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Showing posts with label plants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plants. Show all posts
Monday, November 5, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Topiaries Carve a Place Indoors and Out
Let's look at some examples of topiary plants and how you can use them around your house...
Article taken off houzz.com
Topiaries Carve a Place Indoors and Out
In a garden, by a sink or decorating a living room, topiaries add a sculptural, artful touch
Topiary gardens can take years to grow and perfect (they're not for the faint of heart). For those who are committed to maintaining a formal topiary garden, however, the results can be magnificent.
Join me as I take a look at a few inspirational topiary designs, from the smallest sinkside rosemary to a grand showcase garden in Pennsylvania.
Topiary is the art of shaping plants into recognizable forms by pruning. In outdoor gardens, spherical shapes create a fanciful look. A collection of shaped evergreens gives a Dr. Seuss–like appeal to this space.
The classic miniature standards seen here look like small trees, each with a singular trunk and round pom-pom top. Woody herbs such as lavender and rosemary make ideal candidates for sinkside or countertop miniature standards.
Extend the standard topiary to create three balls of foliage, and you have another traditional form. This topiary brings a little green to a music room.
Topiaries aren't just for traditional spaces. Try two matching trees, shaped as standards, in a modern space. Use this technique on a lemon or lime tree for a topiary that's both beautiful and edible.
Another classic topiary form is the spiral. Choose a plant that has already been shaped or select your own upright evergreen. An arborvitae is a good choice for this type of creation.
Short on space? Try the spiral look in a miniature. Kept in a small pot, a topiary will stay diminutive in size.
For more inspiration, I traveled to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The gardens have a magnificent display of old, wizened topiary forms mixed with whimsical additions in charming shapes.
This terraced, spherical pyramid shape is repeated often throughout the space.
Shapes like these must be trimmed several times a year. The gaps between the layers quickly disappear when they aren't tended regularly.
Some of the topiary towers are topped by birds that look ready to lift off.
If you peek inside the various topiary structures, you'll see that they often get support in their old age. The unnatural forms can put a lot of weight on the branches of the evergreens, so staking is necessary.
It's not all seriousness in the topiary garden. This charming duck sits front and center.
Inspired to try out a topiary form of your own? Perhaps you would like to start with a simple, modern hedge and a few pom-poms.
Or maybe you want to go with a looser arrangement to spice up the dining room.
Whichever style you choose, remember that topiary is an art form that takes dedication and time. You will be shaping your plant for years, and the upkeep is continual. If you have the time and inclination, though, a topiary garden can be a beautiful thing to behold.
Article taken off houzz.com
Topiaries Carve a Place Indoors and Out
In a garden, by a sink or decorating a living room, topiaries add a sculptural, artful touch
Topiary gardens can take years to grow and perfect (they're not for the faint of heart). For those who are committed to maintaining a formal topiary garden, however, the results can be magnificent.
Join me as I take a look at a few inspirational topiary designs, from the smallest sinkside rosemary to a grand showcase garden in Pennsylvania.
Topiary is the art of shaping plants into recognizable forms by pruning. In outdoor gardens, spherical shapes create a fanciful look. A collection of shaped evergreens gives a Dr. Seuss–like appeal to this space.
Whichever style you choose, remember that topiary is an art form that takes dedication and time. You will be shaping your plant for years, and the upkeep is continual. If you have the time and inclination, though, a topiary garden can be a beautiful thing to behold.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Growing Lucky Bamboo
Hope this Lucky Bamboo brings you good luck & prosperity!
Article taken off houseplants.about.com
New Year's Craft: Growing Lucky Bamboo
You don't have to look very hard to find lucky bamboo nowadays. These plants pop up in offices, on desks, in businesses, and in homes pretty much everywhere. An important part of feng shui, lucky bamboo plants are said to bring good luck and fortune, especially if the plants were given as gifts. It also helps that they have a well-earned reputation as nearly indestructible. These tough stalks can survive in vases of pure water or in soil, and in a wide variety of light conditions. Even a poorly kept lucky bamboo plant will live for a long time before it finally succumbs.
