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Category: House & Greenhouse plants

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

Cactus House Durham Botanic Garden

Cactus House Durham Botanic Garden

cactus

Why are Cacti raised in a Cactus House and not a Cacti House? A prickly question if you are pedantic but if you are just interested unusual forms of plants then the Cactus family will interest you. Originally all  Cacti are of American origin from Patagonia in the South to the 50th parallel in the USA. Some have reached an age in excess of a thousand years. Mexico is famous for old globose cacti Echinocactus ingens.

Cacti Propagation Tips

  • Growing from seed needs patience but plants started in this way adapt to the conditions and give pleasure as they grow and develop. Sow on the surface of porous sandy soil at 20-30°C and cover with glass to retain heat and moisture.
  • Take vegetative cuttings in summer from side shoots root as long as the cutting is not too small. To encourage shoots cut off the top of a cactus to disrupt the growing centre. Many varieties like the cut surface to dry before they are potted up when rooting can then be rapid.
  • Grafting is a popular commercial technique as it helps speedier growth. Even small seedlings can be grafted uniting in a few hours. Stock and sion are cut at right angles and can be held in place with rubber bands.

astrophytum-mexico

Single Colour Hanging Baskets

Single Colour Hanging Baskets

Good hanging baskets with a bold statement can be achieved by using one type of plant in one colour.
Think about the volume of colour from your chosen flowers over the life of the hanging basket. Keep it simple and you will only need one watering and feeding regime.
The hanging baskets below generally fit into the single colour category with the odd liberty.

Lobelia

I like the powder blue Lobelia. It is far more stunning than the more traditional purple in this large hanging basket.

Petunia

Petunias in purple, or would you call it mauve, are great for hanging baskets as they produce lots of flowers and self-deadhead.

Hanging Basket 2009

I have not grown Bacopa but like the clean white colour scheme on this hanging basket.

Hanging Basket

Orange is an ususual clour for a hanging basket but there are now some brilliant begonias like these.
Begonia x tuberhybrida ‘Illumination Apricot Shades’ F1 Hybrid is fantastic but would produce a mix of yellow & orange.

Beautiful hanging baskets

Now we get to a cheat with a trailing Lysimachia to under pin the base of the hanging basket which contains red begonias.
Begonia from Thompson & Morgan

petunias

Is it fair to call this a single colour. Certainly this veined petunia in pink to purple makes a bold splash of colour.
Petunia Million Bells or Calibrachoa are very floriferous plants to try in hanging baskets.
Petunia seeds at Thompson & Morgan

Hanging hydrangea hallway - Longwood Gardens, 2 May 2011

This would be my hanging basket display of choice. Hydrangeas drink large volumes of water and would not normally feature in baskets but this USA garden at Longwood makes do.

Colour Photo Credits
Hanging Basket 2009 by amandabhslater CC BY-SA 2.0
Hanging Basket by sirwiseowl CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Beautiful hanging baskets by wallygrom, CC BY-SA 2.0
petunias by NapaneeGal CC BY-NC 2.0
Hanging hydrangea hallway – Longwood Gardens, 2 May 2011 by mmwm CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Cheerful pelargoniums by tsheko CC BY-NC 2.0

Cheerful pelargoniums
Cheerful pelargoniums

Growing Chirita as House Plants

Growing Chirita as House Plants

Chirita micromusa 040919-1032

If you have tried Cape Primroses, also called Streptocarpus, then you may also want to try the cousin Chirita. They have hairy leaves similar to African violets and flowers that are similar Streptocarpus. In fact they all belong to the little know Gesneriad family

 

  • Chiritas can be acquired from the specialist www.dibleys.com They also produce an excellent compact A5 plant catalogue
  • Propagation is easy from leaf cuttings in an equal mixture of compost and vermiculite, pearlite or sharp sand.
  • Keep plants out of direct sunlight, a north facing windowsill or porch is ideal
  • Plants can stay in the same pot for several years if they are give a regular week feed.
  • Keep plants a bit on the dry side and treat like African violets
  • Chirita Akiro as shown above has marbled leaves
  • For small neat pure white Chirita taminiana is recommended by Anne Swithenbank
  • For larger flowers try C. Keiko shown below with upto 25 two inch flowers from

C. Keiko

Chirita Growing Tips

  • Do not drown your Chiritas only water when the compost is dry.
  • Deadhead flowers and do not let spent blossoms drop onto the leaves. They may cause rot and disease.
  • Chiritas like plenty of light but avoid mid day sun which can burn through a window.

