tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66267003342574111192023-11-16T09:21:24.201-05:00Houseplant SOSHelp for the people who love plants, but have trouble keeping them alive and healthy.Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-49899468078405271402022-01-23T10:21:00.000-05:002022-01-23T10:21:01.306-05:00I got an IDOO for Christmas<p> I got an IDOO for Christmas and I am excited to learn Hydroponics. I was looking for a place to keep my findings and remembered this blog I started a long time ago. So I decide that this could be a safe place for me to keep my progress as I learn. Thoughts may be random but if you read them you may learn from my experiences.</p><p>Perfect.</p><p>I opened the package and followed the instructions for set up. First thing I noted that the instructions said to add the nutrients to the water when planting the seeds. The nutrients need to be added ever 2 weeks. </p><p>I do know that a seed has all it needs to grow and should not be fed until you see a 'true leaf'. But I did follow the instructions. The nutrients were marked in a chemical breakdown and liquid form. I was not sure of the formula and have switched to a high phosphate Miracle Grow formula. </p><p>One of the items I planted was Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce. It sprouted week and grew quickly. But the results was a weak leaf that wilted shortly after harvesting. Tried to cut an put in water but still wilted. Will try another lettuce later. Removed and replaced with spinach.</p><p>My kit did not come with extra plugs so the spinach is placed in rock wool which I read was good for hydroponic gardening. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-52874357205239413302013-11-25T21:49:00.000-05:002013-11-25T23:29:54.086-05:00A Fresh Cut Christmas Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU8upVCcffsEq6WWQDfQfG12fiDceglARFVTqCdW_d-yWsEyhLmccZ0tIU4OgtvLe3bnUXborxRA1QuGHZPamsUJQEV3ywUh0o78tlpSBqQjnOlF_KsKP856anXpD_XKfOzeossYBAvSG/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1808+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU8upVCcffsEq6WWQDfQfG12fiDceglARFVTqCdW_d-yWsEyhLmccZ0tIU4OgtvLe3bnUXborxRA1QuGHZPamsUJQEV3ywUh0o78tlpSBqQjnOlF_KsKP856anXpD_XKfOzeossYBAvSG/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1808+(2).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the week of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Fresh Cut Christmas Trees. So as many of us go to buy our trees, I thought it would be a good idea to go over picking a good tree and how to keep it that way.</div>
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Plan Ahead</h4>
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You should plan ahead. Plan where your tree will be placed and move the furniture to be sure you can live with the arrangement Know how big your tree should be. You would be surprise how many people buy a tree way too big for their house. I remember sitting at my brother's house and looking around a giant tree to watch "It's A Wonderful Life".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-07yb77ERxQQdki071OI28kSV_k23zc-TlGEmrUMZM_uqpeyviLhk95Ed5VJyHYIxnQ6Y4TOWIsuwB4y2cSz1c4BnvNdUjmvzWUs9BxaykDWhJRP-A8c-8wOTXqmMqdNbN7peRrQWuQxe/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1759+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-07yb77ERxQQdki071OI28kSV_k23zc-TlGEmrUMZM_uqpeyviLhk95Ed5VJyHYIxnQ6Y4TOWIsuwB4y2cSz1c4BnvNdUjmvzWUs9BxaykDWhJRP-A8c-8wOTXqmMqdNbN7peRrQWuQxe/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1759+(2).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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Check For Freshness</h4>
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Once you pick your tree, you will want to check the needles. Firs are the trees of choice because they are known to keep their needles well. The most common are Douglas, Fraser and Balsam. Of those, I like the Balsam best. You could also mix it up with a long needle Pine. What ever you chose, test the needles before you buy. Grab a branch and brush the needles backwards. If they don't pull free easily then you know the tree is still fresh. Many Christmas Tree lots will give the bottom of the tree a fresh cut but if you have the ability to do it when you get home it would be much better and the tree will stay fresh longer. The reason is that the stem of the tree will start sealing over almost as soon as it is cut. If you cannot cut it fresh, place your tree in very warm water when you get home. The sap will soften allowing the tree to drink. One hour later add enough ice to cool off the water. Cool water will make the tree think it is still winter and slow down its drinking. The cooler the tree the longer it will last. Remember to keep it watered. Do not leave the lights on when you go out and enjoy it when you are home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9M2C2jh-l0nQ1hthBFY2dgo5xpvLUq2FYzhwfu7cAqX2WvvAuMztF0-_qUBeBVNfFWwSxfsYNVey2IIpA2vdA9E5pfNUiyH1HFUwx6ruP8b2fk_2g484Wy4ELSwm2lGIgg7_iQ7qj2m8/s1600/IMG_20131119_161752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9M2C2jh-l0nQ1hthBFY2dgo5xpvLUq2FYzhwfu7cAqX2WvvAuMztF0-_qUBeBVNfFWwSxfsYNVey2IIpA2vdA9E5pfNUiyH1HFUwx6ruP8b2fk_2g484Wy4ELSwm2lGIgg7_iQ7qj2m8/s1600/IMG_20131119_161752.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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Wreaths</h4>
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Fresh wreaths will dry out and drop their needles quickly because there is no actual way to water them. To make them last longer, keeping them cool is the answer. Don't place your wreath between your front door and your storm door. The sun will heat that area very quickly. Instead, put it on the outside of the storm door. There are magnetic hooks that you can put back to back on both sides of the glass to hang your wreath on. Inside, keep it away from the heat vents and where the sun will shine on it during the heat of the day. You can try misting it regularly which will help to keep them cool. If your wreath does dry out and there is still some holiday left, spray it with hair spray to keep it from dropping. WARNING: this will make it more flammable than just letting it dry. </div>
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Recap</h4>
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Remember to review the posts from last year about <a href="http://houseplantsos.blogspot.com/2012_11_01_archive.html" target="_blank">caring for Poinsettias</a>. I noticed a beautiful way to display your Amaryllis this this year. You will need a tall glass container and pebbles to plant the bulb in. Add pebbles to the glass container and then the bulb with more pebbles half way up the bulb. Add water. As the leaves sprout the tall sides of the container will keep them from falling over and the stem of the flowers will also have the extra support, keeping them fresher. To top it off, it is a beautiful presentation.</div>
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That should cover it. If you have any questions, please comment below or send me an email to houseplantsos@gmail.com. Meanwhile, may you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving.</div>
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Sincerely,<br />
k.k.jones<br />
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-6881393905031642462013-11-11T14:35:00.000-05:002013-11-11T14:35:57.960-05:00Live Christmas Trees <div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbCrvcBdNki85Fy8_9-SwAMrAUoYWg1qWfk0khadph_qn8v8ncp70DMA3cfLt6CE3T3SwuoQRZj7A0GIhkWeFZisQo2EcK2QcECzamJIdBCRCEwioRX3dXv9Y-RgNK5bn41Z0AiP7_N7d/s1600/kathee+tropyh+club+and+christmas+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbCrvcBdNki85Fy8_9-SwAMrAUoYWg1qWfk0khadph_qn8v8ncp70DMA3cfLt6CE3T3SwuoQRZj7A0GIhkWeFZisQo2EcK2QcECzamJIdBCRCEwioRX3dXv9Y-RgNK5bn41Z0AiP7_N7d/s1600/kathee+tropyh+club+and+christmas+132.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Today we are going to talk about the Ball and Burlap (B&B) Christmas Tree which is a tree that still has its roots attached and wrapped in burlap. This type of Christmas Tree has lost a lot of favor over the years as so many people have paid a lot of money only to have the tree die. The main reason it dies is because most people forget that this is a large living plant and has special needs to keep it alive.</div>
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Will It Grow Here </h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">If you are considering a B&B Christmas Tree, it is because you want to plant in in your landscape. Most trees that are used for Christmas trees are northern trees. Look around your neighborhood and more important the empty lots and see what is growing there. If you don't see trees that look like Christmas trees then you should probably not try a B&B</span>.</h4>
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What Happens After Christmas and How to Prepare</h4>
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The next thing you need to think about when buying a Ball and Burlap Tree is where you are going to plant it when the holidays are over. This is a decision that has to be made now because a hole has to be dug before the ground freezes. Be sure to mark the hole so that no one steps into it. If it is up near the house this may be a good place to put your large blowup lawn ornament. A tarp over the hole will help to keep the snow out and make it easier to clear it when it is time to plant. There are many sites to go to for instructions on how to plant but the one I found with the most complete information is from the <a href="http://www.delawarechristmastreegrowersassn.com/tree_care.php" target="_blank">Delaware Christmas Tree Growers Association</a>.</div>
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Even if you decide that you don't want to plant it until spring you will need to "heal" it in. This is placing a root ball in a shallow hole (burlap and all) and covering with a layer of soil and/or a lot of straw. The nice thing about this choice is that you don't have to decide now and any shallow hole will do. How about in the back yard near the house? Then you will not have to schlep a large tree through the snow and nearer the house should help to protect it. </div>
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Now, let's talk about what you are going to put the tree in. You will need a big, I mean BIG tub. I found a 16 3/4 gal galvanized tub at the Home Depot which is a pretty good size. It is also silvery and you may consider keeping it that color. If you want to paint and decorate, put that on the list of things to do now. A muck bucket is a little smaller and can come is several colors. These are a little harder to find but they are plastic and will be easier to keep nice. </div>
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Okay, we have a hole and we have a container for in the house. Finally, it's time to talk tree. The most common Christmas Trees are the Balsam and Fraser Fir and the White Pine but if you are looking to add to your landscape, your choices are many. Talk to your local nursery for ideas.</div>
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Care of Your Tree</h4>
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When you bring your Beautiful Christmas Tree home place it in the container you chose and put it in a sheltered location that is not heated. You will still want it to get a little light so a covered patio would be a great location. It will need to stay there for at lease a couple days before you bring it into the house to acclimate itself to warmer temperatures and less light. Be sure that the root ball does not dry out. Next, bring the tree into the house and be sure that it is not too close to a heat source. There are two reasons for this. One is that the heat will make the tree dry out and more important you do not want the tree to completely break its dormant cycle. If the tree is too warm for too long it will think that it is spring and there is a greater possibility for it to freeze when it goes back outside. Plan on keeping your tree in the house and decorated for a maximum of 5 days. While it is in the house you will not have to fertilize but be sure to mist the root ball to keep it moist. If your decorations will allow, go ahead and mist the tree also. It will help to keep the tree cool. </div>
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When you are finished enjoying the Christmas Tree put it back to the cool outdoor area for a few more days before you plant it in the landscape. Follow the directions you your nurseryman gave you to plant the tree and if the ground is not frozen yet be sure to water well.</div>
