The origin of the belief that some homes are not suited to houseplant culture is difficult to explain. Consider the case of the aspidistra. This old-fashioned foliage plant has been nicknamed the cast-iron plant because it rates the No. 1 spot among plants with a reputation for ruggedness and survival under conditions detrimental to other … Read more
The crinkle leaf plant, Adromischus cristatus, has bright, shiny, green foliage, very much crinkled at the edges. We use it as a foliage plant on a narrow window sill, where it stands in a 3-inch pottery jar. The flowers are whitish and small and are carried on wiry stems 8 to 10 inches long, similar … Read more
Many of us are familiar with the charming lady’s-slipper orchids. These flowers live in the damp, marshy forests of our northern states. These orchids are a popular choice among naturally growing orchids. Gardeners have admired and loved them for many years. Tropical Asian Cypripediums Another type of lady’s-slipper orchid originally comes from tropical regions of … Read more
Seersucker plant (Geogenanthus updates), formerly Dichorisandra Mosaica undata), is the common name of a charming plant that is native to the warm regions of Peru. Its attractive texture makes a pleasing contrast with smooth-leaved foliage plants. Not only is the texture of the leaves of this house plant attractive, but the colors are delightful. The … Read more
Philodendrons hold top rank as indoor favorites in millions of homes and apartments nationwide. In fact, if all the philodendrons produced each year in Florida alone were placed end to end, they’d wind around the earth a hundred times. They enjoy such popularity because they grow luxuriantly despite poor light, dry air, fumes, and other … Read more
Perhaps the most important single factor in the failure of houseplants in the average home is the lack of humidity. Increase Humidity It is not easy to raise the percentage of humidity in the average home, but it can be done, and here are some of the measures that will help. Bay Window A bay … Read more
Plants can be grown to maturity entirely by artificial light. Whether or not such a cultural method is worthwhile is another story. However, the problem is not simply turning on enough light to compensate for the lack of sunshine. Light has three “dimensions” and is profoundly affected by its relationship to another factor of plant … Read more
Just as Memorial Day is the signal for the relegation of house plants to the porch, the shrub border, or some special corner in the garden, so is Labor Day, the time for preparing the plants for their return to the house. Preparation means repotting with new soil in good clean pots, cleaning the saucers … Read more
If you want roses for indoor floral arrangements during the gray days of winter, go around the beds on a summer morning when the dew has dried and select those rosebuds which are just showing color. Cut them with a sharp knife, taking as long a stem as possible. Preserving Method Melt some wax. I … Read more
If you want to know how much fun it is to own a greenhouse, “Ask the man who owns one!” FLOWER GROWER did just that. But we didn’t ask one man. We asked 140 greenhouse owners in all sections of the United States about their greenhouses and the plants they grow. After all the facts … Read more