Chirita sinensis is most frequently grown as a house plant. The genus chirita belongs to the gesneriaceae family and contains approx 150 species.

Photo Credits
Chirita micromusa 040919-1032 by Tony Rodd CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Primulina (Chirita) tamiana, Saintpaulia ‘Cirelda’ and Sinningia ‘Country Tiger’ x self by nipplerings72 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Read Chirita a housepalnt with a future
Book Cover“>Amazon

Gesneriaceae: Cyrtandra, Didymocarpus, Streptocarpus, Alloplectus, Achimenes, Chirita, Henckelia, Gasteranthus, Sinningia, Kohleria, in Portuguese, an English version may now be available!

Secrets of Geranium (Pelargonium) Cuttings

Secrets of Geranium (Pelargonium) Cuttings

rosebud-geranium

I couldn’t resist this double pink rose bud Pelargonium ‘Something Special’ which is looking really good at the moment. I intend taking some early cuttings of this plant next month and growing them on for  specimen plants. August to October are good months for taking cuttings to flower the following year.

Pelargonium 'Lord Bute'

Tips on Pelargonium Cuttings

  • Plants flower best when they are mature, full of leaf and well grown. Geraniums need time, usually 10-12 months from cutting to flowering to be at their best.
  • A 3 inch cutting should have several leaf joints (nodes) for potential branching. Some gardeners recommend non-flowering stems but I find it isn’t significant.
  • Take the cutting with a razor blade or sharp knife just above a leaf joint from your stock plant. Trim off all bar one or two leaves and any flower buds. trim back to just below a node.
  • I use 3 inch pots but smaller pots may be suitable or 4-5 cuttings can be put around the edge of a larger pot. Cuttings can also be planted in a hole close to the parent bedding geranium and lifted with soil for potting on for winter.
  • Gritty compost or soil with added sand is a suitable medium. The sand can stimulate root growth. I do not use rooting hormone it isn’t worth the cost as Geraniums root so easily.
  • Pinch out the growing tip to encourage roots and branches.

Pelargonium peltatum

  • Dwarf and miniature plant cuttings can be proportionately smaller but the method is the same.
  • Water the pots from the bottom. Bottom heat will only be needed for late October cuttings
  • Dwarfs, Ivy and miniature Pelargoniums root quite well. I find Regals a bit harder as cuttings.
Nodal Shoot cutting
Nodal Shoot cutting
  • A nodal shoot cutting above is taken by trimming by branching stem into two cuttings.
  • Other than Regals which need nodal cuttings, they can be taken from the  most suitable point of the host plant.
  • A leaf Axil cutting below can be taken if the plant has no other suitable cutting material.
Leaf Axil cutting
Leaf axil cutting

Other links and information on Pelargoniums

Top 10 Scented leaved Pelargoniums
Pelargonium Grandiflorum and other ‘Geraniums’
Stellar Pelargonium – Bird Dancer Geranium
Photogenic Pelargonium
Growing Regal Geranium Pelargonium
Miniature Pelargonium
Dwarf Pelargonium aka Geranium
Tips for Growing Geraniums (Pelargonium)
Other Resources and Credits
Pelargonium ‘Lord Bute’ by douneika CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Pelargonium peltatum by DowianA CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Royal Horticultural Society RHS ‘Gardening for All’
National Council for Conservation of Plants and Gardens ‘Conservation through Cultivation.’
Garden Organic National Charity for Organic Gardening.
BBC Gardening
Thompson & Morgan supply seeds and plants in season.

Flower Arranging – Aspidistra elatior

Flower Arranging – Aspidistra elatior

IMG_5884 tent pole decoration aspidistra bow

Growing Aspidistra for Flower Arrangements

  • Aspidistra elatior leaves were popular in Victorian parlors because they tolerate low light, draughts and neglect.
  • The pointed leaves are tough dark green and oval shaped. The Aspidistra elatior variegata has long stripe leaves.
  • Aspidistra thrive best if kept pot bound. Repot every 5-6 years in good loam or compost
  • Water regularly is spring and summer but avoid water logging.

