(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to Aglaonema, Bromeliads, Dracaena, Ficus, Gardening, House Plants Care, Indoor Color, Palms, Plant Pictures, Spathiphyllum, Troubleshooting, orchids on 2008-02-28, 06:14:53

It’s Time to Celebrate Spring!

Springtime is right at our doorsteps.

After the long winter it’s time for the growing season, pruning, giving those house plants a good thorough cleaning, repotting… if necessary and overall getting those plants in shape!

• But what about your houseplants?
• Where do you start?
• Who do you ask?

When house plants leave the nursery, their entire “how to” care information now sits in the hands of the local nursery or garden center. They know some basics on lots of plants but not the real inside scoop. Sort of like an office temp…

You’ve probably asked plant care questions, tried your hand at watering, fertilizing, repotting, moving plants around… But your efforts don’t deliver results!

You’re Frustrated!

That’s why I decided to do something about it.

I created a simple, extremely effective, easy to read, easy to apply, care guide on indoor house plants that anyone can understand and put to use.

If you’re serious about making your houseplants look their best! … Click the link for this
Special Guide!

Bring on the Spring!

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to Aglaonema, House Plants Care, Indoor Color, Plant Diseases, Plant Pictures, Troubleshooting on 2008-02-20, 06:01:20

As the spring rush starts up, lots of house plants will be making their way to garden centers, and the local grocery store. I’ve written about the damage ethylene gas can cause plants in transit.


As fruit ripens it can give off ethylene. Don’t let the look of the pictures scare you to think ethylene is bad for all plants. Growers in fact use to “force” house plants such as Bromeliads into flower. In fact, you could do a little science experiment if you wanted. Find out how to “force” Bromeliads to flower with ethylene here.

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to House Plants Care, Indoor Color, Lighting on 2008-02-06, 06:54:40

I’ve spoke of the benefits of house plants before, that is reducing indoor air pollution among other things. During the winter you pretty much are restricted to indoor plants.

All too often we end up thinking of houseplants are a decorator item and not the true living items they are.

Plants can be a substitute for art or furniture used often for design reasons. The problem is when used this way they usually do not do as well. They are much like all the political candidates. They look and sound good but something is missing from the overall package.

With politicians they talk a good game full of grand plans but don’t give much in HOW they can deliver. With indoor house plants it usually comes down to light as the short coming. You may flip on some lights and point some florescent bulbs at your plants and in general think the room has good lighting, but to a Croton calling that dark corner home – it is another matter.

Light is almost always the the factor that limits success with indoor plants. Overhangs, trees and window treatments can cut the available light dramatically.

For example a Croton until good bright light will produce colorful of gold, yellow, red and orange foliage that is a show stopper. Move the plant 2 – 3 feet away from the light source and the colors fade away.

All is not lost! Bright indirect light are conditions that colorful African violets enjoy. All it takes is matching up lighting conditions with the right plants.

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to Ficus, House Plants Care, Indoor Color, Most Popular, Plant Diseases, Plant Pictures on 2008-01-29, 10:08:24

Question: Every year when winter rolls around my Ficus benjamina loses a bunch of leaves. First they turn yellow and then drop. Why is my Ficus doing this? Kaye, Minnesota.

Answer: Most people know Ficus benjamina as the weeping fig and for years it continues to be one of the most popular trees grown for indoor use - even though it does drop leaves when you first bring it home and during the winter. By the way check out of Ficus Tree Care Guide…

Leaf loss on Ficus usually comes down to 3 possibilities.

• Change in environment
• Over or under watering
• Insect or pests

Losing leaves is a normal process for Ficus trees while caring for them. It is not uncommon for a Ficus tree to lose 20% of its foliage (leaves) as it acclimates to its new environment.

If your plant has enjoyed the summer outdoors, dropping leaves as it goes into its new surrounding can be expected. If the plant has been inside all along then the change can also come from reduced light and drier conditions indoors from heat.

Place your Ficus in your brightest window, they love light and helps with a multitude of Ficus problems.

Ficus benjamina comes from a region with distinct seasons. The Ficus sheds its leaves during the dry season and when the rainy season returns, new growth fills out and the canopy.

As a general rule of thumb - water more when the plant gets lots of light and less s when less light is available. Why? Less light means less growth and water need. Ficus have aggressive root systems and can quickly fill a pot with roots making watering difficult. Check to make sure they are not rootbound, if so your Ficus may need repotting into slightly larger pot. In general keep the soil your Ficus moist, but never soggy wet.

