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Category: House & Greenhouse plants

Tips on growing indoor plants, conservator, windowsill and greenhouse cultivation

Variegated Dragon Plants – Dracaena

Variegated Dragon Plants – Dracaena

Many house plants have leaves of green and cream or white combinations but a red edge to the leaves of Dracaena marginata tricolour makes it stand out.  This plant is also called variegated silhouette plant and is one of the family of Dragon plants.

Hints and Tips on growing Dragon Plants

  • These slender pointed leaves have attractive dark and lighter colours edged red running along the length of the leaves.
  • Do not feed in winter and only modest fertilizer is needed next spring or summer.
  • Keep the soil on the dry side and do not leave the plant roots in water
  • Remove the growing tip to encourage branching once the plant is 18 inches tall
  • Dracaena is a fine family of house plants  liking temperatures of 15-22°C such as

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Christmas Poinsettia

Christmas Poinsettia

A favourite indoor plant at Christmas is the seasonally coloured Poinsettia. These potted plants can be better value than a bunch of flowers in December.

  • The picture shows thousands of Poinsettia in a propagating glasshouse.
  • I wouldn’t bother with the pinks and white plants as it is the red and green that reminds me so vividly of Christmas.
  • Poinsettias need special light conditions to get the colourful bracts so I would recommend buying not growing your plants. With care they can be kept but seldom excel twice.
  • Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbia family and originate from Mexico.
  • The flowers are the small yellow centres the coloured section are ‘bracts’ a modified leaf.

 Care Tips

  • When you buy a Poinsettia make sure it is wrapped as exposure to cold will damage it and make leaves drop.
  • Plants showing yellow pollen are mature and will drop leaves quicker than those with closed yellow buds.
  • Place in indirect light, out of a drafts and without leaves touching cold windows.
  • High temperatures above 70°F shorten the plants life.
  • Water when dry to stop the Poinsettia from wilting and dropping leaves plant .
  • Do not fertilise when in bloom.

Poinsettia

Selecting your Poinsettia

  • Do not buy drooping, wilting or yellow leaved plants.
  • Poinsettia should be about 2-3 times the size of the pot.
  • Plants should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides.
  • Chose plants with dark green leaves down to soil level.
  • Select plants where the true flowers are tight and green or tipped red for a longer lasting show.
  • There are over 100 varieties so you may wish to try several.

Growing your Own

  • Our local nursery dedicates two glasshouse to this December crop.
  • Poinsettia need 14 hours a day complete dark for ten weeks before sale to form good bracts.
  • Commercial information can be found in the Poinsettia Growers Guide
  • For more information such as reflowering tips try  ask.com  ….. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) remain one of the most popular holiday flowers.
  • Hybridizers have expanded the range of colors from the familiar red to pastel yellow and vibrant bi-colors. One of the most common questions after Christmas is “How can I care for my poinsettia so that it will bloom again next Christmas?”. While this can be done, it’s a very fussy, exacting process and since the plants are not that expensive, you might just choose to start fresh next year. For those of you who are undaunted, the process for saving your poinsettia and getting it to rebloom begins with the care you give it the first season.

Thompson & Morgan for gift plants including Poinsettia

Sarracenia Trumpet and Pitcher Plants

Sarracenia Trumpet and Pitcher Plants

Do you want to try growing plants that eat insects rather than suffer from the exact opposite? If so then the North American family of Sarracenia Trumpet and Pitcher plants may be just what you need.
The insect trap is a vertical tube with a ‘hood’ over the entrance with a lip that secretes insect attracting nectar and scents.

Sarracenia exornata

Selection of Carnivorous Pitcher Plants

Yellow Trumpet -Sarracenia flava
Hooded Pitcher Plant – Sarracenia minor
Sweet Trumpet – Sarracenia rubra
Purple Pitcher Plant – Sarracenia purpurea
Pale Trumpet – Sarracenia alata
Sarracenia exornata one of many hybrids

Pitcher plant

Growing Tips for Trumpet and Pitcher Plants

Sarracenia like to be much wetter than Venus fly traps. You can’t really over water pitcher plants.
The favoured growing system is in shallow water filled ‘trays’ see a decorative version below.
Rain water or deionized water is a better idea than tap water Depending what your tap water is like it could kill them off slowly.
Pitchers and Trumpets like to be stood in a couple of inches of water and this can help insects breed.
Substitute artificial light for sunlight that they would get in natural conditions. A minimum of 7 hours per day bright light is recommended by experts.
Sarracenia do not self pollinate so hand pollination is necessary when insects may get digested.