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Well, that's it. The secret of having a live Christmas Tree is to remember that it is not an indoor plant. Enjoy it and then put it back to where it belongs. As we get closer to Christmas we will talk about keeping a cut tree alive. If you have any questions, please be sure to email me at houseplantsos@gmail.com. I would appreciate any comments. Just add them below.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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k.k.jones</div>
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Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-36163008211097950332013-11-05T16:53:00.000-05:002013-11-05T16:53:30.542-05:00November 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8L2-evgo78elLPL9ksK6txqwahqzmVq7AJBtqTDvzY3Vbu7QqPd6NgpYHLEXS-cK0IxtgEp7NNq51hkzGCoi656ZaEkhbOfLadhRwMPuq3dEG7nGtj8MLPNlM9RByc5o07FUu6GzX7LZb/s1600/Come+Winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8L2-evgo78elLPL9ksK6txqwahqzmVq7AJBtqTDvzY3Vbu7QqPd6NgpYHLEXS-cK0IxtgEp7NNq51hkzGCoi656ZaEkhbOfLadhRwMPuq3dEG7nGtj8MLPNlM9RByc5o07FUu6GzX7LZb/s1600/Come+Winter.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Winter is around the corner and it is time to revisit some of the information I gave you last year. If you have been reading my blog, you know that I posted a number of articles last fall on getting ready for the winter. So rather than repeating myself, I thought I should give you a summary and tell you where to get more information.</div>
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You should have already brought your houseplants into a protected area with the intent of taking them inside. There are two postings from last September that are good references for bringing your plants back in as well as saving some of your favorite garden plants through cuttings. </div>
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Green For Christmas</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDPTuM9dwETz9OUr7tmA45OTdH9bDnNjxQ-9e420269dIPj7L2VtZDxhnbO7VYdnbqAiq7LGWqtD1Gh1fZMlQkhtYwVFkDWugUpg6v59ZfCLopmAmC-F7HqqEeiSwTYiEGD7LiRyTujZ5/s1600/Wax+Begonia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDPTuM9dwETz9OUr7tmA45OTdH9bDnNjxQ-9e420269dIPj7L2VtZDxhnbO7VYdnbqAiq7LGWqtD1Gh1fZMlQkhtYwVFkDWugUpg6v59ZfCLopmAmC-F7HqqEeiSwTYiEGD7LiRyTujZ5/s1600/Wax+Begonia.jpg" height="175" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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New plants from cuttings are inexpensive Christmas gifts and now is the time to get them started. Even friends with 'not to green thumbs' love to get plants as gifts, especially if it is from someone whose gardening skills they admire. The post entitled <u><a href="http://houseplantsos.blogspot.com/2012/09/saving-your-favorites.html" target="_blank">Saving Your Favorites</a></u> tell you how to make a Propagation Container to created new plants from cuttings. Choose something that they have admired in your home and trim just below a leaf nod. You will need at least one remaining leaf and one nod with leaf removed for a good cutting. The not with the leaf removed will be buried in your potting medium. Here is a link to a diagram showing the <a href="http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/botany/images/p3large.gif" target="_blank">Parts of a Plant</a>. You can see that the nod is where the leaf has emerged from the stem. The bud right above the leaf is where the root will emerge. The amount of time to get a good root is between 4 to 6 weeks so don't wait. Of course you could use the new plants as boxing day gifts or if you want a little more show, start now for spring.</div>
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Red for Christmas</div>
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The poinsettias you saved from last year should be placed in a spot that will give them a full 10 hours of darkness. They can take up to 7 weeks to develop buds. My favorite trick is to place the plant in the closet when you get home from work around 6 or 7 P.M. and take it out on you way to work around 6 or 7 A.M. Check out my January posting <a href="http://houseplantsos.blogspot.com/2013/01/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-your.html" target="_blank">So what are you going to do with your poinsettia now?</a> for more detail.</div>
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The Legend of Poinsettias</h4>
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A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve services. As Pepita walked sorrowfully to church, her cousin Pedro tried to console her. "Pepita," he said, "I am certain that even the most humble gift, given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." Pepita gathered a bouquet of common weeds from the roadside, for this was the only gift she could give. As she entered the chapel and approached the alter, her spirits lifted. Forgetting the humbleness of her gift, the girl laid the weeds at the feet of the Christ Child. Suddenly, Pepita's ordinary weeds burst into brilliant red blooms! This miraculous event was named the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night. Today, we call these flowers poinsettias.</div>
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Today, Poinsettias come in a variety of colors and patterns and new ones are introduced every year. Some of my favorites are Jingle Bells, Merry Christmas 2, Lemon Drop and Pink Elf. Keep an eye out for them to shake up the usual at Christmas.</div>
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More Color, Give Me More Color</h4>
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You should be feeding your Holiday Cactus as they are getting ready to put on their show. Plant your Amaryllis Bulbs and your Paperwhites. If you haven't kept any bulbs from previous years, give yourself an early Christmas present. These also make great hostess gifts for Thanksgiving. December 2012 postings will give you more information along with some great links on how to start and care for these plants. </div>
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That's all for today. Please comment on this post and tell me what you think. If I can help with any plant questions post them below or email me at houseplantsos@gmail.com . </div>
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k.k.jones</div>
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-11024067867668563512013-10-12T23:18:00.001-04:002013-10-13T10:19:17.685-04:00Cats and Houseplants<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeavcAKqjath84sNpUqKyijWl5B6HJvSk6g6ZNbDMekgsRjUfxbHtWWpdIcdJcyCX_md7ucWY5eMlsvf31I-3x55abfFcQK6aGIbUvsc_6JUlw1shJosaKhGfmQ2ITYisYBRb4xkmJ6aR/s1600/2011-12-25+08-32-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeavcAKqjath84sNpUqKyijWl5B6HJvSk6g6ZNbDMekgsRjUfxbHtWWpdIcdJcyCX_md7ucWY5eMlsvf31I-3x55abfFcQK6aGIbUvsc_6JUlw1shJosaKhGfmQ2ITYisYBRb4xkmJ6aR/s1600/2011-12-25+08-32-23.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a>I came across a Pinterest called <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=cats%20in%20the%20garden&rs=ac&len=11" target="_blank">"cats in the garden"</a> that I really love to follow. It is all pictures of different cats as they coexist in people's garden and I thought that cats are a good subject for this special post. Many people will tell you that cats and houseplants just don't mix. I can't disagree more. You just have to know how to protect your house and plants just like you would if you had children.</div>
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First there is the digging </h4>
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It is a natural instinct for a cat to think that the any loose dirt is a potty box. So how do you get them to stop? First be sure that the litter box is always a clean choice. Next make your plants a less inviting choice. The best way is to cover the soil. An aluminum foil cover for the soil is the cheapest and fastest. All you have to do is cut a circle the same size as the top of you pot, cut a hole in the center to allow the plant to emerge from the center and place in pot. It might not be the most organic look but it gets the job done. You can also plant a ground cover like you would in the garden. Baby's Tears (Soleirolia solerolii) is a nice choice, as well as thyme or moss. Another option is mulch. Cats do not like the smell of cedar or eucalyptus so these will keep them out of the plants. This only works if you can tolerate the smell and you remember to refresh the mulch when it loses it scent. The one that works best for me is a pebble mulch. you can get small gravel for little plants and larger stones for floor plants. AND the stones help to solve the next problem we want to talk about.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04pegHnxHnMZaP8KvMLMFDhyphenhyphenrNl_P-0oz6ASWRcfxP0L6XPQHps-y2gzkyAsnKA5o5PjRGihcgIw3d8xGim_8f5RE88U2R7vMY5khsgCLh7d1S8PBwzGW2fPP9RgKn9Uz8YL3xMF6pJeg/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04pegHnxHnMZaP8KvMLMFDhyphenhyphenrNl_P-0oz6ASWRcfxP0L6XPQHps-y2gzkyAsnKA5o5PjRGihcgIw3d8xGim_8f5RE88U2R7vMY5khsgCLh7d1S8PBwzGW2fPP9RgKn9Uz8YL3xMF6pJeg/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_0825.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cats like to climb</h4>
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They also like to see out the same windows you want to use for your plants. Since two objects cannot occupy the same space, one will have to move. No cat owner can honestly say that they have never come home to a plant on it's side, dirt everywhere and a cat stretched out where the plant use to be. The answer to this problem is to either make sure there is room for the cat and/or make the plant too heavy for the cat to move. Get were the stones come in? But that is not enough. Make sure you have some weight in the plant's pot so that it does not become top heavy. If you are using plastic pots, then you might want to put some heavy rocks in the bottom of them. The best solution is a plastic grow pot inside a beautiful ceramic decorative pot that can add weight and encourage good watering practice.</div>
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Teeth marks?</h4>
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The last thing to think about is that cats, especially indoor cats, like to chew on green plants. Besides having raggedy leaves on your beautiful plants, there is always a concern that your cat may chew on something that will make it deathly sick. I mentioned some of these plants in the post entitled "Is It Poisonous" and you might want to reread it. The good news is that cats are trainable and as long as you give yours a plant it can chew on, it will stay away from the others. Start the training as soon as you introduce your cat to your house. Give your new cat a plant. The one I have used for years is that green filler you buy in the spring for your container planting. Its common name is an Asparagus Fern and will live for many years before the stems becomes hard and not tempting to chew. It has nice long soft stems and you can encourage the cat to grab it by playfully dangling the leaves over its head. Now you have established that it is okay to chew on this plant. When you see your cat display an interest in another plant, take it to the designated plant and show again that this plant is the one to chew. You will be surprised how quickly your cat will learn. Because of the inquisitive nature of cats, you may find that you will have to repeat this lesson with each new plant brought into your cat's world but the older your cat gets the less problem you will have.</div>
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I hope that this post will help you deal better with you mischievous roommate. If you have any other questions or problems please forward them to me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com" target="_blank">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a> or just add in them to the comment section below.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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k.k.jones</div>
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Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-3628505605306091572013-09-29T23:07:00.001-04:002013-09-29T23:11:11.308-04:00Location, Location, Location<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Location is Everything</h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Every good real estate agent will tell you how important location is and every good gardener will tell you the same. The location of your plant is as important as the location of your house and micro climates are found everywhere. </span><br />
