You’ll need more patience than anything else to grow succulents from seed. This includes cactus seeds. Most kinds of succulent seeds germinate and begin showing characteristic shapes (spines, too!) within a matter of weeks. It takes several months for them to reach enough size for potting. Succulents started this spring or early summer will be … Read more
Judging by the incredible number of creations they turn out every year, I think the cactus hybridists are busier than bees. And I have particular admiration for those who grow the epiphyllums. Literally, thousands of different varieties are available. You can choose porcelain-pure flowers of many shapes, in sizes up to 10” inches across, and … Read more
Have you ever received a gift of cuttings, leaves—or some hard-to-get plant, long on your want list, only to lose them in the rooting stage? It may be a painful experience. Over the years, I have developed a set of rules that spell success in saving cuttings and newly potted plants. Granted, an individual fails … Read more
The Croton (KROH-tun) genus is pretty massive, with approximately 1,150 species, and may be found throughout the tropics of the world. Despite this, there’s a good chance that the croton you own or are planning to purchase is actually not croton at all, but a former member of the genus now classified as Codiaeum variegatum … Read more
Christmas Cactus is one of the three-holiday cacti, so named because each blooms around a specific holiday. With its segmented, round-toothed stems called cladodes, hanging flowers, and distinctive pink pollen, the Christmas Cactus is a popular choice among succulent enthusiasts. However, while generally low-maintenance, this plant isn’t immune to a few problems. One of the … Read more
One of the more interesting genera out there, Cissus (SIS-us), had more than 350 different species that are mostly vining plants. Best known as the following common names: You can find species occurring naturally in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world. Treebine Care Size And Growth These vines can vary greatly in size, … Read more
Beaucarnea recurvata, also known as Nolina recurvata, is a beautiful household shrub with a distinctive shape. Its foliage is curved back like a fountain, while its trunk is swollen near the base. Beaucarnea recurvata [bow-KAR-nee-uh] [rek-er-VAY-tuh] isn’t a palm tree like the name suggests. It’s a dioecious succulent that stores water in its stem, forming … Read more
Phalaenopsis orchid is a group of species of a perennial plant that belong to the family of orchids, known as “Orchidaceae”. These orchids are characterized by their monopodial epiphytes or lithophytic herb nature, with leafy short stems and coarse roots that are relatively long. The plant is originally native to regions around Southeast Asia( especially … Read more
Not only is the Phaius Nun orchid one of the prettiest flowering plants you can look at, but it’s also one of the easiest to grow and maintain orchids for home gardens. Luckily, their highly attractive appearance doesn’t take away from their hardiness; they’re quite an adaptable species. The Phaius Nun orchid belongs to the … Read more
The Clivia plant comes from the family Amaryllidaceae and subfamily Amaryllidoideae, and originates in the low-altitude woodlands in South Africa. Clivia is pronounced as [KLY-vee-uh] or [KLIV-ee-uh]. It’s an herbaceous or evergreen perennial plant that has green strap-like leaves with swollen bulb-like bases and individual bell-shaped flowers that occur in umbels. Many cultivars exist, and … Read more