Houseplant Census 2011

"How many houseplants do you have?"
The definition of "houseplant" that was choosen in a site I found last year is very broad: any plant indoors now that is alive. This includes not only traditional houseplants, but plants brought inside for the winter, forced bulbs, holiday gift plants, seedlings and so on.

This year I found that I had a few less than the year before and it was mainly due to returning to work less time to devote to my beloved plants.  No seedlings this year or baby herbs.  The count was down to 120.

The indoor plants are still a great way to get me through the winter and having a bucket of dirt to put my hands in really helps on those days when you just long to be in the garden.

Houseplant Census 2010

I ran across a blog that asked the question "How many houseplants do you have?"
The definition of "houseplant" that was chosen is very broad: any plant indoors now that is alive. This includes not only traditional houseplants, but plants brought inside for the winter, forced bulbs, holiday gift plants, seedlings and so on.













A quick trip around the house and 176 plants and still counting... My husband has always said "You have alot of plants!!" There seems to be room for so many more that it doesn't seem that many, until they come in for the winter and you count them all.



Seedlings
8 parsley plants, 9 basil plants, 2 meyer lemon trees, 8 chives,41 jack in the pulpit seedlings
Annuals and bulbs
6 geraniums rescued from the garbage last fall, 5 crocus, 5 hyacinth, 9 grape hyacinth, 7 coleus
Tropicals and others
20 orchids, 2 hoya plant, 1 kalanchoe, 9 amaryllis, 1 aloe, 2 variegated spathiphyllum, 1 fern, 3 ponytail palms, 1 asparagus fern, 1 spider plant, 3 zebrina pendula, 2 tradescatia albiflora 'albovittata', , 1 aglaonema, 1 clivia, 1 dracaena, marginata 'tricolor', 1 palm, 1 passiflora, 1 philodendron, 2 streptocarpus, 1 siderasis, , 1 swedish ivy, 1 pepperomia, 5 trailing saintpaulia, 9 variegated saintpaulia, 1 kohleria, 1 chirita, 1 begonia, 1 draceana and 1 peacock plant.

Okay, so there are alot of plants, but I still have room for one more!
What a fun way to pass the time during the mid point of winter. How many do you have? If you don't want to list them like I have you can just let me know how many.

High Temperature:
Actual: -6°C sun and cloud Wind WSW14km/h P.O.P.0%
Average: -1°C
Record: 11°C in 1991

Low Temperature:
Actual: -16°C partly cloudy Wind W12km/h P.O.P.0%
Average: -10°C
Record: -24°C in 1946

Saintpaulia update.... my experiment seems to have worked. All three have new roots and seem to holding well. I will give them a couple of weeks to establish before moving them to their permanent home.

High Temperature:
Actual: -6°C cloudy flurries .30cm Wind W25km/h P.O.P.66%
Average: -2°C
Record: 13°C in 1944

Low Temperature:
Actual: -7°C cloudy Wind W24km/h P.O.P.44%
Average: -10°C
Record: -29°C in 1939

Saintpaulia
I was absolutely horrified this morning when three pieces of a trailing saintpaulia fell off after I moved it so it could be watered and go through a weekly check up. I have had this particular one for two years and never had any issues. I was about to toss the pieces, but, as I tend to rescue everything thought there must be some way of getting new plants from these bits. Upon investigating I found very little on propagating from pieces. I have done it from leaf cuttings with alot of success so decided I would treat the stems like leaves.
After cutting off lower level leaves to give me a bit of a trunk I cut the trunk on an angle, covered it with rooting hormone and placed the pieces into damp potting soil (mix of sand, perlite and potting mix)then covered them with the tops of juice bottles, creating a small greenhouse. If this works I will have three new already large trailing violets (elle gardener). Crossing my fingers.

High Temperature:
Actual: -9°C feels -12 cloudy Wind NNW16km/h P.O.P.40%
Average: -1°C
Record: 14°C in 2008

Low Temperature:
Actual: -12°C -20 cloudy Wind N20km/h P.O.P.19%
Average: -9°C
Record: -26°C in 1940

Saintpaulia sometimes get elongated stems during the growing season when loosing there lower leaves. This can be fixed by simply repotting .


First take your saintpaulia and remove from its pot, cut off the bottom 1/3 or more of the root ball.

Place plant into your pot so lower leaves at rim of pot and refill with fresh potting mix.


High Temperature:
Actual: -4°C sun and cloud Wind WSW14km/h P.O.P.21%
Average: 2°C
Record: 19°C in 1946

Low Temperature:
Actual: -14°C cloudy flurries trace Wind SW14km/h P.O.P.8%
Average: -6°C
Record: -20°C in 1988

Phalaenopsis will grow well in any window that receives minimal sun in summer. Ideal sun is morning or evening sun, but not direct sun during the hottest part of the day.