For the enthusiast the ‘Carnivorous Plant Society’  has a wealth of help and information on  this link

Growing Carnivorous and Insectivorous Plants

Dahlia Flower Arranging Gardeners Tips

Dahlia Flower Arranging Gardeners Tips

The pompom and decorative types of Dahlia are the best for flower arranging. The large headed flower types are difficult to arrange.
There is a tremendous variety of colour and shades to suit every decorative scheme. Grow varieties and shades that suit your house.
Eden Project Dahlia

Starting and Cultivating Dahlia

  • Plant late May or June. The larger plants will need staking.
  • When plants are 12-18″ high nip out the growing point to encourage side shoots which become flowering stems.
  • Mulch the plants and water generously. Fortnightly foliar feed is recommended.
  • Lift tubers in winter and store frost free. Large tubers can be divided before replanting.
  • For more on Dahlias read easy and easier dahlias even though the even-easier dahlias are grown from seed.
  • Thompson & Morgan supply plants and seeds.

Conditioning and Arranging Dahlias

  • Dahlias like a little sugar in the water.
  • An asprin or drop of bleach in the water will control algae growth. Change water every other day.
  • Put the ends of the stems in a little boiling water, then give them a long, deep drink.
  • The bright colours mean they can be used as a focal point in a mixed display
  • Dahlias are free flowering and provide a good supply so we prefer large bunches.
  • Pink Dahlias seem to blend well with purple, red and other pink flowers

Dahlia

Varieties of Dahlia

  • Some Dahlia are better cut flowers than others. Single flowers often do better than doubles.
  • Older varieties to consider include Angora cactus type, Lilac Time, Gold Crown and Chorus Girl
  • Red varieties Doris Day and Cherry Ripe or white Polar Bear are said to be good doers.
  • I have seen Trentonian, old gold and copper; Waverlet Pearl, apricot; Isabel McElney, salmon pink and Fancy Free, pale copper also recommended.

Turn your arrangements into botanical works of art – here are some examples and clubs you could join.

To grow a generic mix of flowers for arrangements and bouquets check out Thompson & Morgan

Alstroemeria Flower Arranging Gardeners Tips

Alstroemeria Flower Arranging Gardeners Tips

Alstromeria

Ligtu hybrids are the plant of choice to grow for flower arrangers. Once established these perennials clump up to give a profusion of multi-headed flowers. The colour range (see photogenic flowers) is impressive ranging from cream, red, orange shades of pink and mottled colouring.
Growing on tall stems up to 3 feet long Alstromeria make lasting and colourful cut flowers.

Alstroemeria

Starting and Cultivating Alstroemeria

  • Always buy pot grown plants and take care of the roots when planting. They have both thick juicy roots and hairy feeder roots that are quite delicate.
  • March or April are good months to plant in a sheltered spot.
  • Pick sparingly in the first couple of years to allow plants to build up.
  • You can support with pea sticks but I find my varieties stay erect and firm.
  • Cut or pull out stems that have finished flowering.
  • For more quick growing tips read link.
  • Thompson & Morgan supply plants and seeds. Seeds need patience and some skill.

Conditioning and Arranging Alstroemeria

  • A long drink in deep water after picking is all that is really needed.
  • Seedheads can be attractive. Dry them upside down then they can be used in full length arrangements or as individual florets cut off for smaller displays.
  • The bright colours mean they can be used as a focal point in a mixed display
  • Alstroemeria look good in a vase of there own with a little green foliage
  • Alstroemeria can be left long stemmed or cut short for different sized displays.

If you do not have green fingers then you can buy Alstroemeria from florists. They may have been grown in Columbia or Peru (they are called Peruvian lilies after all) but they should still last several weeks. Turn your arrangements into botanical works of art – here are some examples and clubs you could join.

To grow a generic mix of flowers for arrangements and bouquets check out Thompson & Morgan

Growing Calathea ‘Wavestar’

Growing Calathea ‘Wavestar’

Calatheas are a group of plants native to the tropical Americas. They are popular as pot plants for the house or conservatory due to their decorative leaves that often react to touch or light.

Calathea 'Wavestar'

Calathea Wavestar

  • Calatheas are now being cross bred amongst their 50 or so species and Wavestar is one of the results.
  • The leaves are soft,ridged, purple underneath and green when open in full light. The leaves close up in the evening.
  • I was surprised to see the yellow flowers at the soil level last time I watered this plant see above.
  • This variety is said to originate from Bahia in Brazil but if so why has it been granted PBR status?
  • The plant breeders rights are owned by Decorum a Dutch company

Korbmaranthe, Calathea bachemiana

Decorum Plants Calathea Wavestar

  • ‘Decorum Plants’ are a brand name that claims to be a leading specialist in the trade sector for more than 10 years.
  • Decorum Plants represents a selection of 1200 decorative and flowering potted plants under the well-known (to some)‘Decorum flag’.
  • Supplies to the trade via a web link may provide more information

