Too often, the spinose members of the cactus family have been used to symbolize the desert of the southwest. Consequently, few people know that not all cacti have spines or grow in the desert. Orchid Cactus “Spineless Species” Of this latter class, the epiphyllum hybrids, now commonly called orchid cacti, have long, leaf-like, spineless joints … Read more
You would hardly consider a 40’-foot tree fern possible for your living room. But you’ll find the “hapu” or Fernwood containers made from its fibrous trunk most attractive for growing house plants. The Cibotium tree fern, which grows in Hawaii’s rain forest, primarily on the high slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, has a … Read more
Fill your greenhouse with chrysanthemums if you want a colorful show this fall and winter with plenty of blooms to cut. They are about the easiest and most satisfactory flowers you can grow. They occupy the plant benches comparatively quickly and can be grown either as a pot plant or bench crop. What’s more, there … Read more
Like most of us, houseplants enjoy a rest and a change of scene once in a while. That is, most of them do. A few are just plain stay-at-homes and resent even an outdoor picnic. However, there are not too many plant sissies. Your house plants have been through a long winter and are anxious … Read more
Every year, a debate breaks out on the topic of moving house plants outside for the summer. Below several homeowners share their experiences of “How I Summer My House Plants” H. E. Chambers Two years ago, we had aluminum storm windows installed in our home, leaving enough old window screens to install a screen house … Read more
House plants and those grown in a greenhouse will benefit from a location outdoors during the summer months and can make an attractive addition to the outdoor living area. As soon as nights are mild, say safely over 55° degrees Fahrenheit, it is generally satisfactory to put most plants outside. Often, in a few weeks, … Read more
A good assortment of tools arranged for convenient use can be recommended to every greenhouse gardener. Those tools actually needed are inexpensive, and many of the most useful are homemade. The big thing: have them ready for handy use. In a small greenhouse without a potting shed like mine, spring clips and hooks can be … Read more
From rockets that zoom thousands of miles an hour to African violets that grow a few inches a month is quite a jump, but taken in stride by the technical editors at Reaction Motors, a rocket research firm in Denville, New Jersey. Although pressured daily by the problems of this complex science, the editors find … Read more
It’s potting time in the greenhouse. Large plants, particularly those which have flowered and will be grown on for several years, need either top dressing with fresh soil or shifting to larger pots. Roots of smaller plants may be crowding their quarters, in which case the plants should be moved to larger containers. Rooted cuttings … Read more
Why not center your outdoor living around your greenhouse? It offers a source of water for refreshments, electricity for lights and cooking, and provides space for storage cabinets and a sink for washing dishes. But, more important than these conveniences, a greenhouse offers a cozy shelter for outdoor living in rainy weather. The Robert L. … Read more