Spider mites are one of the most common pests to affect Calathea plants. These tiny intruders are arachnids, yet as with insect pests, vigilance is your best defense against them. It’s important to know what to look for and then look out for signs of Calathea spider mites. In this article, we will review the signs … Read more
Are you often discouraged when you try to root out or grow African violets successfully? Trial And Error For Successful Propagation Of Houseplants Through trial and error, after many years of experience with these plants, I have found the following practices successful and offered them to those who may have difficulties propagating these popular house … Read more
For air must circulate freely about them. A large 5-foot tray directly on the radiator itself supplements the water supply in the galvanized tray of the largest window. About seven gallons of water are absorbed by the air in the apartment every day. Check Atmosphere Moisture Amount Hygrometers or humidity gauges are used to check … Read more
Many years ago Atlanta, Georgia, was the great center of African violet interest on October 9 and 10, when enthusiasts from 20 states met for the first time at the annual convention of the African Violet Society of America, Inc., and witnessed the staging of the First National African Violet Show in 1946. On the … Read more
What is more enjoyable on a gray winter day than a house plant decked with red flowers or laden with bright red fruit—so gay and colorful that even a single specimen will add a glow of cheerfulness to the room? One of the brightest and easiest to grow of the red-fruited house plants is Jerusalem-cherry … Read more
Today, more and more people are contemplating owning a home greenhouse. Greenhouse gardening as a year-round, all-weather activity appeals to men and women of all ages. Some want it strictly for relaxation; some are looking toward retirement years; some want a profitable hobby, and some wish to start a full-time business. Here are answers to … Read more
In December 1945, I wrote an article for Plants and Gardens, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden serial, entitled “Poinsettia: Mystery Flower.” Now, seven years later, I am glad to have the opportunity to correct any false impressions I may have given in that article and add further information. First, before going into the nature of the … Read more
Bromeliads are as ultramodern in appearance as the United Nations buildings in New York, but they have been popular houseplants for a hundred years in Europe. The bromeliads are air plants, with such fascinating names as Aechmea, Vriesia, Billbergia, Tillandsia, Neoregelia, Cryptanthus and Guzmania. Their forms and flowers are as spectacular as their names. The … Read more
What are the most popular or best variegated houseplants. To accomplish this, we checked the experiences of others in the growing community, visited nurseries and botanical gardens, and consulted catalogs and books on house plants. Our first problem was to select the useful houseplants and those best suited to greenhouse conditions. Considerable differences of opinion … Read more
To have happy house plants, it is necessary to know when and how to feed them. Even when a plant is growing in its proper compost, thought must also be given to the best fertilizer for extra feeding when nourishment in the pot is used up. This, however, will not be for several weeks after … Read more