During winter place your orchid in a well lit window. The sun does not get high enough to cause any burning problem. Do not let the leaves touch the window glass.

Roots often appear above pot and remain airborne. They are silvery white, with green growing tips. They have a habit of attaching themselves to whatever they touch. Roots that are growing above the pot are impossible to put back without breaking. When repotting leave these outside the pot. If any roots have shrivelled or died cut them off.

Phalaenopsis will bloom at anytime and one plant can bloom two or three times in one year over many months. Plants should have three or four leaves before allowing the production of a flower spike. If you have at least 6 plants you could have year round blooms.

Water and feed generally once a week throughout the year, but, do not waterlog your orchid. Wipe foliage with damp cloth to keep dust from building up. Do not allow water to run into center this can lead to rotting.

Day 0 mainly sunny Wind E14km/h P.O.P.0%
Night -9 cloudy Wind ESE22km/h P.O.P.8%

Over watered plants are one of many causes in houseplant failures. If this has happened to you, remove your plant from its container and place on a pile of paper towel. Gently blot root ball being careful not to compact soil.Place paper towel in a tub or container suitably sized to hold your plant and place plant on top of paper towl. Place plant in an area out of direct sunlight. Your plant should be dry enough to put back in pot in a day or two.

Day -2 cloudy rain 6.40mm WInd ESE11km/h P.O.P.10%
Night -6 occasional rain/ drizzle Wind SSW16km/h P.O.P.65%

Propagation of a Hoya (Wax plant):

Use a cutting with one to three leaf nodes (small swelling that is the part of a plant stem from which one or more leaves emerge ).
Remove leaves from bottom node and dust the end with a rooting hormone powder or use the rooting gel (Home Depot, Rona, etc.)
Press into a good potting mix. Water thoroughly and let soil dry before watering again.
Generally, expect to wait at least 2 months before the cutting has sufficient roots to take care of itself and be moved into its own pot.
You can also take a portion of stem including one or more pairs of leaves and root in water or damp sand. These will root in approx 2 weeks.
Those who desire a larger plant may take cuttings of 1 m (3.2 ft) or more. These provide an almost instant vine once planted.
New growth appears first as leafless extensions up to 2 m (6.4 ft) long. Once fully elongated, new portions of the vine produce pairs of leaves along the stem. Such a growth habit permits hoyas growing in the wild to extend new growth long distances through the branches of trees before becoming weighed down by leaves.
Flowers can only be expected on plants four years and older. Clusters of attractive, star-shaped, pink-white blossoms are produced in summer. The delicate flowers appear to be made of porcelain, and are truly unique. In fact, those seeing hoya blossoms for the first time may need to touch them to determine that they are real.


Day -10 partly sunny Wind NNW25km/h P.O.P.0%
Night -18 partly cloudy Wind N28km/h P.O.P.0%

I have been taking cuttings from some of the houseplants to root and make more of. So far, I have cutings of pelargonium, pepperomia, ivy, and saintpaulia.
I have used root hormone with the pelargonium, then placed the cuttings in damp soil mix and covered with a bag for humidity. I will watch for too much moisture (rot) and lift bag accordingly. It should take about 2 weeks for roots to form.
The pepperomia and ivy I have placed some directly into soil and some in a cup of water to root. I will check them in a few weeks to see the progression.
Saintpaulia needs a little more work. I have that listed elsewhere in the blog under the label houseplants.

Day +1 cloudy Wind WSW14km/h P.O.P.0%
Night -3 cloudy rain Wind SE16km/h P.O.P.78%

Propagating your own Saintpaulia
Making new plants from leaf cuttings is a simple process. Before you begin make sure you have the following ready to go....
an exacto knife, pot, soil mixed with vermiculite, rooting hormone, plastic bag or some other form of clear cover.
Mix your potting soil with vermiculite 50/50. Fill your pots or containers leaving some space before the rim. Now pick a few strong, firm leaves from the parent plant. Cut the leaf in half (this isn't necessary, but, it will stop the leaf from growing) and make a 45 degree angle cut on the stem(petiole).



Dip stem into the rooting hormone. Using a pencil make a hole in the soil and place stem into it up to the bottom of the leaf blade. Make sure the soil is packed around stem. Soil should be moist but not soggy (soggy could cause leaf rot). Place your cuttings in a bright location with moderate temps, no direct sun or very warm location, this may cause cuttings to burn or rot.