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Micro Climates</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aYBLe2fuBco7ETZnyYotTHMfZaR0Zr_j2xl42VUYPQEcb_FV-WZ6NDUcbJSi5dKpNpck20yHp2IfmxYQr7HLDEHCUaaj8U1qi-kdZ2Kh4cxtZoELM0urGYpD7OWR0nJClUQ66MJS745D/s1600/Cordiline+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aYBLe2fuBco7ETZnyYotTHMfZaR0Zr_j2xl42VUYPQEcb_FV-WZ6NDUcbJSi5dKpNpck20yHp2IfmxYQr7HLDEHCUaaj8U1qi-kdZ2Kh4cxtZoELM0urGYpD7OWR0nJClUQ66MJS745D/s1600/Cordiline+2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8Az6_tTMcrM8Re-y9q7Oe183cTl0TToglqUIqaZ4qKSgpND-yNC7HnnbLR8QSjgOL2vCu5enPxx64ESgWry263GDAUhF7f51mBClX84oLdyT7KYB_7IWprCzQ9WR1f2JJt-8bTiqMRVx/s1600/cordiline+healthy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8Az6_tTMcrM8Re-y9q7Oe183cTl0TToglqUIqaZ4qKSgpND-yNC7HnnbLR8QSjgOL2vCu5enPxx64ESgWry263GDAUhF7f51mBClX84oLdyT7KYB_7IWprCzQ9WR1f2JJt-8bTiqMRVx/s1600/cordiline+healthy.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">For today's lesson, I present to you two plants that are in my garden. They are a common house plant in many parts of the country so they are a good choice to study. The one in the picture on the right is healthy and happy. You can see another in the background of that picture and its close up is on the left. They are both the same kind of plant. They were both cut down in the spring to bare stalks so that that both would grow at the same rate. How come the second plant is not doing well? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk9BlatiplKaUPwxoyQIlqZoZp52f50S5bwpnkGVCpDKJqQf746KDxmFMuUfmTg8-mdmZ-ujeilpvpNuvtn9lGR9jCM2pwyVx2mbp7XIfBtU09EtUZBoUFMZ2EbhfE5-adb2KluJEq1Jv/s1600/One+is+not+like+the+other.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk9BlatiplKaUPwxoyQIlqZoZp52f50S5bwpnkGVCpDKJqQf746KDxmFMuUfmTg8-mdmZ-ujeilpvpNuvtn9lGR9jCM2pwyVx2mbp7XIfBtU09EtUZBoUFMZ2EbhfE5-adb2KluJEq1Jv/s1600/One+is+not+like+the+other.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
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They are less than three feet apart and one is just a little farther north. You can almost say they are planted in the same location. They got the same amount of water and food, so what was different? It took me a couple days to observe that though they were so close one got more sun. The other was shaded only 20 minutes more by the large tree next door and that made all the difference.</div>
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So, What Does That Mean to You, an Indoor Gardener? </h3>
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Just think, if just 3 feet outdoors can create a completely different micro climate then how little space is need to change it indoors. The 36 inch window will have a shadier side; the tub of artificial light is brighter in the center than the ends. Then there will be the outside factors. The tree outside the window, the direction of the sun, the neighbor's fence, a lot can effect you best laid plans. </div>
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So take a second look at the location you have chosen. There can be many reasons for a plant not to do well. Start with the things you can control. Is it getting enough water? Is there any sign of infestation by bugs? Has it outgrown its location? Then take a good look at the actual location. What quality of light is being offered? How is the heat? Is it too close or too far from the source? Could a breeze be causing damage? Could it be the lack of breeze? </div>
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It doesn't take a college degree to grow houseplants. It only takes a little observation. So keep your eyes open and keep trying. Write me if you have any problems.</div>
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Reach me through this website or email me at houseplantsos@gmail.com</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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k.k.jones</div>
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-66660951207327014412013-08-21T16:44:00.000-04:002013-08-21T16:49:08.025-04:00A Rabbit's Foot for Luck<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85EkGDK3y27GPAvKGB8IMio9ApiL0dVEb7YaQtVau_L8Ot0fG2vgAsi-XNUPzQHoX88M0RJnUfqJBxgOkpnGSYqdVuTemXSYvrdXHkasTJOOoMAdLaUQHuvqOl7T3IpvxPL_Rrgap9N2s/s1600/104_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85EkGDK3y27GPAvKGB8IMio9ApiL0dVEb7YaQtVau_L8Ot0fG2vgAsi-XNUPzQHoX88M0RJnUfqJBxgOkpnGSYqdVuTemXSYvrdXHkasTJOOoMAdLaUQHuvqOl7T3IpvxPL_Rrgap9N2s/s1600/104_2339.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
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Well it has been a while since I wrote and I apologize. Summer is here and I have been out in the garden. By now most of you have joined me and unless you are one of the many who only garden indoors, you probably did not even miss me.</div>
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I have a lot of things I have been gathering and lots pictures to help show you what I want you to know. I am starting today with a favorite of mine. That is the Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq52Np6reMn-CtRkRFctbZAibtpuf8bVJsupnM0ytB5SpRDCJzwX8k6U3o1RGnlYhu8oM4O74UZFVWMpFHf84ecQnz1DMcAb4asHWxxU0NY3VQMXbotR2CuGV6UON1FBoYSUudAj1uUMC/s1600/100_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq52Np6reMn-CtRkRFctbZAibtpuf8bVJsupnM0ytB5SpRDCJzwX8k6U3o1RGnlYhu8oM4O74UZFVWMpFHf84ecQnz1DMcAb4asHWxxU0NY3VQMXbotR2CuGV6UON1FBoYSUudAj1uUMC/s1600/100_2329.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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The Davallia fern is definitely not collected for its foliage but its growing habits makes it a "must have" for any person who wants something unusual. The thing that makes it unique is that it would prefer not to have a pot and will continue to grow wrapping around itself or any other structure that will give it support. The one above is in a wire basket with a little moss and bark chips to help keep it from drying out. Notice how each rhizome looks like a little furry foot. This is where this family gets it's name as footed ferns. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDHQeDvFkGISNufU1Fj2RMD-nZH2I9ZUQU45bmsp1U3uEvEw8VGCw0z10enKLwUjsTbOCNM7xuvGpxue9_wRqHHOEUv18i1PdmQA7Lnfa3zcfwP-b9xz4kx_iEq8YgQH3kXZ9U72C514x/s1600/100_2330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDHQeDvFkGISNufU1Fj2RMD-nZH2I9ZUQU45bmsp1U3uEvEw8VGCw0z10enKLwUjsTbOCNM7xuvGpxue9_wRqHHOEUv18i1PdmQA7Lnfa3zcfwP-b9xz4kx_iEq8YgQH3kXZ9U72C514x/s1600/100_2330.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
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The "fur" is small root hairs that help to hold water and allows this fern to tolerate lower humidity that most other ferns. The one pictured is a Davallia fejeenisis (Rabbit's Foot Fern) which is the one that is the most common in the US and can be bought in a small size at most garden centers. Other rather easy Davallia's are the canariensis, the pyxidata and the solida. Some of their common names are Hare's Foot, and Squirrel's Foot Fern. There are more Davallias that are more difficult and some that are even deciduous. This means that they will lose their leaves in the winter and look like a large ball of roots. I would try to stay away from them if you are a beginner.<br />
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Water regularly in the summer when it is growing and then slow down in the winter when it goes into a dormant phase. If your fern is in a basket with little or no medium, regularly may mean that you will need to mist a couple of times a week. </div>
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When it is time to repot there are a few noteworthy rules to follow. First and for-most: do not bury any root that has already exposed itself to the air. This is now an air root and will rot if buried. Second: the potting medium should be course like you would use for an epiphyte orchid. This allows the furry rhizomes to develop better. Fertilizer is light and you can use a slow release or a half strength solution of a liquid formula. </div>
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Pests to watch for are aphids, mealy bugs, scale and thrip. A good hosing or indoors a trip to the showers should take care of most infestations.</div>
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If you would like to know more about this fascinating plant check out the <a href="http://users.chariot.net.au/~saufern/davallia.html" target="_blank">Fern Society of South Australia, Davallia Study Group</a> . Though I have owned Davallias over the years there is always something new to learn. I thought it amazing that we usually buy our new plant in a plastic pot and this species does not like them. Keep to the more porous pots. If you cannot do a hanging basket because of the mess that is sometimes associated with it then use a clay pot. </div>
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Well, that is all for today. I hope this was worth the wait. I promise that I will go back to writing more often.</div>
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Please direct any questions or comments to me in the comment area of this post or email me at houseplantsos@gmail.com.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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k.k.jones </div>
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Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-84846165038281423962013-07-03T06:43:00.001-04:002013-07-03T06:43:44.039-04:00Jasmine for Jennifer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewc7Vsslm1GjrpVsQow-9tgo3h8GnBoUs4u6XfW8TaT14rmkzbIYoZ2S6SUyjFx6qBlvSUvtsp_iXswkVvSLkPp0wR31vQqITsT_lrq536AxMJlSnLuUZ7mJVg92OEXx4LcuMykwL6uWQ/s250/iasomie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewc7Vsslm1GjrpVsQow-9tgo3h8GnBoUs4u6XfW8TaT14rmkzbIYoZ2S6SUyjFx6qBlvSUvtsp_iXswkVvSLkPp0wR31vQqITsT_lrq536AxMJlSnLuUZ7mJVg92OEXx4LcuMykwL6uWQ/s250/iasomie1.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
One of my readers wrote that she had purchased a jasmine plant but could not get it to bloom. So, here is probably the reason why.<br />
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How to Get a Jasmine to Bloom</h3>
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Jasmine, though thought of as a tropical, like cooler temperatures. To get it to bloom it will need night temperatures of around 40 degrees and day temperatures of 65. This makes it a Spring bloomer naturally which also explains why my Jasmine is not in bloom and I had to borrow pictures from other sources. I guess that means that your best bet to get your Jasmine to bloom now is to place it near the air conditioner. </div>
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Jasmine also like sunny windows and are prime candidates for taking outside for the summer. The best time to prune is right after it has bloomed, as new flowers are formed on new growth. Fall pruning may also cause you to miss blooms when it will re-bloom with the cooler temperatures. </div>
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The Basic Care</h3>
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I have already mentioned that the Jasmine likes a sunny location. It will also do well under artificial light if you balance it with complete darkness. Like most Spring and Fall flowering plants the amount of darkness they get helps to set the buds.</div>
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Watering is very important to this plant. It should never be allowed to dry out. Though you should be careful not to over water, this plant will do okay with a saucer to sit in. </div>
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Fertilize lightly. You should fertilize every other week with a half solution of low nitrogen fertilizer. The nitrogen is noted by the first number in the fertilizer formula so a 10-20-10 solution would be best. A 10-10-10 solution will do if you cannot find one, as this is a general formula for all plants. </div>
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Hope this helps. I will write again on the Jasmine and tell you more about it as there are 200 species. In fact when searching for a picture to put in this posting, I came across the picture of my "minature Gardenia" that I talked about in the posting <a href="http://houseplantsos.blogspot.com/2013/06/catching-up-on-odds-ends.html" target="_blank">"Catching Up On Odds and Ends"</a>. Looks like I will have to do a little more digging on that one. If anyone knows which this is please write and I will share with others.<br />
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If you have any questions or pictures you would like to add to this blog please add to the comments or email me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a>.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
