If you have a greenhouse or a cool enclosed porch and would like to grow something unusual, a true conversation piece, you should buy a staghorn fern. Platycerium: Native in Tropical Countries This genus, Platycerium, is native to tropical Africa, Asia, and temperate Australia. These ferns have leaves (called fronds) of two kinds: sterile clasping … Read more
More plants than window space! That’s the problem that confronts many indoor gardeners today. But it’s a problem which can be solved by using electric lights. Electric Lights for House Plants With properly installed and maintained fluorescent or incandescent light fixtures you can grow house plants in places you never thought possible—poorly lighted windows, and porches. … Read more
Our living room is bright with plants all winter because we bring summer indoors with push-button sunshine. It all started a year ago when we needed a winter home for the goldfish that lived in our small garden pool. My handy spouse fitted a frame (made from two-by-fours salvaged when our neighbors rebuilt their attic) … Read more
At the end of the growing season, tender plants are often too large to pot and bring inside. To have them for winter windows or to keep a start for next year’s outdoor garden, many of them can be “slipped.” How To Slip Plants Here’s what you need to do: Plants grown from slips (cuttings) … Read more
Amateur gardeners are always interested in propagating plants from cuttings or seeds. This is not always possible in the average home because insufficient light is generally available. When fluorescent lights came into use as a new method for growing plants, amateur gardeners without facilities found that they could grow plants from cuttings or seeds in … Read more
Stand behind a gloxinia sales counter at a country fair, and in a few hours, it is evident how greatly this plant is admired. Many names will call it; gloxinia, gloxinia, tuberous begonia, and even petunia, but on one point, everyone is unanimous—it is the most beautiful plant. However, beauty alone is not the sole … Read more
Coffee Arabica, commonly known as the Arabian coffee plant, is an old plant known in Europe since the 18th century. It’s a gorgeous houseplant in the United States, but in its native habitat in Ethiopia, it can grow as tall as 15′ feet! Because of its large size, it’s often seen as a hedge in … Read more
Philodendron erubescens is a beautiful exotic plant known for its large glossy leaves. Philodendron comes from the Greek words “Philo,” which means love, and “dendron,” which means “tree.” This Greek name is due to the Philodendron’s habit of climbing on or up trees. While it is an aggressive climbing plant outdoors, it is also happy … Read more
Dracaena fragrans (dra-SEE-nah FRAY-granz) is a slow-growing, perennial shrub in its native habitat but is primarily known as a houseplant in the United States. It is often referred to as a Corn plant because it can appear like a corn stalk. However, it has many common names, ranging from the Dragon Tree plant to the … Read more
If it is the middle of September, there is still time to order tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths for forcing on the window sill, or in your greenhouse. Potted from mid to late October and left outdoors in a cold frame for a rooting period of eight to ten weeks, they may then be brought indoors … Read more