine branches from low on the stem

Tips for Better Sunflowers

When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 45-60cm (18-24in) apart to ensure large leaves.

require little or no fertilizer and water sparingly
Sow March to May ½in deep in drills 12in apart in well cultivated soil raked to a fine tilth. Germination usually takes around 21 days.
Pollen free varieties are uniform and excellent for cut flowers.
Sunflowers are not picky about soil type but they do need direct sun.
Thin the plants to 2 to 4 feet apart so their foliage can help them grow.

Sarah Raven Grows Larger Cutting Sunflowers

If you want to have cut flowers from your larger sunflowers stunt the plants to make them easier to pick and increase the volume of flowers.
Pinch out the growing tips when they reach about eight inches tall with several leaves. Remove the tip between your thumb and forefinger. S

hortly you’ll see lots of buds breaking from the space between the remaining leaves and central stem.

The sunflowers then grow to about six or eight feet tall, and rather than producing one king flower you will get many slightly smaller sunflowers each one with a perfect long straight stem.
Her favourites are ‘Red Sun’ with velvet flowers in the deepest crimson and ‘Valentine’ (discussed above)
Sarah Raven sows two seeds spaced three inches apart with eighteen inches between that pair and the next. If one germinates plants are spaced at the right intervals. If both do, dig one up and plant it somewhere else.

Read more on sunflowers from Sarah Raven

Sunflower varieties available from Thompson & Morgan

Other Sunflower trials

Top Ten Tips For Coleus

hortoris — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:17:20 +0000

An astonishing range of brilliant foliage colours and forms are available from Coleus plants. The red leaved ‘Scarlet Poncho’ has a thin green outer edge or there is the Fiery Red of ‘Molten Lava’. Textured leaves are an added attraction.

Top Ten Tips for Great Coleus

Sow from seed annually and plant outside when all frost has gone. Coleus are not hardy.
For bold effects when planting look for Coleus varieties in separate colours but if you use a seed mix look out for a form and colour you like and want to keep.
When plants are 5 inches high pinch out tips to encourage side branches to develop. Then pinch out again when branches reach a similar length.
Coleus make good house plants like the specimen above and can be kept over winter. Cut plants back to half size to encourage new growth several weeks before potting up to bring indoors.
Use Coleus to spice up a fern, conifer or green border with a blend of mixed dwarf Coleus. Ot green and yellow coleus can look good with pinks and whites of Bizzie Lizzie.
For taller Coleus 20 inches high try Rainbow series or the slightly lower growing Wizard (they are Harry Potter class).
I particularly like the strange formed leaves of ‘Fashion Parade’ series. They can be long and thin, fringed, ruffled or Oak shaped and add yet further interest.
Plant in moist rich soil in full sun and they can grow 2 feet high and wide making colourful ground cover. Feed every few weeks with a high nitrogen fertilizer.
If buying plants in early spring look for compact plants with lots of side shoots. Avoid leggy, wilting or flowering plants.
Unless you want to collect seed snip out the flowering heads to encourage leaf growth.

Coleus from Cuttings

According to North Dakota University ‘Coleus propagation is usually accomplished via stem cutting 4 to 6 inches long just below a node and bearing at least two nodes. The basal end of the cutting is inserted in some rooting medium, and with care, roots will develop sufficiently in three weeks to support a new plant.
Cuttings will also root readily in plain water.
Sufficient root system development is the key to success in propagating with cuttings. Buds or areas where leaves arise on stem cuttings are the likeliest areas for good root development. Make the cuts about one-quarter inch below the last bud.’

What Are Coleus

Coleus or Solenostemon is a genus of perennial plants from Asia. They are not hardy in the UK.
These plants are grown for the variegated foliage and are available in a wide range of colours.
Coleus generally grow about a foot tall and are well behaved, compact plants.
Some flowers are quite respectable as blue spikes rising above the foliage.
Coleus make nice summer house plants or as edging plants in formal beds. You can often see them in public park plantings.