k.k.jones</div>
Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-1838284804887896952013-06-23T14:35:00.001-04:002013-06-23T14:35:28.173-04:00Isn't She A Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Euxcc10ws7jm9jlk1q9fCOql730XKHG6l0_pYIEdgEBoMeWMNO5yGX1DyGYR4xy-2V4BHFRKA0bkbsXaU3ZnIa9WKwfuukHDIYmeZ92y-WS2fxR1NWcfzMMh7w9BUQ01AyuDFEkkEuTY/s1600/mandavillia-Jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Euxcc10ws7jm9jlk1q9fCOql730XKHG6l0_pYIEdgEBoMeWMNO5yGX1DyGYR4xy-2V4BHFRKA0bkbsXaU3ZnIa9WKwfuukHDIYmeZ92y-WS2fxR1NWcfzMMh7w9BUQ01AyuDFEkkEuTY/s1600/mandavillia-Jen.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thank you Jennifer for sending me this beautiful picture of a Mandevilla. This is a beautiful example of a small plant that can become very large as it vines its way up. Jennifer, can you tell us how lod your plant is and do you keep it prunned to be sure that it does not get to big?</div>
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For those of you who have never seen a Mandevilla, this is a pink one and the easiest to find. It also comes in white, red and yellow. I will dedicate a posting on this plant soon.</div>
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Jennifer also sent me a second plant that was not in bloom but it is one of my favorites too. It is a jasmine plant. Unfortunately, my download failed. Maybe we can get Jennifer to resend this picture and hopefully it will be in bloom. </div>
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Thanks again.</div>
Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-86596778852091206442013-06-23T14:11:00.000-04:002013-06-23T14:11:12.827-04:00Coleus A Jewely In The Garden Or On The Window Ledge<div style="text-align: justify;">
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The Coleus is a common name for the genus Solenostemon. Don't bother using its genus name because not many people will know what you are talking about. I actually had to look it up. It has a blossom that grows ain a spike form and is very small. I personally think that it takes so much energy for a plant to create a bloom that unless it is outstanding it should be cut off. This will also allow the plant to branch and encourages more growth.<br />
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Many of the Coleus we see today are hibrids with a large varity of pattern in colors of red, green and gold. Take a look at the two Coleus below. The one on the left is a fairly old leaf pattern and the one next to it is a newer one that appears to have been created from it.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3k3v99NK7CbE7qaSSpnpk4i8MXtuWpCjw9Ql22GRbBVm003Qne1OmPrzb-IiVG5u7cEPBrCaxs3PI_eNZUp9kBfzT_coNkPwj5Zb_9teLWXGVNm_L58D8fO0_IP97HLhkU-dL3pjspvgc/s1600/100_2243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3k3v99NK7CbE7qaSSpnpk4i8MXtuWpCjw9Ql22GRbBVm003Qne1OmPrzb-IiVG5u7cEPBrCaxs3PI_eNZUp9kBfzT_coNkPwj5Zb_9teLWXGVNm_L58D8fO0_IP97HLhkU-dL3pjspvgc/s1600/100_2243.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPeA2x-V8CFA3sDtM4EJuBtwFU1dr7TFsofIrGkp076GLeorR5CF9plhtz5m-qrbr42RS7w1oWY16sNUIOAecHVq2nm2hjReAV5uCbmm9n5D-_BgFyMyOfIg1o05O_yA5VbNhKsUr2Y7B/s1600/100_2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPeA2x-V8CFA3sDtM4EJuBtwFU1dr7TFsofIrGkp076GLeorR5CF9plhtz5m-qrbr42RS7w1oWY16sNUIOAecHVq2nm2hjReAV5uCbmm9n5D-_BgFyMyOfIg1o05O_yA5VbNhKsUr2Y7B/s1600/100_2240.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rosydawngardens.com/under-the-sea-electric-coral-446.html" target="_blank">Rosy Dawn Gardens</a> calls this coleus<br />
"Under The Sea Electric Coral"</td></tr>
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Care of Coleus</h3>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiHxCoUehzTHS9ub5jlJfhxeOrrRw266fKywrStJYc-p8H-_pqfntdAoT1XITa0uaAfjjWO0bIpYU9_oXh0bICxDQs6vxLukyk9WD70_EwnKnKQJhq0lhTI0Q0m70WcmCbnNRlS-AanqI/s1600/100_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiHxCoUehzTHS9ub5jlJfhxeOrrRw266fKywrStJYc-p8H-_pqfntdAoT1XITa0uaAfjjWO0bIpYU9_oXh0bICxDQs6vxLukyk9WD70_EwnKnKQJhq0lhTI0Q0m70WcmCbnNRlS-AanqI/s1600/100_2244.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New this year, this style of leaf <br />
is a Hort'couture</td></tr>
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<b>Temperature:</b> All Coleus are tender. This means that though you will see them in many gardens they will not survive a freezing temperature. Because of this they make great houseplants. They like temperatures above 60 degrees and will tolerate a low light situation. </div>
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<b>Light:</b> In their natural habitat, Colus will be found in deep to dappled shade. This makes them great for a window that gets little actual sun. A little extra light will keep the foliage color more intense. </div>
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<b>Water:</b> This plant likes to keep its roots moist but be sure you allow it to drain so that it does not drown. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_I31pnUkR7XySGvdRI1aZUczUB1gyIIi10Xeqw614av9lT_gYM-ifbRNhphd0SNOQyH7nOylf2S414O9-JbdilqQ4EM8_A12XNYZKIP-BdIPuD9Qtrds6Ua_kyRETsqjw-OgCwPSGWkP/s1600/100_2241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_I31pnUkR7XySGvdRI1aZUczUB1gyIIi10Xeqw614av9lT_gYM-ifbRNhphd0SNOQyH7nOylf2S414O9-JbdilqQ4EM8_A12XNYZKIP-BdIPuD9Qtrds6Ua_kyRETsqjw-OgCwPSGWkP/s1600/100_2241.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><b>Pests: </b>Coleus can become infested with the list of common bugs I talked about before. If you have forgotten you can see them on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/dustykat23/cleaning-debugging-and-fungus/" target="_blank">Pinterest Board</a>. The posting on 5/9/2013 will help you with instructions on how to debug. One bug that I did not mentioned was the soil gnat or fungus gnat. This is a tiny black fly that will hover around the soil in the pot. This insect is usually an indication of too much water. </div>
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Propagation</h3>
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Propagation is so simple. This is a wonderful first-timers project. All you need is a mother plant, soil, scissors, water and some rooting hormone. You may even try just take a cutting and place it in water. A cutting is taken from the mother plant with the top and at least two or three inches of stem. Remove the lower leaves carefully so as not to tear the stem. Dip the stem in water deeper than the nubs left over from the removed leaves. Now dip into the rooting hormone to the same depth. Place in soil that has been watered and you are done. Be sure that you do not let the soil dry out and before you know it you will have a new plant.<br />
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This is the first time that I mentioned propagation of the plant I am talking about and I did so because it is one that you can share with all your friends and family. Now is a good time to pick one up because gardeners use Coleus as annuals and are easily obtained from any garden center. So go ahead and choose. You can let it grow in the garden all summer and then propagate houseplants for your and your friends' homes.<br />
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I have added these pictures and more to the Pinterest Board <a href="http://pinterest.com/dustykat23/beautiful-foliage/" target="_blank">Beautiful Foliage</a>. If you have any questions or pictures of your own Coleus please email them to me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a>.<br />
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Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-62356250126738747702013-06-15T19:37:00.000-04:002013-06-15T19:37:16.637-04:00Catching Up On Odds & Ends<h3>
Strawberry Begonia</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU91gD4F8OO5Ih-xPfZ7s4_zC7zRi17Sr0_2Cj-PMt1MMenaBeLyKlnguvCFoXQzZnNXzX-5aI-2j4kvsWZnaVnFz_5c0AIWZX05maZzhEWPIGRVgN85RPw3ptE_-t8YC1-8C6qb4tDhyW/s1600/100_2229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU91gD4F8OO5Ih-xPfZ7s4_zC7zRi17Sr0_2Cj-PMt1MMenaBeLyKlnguvCFoXQzZnNXzX-5aI-2j4kvsWZnaVnFz_5c0AIWZX05maZzhEWPIGRVgN85RPw3ptE_-t8YC1-8C6qb4tDhyW/s1600/100_2229.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added this picture and more to my Pinterest Board <a href="http://pinterest.com/dustykat23/beautiful-foliage/" target="_blank">"Beautiful Foliage"</a></td></tr>
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For the record, a strawberry begonia is neither a strawberry nor a begonia. I do not know why it is called this except that it has a begonia looking leaf and it has marvelous runners like a strawberry that can grow up to two feet long. </div>
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This plant is a Saxifraga Stolonifera which is an all together different family. The runners make it a good grown cover in the frost zones between 7 and 10, but is favored as a houseplant because of it's beautifully marked foliage and the runners that will trail over the lip of a hanging pot. </div>
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To grow inside, the Saxifraga Stolonifera likes a cool filtered sun. It will grow in height to about eight inches. You should feed it a standard fertilizer during the growing season. Cut back on both fertilizer and water over the winter rest period.</div>
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Gardenia radicans?</h3>
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<i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"> </i><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">I have added some new pictures of this flower to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"> my Pinterest Board <a href="http://pinterest.com/dustykat23/the-gardenias-are-in-bloom/" target="_blank">"The Gardenias Are In Bloom"</a>.</span></div>
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Remember me telling you that the Gardenia is a large genus of plants? Well here is one that I think is a good one to find. As you see, the blossom is much smaller than the Gardenia jasminoides that I mentioned in a previous post. This is a miniature Gardenia. It grows in my neighbors yard and smells divine. Unfortunately, I am having difficulty finding out anything about this variety. It might be part of the radicans family but the ones I find on line do not have as many petals. I am hoping that there is someone out there who might recognize it and tell us all more about it. The plant is only about 3 feet tall which would make it a good plant for a conservatory or a large sunny window. I will keep searching for answers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95gEGCuwVjerS91DRQNn54KSFhPRVJ68RZUQhFpPS-A3Sskr28eQR018Pz_IR4oieApdQApwvFBoKtphb5rRFoHqWAO8D0VvfXPotOOixk0sxWLzDIhMyPKcsrafWU4pJP6sxuY8n99hZ/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95gEGCuwVjerS91DRQNn54KSFhPRVJ68RZUQhFpPS-A3Sskr28eQR018Pz_IR4oieApdQApwvFBoKtphb5rRFoHqWAO8D0VvfXPotOOixk0sxWLzDIhMyPKcsrafWU4pJP6sxuY8n99hZ/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1963.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I Guess I Know More Than I Thought</h3>
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In February, I mentioned that sometimes plants do things that we don't think they should do. My example was a flower stem of a phalaenopsis that I had cut off the plant after it was finished blooming. I had stuck it in the dirt and to my surprise I watched it create two new buds. I did not know what to think but hoped that the buds would become the beginning of plants, since I was sure that they could not really be flower buds. <br />
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Here is the update on this strange phenomena. The buds dried out without producing anything. Two more developed with the same results. I finally removed the stem from the soil to see what was going on below and there was nothing. So, my plant was the liar not me. Do not let this discuorage you from trying something new. My friend Rhona thinks that you can stick anything in the soil and it will grow. Many times she is right.<br />
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Next time, we will talk about the wonderful world of colorful coleus. These are great plants that can bring a myriad of color to the house. Until then, write me at houseplantsos@gmail.com or add any comments right here.<br />
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Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-37958636025446241302013-06-06T17:48:00.001-04:002013-06-06T17:54:30.109-04:00Begonia Part 2 - Tubers and Corms<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1b4KMHAGl-Z5PBwiVM88JY93GwkNPVvvrBXAFd_0zl_FOJWOefGpft3eEg_Vu4PYuG996TyT0mPkVw6Mv9UN37-HXwo6DpJGzE830kUqYos1JbyeP3IukwfDnKuje7o_ZyijCha5SHN9k/s1600/Regal+Begonia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1b4KMHAGl-Z5PBwiVM88JY93GwkNPVvvrBXAFd_0zl_FOJWOefGpft3eEg_Vu4PYuG996TyT0mPkVw6Mv9UN37-HXwo6DpJGzE830kUqYos1JbyeP3IukwfDnKuje7o_ZyijCha5SHN9k/s1600/Regal+Begonia.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regal Begonia</td></tr>