The vast majority of lucky bamboo plants are shipped in from Taiwan or China, where professional growers braid and twist and curl their stalks into a multitude of shapes. The more intricate lucky bamboo plants can cost hundreds of dollars and feature twenty or more individual stalks. More commonly, though, lucky bamboo plants in simple pots can be had for as little as $10 for a three-stalk bundle.
Technically, lucky bamboo is not bamboo at all, but a species called Dracaena sanderiana. Although most are grown hydroponically (in water), lucky bamboo can be potted up in soil. One final caution: lucky bamboo leaves are mildly toxic, so they should not be kept in a place where pets or children are likely to snack on them.
Caring for Your Lucky Bamboo
Light: Lucky bamboo prefer bright, filtered sunlight, such as found under a rainforest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves. They are more tolerant of too little light than too much. If the plant begins to stretch, however, or the green fades, provide more light.
Watering: Lucky bamboo can grow indefinitely in a simple vase filled with pebbles (for support) and at least an inch of water. However, they are very sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals commonly found in tap water. Water your lucky bamboo only with bottled or distilled water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate. Healthy lucky bamboo roots are red, so don't be alarmed in a glass vase if you can see red roots. Finally, good hygiene recommends that you change the water weekly.
Temperature: Lucky bamboo likes warmer temperatures of between 65ºF and 90ºF. Do not place the plants in front of air conditioning or heating vents.
Potting Media: In addition to water, lucky bamboo can be grown in a well-drained, rich potting soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking. Water as you would any Dracaena species.
Fertilizer: Plants grown in water will only need to be fed every other month or so, using a very weak liquid fertilizer. A single drop of liquid fertilizer is plenty for most lucky bamboo arrangements. Alternatively, specialty lucky bamboo fertilizers are available.
Trimming and Shaping Your Lucky Bamboo
Despite its intricate appearance, lucky bamboo is not shaped in the same way as bonsai, with plant wire and judicious trimming. Rather, they are shaped by rotating the plant stalks in front of a light source, thus causing the plant to naturally grow toward the light. In China, the stalks are often grown on their sides to cause the distinctive spiral. At home, this is a laborious process, but it can be accomplished by placing the plants under a three-sided box and paying close attention to its growth rate, rotating the plant slowly and regularly. Be patient, as it can take a while to get it right.
Trimming, however, is an important part of keeping your lucky bamboo healthy. Over time, most plants will become top heavy, or intricate shapes will begin to lose their form. In general, it's not a good idea to cut the main stalk of a lucky bamboo. Instead, cut the offshoots with sterile snippers. You can trim offshoots back to within an inch or two of the main stem. New shoots will soon emerge, and the resulting plant will be bushier. To discourage new growth, dip the cut end in parafin.
If you want to change its shape dramatically, you can cut a whole offshoot flush against the main stalk. A tan scar will result, and new shoots may or may not emerge from the cut. Don't throw the trimmings away, as they can be used to propagate new lucky bamboo plants. If you need to trim a main stalk for some reason, new shoots will emerge from below the cut, and the top portion—assuming it's healthy—can be used to start a new plant.
Common Problems with Lucky Bamboo
The most common mistakes related to lucky bamboo are usually connected to the water. Chlorinated water will kill them over time, and water that is dirty or infected with bacteria can be deadly. If a plant develops black roots, these should be cut away. Similarly, dead leaves should never be allowed to rot in the water as they might introduce bacteria. Practice good water hygiene by changing water every week with distilled or bottled water. If algae is growing in the water, it's usually because the plant is potted in a clear vase, allowing light to penetrate and encouraging algae growth. Just clean it out and start again, switching to an opaque container if algae is a persistent problem.
Leaves that are yellow usually indicate too much sun or too much fertilizer. Cut out the fertilizer and move the plant to a shadier location.
Brown leaves usually indicate dry air or polluted water. Raise the humidity level by spraying the plant regularly and make sure you're using the appropriate water.
