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The House Plants Thread
- Thread starter Mr_Bungle
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Thanks for the advice. I bought some longer sturdier stakes and some padded velcro wrap to tie them with. Now they're ready to grow as big as they want.
These are the two lone dahlias with their new stakes and new professional tie wrap!
This is the third dahlia with little viola-tricolor seedlings surrounding it. These should be showy low growing purple, yellow, and white flowers. I may have planted these too early. The seedlings came up in about a week but have not really grown at all since then. It's been about another 10-12 days and they don't appear to be growing at all. Just staying like that, with its seed-leaf showing and not growing any new growth. I bought another packet today in case I have to re-do the seeding later when it gets warmer.
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Oh and there is a bit of a science experiment going on with the two dahlias. Both of those pots are wrong according to the ideal. One is too small and the other too big. So I'm curious to see if and how this might affect things.
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Dandain
Trakanon Raider
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This thread needs an explosion of participation. To this end, the First Annual Fires of Heaven PLANT contest. I cannot think of a sufficiently good Acronym for PLANT, I am outsourcing this task to anyone who thinks this is better than a stupid idea.
Here's them rules.
Get a container, of any type, some soil, and a seed(s).
Spend a minimum amount of 10 seconds per day with 100% of your attention for any detail you notice or do not notice as it were and stewarding your plant with at minimum the necessary water.
Post a photo update at some specified landmarks. Like Sprouting, first leaf, bud, and medical plantmergencies.
For best value, a little bit of work should be done to match pot/light/soil/seed conditions. But for ease of interest I would suggest people try and find something that is local to their environment and living condition that can handle it.
With just a few pieces of information I think the brain trust in this thread could help people get some successful combinations with very low effort on the PLANT hater's part, but for 10 seconds a day and a few photos later to document great failure or success. I am hoping that Gerbil and Bungle and any other plant lovers might chime in with their knowledge to get everyone some conditions for success.
I think the only necessary knowledge would be general geography, like West Kansas, or Coastal Georgia and then the direction/hours of direct sunlight the potential windows have.
No one should go through this life without growing one plant for no reason than because. I know this all sounds potentially stupid to a large subset of you, but if you've read this far really do consider participation. Only two things can happen, you'll verify the stupidity of plants, or grow a secret relationship with them.
Vote for best in show at the end of summer after all participating plants finish their necessary plantiness. Best plant fiction, written from the perspective of your plant in its native environment.
Thoughts/Ideas?
May this post produce an army of FOH PLANT babies. If not, its better than my worst post ever.
Here's them rules.
Get a container, of any type, some soil, and a seed(s).
Spend a minimum amount of 10 seconds per day with 100% of your attention for any detail you notice or do not notice as it were and stewarding your plant with at minimum the necessary water.
Post a photo update at some specified landmarks. Like Sprouting, first leaf, bud, and medical plantmergencies.
For best value, a little bit of work should be done to match pot/light/soil/seed conditions. But for ease of interest I would suggest people try and find something that is local to their environment and living condition that can handle it.
With just a few pieces of information I think the brain trust in this thread could help people get some successful combinations with very low effort on the PLANT hater's part, but for 10 seconds a day and a few photos later to document great failure or success. I am hoping that Gerbil and Bungle and any other plant lovers might chime in with their knowledge to get everyone some conditions for success.
I think the only necessary knowledge would be general geography, like West Kansas, or Coastal Georgia and then the direction/hours of direct sunlight the potential windows have.
No one should go through this life without growing one plant for no reason than because. I know this all sounds potentially stupid to a large subset of you, but if you've read this far really do consider participation. Only two things can happen, you'll verify the stupidity of plants, or grow a secret relationship with them.
Vote for best in show at the end of summer after all participating plants finish their necessary plantiness. Best plant fiction, written from the perspective of your plant in its native environment.
Thoughts/Ideas?
May this post produce an army of FOH PLANT babies. If not, its better than my worst post ever.
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Mr_Bungle
Interstellar Botanist
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Dandain
I appreciate your enthusiasm for this thread and trying to get more of the community involved! Personally I am not a very competitive person but I enjoy the idea of a contest where everyone is doing seedlings / or growing from cuttings, while tracking their progress and Plantmergencies.