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Beauty from a Corm</h3>
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I love this flower. It is as beautiful as a rose and much more sturdy. The stem is short which means that it would be hard to place it in a bouquet but a single bloom in a shallow dish can really make a statement. This is a Begonia Rex or sometimes called a Regal Begonia. It is grown for it's majestic flower and it starts with a corm.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQuaQwiO6NDPc7QaHvRzujo0TpDm-mIdxWfRRSgGV4l-KYNWuF4htfMhJ-PnpfQIlz2qE_4UFGhsKtDEFQNEOq4GIDS4WXqZ8S3yZvX3zM305Q4fG7CkrjoO1zVbJqJraQucDGfoPpokd/s1600/Corm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQuaQwiO6NDPc7QaHvRzujo0TpDm-mIdxWfRRSgGV4l-KYNWuF4htfMhJ-PnpfQIlz2qE_4UFGhsKtDEFQNEOq4GIDS4WXqZ8S3yZvX3zM305Q4fG7CkrjoO1zVbJqJraQucDGfoPpokd/s1600/Corm.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corm of a Rex Begonia</td></tr>
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For those of you who do not know what a corm is, it is a type of tuber. The tuber most people are familiar with is a potato. As potatoes come in all different shapes and sizes so do tubers. Corms are in the specific shape that is referred to as a button. Much like a bulb, it has an up and down side to it and needs to be planted correctly for the best results. Unlike a bulb new plants will grow from the same corm and it can be easily propagated by cuttings the corm into pieces. You just need to be sure that there is a good "eye" on each piece. The corm is planted quite shallow in a wide mouth pot and placed in a well lit location. You can buy this Begonia already blooming but for a bigger variety you can start with corms from a number of good growers. I do not want to endorse any in particular so I will suggest that you ask the experts starting with <a href="http://www.begonias.org/index.htm" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">The American Begonia Society</a> .</div>
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Tubers That Are Not Corms</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKI8DRhaWKk6agcQpM1hJquKPL3VG4Paq2R7FnPQBK0jzCD5zi5gu_Uq0HxTwOszilu7y46rDuvcrmrlGEl_ZvUKECvUjVlZgD4xVues3yCFSycGTadYlMKeXxd3MVHykcmMMCKiJ1KUN/s1600/ET_TS_MultiStemTuber_Lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKI8DRhaWKk6agcQpM1hJquKPL3VG4Paq2R7FnPQBK0jzCD5zi5gu_Uq0HxTwOszilu7y46rDuvcrmrlGEl_ZvUKECvUjVlZgD4xVues3yCFSycGTadYlMKeXxd3MVHykcmMMCKiJ1KUN/s1600/ET_TS_MultiStemTuber_Lg.jpg" height="146" width="200" /></a><br />
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Also, included in the tuber family is the Begonia that they call a Rhizomatous Begonia. This tuber looks more like a lumpy potato and as you can see it can be quite large. If you go to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/dustykat23/the-humble-begonia/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> board on Begonias I have included a picture of a tuber without dirt and you can see that this style of tuber is more complex but much easier to cut apart for creating new plants. You plant it the same as you would the corm. <i> </i>I have added a planting diagram at the bottom of the page to help answer any questions you may have.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZeNLZfEsYs7OTg5rbSERauSCsrbeO1gpJjHUJQkwDu7jWQ6DOB3LjPJHfi_GntZmWQUwkWjUypwkPWhdI6uum20lW1sDr1QSc5La8k-H0yR3mqA0ygrfXKaPpVHHQPm5utsbO7eukXFA/s1600/100_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZeNLZfEsYs7OTg5rbSERauSCsrbeO1gpJjHUJQkwDu7jWQ6DOB3LjPJHfi_GntZmWQUwkWjUypwkPWhdI6uum20lW1sDr1QSc5La8k-H0yR3mqA0ygrfXKaPpVHHQPm5utsbO7eukXFA/s1600/100_2191.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Rhizonatous Begonia usually does not have a showy flower and is mainly grown for its interesting leaf. This is mine. The leaves are about the size of a man's hand and have a hairy surface that kind of feels like new beard stubble. The stems are very hairy. I added a picture of the flower on the last posting so I will not take up space here. What you do not know is how small the flower is. Look closely at the upper part of the picture and you will see a small branching to the back of the plant. This is not another plant behind my Begonia. It is the flower. I will be adding some more of these beauties to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/dustykat23/the-humble-begonia/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> board so you can see how beautiful they are.</div>
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Care</h3>
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Like the rest of this family most tuber Begonias like bright but not direct sunlight. It will be quite happy in an Eastern window. If you need to put it in a Southern or Western window you would be wise to keep it back from the actual light by about 2 feet. <br />
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Some tuber Begonias will become dormant. If yours starts to look peeked then this may be the problem. Stop watering and allow it to rest. If you loose all your leaves you will need to check the the tuber to be sure there is no rotting. Replant in new potting medium and wait to see new growth before you begin to water.</div>
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Begonias like damp soil but not wet so be careful not to over water as they will rot. They would prefer to be misted daily or placed on a humidity tray like I have mentioned. </div>
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Well, that is it for today. I hope you like my posting today. I got more into the how and would like your opinion on this posting. Would you like more postings like this, that would cover things like propagation through cuttings and seeds?</div>
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Add your comment to this blog or email me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a> . Remember to send me any questions you have or you can contact me through <a href="http://fiverr.com/users/kkjones/manage_gigs/diagnose-your-sick-plant/edit" target="_blank">Fiverr</a> to set up a Skype diagnosis visit.<br />
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Til then, all my best.<br />
k.k.jones<br />
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One last word, a Strawberry Begonia is not a Begonia. I think it is called that because of the shape of its leaf. We can discuss that at another sitting.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEpNfzGuQt018142kai7aRUYm7BEP4p3z2z8CmaA4pbfCh_AeYyBUy1cbWjY5B4kA9KsQ8iuVP2_2i52dvQaT5vVnj2Ug2YCQeYSH8-bIxLSw96MgaX9msTxdyId6zAdRXG2vpwrc32Mv/s1600/planting_begonia_tubers_in_pots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEpNfzGuQt018142kai7aRUYm7BEP4p3z2z8CmaA4pbfCh_AeYyBUy1cbWjY5B4kA9KsQ8iuVP2_2i52dvQaT5vVnj2Ug2YCQeYSH8-bIxLSw96MgaX9msTxdyId6zAdRXG2vpwrc32Mv/s1600/planting_begonia_tubers_in_pots.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-19437239094706305632013-05-27T18:50:00.001-04:002013-05-27T18:53:22.990-04:00The Humble Begonia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Website of <br />
<a href="http://www.begonias.org/index.htm" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">The American Begonia Society</a></td></tr>
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You know the cute little flowers that your grandmother put in her garden as an annual? That is the Humble Begonia. But it really is not as humble as you would think. This little Begonia is part of a genus that has 1500 species and is the sixth-largest angiosperm genus. Not that you really wanted to know that but I thought it highlight the importance of this little "disposable" plant. It is from the subtropics much like the Gardenias that we spoke about last time. It is commonly called a Wax Begonia though its proper name is a Semperfloren.<br />
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<h3>
Why Talk About An Annual In Houseplants?</h3>
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Because it is it did not start out as a garden annual. The Semperfloren is a shrub which is one of four divisions of Begonias. In areas where there is no danger of frost the Wax Begonia will continue to grow year round. Many will also do very well indoors as a ever-blooming houseplant. These little plants and other Begonia's like the Angel Wing Begonia have been staples in the English Conservatories and Greenhouses for years. In fact there has been a <a href="http://www.national-begonia-society.co.uk/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">National Begonia Society</a> in the UK since 1945. The Angel Wing Begonia is the closest in looks but it usually is collected for its beautiful foliage. If you look at my <a href="http://pinterest.com/dustykat23/the-humble-begonia/" target="_blank">Board on Pinterest</a> I have shown two different examples of the beautiful Angel Wing. Below you will see a Begonia that has the waxy look of a Semperfloren but the leaf shape more angel like. I do believe that this is a Wax Begonia because of the size of the flowers.</div>
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So How Do You Take Care Of Your Begonia?</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fMJObIZ3ApywMk_WL4PBMYauyzE3gvNW6KtnpPqrMEo3heP2dUM4R6mPnreAfPXJOMwRxHvq1gKeCprKZRyonzuMnnxq-bSPy1unNoSmIUUXiNaZEjeYrHcsJd-mQxON0f8FVwFgoDkD/s1600/100_2246cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fMJObIZ3ApywMk_WL4PBMYauyzE3gvNW6KtnpPqrMEo3heP2dUM4R6mPnreAfPXJOMwRxHvq1gKeCprKZRyonzuMnnxq-bSPy1unNoSmIUUXiNaZEjeYrHcsJd-mQxON0f8FVwFgoDkD/s1600/100_2246cropped.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken at Rockledge Gardens, Rockledge, Florida</td></tr>
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The best time to buy a Begonia is the Spring for obvious reason. You can let them summer outside but I would not put them in bright sun or in the ground. The reason for this is because when you bring them inside it will take longer for your plant to acclimate itself to its new home. If you have a <a href="http://newsfromtheblock.com/2011/05/28/kitchen-garden-greenhouse-window/" target="_blank">greenhouse window</a> your Begonia will be very happy there. Southern windows make nice homes, as well as a Western or Eastern. Since you can buy Semperfloren in six packs go ahead and try different locations throughout your home. If your plant is getting too much sun, It will have burn marks on its leaves and if there is not enough sun, then it will get tall and lanky with leaves being sparse.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi4YecQHlbr-Pc2UqvnTIMGdISkUM72fx3EbTQ94AanKK8j-ajoN3mBe4IbTz5vod3Ad_NVkk2huuOTtrUhlGDdbBWjuY3gCrVdvmVqIdRO_QCeRdxvfK_MP2yqGIbWme-y-VD1sHo8tL/s1600/100_2195c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi4YecQHlbr-Pc2UqvnTIMGdISkUM72fx3EbTQ94AanKK8j-ajoN3mBe4IbTz5vod3Ad_NVkk2huuOTtrUhlGDdbBWjuY3gCrVdvmVqIdRO_QCeRdxvfK_MP2yqGIbWme-y-VD1sHo8tL/s1600/100_2195c.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower of a Rhizomatous Begonia<br />
which we will talk about another time</td></tr>
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<h4>
Now for watering. </h4>
Like many of the plants we have spoken about in this blog, the Begonia does not like wet feet. In other words, too much water is a bad thing. The best way to water is to place it on top of a saucer like you did your Gardenia. Water from above and let the excess fill the sauce below. Make sure that the pot stays above the waterline. A larger saucer will create a micro climate for humidity that most Begonias like. Do not over water.</div>
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<h4>
One last thing. </h4>
Begonias like to be a little pot bound. If you place them in too large of a container they may die. If your plant is staying wet too long and looking peaked, then this might be the problem. Repot into a container that is the same size as the root ball after you have removed all the wet soil. Use a good soil-less potting mixture for the best results. </div>
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Well that is all for today. Next time I will tell you about the Rhizomatous Begonia which is grown more for its beautiful leaves rather than its flowers. The flowers are small and almost inconsequential as you can see if you again go to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/dustykat23/the-humble-begonia/" target="_blank">Board on Pinterest</a> . I have added one more link for you to use as I have found it very useful <a href="http://www.bradsbegoniaworld.com/index.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Brad's Begonia World</a> . Until next time I hope that this blog give you a home greener than before.</div>
