Gardeners Tips

This Chrysanthemum has been grown from one of last years cheap supermarket plants. In a large pot with just garden soil it has sat in an out of the way place with only regular watering for maintenance. It is now a riot of blossom and I can hardly get my arms around the flower head.

• Grown in pots like this plants can be moved to a more prominent position in the garden as the need arises.
• These plants can make large domes in the garden prior to flowering close to the top of the foliage.
• Chrysanthemums are hardy and I hope to get a few more weeks of colour from this plant before I bring the ‘stool’ (the old root stock) into the cold greenhouse for winter.

…

Read More Read More

Scindapsus Aureus is also called Devil’s Ivy due to its invasive nature in tropical climates. In the UK it is an evergreen house plant and the Devil can take the hindmost.

The vine like plant has variegated leaves of yellow or white (Marble Queen)and Scindapsus is very similar to Epipremnum a sister plant in the Araceae family.

Growing Tips
This climbing plant will thrive on a moss pole or grow down from a basket.
The stems can reach 6 feet high.
Avoid burning from direct sunlight but variegation will fade in poor light.
Watering. Let soil dry out between regular watering in spring and summer.
Be very sparing with winter watering.
Minimum temperature 10 degree centigrade.
Scindapsus Aureus is often used in offices to help purify the air.
It is alleged that the plant can be stood on an aquarium with its roots in water to clean up the tank.

Photo Credits
Epipremnum aureum by adaduitokla, on Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Scindapsus aureus tutor by floresyplantas.net

Cape Primroses never looked so good. New varieties are being released as the houseplant market takes to these interesting plants.

With the advent of yellow and blue flowered Streptocarpus there is a wider range of these interesting plants to collect and grow.

The flowers on Crystal Ice above are 1.5 inches across and have been bred to flower for long spells. Sarah on the other hand has flowers upto 3″ across.

Streptocarpus Care Tip

• Too much sun burns the leaves and fades the flowers. Keep your plants in and east or west window.
• Overwatering is as dangerous as underwatering causing wilting and death. Allow compostto totally dry out between watering.
• Keep plants on the pot bound side – do not over pot.
• Feed with a high potash feed to sustain a long flowering period.
• In winter keep plants frost free, drier and do not feed.

For more tips read Care and Propagation
Streptocarpus seeds at Thompson & Morgan

…

Read More Read More

There is something exotic about the evergreen Anthurium that calls to mind hot tropical holidays. The long proboscis or spadix gives rise to the  nickname ‘Boy Flower’. The main issues for Anthuriums as houseplants are to keep the room temperature above 60°F and the air humid. 
There are 800-1000 species and new varieties regularly on the market so below is a small selection.

Selected Houseplant Varieties

Anthurium Crystallinum has large heart shaped leaves and grows about 18″ tall. Edges brown if too cold. Aerial roots need to be covered with moist compost so leave room at the top of the pot.

Anthurium Scherzerianum the ‘Flamingo Flower’ has waxy textured leaves and grows a bit smaller than other Anthuriums. A good plant to start with.

Anthurium Andreanum also called the ‘Wax Flower’ because of the texture of the red leaves. Appreciates some shade and humidity but not keen on dry central heating.

Tip The flowers will last for a long time as cut flowers.

Green Anthurium one of the new colours now on the market.

Pruning Anthuriums

• Leggy plants can be trimmed to keep them in shape.
• Remove the dead and withered blossoms and overhanging leaves.
• After pruning allow the plant to heal and new shoots should come from the cuts.
• Mist and keep your pruned plant in bright indirect light.

Some of the best Anthuriums are grown in tropical or Mediterranean climates. Madeira produced this flower and many cut flowers adorned the church in ‘Monte’ during a recent visit.

Houseplants, pot plants,window sills and conservatory plants all come under the auspices of Indoor Gardening. Use your gardening skills inside as well as outside for crops, floral display and an improved environment.

‘Indoor gardening isn’t that difficult; in fact, it’s pretty much the same as outdoor. There are even some benefits to indoor gardening.
Some plants filter the impurities from the air.
Plants have therapeutic value.
You can grow fresh herbs or colourful bulbs and flowers in a little space.
Even plants you associate without doors can be brought indoors for flowering then returned to the garden.

Top 3 Tips for Indoor Gardening

• Provide good conditions as you would in the outdoor garden. Light, water, feed and warmth in appropriate amounts.
• Do not over cosset indoor plants they can die from too much care as easily as too little.
• Use artistic containers and make displays in-keeping with your home space.