Put a cover to create a greenhouse type atmosphere, plastic bag/ top of a 2 litre bottle / saran wrap with sticks to hold it up.



It will take at least 12 weeks for you to have one or more plantlets developing from the cut end of the leaf's petiole. If you allow these to grow for at least 4 months the plantlets will be larger and easier to handle when transplanting.
Divide plantlets, and pot them as soon as you can safely do so. Do not seperate variegated types from the parent leaf while they are still all white. (They require the green chlorophyl to nurture them)










Did you know.....
Touching the soft fuzzy leaves of an African Violet can be hard to resist, but, studies have shown that doing just that reduces plant size and quality, especially if used lotion on your hands.

Day -4 partly cloudy Wind S14km/h P.O.P.0%
Night -13 showers of rain/snow 2.80cm Wind SW16km/h P.O.P.50%

Nephrolepsis exaltata bostoniensis (Boston Fern)

Found in the tropics and sub tropics, also to temperate Japan and New Zealand. Approximately 30 species of rosette-forming ferns, often spreading by runners, with oblong-lanceolate, pinnate, evergreen gronds bearing their rounded sorion vein tips near the margins of the leaves. Nephrolepis derives from the Greek nephros, a kidney and lepis, a scale with reference to the membraneous indusium which covers the spores.

Beautiful arching fronds are dividied into leaflets.
They require moderate light in winter and diffused in summer. An east or north facing window is ideal.
Enjoys high humidity; Keep soil moist but not soggy and never allow to dry out, reduce watering in winter, feed lightly every 4-6 months.
Mist fronts regularly using tepid water applying in the am so leaves will be dry by evening.
To propagate divide plants into 2 or 3 pieces in early spring or sever runners(young plants at the ends) in spring and pot in humusy soil. You can also try propagating plants from spores collected from the underside of mature fronds.

Problems:
Brown dots or lines on underside of fronds could be spore cases- lets you know the fronds are mature and healthy. Spores can be used for propagation.
Brown shells scattered on fronds irregularly could be scale.
Yellowing fronds, start at base. Mature fronds develop brown spots and fall off could be air is too warm. Ferns cannot tolerate very high temps. If plant is also limp or wilting it could be incorrect watering.
Yellowing fronds, brown tips and no new growth could be air too dry.
Pale fronds, scorch marks on surface could be too much direct sun.
Pale fronds weak growth could be not enough fertilizer. Feed often during growing season a little at a time.
Fronds dying back could be dry air and/or dry soil.

Day -2 wc-6 cloudy with rain 1mm Wind SW22km/h P.O.P.50%
Night -5 wc -10 cloudy Winds SSW24km/h P.O.P.31%

Poinsettia
Myth or Fact:
It's that time of year when the poinsettia, a well known xmas flower is brought into our homes for the holiday. Poinsettia was considered poisonous due to the sap being an irritant. It was believed that in 1919 when a US Army officers child died it was due to the ingestion of poinsettia leaves. There was never any proof linking the childs death to the plant. In 1970 something, a study was conducted by Ohio State University, to prove whether the poinsettia was actually poisonous. While poinsettias were proven to not be poisonous, it would take up to 500 leaves before they would maybe suffer an upset stomach. People sensitive to latex could have an allergic skin reaction to the plant. Poinsettias were officially now off the toxic list, but the public continued to be concerned.

If this plant is ingested by your pet they may have a mild oral irritation caused by the sap. Your pet may start to shake its head, salivate heavily, or paw at its head and/or mouth. It may also cause vomiting, if large amounts of leaves are consumed. If you wash sap from irritated areas immediately this should stop further discomfort. If your pet is vomitiing or eyes appear inflamed call your vet.

Mistle Toe and Holly are two plants that should be watched out for during the holidays.

Day -8 wc-18 mainly cloudy with snow showers Winds W27km/h P.O.P.47%
Night -14 wc-26 partly cloudy Winds WSW16km/h P.O.P.31%

Homemade Insecticidal Soap Recipes

Spray your plants as soon as pest problems appear. Check on underside of leaves and stems. Repeat treatment every 5-7 days until pests are completely gone.
If your problem is serious fill bucket full of soapy water and immerse entire plant for a couple of seconds.

Insecticidal Soap Spray

1 to 2 tablespoons liquid soap
8 cups water
Combine ingredients in a bucket, mix, transfer to a spray bottle as needed.

All-Purpose Pesticide Soap Spray
Strong smelling roots and spices such as garlic, onions, horseradish, ginger, rhubarb leaves, cayenne and other hot peppers, are all known to repel insects.

