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.

 

 

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.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Lewesia- Bitter Root

Astilbe

Japanese Bluebell Clematis- Roguchi

Blue Stars

Campanula

Black Iris

Clematis

Cosmos

Delphiniums

Dianthus

English Daisies

Lantana

Flax

Gazenias

Orange Gerberas

Gold Crest Honeysuckle

Daylily

Walker Mint

Miniature Rose

Rose

Rose

Salvia

Spiderwort

Talium Limon

Tickseed Coreopsis

Arrowhead Viburnum

Verbena-

Blanket Flower

Cobweb Hens and Chicks

Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!

Segment 17

Segment 17 of my plant tour:

#83] Pilea-Cadierei

#84]  Purple Waffle -Metalic Plant

#85]  Ponytail Palm

#86] Ponytail Palm,  Large- sorry about this non-focus shot I just did a quick photo on it.

#87]  Purple Swedish Ivy

#88]  Purple Perfection

#89]  Rex Begonia#1

#90] Rex Begonia #2

#91] Rex Begonia #3

#92] Rex Begonia #4

#93]  Rex Begonia #5

Segment 12

Segment 12 of my plant tour

#38]  Gardenia

#39] Geranium-Regal Martha Washington

#40]  Geranium

#41] Gerbera-Red

#42]  Gerbera-Pink

Miniature Korean Vases

I took a photo of the miniature vases from Korea and the Dragon which represents my Chinese zodiac.   I like collecting items from my heritage,  my father is Korean and Mother is English and Scottish.  I absolutely love Korean food,  most of the meats are marinated and grilled.  Korean food can be a bit spicy hot.   When you go to a Korean restaurant  they serve about 8 to 10 small side dishes of pickled vegetables.   Kim Chee is a famous side dish of Korean Food,  they take Bok Choy Cabbage,  pickle it in hot red peppers,  garlic, vinegar and let it ferment for about a few weeks.  It sounds terrible and it has a strong odor of hot peppers but it sure tastes great.

Cape Hyacinths

Today I came across a Veltheimia Bracteata;  a Cape Hyacinth or also known as a Forest Lily.  Very unique plant I though,  so it came home with me today.

It blooms like the Clivias anywhere from Febuary to early spring,   makes a great house plant.   Bright light and keep soil evenly moist when in bloom or at the time for blooming.   Feed monthly,  fall through spring letting it rest in the summer.  Do not fertilize newly potted plants for at least four (4) months. Repot this plant in the fall and ensure the plant has good drainage. Remove dead flower stalks. Plant the ‘bulb’ just below the surface (about half of bulb showing).  If  placed outside keep it in the shade and cut back on watering during the summer.