I am always more than willing to help anyone with plant questions for indoor and outdoor environments whether its choosing a species to care for or your plant is sick and needs help, its what I love to do.
I can also help people conduct online research if you don't have the time but need the help. If this gains momentum I can even put together individual plant profiles for anyone, given I know a few environmental factors, (grow zone, window placement and light levels ext...) their level of experience and what kind of plant they are looking for (unique foliage, winter bloomer, easy grower, minimal care, vines both trailing and climbing ext...)
For the general success of seedlings you will need to follow a few rules.
- Be Patient!
- Be vigilant for powdery mildew and other molds and fungus.
3. When its time to transplant do not delay!
Delayed transplant can cause health problems with root systems, thus increasing the amount of natural shock your seedling will endure during transplantation.
Below I will post the the USDA zoning chart.
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Mr_Bungle
Interstellar Botanist
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If anyone is considering planting any flowers this spring I would highly recommend planting Zinnias!
Zinnias have key attributes that make them an attractive prospect for your garden or outdoor planter(s).
- Being native to the South Western region of America and with some populations in the Southern American continent, they have adapted to the high temperatures and levels of sunlight that our summers bring.
- Zinnias are very prolific seed producers thus possibly eliminating the need to re purchase them next season, if they are cared for correctly of course. Seeds that are collected should be sealed in either an envelope or a plastic bag with no air and placed in a dry, dark, and cool environment.
- Zinnias make beautiful cut flowers. Generally I don't care for cut flowers, it seems to defeat the purpose of raising a plant only to kill one of the most rewarding parts of it, but Zinnias are an exception to my logic. The blooms last a while when stuck in a vase of water, furthermore cutting back some Zinnias (see picture of seed packets below) causes them to branch out and produce exponentially more flowers. Zinnia stalks are quite malleable and can be intertwined after being cut to make mini wreaths.
This bloom (from last summer) only represents a fraction of the various styles on the market. Incidentally I just bought these so I guess the timing could not have been better. The purple coating is a blend of perlite, lime and clay to improve oxygen availability in the soil.
California Giants brought Zinnias to popularity in the 1920s.
If you want to browse through a large online seed catalogue Zinnia Seeds - 110 Top Zinnias - Annual Flower Seeds has over 100 different Zinnia varieties!
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Mr_Bungle
Interstellar Botanist
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This morning I was moving my orchids into the bathroom before I took a shower for their weekly watering and so the aerial roots could take advantage of the high humidity. Upon taking my first step into the bathroom they teeter off of my tray and fall on the tile, no floor mat to cushion them, nothing, only the tiles. Their little innocent plant lives flashed before my eyes! luckily only one of my orchids sustained any damage, a few small scrapes on the leaf and a small rip in a flower.
Luckily the pots took most of the damage and are mostly intact, the orchid on the far left is still snug inside the broken terracotta. If I am being honest I actually like the broken aesthetic as it allows more adequate air flow and the ability for the roots to be more closely monitored.
Luckily the pots took most of the damage and are mostly intact, the orchid on the far left is still snug inside the broken terracotta. If I am being honest I actually like the broken aesthetic as it allows more adequate air flow and the ability for the roots to be more closely monitored.
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Mr_Bungle
Interstellar Botanist
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Finally the last of my orchid blooms have opened! I have read that Moth Orchids will produce another flower spike after a somewhat brief dormancy followed by small doses of liquid fertilizer every few weeks.
My African Violet blooms are starting to fill in although some of the older blooms are showing signs of damage. I believe low RH (relative humidity) or the levels of light being too strong are to blame.
And of course more Primrose blooms, I already had to pinch off an expired bloom and will have to pinch one more tomorrow most likely.
My African Violet blooms are starting to fill in although some of the older blooms are showing signs of damage. I believe low RH (relative humidity) or the levels of light being too strong are to blame.
And of course more Primrose blooms, I already had to pinch off an expired bloom and will have to pinch one more tomorrow most likely.
