Medenilla magnifica

 

A wonderful tropical plant for in and outdoors,  likes to be dry between waterings,  do not repot this plant too often.  Likes to be root bound.

the blooms lasts for months, and needs humidity.

Fatsia Japonica

A neat tropical plant, easy to grow, and can get quiet large in size. I consider this plant to be a quick grower as long as the lighting, watering and humidity is right. Pebble tray with water helps to give this plant humidity.

Transitioning indoor plants to the outdoors

It’s always a good idea to place all indoor plants to the outdoors during the summer months,  around mother’s day is safe for plants to be placed outdoors.   I usually keep all indoor plants in the shade,  never in direct sunlight and this goes for all cactus and succulents too.   Any plants that needs repotting should be done in the early spring time when plants are still indoors.  The benefits plants have being outside is vigorous and healthy growth.

Pruning House Plants

Most people don’t realize that house plants should be pruned a few times a year.  Pruning the tips promotes healthy growth, and to grow thicker at

the base of the plant,  and stops leggy growth.   To keep the plant in the same container year after year, prune their roots enough to have about an inch

of soil on the sides and bottom of the pot.   Remember if you root prune your plant you must prune the plant about a third off the top, this will keep the

plant from going into shock.   Always water plants after repotting.

 

 

Tomatoes

This year was not a good year for tomatoes here in zone 5b, not enough hot days and too much rain or cloudy days this summer.  The cherry tomatoes did well, but of course it’s because they are small and takes less time to ripen.

Cherry Tomatoes

I grew some Lemon Boy Tomatoes,  less acid in them then the reds.

Care Tips for Cactuses

Most of us including myself thinks cactuses don’t need much water and loves direct sun,  from my experiences and reading a lot about cactuses and succulents is a myth.    There are 2 different species of cactuses,  jungle and desert,  most of us unless you live in a state such as Arizona or similar we tend to have the jungle cactuses.  Jungle cactuses needs to be watered about twice a week during the hot season and thrives in morning sun and afternoon shade.  I have already lost some cactuses from direct afternoon sun.   If you want your cactuses and succulents to thrive, and not burn provide afternoon shade.

Since I have moved my cactus rack to face the east and have a sun block shade behind it to provide shade I have been noticing them grow and bloom.  This month of July is usually hot and very dry but for some reason this year we have been recieving a good amount of rain so I do cover the racks if it rains more than twice in one week.

Now the desert types of cactuses which are in the Madagascar family is most likely the ones that grows in Arizona, California, Nevada and similar states.

Water Drops

Love photographing water drops from the rain.

This is the Old Man’s Beard Cactus,  if you look carefully at the water drop there is a reflection of my elbow from taking this photo.

This has a reflection of the trees above.

The Hibiscus had some nice water drops too.

Even the cactus blooms had some drops on them.