Grown from mixed seeds, you will get leaves in a range of yellows, pinks, lime greens, bottle greens reds, purples and other colours.
The best varieties can be kept and stock increased by stem cuttings.
Most leaves are standard but there are some ‘facinations’ of twisted shapes.

Shaped distorted and crinkled leaves are available. Coleus are also known as Painted Nettles.

If you use seed, cuttings, plugs or purchased plants have fun with your Coleus.

Datura, Brugmansia or Angels Trumpets

hortoris — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:27:49 +0000

My Datura last year were a perfect white when in flower and I collected fresh seed in good quantity.
I couldn’t keep the plants frost free so they died. Unfortunately none of the seed have germinated so I am without these large trumpet shaped flowers. I was nearly tempted to buy this pink plant for the green house but resisted to spend the money on something more practical like a new Hoe.

The Brugmansia plant is poisonous and this is reflected in some of the common names; it is know by Devil’s Trumpet, Hell’s Bells, Devil’s Weed, Devil’s Cucumber, Sacred Datura, Angel’s trumpet, Moonflower, Thorn apple, Indian apple, Pricklyburr, and Jimson Weed.

Don’t let this put you off, Datura look great in a large container in a sheltered sunny spot in the garden, indoors or in the conservatory. The scent is fantastic and the scale extraordinary. Plants 6-8 feet high with 18″ trumpet flowers.

Brugsmansia and Datura are explained in far more detail in this book available from Amazon on this link.

Brugmansia Species

Brugmansia ×candida is an evergreen shrub growing 10 to 20 feet tall and has white trumpet flowers
Brugmansia arborea (tree)
Brugmansia aurea
Brugmansia insignis
Brugmansia sanguinea
Brugmansia suaveolens
Brugmansia versicolor
Brugmansia vulcanicola

More images

Brugmansia differs from Datura in that it is woody, making shrubs or small trees. Brugmansia have pendulous flowers, rather than erect ones. They are both from the Solanacea family.

Datura Species from wikipedia
* Datura ceratocaula .
* Datura discolor – Desert Thorn-apple
* Datura ferox. – Long Spined Thorn-apple
* Datura inoxia – Thorn-apple, Downy Thorn-apple, Indian-apple, Moonflower, Sacred Datura, Toloatzin, Toloache
* Datura leichhardtii h. (syn. D. pruinosa) – Leichhardt’s Datura
* Datura metel – Devil’s trumpet[2]
* Datura quercifolia – Oak-leaf Thorn-apple
* Datura stramonium (syn. D. inermis) – Jimsonweed, Thorn-apple
* Datura wrightii – Sacred Datura, Sacred Thorn-apple

Grow Mandevilla Jasmines

hortoris — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:59:57 +0000

There are over 100 species of Mandevilla but the best to grow are often sold under the name Dipladenia splendens. I rate these climbers from Central America as the type of plant you can expect to see in far greater numbers in the coming years.
Mandevilla generally have waxy, fragrant, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers during the growing season in early spring. They are fast growing woody vines that can reach heights of 10 feet so need support. Mandevilla growth is not frost proof and need winter protection although roots may survive.
The fragrant flowers of pink, red and white compensate for slightly sparse foliage.

Top Species to Grow

Mandevilla boliviensis from Bolivia and Equador flowers white
Mandevilla dodsoni Equador
Mandevilla equatorialis Equador
Mandevilla jamesonii Equador etc
Mandevilla sanderi, Brazilian jasmine vine Aphrodite shown above
Mandevilla scabra
Mandevilla splendens, Brazilian Dipladenia
Mandevilla suaveolens,
Mandevilla laxa, Argentina and Chilean jasmine white flowers

Cultivation
Does well in tubs, conservatories and hanging baskets. Keep above 50 degrees F
Repot as little as possible.
Requires a sunny position but tolerates partial shade.
Needs a well drained mulch or potting mix, with slow release fertiliser as it is a heavy feeder. Feed every two weeks with a fertilizer high in phosphor.
Keep moist but do not allow to stand in water.
Propagate from sturdy wood cuttings in spring.
Look out for cultivars Red Riding Hood, Alice du Pont (pink) and Yellow which has wide, bright yellow flowers. They are lower growing and shrubbier than the species and superb in hanging baskets.
Beware if you grow one as a houseplant as the sap or latex can be caustic and is reputed to remove warts (and all).