A happy, well grown Ficus tree rarely has many insect problems, but yellowing leaves can be caused by the common insects of scale, mealybug and spider mites.

Once a Ficus tree is stable and actively growing care is minimal, usually all that is needed will be a weekly check of the soil moisture and watering if needed. Over time as the Ficus tree grows, pruning and shaping may be required, typically every spring, depending on its speed of growth.

A well maintained ficus tree can be a stunning addition to any home for years. For more information on Ficus tree care visit FicusCare.com

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to Indoor Color, orchids on 2008-01-11, 06:14:09

Depending on the season orchids may need to be watered every 4 to 7 days. The media they are grown in also plays a part.

Let your orchid reach a “point of dryness” but not completely bone dry. One good method (for orchids and house plants) is to thoroughly water your plant and gauge its weight, then when it is time to water gauge the weight again. How much time has passed between waterings?

Whatever you do DO NOT allow your orchid to sit in water, make sure all water drains thoroughly!

Beware that orchids when in flower may require more water as the flowers do pull some moisture and energy. Orchids when not actively growing will require less water which is usually during the winter months.

In the the growing season during the spring and summer months orchids do require more water, but more water will not make up for a weak or poor root system. Roots need to be plump and alive.

Orchids with softer, thinner foliage in general require more water than varieties with “harder” leaves. Dendrobiums and Cattleyas for example need to dry out more than Phalaenopsis varieties before watering.

Orchids are not any more difficult to care for than other house plants. Phalaenopsis – the Moth Orchid – can hold flowers for 3 to 4 months.

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to House Plants Care, Indoor Color, Plant Pictures on 2008-01-02, 13:25:22

The Natal Mahogany is a plant you can use in lots of different places. The Natal Mahogany has been around for a few years but used mainly by the professional plantscaper.

Most people are familiar with the Umbrella tree or Schefflera. This plant has a similar look. The botanical name is - Trichila dregeana - and I’ll admit it’s a little hard to pronounce. You’ll be happy to know most people call it by the easier to pronounce Natal Mahogany.

Trichila dregeana is versatile and performs very well in high or low light interior installations.

The leaves are compound, have a very high gloss, carry a deep almost blackish green color and is a more upright grower. It looks very tropical and usually holds lots of leaves. Although, under lower light levels, they may drop some of their lower leaves.

Now for the watering department…

Many houseplant owners just flat out over water their plants… Great News if that describes you. The Natal Mahogany thrives on water… and lots of it. Now, I’m not suggesting you go out and drench the plant with as much water as possible. The Natal Mahogany is more forgiving than many other indoor plants when it comes to water. You may want to consider dropping a saucer underneath the pot to hold a little extra water.

It should also be noted not to just pour water on and let it drain out the bottom. As with most plants, make sure the soil is thoroughly watered. It does really well on sub-irrigation or in self-watering planters. Some professional plantscapers have reported that the Natal Mahogany will need to be watered more than once a week. Then again, it all depends on the light levels and temperature.

Another plus for the Natal Mahogany - the plant actually grows indoors and new growth may become stretched in low light levels. You can simply cut back the stretched growth to the desired height and the plant will branch again.

What kind of height does this plant get? You’ll find the plant in the 4 - 6 foot range and probably in 14 inch pots.

New plants are introduced all the time, but the Natal Mahogany has many professional plantscapers surprised at how well it performs inside.

So if you’re looking for a fresh new plant, check out the Natal Mahogany. If your local garden center doesn’t have it in stock they can ask their local plant supplier to get it for them.

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to Bromeliads, Indoor Color, Plants - General on 2007-12-12, 09:37:33

The calendar tells me it’s only about 2 weeks until Christmas. Now we’ve got our tree up and decorated the "traditional" way. Lights, garland, etc. (...)

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Posted by admin to Indoor Color, Plants - General, orchids on 2007-12-10, 10:15:35

With the popularity of orchids found in about every garden center today, this question is becoming more common. Most likely this question is being asked of the Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid or Denbrobium. (...)

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Posted by admin to Indoor Color, Plants - General, Troubleshooting on 2007-12-04, 13:10:30

This winter promises to again bring higher hating cost to homes and also growers...

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Posted by admin to Indoor Color, Plants - General on 2007-11-24, 09:36:59

The flamingo flower or more correctly the Anthurium is a close relative of the Peace lily. The growing conditions and needs indoor are very similar...