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Big Phoenix
Pronouns: zie/zhem/zer
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Mr_Bungle
Interstellar Botanist
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I had a feeling... unfortunately these organisms will return each year, however as your tree matures it will be able to sustain a series of small attacks, while a large scale infestation can completely defoliate even the most strong of trees. Right now this tree is going to need attention, if going out and manually removing and killing the pests is not possible for whatever reason I would recommend using a bacterial insecticide.
Garden Insect Spray with Spinosad
https://www.treehelp.com/safers-caterpillar-killer-with-b-t/
Information directly quoted from the link.
- Garden Insect Spray with Spinosad is part of a new generation of insect control sprays designed for residential use in home gardens, lawns and on ornamentals. It is safe for use on fruits and vegetables, trees, all ornamentals, and turf. It is safe to use around beneficial insects and is OMRI-approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute for organic gardening.
This product is an effective control for insects such as gypsy moth, leafminers, leafrollers, caterpillars, thrips, fruit flies, katydids, gall midges, bagworms, tent caterpillars, webworms, loopers, fire ants and borers on stone fruit trees. It does not significantly impact beneficial insects.
When sprayed on the foliage, this products works like BTK by poisoning the caterpillars feeding on the leaves. It is more effective and generally lasts about twice as long as BT when sprayed on tree leaves. (BT remains effective on a tree for about 7 to 10 days, while Garden Insect Spray with Spinosad remains effective about 3 to 4 weeks).
Garden Insect Spray with Spinosad is a concentrate that can be applied with trigger, hand-held, or hose-end sprayers. This product is not a synthetic chemical, but a bacterial product produced by fermentation. It is fast acting and odorless
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Mr_Bungle
Interstellar Botanist
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Big Phoenix
if you want to pull off a desert landscape I would strongly recommend Xeriscaping. Definition from Wikipedia;
"Xeriscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation. It is promoted in regions that do not have easily accessible, plentiful, or reliable supplies of fresh water, and is gaining acceptance in other areas as access to water becomes more limited. Xeriscaping may be an alternative to various types of traditional gardening."
As an added bonus Xeriscaping rarely requires any kind of fertilization because the plants required are used to surviving in harsh conditions.
For much more in depth information check out Xeriscape - Eartheasy.com Solutions for Sustainable Living
The only thing that would make me a bit nervous is using mulch as they suggest however I am not necessarily an expert on the topic of Xeriscaping
Succulents ranging from cacti to jade plants make great candidates for the project you are looking to do. The success of any cactus garden lies within a well draining soil. Your aloe plant is thriving so I can assume that your soil and light conditions are close to ideal for a rather wide scope of succulents year round. If I may I would suggest considering the following plants as well as reading the following article.
Tips for Growing Succulents Outdoors | World of Succulents
- Crassula tetragona (AKA mini pine tree).
These plants are very drought tolerant, easy to propagate from stem cuttings, and are easy to manipulate via pruning. Crassula tetragona grow about waist high either as a semi ground covering or as a single plant.
- Delosperma (AKA Ice Plant)
These plants produce large quantities of blooms in a variety of colors. I actually own one species of these as a container plant and it was very rewarding. Some are more drought and cold tolerant than other species, although the variegated cultivars are nice a plant with all green leaves will grow more vigorously.
- Sedums come in a wide variety of shapes and size and some work very well in hanging baskets or rock faces where they can cling from crevices.
- Various cacti
saguaro cactus
Barrel cactus
These are just a few of the great options you have! I can always think of more recommendations as you get more involved with your landscape.
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Borzak
Bronze Baron of the Realm
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Not house plants, but spring is full on here. Went out and picked a cup full of blackberries this afternoon. Muscadines are already putting out. Trying to decide if I have the energy to do anything with the blackberries other than eat them. I normally make muscadine jelly or have my grandmother do it. Love it to death.
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Mr_Bungle
Interstellar Botanist
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Oh yeah this thread has been evolving to include all kind of plants and their accompanying projects, so feel free to post gardens or window boxes , exc....