Woman at the window, with her prized Aspidistra

Special Tips for Flower Arranging with Aspidistra elatior

  • Aspidistra elatior was made popular by french flower arrangers like Olga Meneur.
  • Leaves can be manipulated into different shapes by curling them round and securing with flower glue or a staple.
  • Two or more curls can be made by tearing the leaf down it’s mid-rib and curling in different directions to add different shapes and forms.
  • Leaves should be conditioned by standing in a bucket of cold water as soon as they are cut to receive a long drink. They should then last many weeks.
  • The leaves can be shined with a soft cloth and the application of a thin covering of cooking oil
  • Glycerining will make the leaves last many years. For method see Solomons Seal and dry well once the colour has changed to creamy-beige.
  • Order Aspidistra leaves from a florist if they are too slow growing on your plants.

A full array of books on Flower Arranging and related subjects is available from Amazon. You will find more advice and artistic inspiration amongst this selection.
I would also recommend the Harrogate spring flower show where I am always stunned by the floral arrangement amongst the plants on display.

Flower Arrangement
Credits
IMG_5884 tent pole decoration aspidistra bow by godutchbaby CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Woman at the window, with her prized Aspidistra by whatsthatpicture CC BY-NC 2.0
Flower Arrangement by Dominic’s pics CC BY 2.0

For a cast Iron winner in the flower arranging stakes you could do a lot worse than use Aspidistra leaves aka the Cast Iron plant. Slow growing so you may wish to buy your leaves but after glycerine they will last for years.
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

Flower Arranging – Solomon’s Seal

Flower Arranging – Solomon’s Seal

Book Cover
The Complete Guide to Flower Arranging by Jane Packer

Using Solomon’s Seal for Flower Arrangements

  • Solomon’s Seal is one of the Polygonatum genus.
  • They spread by rhizomes in rich, moist soil in partial or full shade.
  • Flowers are often followed by red or black berries and in autumn the leaves turn an eye catching yellow.
  • Popular varieties of Solomon’s seal include:
    Polygonatum hybridum 8″ long arching stems with alternate flowers on the top side of the stem.
    Polygonatum biflorum or Greater Solomon’s Seal is larger reaching 5 feet.
    Polygonatum multiflorum can have green and cream striped leaves.
    Polygonatum odoratum has green tipped white scented flowers suspended below the stem.

Great Solomon's Seal and Sweet Woodruff

Special Tips – Flower Arranging – Solomon’s Seal

  • Solomon’s Seal has many uses in flower arranging from the massed pedestals to modern arrangements using only a limited amount of material.
  • Try removing all the leaves and leaving just the flowers. This provides a very graceful line to an arrangement.
  • Condition by standing in tepid water at least overnight. They then have a vase life of 10 days plus.
  • Preserve stems for winter by Glycerining the cut stems
  • How to Glycerine. Mix one part glycerine with two parts hot water and after cooling stand the stems in the solution for 7-10 days until they change colour right to the tips. Store flat in boxes until required

A full array of books on Flower Arranging and related subjects is available from Amazon. You will find more advice and artistic inspiration amongst this selection.
I would also recommend the Harrogate spring flower show where I am always stunned by the floral arrangement amongst the plants on display.
Silver bells
Credits
Great Solomon’s Seal and Sweet Woodruff by bill barber CC BY-NC 2.0
Silver bells by sonyaseattle CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Japanese flower arrangement 1 by mharrsch CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
.
Japanese flower arrangement 1
Solomon’s seal or David’s Harp is a Polygonatum with arching stems of leaves and flower bells that is in demand for a range of flower arrangements. They can be grown in moist well drained soil but are one plant that likes dry shade.

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

Other plants discussed in this series
Dahlia
Euphorbia
Pittosporum
Alstroemeria
Fatsia Japonica
Corkscrew hazel
Phormium

Flower Arranging – Hostas

Flower Arranging – Hostas

Book Cover

The Cutting Garden: Growing and Arranging Garden Flowers by Sarah Raven

Growing Hostas for Flower Arrangements

  • Hostas are a group of over 200 species of perennials from China, Japan and Korea that grow well in the UK & North America.
  • In the garden they appreciate shade and protection from slugs.
  • As flower arranging plants they are in demand for the shape, size, colour and texture of the leaves.
  • Size varies from small leaves of Hosta venusta 4 inches high to large leaves of Hosta sieboldiana 2 feet across and more.
  • Hosta fortunei leaves turn rich yellow in Autumn and Hosta unulata is bi-coloured green and yellow with twisting leaves.
  • Hosta flowers from June onward but they are not particularly striking

otley show hostas 051

Special Tips for Flower Arranging with Hostas

  • Prior to arranging Hosta leaves condition them overnight in a deep bucket of water. Even submerging them will do no harm.
  • Stems are quite soft so if putting them into Oasis make a small hole with a stick first.
  • Leaves do not mature before May and would just wilt if cut too early.
  • Yellowe leaved varieties appreciate a bit more sunshine.
  • Hostas are useful for all-green arrangements.