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Please email me at houseplantsos@gmail.com or add your comments below. If you need special help you can contact me through <a href="http://fiverr.com/users/kkjones/manage_gigs/diagnose-your-sick-plant/edit" target="_blank">Fiverr</a> where we can set up a consultation through Skype or a phone conversation. </div>
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-91533026832741444902013-05-16T16:31:00.000-04:002013-05-16T16:31:57.009-04:00The Gardenias Are In Bloom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU1RvK9b9-Kdo4J26g0iS7T8EP9TGWkMUykRK0sO_wyo4_V4BYYIyyveQzQMq-AO8tFDzpUiVknkKHh7qieTCI0EsC0dlOf9W-ENLFASutuTvUOv9U9Tw6JpR5T0RLZ2VTovHXlBA3Tja/s1600/100_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhGPtbsyH-jaB4UiTbd_fpxqUZ7-th9kEgetJWnWdggMiOhUP_M_wx00uN93rS6zgz0NC-iZgJQ9_kx69BK22AUEtNwXyl4pcRQkp4uwm69M5bR4LXS-nHmW5TXMyWyI0lIHgg30uHiNU/s1600/close+up+gardina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhGPtbsyH-jaB4UiTbd_fpxqUZ7-th9kEgetJWnWdggMiOhUP_M_wx00uN93rS6zgz0NC-iZgJQ9_kx69BK22AUEtNwXyl4pcRQkp4uwm69M5bR4LXS-nHmW5TXMyWyI0lIHgg30uHiNU/s1600/close+up+gardina.jpg" height="499" width="640" /> </a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You will see them popping up in garden centers and florists everywhere, making them a perfect gift for Mom on her special day. If you received a bush for Mother's Day or are planning to purchase one for yourself there are a couple of things you should know.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU1RvK9b9-Kdo4J26g0iS7T8EP9TGWkMUykRK0sO_wyo4_V4BYYIyyveQzQMq-AO8tFDzpUiVknkKHh7qieTCI0EsC0dlOf9W-ENLFASutuTvUOv9U9Tw6JpR5T0RLZ2VTovHXlBA3Tja/s1600/100_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU1RvK9b9-Kdo4J26g0iS7T8EP9TGWkMUykRK0sO_wyo4_V4BYYIyyveQzQMq-AO8tFDzpUiVknkKHh7qieTCI0EsC0dlOf9W-ENLFASutuTvUOv9U9Tw6JpR5T0RLZ2VTovHXlBA3Tja/s1600/100_2249.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Blossoms and a beautiful new bud</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Gardenia is a genus consisting of 142 species ranging in size from 2 to 49 feet. The one you probably own is a Gardenia jasminoides which is commonly cultivated for a houseplant because they will only grow to 18 inches indoors. This genus originates in tropical and subtropical regions of the world making it not hardy as an outside plant in the north. Some people (including my sweet mother) love the flower so much that they plant larger bushes in pots for their patio. If you want to try this, remember that you will have to find a home for them during the winter. I did recently come across an advertisement for a new Frost Proof Gardenia that says that it is hardy even in the Midwest. I am not endorsing it but I have included a link to <a href="http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Frost-Proof-Gardenia.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=BASE&utm_term=%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CKSpqcWmm7cCFSNo7Aod-VIACg" target="_blank">Fast-Growing-Trees.com</a> for anyone who wants to check it out.</span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now back to your Gardenia</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When you got your beautiful new bush it was probably covered with blossoms and lots of promising buds. Now only a week later the buds have started to fall off</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;">Do not panic. It is not unusual for</span><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;"> a plant to go through a trauma when it is moved to a new home. I will not lie to you. Gardenias are not the easiest plant to keep in the house. The reason for this is that being a tropical native it likes lots of humidity. The trick is to give your plant enough humidity and still be able to live in your house. The most labor intensive way of doing this is to mist the whole plant at least two times a day. I don't know about you but I do not have the time for that. And the flowers will not last as long if they get wet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;">Instead set up a micro climate. This can be done in two ways. One you can get a table top greenhouse like the one shown on </span><a href="http://www.gardenista.com/products/tabletop-greenhouse-wardian-case-terrarium" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;" target="_blank">Gardenista</a><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;">. These tend to be small so be sure of their dimensions before you purchase. The easiest option is to find a leak proof saucer that is larger than the circumference of your plant. Fill it with stones so that your plant will sit above the water you will be adding to the saucer. As the water evaporates the plant will be encased with the humidity. This should take care of the humidity problem.</span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What else you should know</span></span></h3>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;">Gardenias like a lot of sun. The aphid that we spoke of last time find them very tasty. Spider mites should not be a problem only if you pay attention to the humidity. Your Gardenia likes an acidic soil so you can share your morning coffee with it if you don't use cream. In fact, your plant would love it if you give it some coffee grounds now and then. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIuKtibieUNioLz7Jh2eD_iw24F9JDOjZ0wXRpT6IRrShnX8tMLcdyobuQuHFKMu8OgaE4eOI48tezl-GLf27nljIi7aiAKExlWOAadWmKrSgvw46cYXcABXS5HIVzCucLMBA9sD2TMPZ/s1600/100_2251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIuKtibieUNioLz7Jh2eD_iw24F9JDOjZ0wXRpT6IRrShnX8tMLcdyobuQuHFKMu8OgaE4eOI48tezl-GLf27nljIi7aiAKExlWOAadWmKrSgvw46cYXcABXS5HIVzCucLMBA9sD2TMPZ/s1600/100_2251.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gardenia Bud</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;">Well, I think that should give you enough information for today. I would love to see your Gardenia. Please send me a photo at houseplantsos@gmail.com. Also, if you have a plant problem you need help with you can email me or post it right here. Thanks for joining me today.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;">Sincerely,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px;">k.k.jones</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTMPX3z1sZn_eSZ-NILqlQdXZFalBm2V_Qlz71fKXJcF2p4uS45" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="225" data-width="225" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTMPX3z1sZn_eSZ-NILqlQdXZFalBm2V_Qlz71fKXJcF2p4uS45" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plants like this Draceana need to have the <br />
whole leaf removed back to the trunk.</td></tr>
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Summer is around the corner and when you start the deep cleaning of Spring you should not forget your plants. Outside you are pruning dead branches and clean beds. Inside you should be doing the same. Plants need to be washed down, trimmed, re potted and checked over for infestation or disease. </div>
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<h4>
Start With Washing </h4>
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Most plants can be washed down with mild soapy water using dish detergent or Ivory Snow Laundry Detergent. Be sure to wash both the top and especially the bottom of each leaf. The dust on the top effects the plants ability to use the sunlight and the bottom is where the plant breaths. Also, the bottom of the leaves are where bugs will usually lay their eggs. Remove any dead leaves. Plants that have no leaf stems such as the Draceana marginata or the Draceana fragrans (corn plant pictured in a previous blog) should have the complete leaf removed back to the main trunk. This step is important because the crevices make great hiding places for bugs. Furry plants like African Violets can be turned upside-down and and gently swished in a bath of soapy water. Before doing this, be sure to brush off any heavy dirt with a soft clean paintbrush and water to keep planting medium intact. Light airy medium may have to be covered. (You are only placing the upper plant in the water, no the whole pot.) Place wet plant in an area that has a gentle breeze to help dry the leaves. Do not put in the sun because the trapped water on the leaves will act as a magnifying glass and burn them.</div>
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<h4>
What to Look For</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2sOi5iQ6CHOE1ZwMed9I_v2NO9rxkVrOuGWWa_PlrM3R45b4dVJajOrezu_CW15_T10sPYz7aYfYulWHS966aa17nADYrcAe6IvxkVqEqcqGBtZm_SOIoNOk9O34KfO7Vq8q2zqRuT9v/s1600/100_2217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2sOi5iQ6CHOE1ZwMed9I_v2NO9rxkVrOuGWWa_PlrM3R45b4dVJajOrezu_CW15_T10sPYz7aYfYulWHS966aa17nADYrcAe6IvxkVqEqcqGBtZm_SOIoNOk9O34KfO7Vq8q2zqRuT9v/s400/100_2217.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<i>This is the horror we sometimes find on our houseplants. There are two </i></div>
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<i>infestations here. One is the Aphid and the other is white fly. This is</i></div>
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<i>a beautiful Bougainvillea that has been attacked. Both of these bugs </i></div>
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<i>love tender new growth so the first thing to do is to cut off the new </i></div>
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<i>growth. Be sure too dispose of all infested cuttings into a bag before</i></div>
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<i>any of the bugs escape to new branches.</i></div>
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Long winters with dry heat are notorious causes of disease and infestation so as you are washing look for some of these tell tale signs. Small black or grey spots may be the beginning of scale. White cotton looking spots are mealy bugs. Small hard to see webs very near the stem joints are spider mite webs. Little green bugs that cover new growth and blossom buds are usually aphids. I have included an image link for you to check out to see some <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=plant+infestation&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=567&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3LqLUc0zj8D1BMLRgfgL&sqi=2&ved=0CDkQsAQ#hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=common+houseplant+infestation&oq=common+houseplant+infestation&gs_l=img.12...134907.151797.0.154891.40.21.0.0.0.1.672.6721.2-3j5j3j5.16.0...0.0...1c.1.12.img.BNwbWKct0yE&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46226182,d.eWU&fp=2d736809c19555a&biw=1024&bih=567" target="_blank">pictures of common houseplant bugs</a> . From there you can link into different areas to learn more about what you may be encountering</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Combating Infestation</span></h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuYmABfPL7ymYSJqLKA3d5Tkf1g_fQfaNJxctB60SNYzylO7Hxb1aJLz9Kt9gF2OVWKg1N57gLmX5aMR11mC5QoNzstAafP5Kusp-8cO3yV31qXSrrRrGP2UoINA54bgeI-vijCPQZloQ/s1600/100_2213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuYmABfPL7ymYSJqLKA3d5Tkf1g_fQfaNJxctB60SNYzylO7Hxb1aJLz9Kt9gF2OVWKg1N57gLmX5aMR11mC5QoNzstAafP5Kusp-8cO3yV31qXSrrRrGP2UoINA54bgeI-vijCPQZloQ/s200/100_2213.JPG" width="200" /></i></a></td></tr>
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<i>Scale found on a Bromeliad. This is very</i></div>
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<i>hard to deal with as the scale will hide in </i></div>
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<i>all the little crevasses. This will take </i></div>
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<i>great </i><i><span style="text-align: center;">diligence</span> to eradicate it. It is </i></div>
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<i>probably </i><i>best </i><i>to find a clean pup (small </i></div>
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<i>growth on </i><i>the </i><i>side) that is not yet</i></div>
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<i>affected </i><i>and throw </i><i>out the rest. </i></div>