I am extremely envious of your climate right now, I miss picking berries... Making jelly sounds great. I used to have a friend who would grow and preserve her own strawberries, it better than anything at the store, even the primo shit.
Borzak
Bronze Baron of the Realm
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It's not a box or anything. Live in a rural area and the black berries are just the edge of the woods. I did move a muscadine vine to a trellis on one side of the house. I could walk 50 yards and have enough muscadines to can a couple dozen jars of jelly.
I used to cruise timber in college from sun up to sundown all summer. I ate muscadines all day long every day. Only person who walked all day for a living and gained weight from it lol.
I used to cruise timber in college from sun up to sundown all summer. I ate muscadines all day long every day. Only person who walked all day for a living and gained weight from it lol.
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Mr_Bungle
Interstellar Botanist
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I have been reading about African violets and stumbled across the AVSA (African Violet Society of America). Cultivars of African Violets are tracked by registration numbers ya know for science, after learning this fact I was determined to investigate the lineage of my African Violet. I have possibly narrowed it down to a cultivar called Rhapsodie Gisela AVSA # 6613.
However I discovered a problem, a few of my blooms display characteristics similar to a semi-double style bloom, (containing more that 5 petals), while the majority of the other blooms are clearly bi-colored and single ruffled.
Maybe I have a plant with unstable genetics, its not unheard of in African Violets especially the Chimera breeds.
For more information on the styes of blooms and leaf shapes if you are interested you should look here
http://www.avsa.org/sites/default/files/files/Flower - Leaf Types.pdf
Example of a semi double
Single Ruffled
However I discovered a problem, a few of my blooms display characteristics similar to a semi-double style bloom, (containing more that 5 petals), while the majority of the other blooms are clearly bi-colored and single ruffled.
Maybe I have a plant with unstable genetics, its not unheard of in African Violets especially the Chimera breeds.
For more information on the styes of blooms and leaf shapes if you are interested you should look here
http://www.avsa.org/sites/default/files/files/Flower - Leaf Types.pdf
Example of a semi double
Single Ruffled
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More of the tulipzillas. It's been rainy and cloudy for 6 days. Today the sun is finally out and these guys are as happy as can be.
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More of the Tulipzillas. It rained again today and they all closed up.
I just have to brag. These are, without a doubt the biggest tulips I've laid eyes on this season! It's so much fun to see them get this huge. They are almost the size of that azalea there which is at least 8 years old.
The hostas are in the background. They are getting big and the foliage should fan out and settle down in the next few weeks.
I just have to brag. These are, without a doubt the biggest tulips I've laid eyes on this season! It's so much fun to see them get this huge. They are almost the size of that azalea there which is at least 8 years old.
The hostas are in the background. They are getting big and the foliage should fan out and settle down in the next few weeks.
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Front yard planter's box. These are lillies that should have huge dark purple flowers.
There are tall deciduous grass spikes around the base of the pole that should come back this year but so far nothing is showing.
There are purple and yellow osteospermum along the flat edges of the box. They died back in winter. But since osteospermum has about a million different cultivars, you never know if the one you have is annual or perennial. I'm still waiting to see if they come back but my gut tells me they are probably finished.
Please ignore the frankenlawn. That's what happens when you're a complete idiot and overseed a zoysia lawn with fescue seed. I did that last spring and am paying for it now. The lawn looks ridiculous. I'm going to overseed with zoysia seed in a few weeks and at least begin to fight back against my mistake. I suspect it'll take a few years to correct it.
There are tall deciduous grass spikes around the base of the pole that should come back this year but so far nothing is showing.
There are purple and yellow osteospermum along the flat edges of the box. They died back in winter. But since osteospermum has about a million different cultivars, you never know if the one you have is annual or perennial. I'm still waiting to see if they come back but my gut tells me they are probably finished.
Please ignore the frankenlawn. That's what happens when you're a complete idiot and overseed a zoysia lawn with fescue seed. I did that last spring and am paying for it now. The lawn looks ridiculous. I'm going to overseed with zoysia seed in a few weeks and at least begin to fight back against my mistake. I suspect it'll take a few years to correct it.
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