If the stalks themselves begin to rot or turn mushy, they are likely beyond saving. Worse yet, decaying stalks threaten any other stalks they are close to. Remove them at once. If you really want to save it, cut away the yellow parts and try to root the trimmed stalk in new water.
Finally, lucky bamboo are susceptible to the same insect problems as other indoor tropical plants. They can be treated manually (picking off bugs) or by the same methods you'd use on any other indoor plant.
Article taken off houseplants.about.com
New Year's Craft: Growing Lucky Bamboo
You don't have to look very hard to find lucky bamboo nowadays. These plants pop up in offices, on desks, in businesses, and in homes pretty much everywhere. An important part of feng shui, lucky bamboo plants are said to bring good luck and fortune, especially if the plants were given as gifts. It also helps that they have a well-earned reputation as nearly indestructible. These tough stalks can survive in vases of pure water or in soil, and in a wide variety of light conditions. Even a poorly kept lucky bamboo plant will live for a long time before it finally succumbs.
The vast majority of lucky bamboo plants are shipped in from Taiwan or China, where professional growers braid and twist and curl their stalks into a multitude of shapes. The more intricate lucky bamboo plants can cost hundreds of dollars and feature twenty or more individual stalks. More commonly, though, lucky bamboo plants in simple pots can be had for as little as $10 for a three-stalk bundle.
Technically, lucky bamboo is not bamboo at all, but a species called Dracaena sanderiana. Although most are grown hydroponically (in water), lucky bamboo can be potted up in soil. One final caution: lucky bamboo leaves are mildly toxic, so they should not be kept in a place where pets or children are likely to snack on them.
Caring for Your Lucky Bamboo
Light: Lucky bamboo prefer bright, filtered sunlight, such as found under a rainforest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves. They are more tolerant of too little light than too much. If the plant begins to stretch, however, or the green fades, provide more light.
Watering: Lucky bamboo can grow indefinitely in a simple vase filled with pebbles (for support) and at least an inch of water. However, they are very sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals commonly found in tap water. Water your lucky bamboo only with bottled or distilled water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate. Healthy lucky bamboo roots are red, so don't be alarmed in a glass vase if you can see red roots. Finally, good hygiene recommends that you change the water weekly.
Temperature: Lucky bamboo likes warmer temperatures of between 65ºF and 90ºF. Do not place the plants in front of air conditioning or heating vents.
Potting Media: In addition to water, lucky bamboo can be grown in a well-drained, rich potting soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking. Water as you would any Dracaena species.
Fertilizer: Plants grown in water will only need to be fed every other month or so, using a very weak liquid fertilizer. A single drop of liquid fertilizer is plenty for most lucky bamboo arrangements. Alternatively, specialty lucky bamboo fertilizers are available.
Trimming and Shaping Your Lucky Bamboo
Despite its intricate appearance, lucky bamboo is not shaped in the same way as bonsai, with plant wire and judicious trimming. Rather, they are shaped by rotating the plant stalks in front of a light source, thus causing the plant to naturally grow toward the light. In China, the stalks are often grown on their sides to cause the distinctive spiral. At home, this is a laborious process, but it can be accomplished by placing the plants under a three-sided box and paying close attention to its growth rate, rotating the plant slowly and regularly. Be patient, as it can take a while to get it right.
Trimming, however, is an important part of keeping your lucky bamboo healthy. Over time, most plants will become top heavy, or intricate shapes will begin to lose their form. In general, it's not a good idea to cut the main stalk of a lucky bamboo. Instead, cut the offshoots with sterile snippers. You can trim offshoots back to within an inch or two of the main stem. New shoots will soon emerge, and the resulting plant will be bushier. To discourage new growth, dip the cut end in parafin.
If you want to change its shape dramatically, you can cut a whole offshoot flush against the main stalk. A tan scar will result, and new shoots may or may not emerge from the cut. Don't throw the trimmings away, as they can be used to propagate new lucky bamboo plants. If you need to trim a main stalk for some reason, new shoots will emerge from below the cut, and the top portion—assuming it's healthy—can be used to start a new plant.