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The plants that are most affected by the infestation should be quarantined from the others and watched more closely. Chemicals in the home should not be your first choice of action and many of these can bugs can be eliminated with a simple soap and water bath when caught early. If you have scale, you may need to use your nail or a soft nylon brush to remove the outer shell encasing the bug. Strong sprays of water will help knock the aphids off the infested plant. (Be sure to do this over the sink or outside so that the aphids will not land on another plant.) Spider mites hate moist conditions so after washing be sure to mist you plant every day. Though simple soap and water will take care of most problems it should be noted that it is not a once and done situation. You will need to take special care to watch for continued problems. There are mild insecticides available at you local garden center for quicker results or if you have an infestation you cannot handle. Please be sure to read the label on how to use and and take the precautions seriously before you use them. If you have found an infestation of one kind of bug you should look for more. It just makes sense that if conditions are right for one bug it may be just right for another. </div>
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<i>This is scale on a Jade Plant. The</i></div>
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<i>fleshy leaves make it much harder to</i></div>
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<i>spot. The best treatment is a</i></div>
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<i>systemic pesticide.</i></div>
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Disease</h3>
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I don't have a lot to say about disease. Many times it is caused by one of three things. First and foremost is air flow. Just like you, if plant does not get fresh air it will become more susceptible to virus and fungus. This could be easily rectified by make sure you do not create the second problem which is over crowding. Plants that are too close together will not get the circulation they need and also, become more prone to coming down with the same disease as their neighbors. Lastly, fungus can be caused by poor watering practices. Crown rot is very common in houseplants and this is caused by water sitting in the crown of the plant for too long. (The crown is the top of the plant were leaves emerge such as the African Violet.) To help combat this, people are told to water plants that are prone to crown rot from the bottom and it works quite well. Another way to combat disease from watering is to be sure that you water during the day so the plant has time to dry its leaves before nightfall. Here again is the need for good circulation and no overcrowding. You can see that these three causes of disease are all intertwined. Break one rule and the whole system breaks. If you do find yourself with fungus, a simple home remedy that I learned from my orchid people is cinnamon. Cinnamon has fungicide properties but be sure that you do not use too much and smother your plant. Safe fungicides are also available at your neighborhood garden center for your convenience.</div>
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That is all for today, Hope this posting was helpful. If you have any questions, be sure to add a comments or email me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com" target="_blank">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a> . Sign up for my mailing list and you can easily receive each new posting.</div>
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k.k.jones</div>
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Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-24690010378454078272013-04-19T18:02:00.000-04:002013-04-19T18:24:41.474-04:00Beautiful Foliage<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkF1rrC_0Geh8JqW79dBCp3wd4AmMkuGVu0cLJMuPIqQiswVvx61AD_zT80VsSqFdKBvlDHrD8I6CL-wB6CuZ6sEDSSk5pZ0Nofm21KQrmnH2436eOqIZ79PqSkeHXhOA-oJ2fsTQgh2D/s1600/2013-03-04+14-01-34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkF1rrC_0Geh8JqW79dBCp3wd4AmMkuGVu0cLJMuPIqQiswVvx61AD_zT80VsSqFdKBvlDHrD8I6CL-wB6CuZ6sEDSSk5pZ0Nofm21KQrmnH2436eOqIZ79PqSkeHXhOA-oJ2fsTQgh2D/s1600/2013-03-04+14-01-34.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></h2>
<h2>
Alocasia Amizonica (African Mask)</h2>
I thought it would be a good idea to sway away from the flowering plants for a bit and maybe talk about plants that are bought for their beautiful foliage. This is one of my favorites. The Amizonica is one of a number of hybrids know for its marked foliage and it is easy to see why. You can find it in many garden centers in sizes starting as small as a 6 inch pot. The largest pot I have seen is a 10 inch. They can get tall so be sure that you have a good spot to put yours. <br />
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<h4>
The Wikipedia definition of Alocasia is as follows: </h4>
<em>Alocasia</em> is a genus of broad-leaved rhizomatous or tuberous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_plant" title="Perennial plant">perennials</a> from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_(biology)" title="Family (biology)">family</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araceae" title="Araceae">Araceae</a>. There are 79 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species" title="Species">species</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alocasia#cite_note-WCSP-1">[1]</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_plant" title="Native plant">native</a> to tropical and subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia, and widely cultivated elsewhere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7_vHINPRnSvaFqylFRKIpMcOwy013_t5eZgHsmPrqdVReJRJ4KlP7i59E3cUY1fke3xQ_-M_vj-30nfZmjopNti8Xjf65yX3MrqenEhQ9l3T4T-0RD37nemXpeLpunT0n27e8yhO9vix/s1600/2013-03-04+14-02-09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7_vHINPRnSvaFqylFRKIpMcOwy013_t5eZgHsmPrqdVReJRJ4KlP7i59E3cUY1fke3xQ_-M_vj-30nfZmjopNti8Xjf65yX3MrqenEhQ9l3T4T-0RD37nemXpeLpunT0n27e8yhO9vix/s1600/2013-03-04+14-02-09.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>First thing you should notice in this definition is that this family is tropical. This means that this plant likes warm temperatures. You should generally not subject it to temperatures lower than 64 degrees. Keep in mind that it will also not do well indoors next to the air conditioner outflow. If it is subjected to lower temperatures it will go into dormant conditions just like any other tuber. I know that my plant sat on my desk for 2 years and was very happy until I go a promotion and my new desk was under the air conditioner. My poor baby was sick and scrawny in less than 2 months. It still has not recovered to its full beauty though it now has plenty of warm sun. <br />
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Which brings me to my next discussion, light. Sitting on the top of my desk, my plant reached for the florescent lights and grew a height of 4 feet. Though mine did quite well under the artificial light, most growers will tell you to give your Amizonica plenty of sun. With leaves about a foot wide and 3 feet long, it will make a good floor plant as long as it is in a sunny location. Artificial light used to supplement sunlight should be no farther away than 2 feet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fTWa8P_92-uqhKb76zQ5I_cw19p_mcPnqtcloRui_tjtMXAW7v0_gcGzIJpAMH6BJTMG4FBF6lUGYIrIUSeY9VQ08pINQBTi9A6GSPAeiXqsYs7FeWLTnzmvjOm45sMfBNTLmg2Qi3uU/s1600/AlocasiaPolybloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fTWa8P_92-uqhKb76zQ5I_cw19p_mcPnqtcloRui_tjtMXAW7v0_gcGzIJpAMH6BJTMG4FBF6lUGYIrIUSeY9VQ08pINQBTi9A6GSPAeiXqsYs7FeWLTnzmvjOm45sMfBNTLmg2Qi3uU/s1600/AlocasiaPolybloom.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>The leaves emerge from the tuber on a single stem which means that there is no lower foliage. This would make it a good candidate for a pairing between it and a low growing plant. You should choose a plant that will like a medium or low light because it will be farther away from the light and shaded by the larger Amizonica. For a pleasing combination, also choose a solid color leaf like an ivy. Or as smaller leaf like a pothos. (I will post pictures of these plants on my pinterest so that you know what I mean. Look for Kathee Kit Jones and the board of the same name.)<br />
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Last but not least, I have included a picture of the flower for you flower buffs. It is not the prettiest of flowers but when you see one you know you are doing something right. I found this photo at <a href="http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/aroid/msg08165207967.html" target="_blank">GardenWeb</a> and if you click on the words you can see more.<br />
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</h4>
<h4>
General Care Abbreviated </h4>
Needs good light<br />
Do not let it get chilled<br />
Fertilize once a month <br />
Soil should be damp but not wet<br />
When it starts to go dormant - stop watering<br />
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Thanks for following my blog. If you have any questions or comments please add them to the bottom of this posting or email me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com" target="_blank">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a> I would love to hear from you.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
k.k.jones<br />
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-42818297898409764672013-04-01T21:43:00.001-04:002013-04-19T18:08:53.437-04:00Happy Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h3>
Lilies, Hyacinths, and Tulips </h3>
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Spring Bulbs are showing up in the stores in full bloom. They are beautiful and fill our homes with promise of the summer months to come. With Easter coming so early, the lilies, hyacinths and tulips are the ones we will see the most of and I thought we should talk briefly about these and how to care for them.<br />
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<h3>
Lilies </h3>
The lily is a tribe of plants called Lilium. It has 2 large families called Oriental and Asia. The lily that I have pictured here is called a Stargazer Lily and has become very popular over the years. It is a hybrid Lilium Oriental and is known for it's fragrant smell. This lily usually blooms in the mid to late summer so if you have received one as a gift, there may be a possibility that you can get it to bloom again in the fall.<br />
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First you will have to let the plant complete the blooming. This plant wants full sun and will need to be put there to help feed the bulb. With fertilizer, the blub may continue to bloom for a long time. When it starts to look bad, stop watering and force the bulb into dormancy. We have spoken before about how a bulb needs to rest so you know what to do. If this is the first time you are reading my blog, cut off the faded greens and let the bulb rest in a shady area.<br />
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You can make your bulb bloom again inside but if you have a garden go ahead and plant it outside. Lilies are hardy from zone 5 to zone 9.<br />
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<h3>
Hyacinths </h3>
The other heavy scented flower that you will see at this time of year is the hyacinth. It's Latin name is Hyacinthum but you will rarely see this used. It is a true spring bloomer and is easy to start from bulbs that you will buy in fall. <br />
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If you get a hyacinth as a gift, give it lots of sun and do not over water it. Plants that are over watered may collapse from the weight of their flowers. <br />
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I have read that you cannot get a hyacinth bulb to bloom again but I have seen them bloom many times when planted in the garden. This probably because they are fertilized when they are in the garden. If you want to try to get a hyacinth blub to rebloom you will have to be sure that you fertilize. The best time to do this is after the bloom and before the greens fade. After they fade you can cut off the greens and repot in fresh soil. The blub should be planted 3x the size deep and in soil that has good drainage. Keep in a cool place and do not water until you see new growth. <br />
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<h3>
Tulips</h3>
Of all the flowers that you may receive as a gift this is one of the few that I will tell you to enjoy and then forget about it. A tulip will continue to grow as it ages and so if you are picking you own tulips choose one with short stems. Most of the tulips you will buy in bloom will have been forced. and it b is not one that you can easily rebloom after it has been forced. If you want to keep the tulip bulbs you can find a place in your garden where they can regenerate unnoticed. It will take two to three years before you see blossoms again.<br />