Calathea majestica 'Albolineata'

Growing Calathea

  • Calathea need good light but avoid direct sun as it will scorch or fade the leaf
  • Keep soil moist and humid throughout spring and summer with less watering in winter.
  • Keep your Calathea warm preferably 15-23ºC.
  • Feed with a dilute fertiliser weekly during summer.
  • Soil should be light and free draining.
  • Repot annually and propagate at that time by division. Repoting tips

Calathea makoyana

Calathea varieties for Growing Indoors

  • Calathea makoyana the Peacock plant, features purplish coloring on the undersides of leaves, with white and green on top. Known as the peacock plant.
  • Calathea zebrina the zebra plant, has green markings on the leaf top and purple leaf undersides.
  • Calathea insignis also called Rattlesnake plant, is a bushy species with narrow, tapering erect foliage.
  • Calathea crocata has plain leaves but displays of upright orange-red flowers.
  • Calathea ornata. Reddish marking on leaf tops with purple undersides.
  • Calathea louisae has leaves broadly ovate, dark green with light green splotches along the midrib.

Other Facts about Calathea

  • Calatheas are closely related to Maranta, and often confused with their species Ctenanthe and Stromanthe.
  • Calathea can thrive in bottle gardens and terrariums due to their liking of high humidity.
  • Calatheas are propagated by divisions or tip cuttings, with nodes to form the roots.
  • Mist and reduced light are important during the early stages of propagation.

Calathea zebrina (Sims) Lindl

Calathea Photo Credits
Korbmaranthe, Calathea bachemiana by Dandelion And Burdock, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Calathea majestica ‘Albolineata’ by tuis CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Calathea makoyana by Bárbol,CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Calathea zebrina (Sims) Lindl by adaduitokla CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 ‘Calathea zebrina (Sims) Lindl. Marantaceae. CN: Zebraplant. Native of southeastern Brazil. Ornamental. Low rosette herb with striped pattern on leaves; leaf texture velvety. Growth habit clumping up to 90 cm tall.’

Olympic Torch Floral Arrangement

Olympic Torch Floral Arrangement

Olympic Torch

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 family
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
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
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!)
Knipfolia Lemon
Kniphofia Bees Lemon

See other Kniphofia Photos

White Delphinium
White Delphinium
Growing Delphiniums
Just Joey
Just Joey Orange Yellow Rose

Olympic Torch Relay

See Olympic flowers and plants

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

Florists for Gardeners

Florists for Gardeners

Florist

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

“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

Turn your floristry purchases into botanical works of art – here are some examples and clubs you could join.

See flowers as a business

Flowers as a Business

Flowers as a Business

Professional Floristry Techniques from Malcolm Ashwell & Sally Pearson
Book Cover

Opening a florists shop or just selling your excess produce at the garden gate? What ever you chose to do these two books will give you some good ideas and more importantly the confidence to give it a go!

Start Your Own Florist Shop and Other Floral Businesses from Cheryl Kimball

Book Cover

If you are artistic you could start a botanical art company producing and selling your own work. Turn out botanical works of art that display your talents- here are some examples to consider.
This new venture could be for pin money selling at local shows and shops or you could develop a following on the internet.

Growing for Selling needs a good plan and better environmental conditions. Take lots of advice and take it to heart! Read Florists for Gardeners

Forcing Flower Bulbs

Forcing Flower Bulbs

A bowl of flowering bulbs can be delightful in the depths of winter and you can force them to flower as early as Christmas.

Conditions for Forcing

  • Bulbs need at least 4″ of compost for root development and good drainage in the pot.
  • Forced bulbs need a period in the cold at 7-9º Centigrade.
  • Dark conditions are also best
  • If there is no suitable indoor space the pots can be buried outdoors in soil that is not too wet.

Timing for Forcing

  • Plant the bulbs from 1st September until December. The earlier the start the earlier the flower.
  • Short cooling periods equal short stumpy flowers, too long cooling will produce excessively long flower stems.
  • After cooling, bring bulbs into the warmth and they will flower in 2-3 weeks.
Bulb Planting Date No Weeks Chilled
Hyacinth prepared 15.09 -15.12 10-12
Hyacinth unprepared 15.10 -01.12 11-13
Tulip

Blenda, Prominence

Arma, Yellow Present

01.10-01.12 14-15

15-17

Daffodil

Tete-a-Tete

Carlton

01.10-01.12 12-13

14-15

Crocus 01.10-01.11 14-15
Iris Reticula 01.10-01.11 12-13
Muscari 01.10-01.11 14-15

Amaryllis and Paperwhite Daffodils ( Tazeta narcissi) can be put straight into a warm room and do not need the chilling process. Hyacinths can be chilled at slightly warmer temperatures than other bulbs.

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