Common Problems with Lucky Bamboo
The most common mistakes related to lucky bamboo are usually connected to the water. Chlorinated water will kill them over time, and water that is dirty or infected with bacteria can be deadly. If a plant develops black roots, these should be cut away. Similarly, dead leaves should never be allowed to rot in the water as they might introduce bacteria. Practice good water hygiene by changing water every week with distilled or bottled water. If algae is growing in the water, it's usually because the plant is potted in a clear vase, allowing light to penetrate and encouraging algae growth. Just clean it out and start again, switching to an opaque container if algae is a persistent problem.
Leaves that are yellow usually indicate too much sun or too much fertilizer. Cut out the fertilizer and move the plant to a shadier location.
Brown leaves usually indicate dry air or polluted water. Raise the humidity level by spraying the plant regularly and make sure you're using the appropriate water.
If the stalks themselves begin to rot or turn mushy, they are likely beyond saving. Worse yet, decaying stalks threaten any other stalks they are close to. Remove them at once. If you really want to save it, cut away the yellow parts and try to root the trimmed stalk in new water.
Finally, lucky bamboo are susceptible to the same insect problems as other indoor tropical plants. They can be treated manually (picking off bugs) or by the same methods you'd use on any other indoor plant.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Top 15 Indoor Plants
Some may think indoor plants are boring because of the lack of choices. This article shows they are anything but.
Article taken off home.ivillage.com
15 of Your Favorite Indoor Plants
Geraniums
Houseplants add color and beauty to any room, but sometimes they can be frustrating to grow. If you're looking for a low-maintenance or easy-to-grow option, try one of these GardenWeb member favorites.
"Red geraniums are my absolute favorite [indoor plant]s. I have two in my kitchen. They're cheery, easy to grow and I love the color." —lynninnewmexico
Mother-in-Law's Tongue
"I think my most favorite [houseplant] has to be the truly easy-to-grow, even if you forget to water [it] for weeks, snake plant a k a Mother-in-Law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)." —redbazel
Peace Lily
"My favorite houseplant is the peace lily... This plant is really beautiful and, no matter what I do, I just can't kill it. I don't mean to, but I neglect it severely sometimes. I will go quite a while and forget to water it, but it always lets me know because the leaves start to droop. Then, I just water it again and it perks right back up within a few minutes. It is really easy to care for. This plant has really pretty big green leaves and has beautiful white blooms every once in a while. If you're looking for a low-maintenance houseplant, this is a great one!"
Amaryllis
"My favorite [plant] for indoors is the amaryllis (hippeastrum). Late every summer and in the early fall I go through catalogs and decide which kinds to order for the coming year. I stagger the plantings and usually keep amaryllis in various stages of growth on display from December through July. [It's] such an easy plant to grow, so beautiful and, if you keep the flowers out of strong light, they last a long time."
Kalanchoe
"Kalanchoe is easy-care and [it] starts well from cuttings. [Mine] blooms every now and then (depend[ing] on the length of the day)."
Schefflera
"I have a miniature schefflera that sits on the floor next to a window in my family room. I like the way it looks and I only water it once every two weeks."
Ivy
"[My favorite houseplant is] definitely ivy. I have it inside as topiary and just free-form. There are so many varieties to plant... The secret for long-lasting survival inside is to use an insecticide to prevent spider mites and aphids and to water infrequently."
Zamioculcas
"Without a doubt the very easiest, least demanding and most dramatic plant is the zeezee plant. The leaves look like you have dipped them in shiny wax, although that is their natural look. It will grow in low light or bright indirect light and only require[s] watering about once every two weeks... They thrive on neglect. I just love this plant."
Aloe
"Aloe is easy-care and [it] starts well from cuttings. Plus, the sap is good first aid for burns."
African Violets
"I bought [African violets] on the dead-and-dying rack at Home Depot or Lowe's for a quarter. The cashier gave me that ‘Are you nuts?' look when I check out with three bone-dry pots of shriveled plant material, but they all survived and are now rewarding me with flowers!"