Alternative Names for Mandevilla

Synonym:Dipladenia suaveolens
Brazilian Jasmine
Scarlet Pimpernel or Red Riding Hood

With thanks to Marcia Stefani under creative commons license on Flickr

Shrubs for Cutting Garden Foliage

hortoris — Sat, 28 May 2011 10:13:48 +0000

A well stocked cutting garden can be a flower arrangers delight.
The gardener in the family can earn significant brownie points if they can provide foliage to complement the flowers.

What Makes a Cutting Garden

A part of the garden dedicated to growing plant material for decoration and flower arrangements is called a cutting garden.
A cutting garden is not meant for display. You can mix colours and plants. You can plant closer together to encourage quick straight growth and feed plants with a view to harvesting as they reach their peak.
Good horticultural practice of soil preparation, feeding and caring regimes will boost crops.
Foliage from trees and shrubs should be harvested when the shrub is sufficiently established to regrow.
Many trees and shrubs will be located throughout the garden. They do not need to be in a special area but take care with the end appearance after you have harvested for your display.

Why Worry about Foliage

Arrangements often look better if up to half the arrangement is foliage.
The stems provide a framework and can be used to establish boundaries around floral material.
Stems and branches on their own can look sculptural.
Greens and greys do not fight with other colours in an arrangement.
Green foliage looks particularly good when contrasting strong red flowers.
Foliage is available from evergreen shrubs even when garden flowers are out of season

Evergreen Shrubs and Trees for Cutting

Brachyglottis monroi has crimped edged leathery grey leaves
Bupleurum fruticosum the green leaves & red stems offer double attraction
Chisya ternata with shiny, pungent leaves is quite prolific
Eleagnus x ebbingei’s new leaves are bronze coloured
Eucalyptus gunnii – keep stooled to produce round grey leaves
Olearea ilicifolia has spiky matt grey-green leaves similar to Holly
Pittospurnum tenuifolium ‘irene patterson’ has marbled green/white foliage while Pittospurnum Purpureum’s are chocolate to purple
Rhamnus alaternus alaternus grows small cream leaves on reddish stems

Other Plants for Florists Foliage

Cornus alba is a dogwood that looks distinctive in a flower arrangement
Cotoneaster corokiaq has dark wiry stems which are more prolific than the corkscrew hazel.
Cotinus coggygria pupureus is deep purple and also provides frothy flowers in summer.
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ is unique in carrying multi-branched stems of silver filigree foliage. It should be grown primarily for the color and texture.
Lamb’s Ears have soft furry grey leaves.
Asparagus fern is a good standby for frothy green stems.
Coleus produce a wide range of colourful, soft leaves.
Hostas have leaves that can be like crinkly plates in greens, yellows and glaucus blues.
Lavender and rosemary have scented foliage but are more often grown for their flowers.

More Tips on Selecting Woody Plants

Chose plants that regrow rapidly after severe and frequent pruning and are harvestable early in life.
Pick plants that grow numerous stems borne over a long period of time.
Desirable features include stems at least 18″ long, retention of flowers, berries and foliage with a good vase life.
Boxwood, dogwood, forsythia, holly, hydrangea, jasmine, lilac, pussy willow, and corkscrew willow have long been popular in the floral trade.