A handful of roots and spices
Enough boiling water to coverSoap Spray (recipe, above)

Place roots and spices in a mason jar. Cover with boiling water, screw on the top, and let set overnight. Strain, and add to the Soap Spray.
Make enough for use. If any leftover freeze or discard.

Insecticidal Soap
1 tbsp Mild dishwashing liquid soap or 4tbsp of soap concentrate (small bar of pure soap (eg Ivory)or several small pieces placed into small amount of water and allowed to melt) Store concentrate in air tight container
8 cups of lukewarm water
1 tbsp vegetable oil (optional)(good for some pests such as a spider mites)
Empty Spray bottle

In spray bottle, fill with water, and add a few squirts of dish soap or concentrate.
Shake bottle to combine water and soap.
Day -2 cloudy with snow up to a few cm Wind E24km/h P.O.P.11%
Night -10 breezy with snow and sleet 13.7cm Wind E33km/h P.O.P.53%

Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

Aglaonema is a durable foliage plant with lance shaped, leathery, waxy leaves up to 8" long and clustered on top of a single slender cane. Compact habit. Also known as the Chinese Evergreen, comes from theAroid family. It comes from the Greek "aglos: shiny, nema: string."These plants come from the tropical forests of southeast Asia, Thailand and Cambodia to Vietnam and Malaysia. Plants were brought to America around 1900 and have been in cultivation ever since. New varieties were developed in the 1960's and those varieties have given us the varieties we know today. New varieties are constantly being developed today (leaf coloration) This family gives us many varieties including Aglaonema, Anthurium, Dieffenbachia, Pothos, Philodendron, Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) and many others. These plants require little attention.

Light requirements: Full filtered light to Low light

They like average to high humidity.

Soil should be moist, not soggy.

Blooms: prolific bloomer, (inflorescence (group of flowers on onestem) can be mistaken for distorted leaf. Blooms can be found if you look carefully below foliage.

Feed every 2 months or diluted every watering.

Can be grown in water or general purpose soil mix.

Minimum temps 16 to 18 deg C

Propagation: Divide established plants, or take cuttings in spring.

Day -4 cloudy with snow showers Winds NW22km/h P.O.P.50%
Night -10 cloudy with flurries Winds NNW7km/h P.O.P.40%

Tuberous begonias are large flowered showy plants suitable for pots or for planting out in the garden. There are an estimated to be between 1000 and 2000 Begonia hybrids. These include single, double Pendula trailers for hanging baskets, etc. Many have been bred as houseplants. Colours include shades of red, orange, pink and yellow. Blooms from mid summer to fall.

Very useful in containers the tubers must be brought in before frost or when flowering slows and stored over winter in peat moss. For earlier blooms start tubers indoors 2-3 months prior to planting outside. Store barely moist in a well lit window or greenhouse until growth appears.
Plant tubers 1-2 inches deep in spring in partial shade. Take cuttings of shoots (including offsets) from tubers in spring. Plant outside when rooted. From seed in early winter indoors to flower in late summer.

Height: 20-28cm Plant out 3 weeks after last frost date.

Temp: Average warm 55 deg F in winter. Not to exceed 70 deg F

Water: Freely when in flower, do not keep water logged. Gradually reduce watering once foliage begins to yellow.

Feed with weak fertilizer while in bud and flowering.

Humidity: surround pots with damp peat and mist. Not critical

Requires good indirect sunlight. Provide best possible light in winter.

Save and overwinter these plants in a frost free place.

Propagation: raise from cuttings in spring or by dividing old tubers.

Day +11 mostly cloudy Wind E12km/h P.O.P.20%

Night -1 mostly cloudy showers 4.3mm Wind SE22km/h P.O.P.40%

Hippeastrum "Apple Blossom" Amaryllis




Plant this bulb anytime from October to the end of April. Blooms will last from Christmas until the end of May. If you would like consecutive blooms plant several bulbs at 14 day intervals to have blooms through the winter months. When you purchase bulbs, look for large, plump ones with some roots attached. Before planting bulb place in luke warm water for a couple of hours to encourage roots. Place gravel, pot shards or marbles etc over drainage hole for quick drainage.Use a pot slightly larger than bulb, plant in potting soil leaving top 1/3 of bulb exposed. Be careful not to damage roots. Tamp soil down firmly. Minimal watering until stem emerges and as soon as bud and leaves emerge, start watering daily. Keep soil moist not wet and water when finger placed in soil to the 2nd knuckle is dry and temps should be 20 to 25 deg C. Place pot in warm, bright light and watch for growth. There should be a flower bud in a couple of weeks. Turn pot so flower stalk won't lean in one direction. Stake if required. Remember: bulb should be submerged about half it height in potting soil. Don't damage roots. If
faded flowers are promptly removed, bulb will work on remaining blooms not seed production.