Ficus
"The only plant I have now is a ficus tree... The indoor ficus is flourishing and I've just had to repot it into a larger pot. It thrives on very little care and seems to like its situation in the dining room below a large window and a French door on the perpendicular wall. It receives a lot of light but no blazing sun."
Jade Plant
"[My] jade plant just keeps growing. It is easy-care [and] starts well from cuttings."
Aloe Vera, Philodendron and Christmas Cactus
"What works for my brand of neglect are aloe vera, philodendron, and my Christmas cactus."
Cut Flowers
"I guess you could say that my favorite indoor plants are in-season cuttings from flowering outdoor plants."
Article taken off home.ivillage.com
15 of Your Favorite Indoor Plants
Geraniums
Houseplants add color and beauty to any room, but sometimes they can be frustrating to grow. If you're looking for a low-maintenance or easy-to-grow option, try one of these GardenWeb member favorites.
"Red geraniums are my absolute favorite [indoor plant]s. I have two in my kitchen. They're cheery, easy to grow and I love the color." —lynninnewmexico
Mother-in-Law's Tongue
"I think my most favorite [houseplant] has to be the truly easy-to-grow, even if you forget to water [it] for weeks, snake plant a k a Mother-in-Law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)." —redbazel
Peace Lily
"My favorite houseplant is the peace lily... This plant is really beautiful and, no matter what I do, I just can't kill it. I don't mean to, but I neglect it severely sometimes. I will go quite a while and forget to water it, but it always lets me know because the leaves start to droop. Then, I just water it again and it perks right back up within a few minutes. It is really easy to care for. This plant has really pretty big green leaves and has beautiful white blooms every once in a while. If you're looking for a low-maintenance houseplant, this is a great one!"
Amaryllis
"My favorite [plant] for indoors is the amaryllis (hippeastrum). Late every summer and in the early fall I go through catalogs and decide which kinds to order for the coming year. I stagger the plantings and usually keep amaryllis in various stages of growth on display from December through July. [It's] such an easy plant to grow, so beautiful and, if you keep the flowers out of strong light, they last a long time."
Kalanchoe
"Kalanchoe is easy-care and [it] starts well from cuttings. [Mine] blooms every now and then (depend[ing] on the length of the day)."
Schefflera
"I have a miniature schefflera that sits on the floor next to a window in my family room. I like the way it looks and I only water it once every two weeks."
Ivy
"[My favorite houseplant is] definitely ivy. I have it inside as topiary and just free-form. There are so many varieties to plant... The secret for long-lasting survival inside is to use an insecticide to prevent spider mites and aphids and to water infrequently."
Zamioculcas
"Without a doubt the very easiest, least demanding and most dramatic plant is the zeezee plant. The leaves look like you have dipped them in shiny wax, although that is their natural look. It will grow in low light or bright indirect light and only require[s] watering about once every two weeks... They thrive on neglect. I just love this plant."
Aloe
"Aloe is easy-care and [it] starts well from cuttings. Plus, the sap is good first aid for burns."
African Violets
"I bought [African violets] on the dead-and-dying rack at Home Depot or Lowe's for a quarter. The cashier gave me that ‘Are you nuts?' look when I check out with three bone-dry pots of shriveled plant material, but they all survived and are now rewarding me with flowers!"
Ficus
"The only plant I have now is a ficus tree... The indoor ficus is flourishing and I've just had to repot it into a larger pot. It thrives on very little care and seems to like its situation in the dining room below a large window and a French door on the perpendicular wall. It receives a lot of light but no blazing sun."
Jade Plant
"[My] jade plant just keeps growing. It is easy-care [and] starts well from cuttings."
Aloe Vera, Philodendron and Christmas Cactus
"What works for my brand of neglect are aloe vera, philodendron, and my Christmas cactus."
Cut Flowers
"I guess you could say that my favorite indoor plants are in-season cuttings from flowering outdoor plants."
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