A full array of books on Flower Arranging and related subjects is available from Amazon. You will find more advice and artistic inspiration amongst this selection.
I would also recommend the Harrogate spring flower show where I am always stunned by the floral arrangement amongst the plants on display.

Flower Arrangement
Turn your arrangements into botanical works of art – here are some examples and clubs you could join.
Credits
Flower Arrangement by Dominic’s pics CC BY 2.0

Hostas have sculptural leaves in a range of colours from bright green to glaucus blue with yellow and bicoloured varieties that can all contribute to your flower arranging expertise. Grow a few plants and see what we mean.

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

Other plants discussed in this series
Dahlia
Euphorbia
Pittosporum
Alstroemeria
Fatsia Japonica
Corkscrew hazel
Phormium

Conservatory Flowers

Conservatory Flowers

strelitza

Start six months ahead of time to plan for winter flowers and colour in your Conservatory or Glasshouse.

Growing Exotics

Streltzia regina or Bird of Paradise flowers are as exotic as they come. Keep them dry and remember that as part of the banana family Strelitza are ‘heavy’ feeders.
Succulents and Cacti are becoming popular again and the Schlumbergera or Rhipsalidopsis are worth persevering with.
Anthurium thrive at temperatures between 60-72 degrees and at lower light levels than other house plants.

Forcing Bulbs for Christmas

Narcissus Paperwhite are one of the most popular bulbs for indoor growing. Try White Ziva variety from Thompson Morgan.
Hyacinth bulbs give off a tremendous scent that can fill a room. I would certainly give them house room. Start them off in the dark and allow the roots to develop in the cool. Stagger the planting time and grow several varieties so you can have them in bloom from Christmas to April.
Another plant that continues to grow in popularity is the Amyrillis with very showy flowers.

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Bright Indoor Bromeliads

Bright Indoor Bromeliads

Try a bromide ‘oops’ I mean a Bromeliad.

bromeliad

This Bromeliad is a relative of the pineapple and as it is easy to grow indoors it makes a fine house plant. There are a wide range of Bromeliads and a society dedicated to there culture the Bromeliad Society

Bromeliad Tips

  • Grow the Bromeliads for their coloured leaves that spring from the plants center.
  • If flowers are wanted try a dose of epsom salts or magnesium sulphate as this promotes healthy growth, cell structure and the production of chlorophyll.
  • As the inflorescence or coloured spike starts to go brown cut it down to encourage off sets called ‘pups’ and get a new generation of plants.
  • It can be good fun growing from seed as different Bromeliads pollinate one another and you can’t be sure what you will get.
  • For water holding Bromeliads keep the center topped up with soft water.
  • For more data try a reference book  on Bromeliads

Book Cover

Easy Houseplants Tradescantia – Wandering Jew

Easy Houseplants Tradescantia – Wandering Jew

tradescantia

Wandering Jew is the common name of Tradescantia purpurea shown above. the leaves have a brownish  upper surface with a purple underside and fleshy paler stems. The colourvarieation is stronger if the plants get plenty of light.

How to grow Tradescantia

  • Put five or six cuttings together in the same pot. This will produce several plants and a fuller pot.
  • Tradescantia purpurea likes a moist soil whilst other Tradescantias like to be kept on the dry side. Purpurea can be kept in a shallow pot and are not a trailing variety.
  • The quicksilver Tradesacntia fluminensis is bold and bright with silvery variegation on the leaves from a supply of bright light. this is a trailing variety that likes a regular liquid feed.
  • The trailing Tradescantia blossfeldiana has pale green hairy foliage capable of withstanding rough treatment. It is easy to root from cuttings. Often grown in hanging baskets it needs less feeding than other Tradescantias.
  • Trim back straggly growth after summer. Root new cuttings on a regular basis using them to fill gaps in the pot.
  • Tradescantia flower with three petals but it is the leaf form that attracts most attention. …

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