Read more on the web site of The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers

Florists for Gardeners

hortoris — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:49:43 +0000

Florists are Great

Florists have knowledge and skill when it comes to conditioning cut flowers to prolong shelf and display life.
They have methods of keeping displays watered and fresh including the bag of water or the buttonhole test-tube.
Out of season flowers can be imported by floristry suppliers and we can even get southern hemisphere plants in our winter.
Good florists display bunches and bouquets of flowers and foliage to artistic advantage.
A wide range of floral material is part of a florists stock, when a garden may only have a few species ripe for picking.
Florists produce the wreaths and family occasion flowers when gardeners are too busy or otherwise occupied.

Gardeners and Florists Together

Gardeners are best if QBE (qualified by experience). Florists can opt to train at a college, either full or part time or on the job.
Florists want long flower stems and long life of 3 weeks in shop/vase. Gardeners want insect and disease resistance, variety of colors, and fragrances plus a pleasing growth habit.
One good plant probably equates to the cost of a good bunch of flowers. I know which I prefer.
Florists are unlikely to be a retail outlet for the produce from a garden. You would need to have a specialism and be able to supply over a long period not just when your crop gluts.
I am less happy about the florists trend to supply potted plants but that is one area where the allotment gardener could form a trading relationship with the local florist.

Floristry Qualifications

Tips for Selling to Florists from
“Consistency is important. Some growers have been disorganized. They want the money up front. This can be a problem in dealing with larger businesses that prefer to send checks once or twice a month.

Bunch properly (check wholesale guidelines). Usually bunches are 10 stems. Bunches should be of consistent quality. Growers who come in with a bucket full of stems in different lengths and quality won’t make a good impression.

Don’t just show up. A lot of local people wait too long to contact the florist. “Someone will just show up with a trunk full of pussy willows, and I’ve already ordered them. Don’t just show up. Call and ask if we’re interested. Have a sample.” And let them know when a product is close to harvest.” source Rodale Institute

Codiaeum and Croton Growing

hortoris — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:17:36 +0000

Codiaeum variegatum is a houseplant or tender shrub with multi-coloured leaves.

Growing and Cultivation Tips

The veins and patterns in the leathery leaves can be quite startling with reds, yellows and bright greens predominating.
Leaves may be oval, sword like or forked.
Flowers are white and small on long racemes.
As part of the Euphorbia family the sap is white and can cause itrriation.
Codiaeum variegatum is also known as the variegated Croton or the garden Croton.
All Crotons like plenty of water. Even in winter they need watering.
Do not spray the leaves or feed through the leaves.
Good light and plenty of sun encourages good colouring.
Warm moist conditions and a temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit suit them best.

Popular Cultivars of Codieaum

Mrs Iceton with oval red and green leaves.
Spirale as the name suggests has spirally-twisted red and green leaves.
Andreanum which has broadly oval yellow leaves with gold veins and margins.
Codieaum reidii with leaves that fork into three fingers.
Majesticum which has pendulous branches, with linear leaves with midrib veins yellow maturing to red.
Eugene Drapps has wide leaves with more colour at the ends.
Aureo-maculatum which has leaves spotted with yellow.

Crotons are part of the same family of Codiaeum but are less elegant as garden plants. They are also part of the Euphorbiea group and there are many varities and species growing in the native Southeast Asia.

For more information read about Technicolour Dreamcoat plants.

Royal Brides Flowers

hortoris — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:04:10 +0000

White will be the order of the day for Kate Middleton’s bridal bouquet.

Previous Royal Weddings

The Queen chose white Orchids in 1947.
Diana The Princess of Wales had Gardenias and Stephanotis the waxy strongly scented white flowers.
Princess Anne stepped most out of line with cream Roses, White Heather for luck and Scotland, plus the strongly scented Lily of the Valley.
The Countess of Wessex had Arum lilies, Fressias for scent and again Roses.
Sarah Ferguson carried a bouquet with perfumed Gardenias, cream Lilies, pale yellow Roses, Lilies of the valley and a sprig of myrtle.
Camilla Duchess of Cornwall was slightly different in adding grey and cream Auriculas to a traditional bouquet.

For a recommendation that is a bit different but scented and locally grow Kate could try Phlox. Something for her future father-in -law to talk too during the lengthy ceremony.