Things to do: October
Make sure your trees and shrubs get a thorough watering. (rain or hose)

Day +6 mainly sunny Wind NE9km/h P.O.P.0%
Night -4 mainly clear Wind light P.O.P.0%

Anthirium araceae

A large genus from rain forests in tropical America and the West Indies. Genus of evergreen perennials of 550 species of which several are grown for their decorative foliage and flowers. Some climb by aerial roots, some are low growing forming tufts. Most have, at the least, stately leathery leaves incised with distinct deep veins. Some are marked with veins highly contrasted with rich, green backgrounds. Some have bright exotic flowers that are popular with florists. Blooms are typical of the Arum family. Spadix, a fleshy spike within the bloom is surrounded by a spathe, a bright coloured leafy bract that protects the spadix. Anthirium is from anthos, a flower and oura, tail from the shape of the spadix.

Most are easy to grow.

Provide medium to low light and high humidity. To add humidity place the plant on an inverted saucer in the centre of larger saucer of stone and keep stone covered in water at all times. Water plant and allow to dry in between. Anthirium will not tolerate drying wind or cold drafts, foliage is easily marred by brushing up against it. Anthirium does like average temps but will tolerate hot conditions. Use a course and fast draining soil. Repot when soil breaks down or when stems crowd pot. Fertilize three times in summer and prune only when necessary to keep neat.

Pest problems: aphids may attack new growth as it uncurls. Mites can attack if plant is stressed. Scale can be a problem infrequently.

Propagate: rhizome division, offsets, or seed in spring.

Day +9 mostly cloudy Wind NNW20km/h P.O.P.36%
Night +3 mostly cloudy rain .30mm Wind NW22km/h P.O.P.50%

Sansevieria

Small genus of evergreen rhizomatous perennials with stiff, fleshy leaves. These are desert plants that can tolerate poor conditions. From Africa and southern Asia. Genus of approximately 60 species of succulent evergreen perennials some of which are ground dwelling in wild, others epiphytic. They have rosettes or clumps of rather stiff sword shaped or cylindrical leaves and somewhat tubular flowers in axillary racemes or panicles followed by usually red berries. Sansevieria was named for Prince Raimond de Sangrio de Sanseviero (1710-1771)

Light : bright light with some sun prefered, but will grow in shade

Water: moderately from spring to autumn, allow compost to dry slightly between waterings. Feed regularly in summer. Sparingly in Winter every 1-2 months, avoid wetting the heart of the plant.

Temps: Average warmth minimum 50 deg f in winter.

Humidity: Tolerates dry air

Repotting: when growth cracks pot- seldom required

Propagation: remove offset by cutting off at base - allow to dry before inserting in compost. Divide plant. Leaf cuttings can be used for all green varieties. Yellow edged varieties will revert to the green form.

Some Problems:

Rot at base, leaves yellow and die back - Basal rot disease. Cause is generally overwatering in winter. If whole base is affected, use upper foliage as leaf cuttings and discard rest of plant. If part of plant is affected, remove from pot and discard affected section. Dust cut surface with sulphur and repot. Keep dry and move to a warmer spot.

Rot at base in winter; not overwatered - cold damage. Plants can be quickly damaged at 40 deg F or below; minimum winter temps for a should be 50 deg F

Brown blotches on leaves - non-infectious disorder which starts at tips and works down along leaf. Cause unknown and there is no cure. Dispose of leaves as soon as this appears.

Day +18 sun and cloud Wind NNE14km/h P.O.P.40%

Night +8 Partly cloudy shower with thunderstorm 7.9mm Wind NNW17km/h P.O.P.30%

Chlorophytum "Mandarin Plant"
related to the spider plant this plant has lance or strap shaped foliage, bright green leaves with bright orange stems produced from the soil up, it grows in low to medium light, prefers moderately moist soil (never allow to dry out).

Day +22 sun and cloud P.O.P.20%
Night +13 cloudy rain .30mm P.O.P.60%

Nemanthus Gregarius "Goldfish Plant"

Goldfish vine is closely related to columnea. When young this plant has an upright habit as it ages it tends to trail. One of over 30 varieities that grow in colours of yellow, orange, or red.Light: direct filterd sun. If plant won't reflower move to sunnier position.Temps: normal indoor tempsWatering: keep evenly moist but not soaked, allow to dry slightly between waterings.Pests: watch for aphids, mealy bugPropagation: root cuttings in water or vermiculite

Day +2 breezy rain up to 13mm Winds E27km/h P.O.P.70%
Night -4 evening thunderstorms up to 11.1mm Winds E22km/h P.O.P.60%