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I hope that this posting has answered any questions you may have. If you have more, please post it here or email me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com" target="_blank"><a href="mailto:housplantsos@gmail.com ">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a> . I would love to hear from you.</a><br />
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Sincerely,<br />
kkjones<br />
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-42135855467584946452013-03-24T15:42:00.002-04:002013-04-19T18:09:25.232-04:00The Four Leaf Clover<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSejwVdHdoET6SEI3ysKZm_WFuRHzxDDvKiH0EVmUjNDSBVeXGGSAw0vFTDXrbQZqIcG8QhA6Er7oRIXskToYh3cxm4rWrmDkqwrcs9pCez4GInwp7g7vSVthyqGYh85nsVNKItH1WSQv/s1600/12809-003-A5719299%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><h3>
</h3>
</a>The Luck of the Irish Be Yours</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1vcE0uVaE8PogRcjp0KSjCkGl-9PIVFsTi6aKpbb507PgWRV03qfAfXamLnzTuywgVxw6kkU7s6qekqt-Ds8znRaV-dR0WQL7wYTw3Tqig9igfN2U07wUGFaSMcEtpGYRPA4Ho6BIDdn/s1600/imperial-clover-flower%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1vcE0uVaE8PogRcjp0KSjCkGl-9PIVFsTi6aKpbb507PgWRV03qfAfXamLnzTuywgVxw6kkU7s6qekqt-Ds8znRaV-dR0WQL7wYTw3Tqig9igfN2U07wUGFaSMcEtpGYRPA4Ho6BIDdn/s1600/imperial-clover-flower%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>In honor of St Patrick, I thought I would talk about the extra special four leaf clover. Yes, there actually is one. It is a very uncommon variation of the common Trifolium repens which is a white clover. The clover is part of a large species family that includes peas and other eatables. Thought of as a nuisance in lawns, many of hours have been spent by children and adults alike looking for that elusive fourth leaf which is a symbol of good luck.<br />
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For those of you who do not know who St Patrick was, he is the person credited for bringing Christianity to Ireland and driving all the snakes out of the Isles. His holy day is March 17th and is celebrated by millions. St Patrick's Shamrock is the 3 leaf as he used it to teach the Christian Trinity throughout Ireland. But I get off the track.<br />
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<h3>
The Shamrock Plant.</h3>
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So what is that plant you are seeing in stores at this time of year? This is called an Oxalis regnellii. Its common name is Woodsorrel or False Shamrock Plant and it is a beautiful little plant. Like the clover it is also eatable. The Oxalis Regnellii does come in a four leaf variety as I picture below. I found it posted in a number of places on the web but cannot find another name for it. If anyone knows the name please pass it on to me and my readers.<br />
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So now that you know what it is, let's talk about how to take care of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaFxhBCoMrn_0X2RNuN6IJekAkLFioT7BfCCStozcYul8_KnBA2S8Zno-0ykC-VcZgaamoZUfqqBHgAOuGe2nM5zF8aPK1uLk6SkQCM5CFAngOItfTl3LHsXlHcVHjbwetvNa1KF2UT6J/s1600/$(KGrHqN,!k0E9RQb03rpBPdVHQRK)Q~~60_1%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaFxhBCoMrn_0X2RNuN6IJekAkLFioT7BfCCStozcYul8_KnBA2S8Zno-0ykC-VcZgaamoZUfqqBHgAOuGe2nM5zF8aPK1uLk6SkQCM5CFAngOItfTl3LHsXlHcVHjbwetvNa1KF2UT6J/s1600/$(KGrHqN,!k0E9RQb03rpBPdVHQRK)Q~~60_1%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></h3>
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<h3>
The Care and Feeding </h3>
The Oxalis is grown from a bulb. Knowing this you will know that the bulb will go through dormant periods so don't get upset if it starts looking peaked. <br />
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Water the Oxalis sparingly. Do not let it dry out as this will throw it into dormancy more quickly. Do not over water or it will drown. A pot and dish combination may be the best container for the Oxalis. Feed it every 2 to 3 weeks with a fertilizer of 10-10-10.<br />
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Though the Oxalis likes a sunny window it does not like to be hot. It does not tolerate temperatures over 75 degrees and would really like a lower temperature in the evening hours. With this in mind you might want to keep your plant in a medium light location.<br />
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If your plant begins to go into a dormant period (usually in the heat of summer), stop watering. Some people will force it into dormancy by cutting the whole plant down. The older the plant the less it will need to go into dormancy. While it is dormant let it rest in lower light and watch for new shoots. When it is ready, you will see the shoots and you should then start the watering and feeding again.<br />
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I hope you find this posting helpful. I try to use my own photography in this blog but today I had to rely on others. Thank you to them.<br />
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I hope that this posting has answered any questions you may have. If you have more, please post it here or email me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com" target="_blank"><a href="mailto:housplantsos@gmail.com ">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a> . I would love to hear from you.</a><br />
<br />
kkjones<br />
<br />
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-83481627227889473672013-03-03T16:32:00.000-05:002013-03-03T16:32:02.987-05:00Covers to Consider<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am about to put the first chapter of my book on line and I would like your opinion for the cover. Here are three covers I have designed. Each has its own merrit. Please review them for me and tell me what each cover tells you about the book.</div>
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(click on the cover to get a larger picture)</div>
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1.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7fYqLBRVis_G9N2W8MI6Gsv-UdQTqDW-AgRM1cS5mf6q7p-BAqxeEbck6DPTFT4GU6ZUSEYbbD8v4qrI7zb-Efk3Yadf_yYkP2MxFJVKTnb40_N4UeAMn2xH8vz5D4D9UC4OxuwmuFZH/s1600/Exposure+-+First+Cover+Alternative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7fYqLBRVis_G9N2W8MI6Gsv-UdQTqDW-AgRM1cS5mf6q7p-BAqxeEbck6DPTFT4GU6ZUSEYbbD8v4qrI7zb-Efk3Yadf_yYkP2MxFJVKTnb40_N4UeAMn2xH8vz5D4D9UC4OxuwmuFZH/s1600/Exposure+-+First+Cover+Alternative.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-17980886558572807312013-03-03T15:55:00.002-05:002013-04-19T18:10:41.208-04:00What is a Jewel Orchid?<h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTineNfbWnF_UBqzIo0K9I4Uuf95Hwd0PttMLf_Umx5T_NZpd-7A39x7uEn6jinjrXK5xgIlRjgkuY5MOW9RZU1xXdNvnv7DUwxdsvt6PwN0wyhnVBCcAg3cvRRSkHirH56xBuP5SbLCo/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTineNfbWnF_UBqzIo0K9I4Uuf95Hwd0PttMLf_Umx5T_NZpd-7A39x7uEn6jinjrXK5xgIlRjgkuY5MOW9RZU1xXdNvnv7DUwxdsvt6PwN0wyhnVBCcAg3cvRRSkHirH56xBuP5SbLCo/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1968.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTineNfbWnF_UBqzIo0K9I4Uuf95Hwd0PttMLf_Umx5T_NZpd-7A39x7uEn6jinjrXK5xgIlRjgkuY5MOW9RZU1xXdNvnv7DUwxdsvt6PwN0wyhnVBCcAg3cvRRSkHirH56xBuP5SbLCo/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></h2>
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<h2>
A Beautiful Houseplant</h2>
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Here is an orchid that is really worth looking at for a beginner indoor gardener. It is called a Ludisia discolor and is one of the only orchids that is grown for the foliage and not its small white flower.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRE9r3fRNUI85fLBf7eXRJvjfzUwcQ-uT0rI1H1n3jY7Zi-DTdp6kq51GhA2Ir2-i_GI3-PCA-DRhFn2A7kIj-HwHw6Xa9qqzNTO7wMehuLYEiXbaknJaC2lI056tjP9Xda889iX1kWMJ/s1600/Jewel+Orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRE9r3fRNUI85fLBf7eXRJvjfzUwcQ-uT0rI1H1n3jY7Zi-DTdp6kq51GhA2Ir2-i_GI3-PCA-DRhFn2A7kIj-HwHw6Xa9qqzNTO7wMehuLYEiXbaknJaC2lI056tjP9Xda889iX1kWMJ/s1600/Jewel+Orchid.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower is smaller than a dime</td></tr>
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This orchid is so easy to grow that each grower has their own opinion on what kind of potting medium to grow it in. The Jewel Orchid is not like the last few orchids that we have spoken about. It does not grow in trees; it grows on the ground. So you need something a little heavier but still not just dirt. My Jewel is in a good potting soil mix. A mix means that there is organic material in the bag to help hold moisture but still allows air pockets for the plant to drain. Some growers will tell you to create a mix of 1/3 soil, 1/3 peat and 1/3 bark. There are also commercial potting mixtures available for just terrestrial orchids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43ZboKIyD1jIvLQyskXT-IpYxc5a0f9eXFV-og3_0LKC4Kt18kJ6Rnq6MN-iNMpfVN3EFB4GVb6qxg2ZXZLhIFNUEGtlrKCSanVQC6pvj9wpJWXGdSixDNH2MV9w6g7AEQz-CgfVWE19Y/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> From Indonesia and Burma </h2>
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The Jewel Orchid is from the jungles of Indonesia and Burma so it likes a warm, humid environment. Average day temperatures should be between 70 and 80 degrees. I have read that night temperatures can go as low as 10 degrees but I don't think I want to try it. </div>
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My Jewel Orchid likes a semi sunny location which helps to keep it warm. It summers in a semi shady patio which is like a sunny window. You should probably place your orchid in an eastern window. </div>
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Humidity</h2>
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If you are not able to mist your Jewel Orchid twice a day then you should go with a humidity tray. This is a tray that you put under your plant that is full of stones. The tray should be larger than the pot that holds your orchid and has enough stones in it so that your orchid will not get wet when you fill the tray with water. Water will evaporate and create a humid environment for any plant sitting on the tray. This method works well with most orchids and you might want to consider a long shelf tray that could hold more than just one of your plants. Just remember to keep the tray full and change the water now and then to keep it fresh. </div>
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Propagation</h2>
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Now for the fun part. If you like this plant it is really easy to get more. Just wait until you have a stem that is over 5 inches long. Then cut the stem with at least 3 sets of leaves on it. Remove 2 sets and place the cutting in a pot covering the area where you removed the leaves. You will get better and quicker results if you purchase some rooting hormone to dust on the cutting before you put it in the pot. Rooting hormone is available at most garden center. </div>
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<em> </em>I hope you enjoyed this posting on the little known Jewel Orchid. Though the leaves are beautiful I cannot help to notice the beauty of the tiny little flower with a sunny yellow lip. I could not help but put in this last photo because of how it looks like the opening buds look like they are lit from within. <br />
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Please send me any questions about your houseplants via this site or email me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com" target="_blank">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a> . Send me any photos of plants you want answers for. I will publish them and help you get any sick plants back on the road to health.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
k.k.jones
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3qWnFWgfpm2gZ4kZ3v0Qj32Flo9TMUvqzHl36-GIjrV9PqOw4nbOwCqOr1Bd48z2ehWewZUjRaXhDhvHRLQFrYu3g2Y73uLsebuFksqGyi6qtma4KDGTxyoSH_O9pMmEVVscyoWWDFTM/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3qWnFWgfpm2gZ4kZ3v0Qj32Flo9TMUvqzHl36-GIjrV9PqOw4nbOwCqOr1Bd48z2ehWewZUjRaXhDhvHRLQFrYu3g2Y73uLsebuFksqGyi6qtma4KDGTxyoSH_O9pMmEVVscyoWWDFTM/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="height: 239px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 321px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3qWnFWgfpm2gZ4kZ3v0Qj32Flo9TMUvqzHl36-GIjrV9PqOw4nbOwCqOr1Bd48z2ehWewZUjRaXhDhvHRLQFrYu3g2Y73uLsebuFksqGyi6qtma4KDGTxyoSH_O9pMmEVVscyoWWDFTM/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1972.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Light Exposure</h3>
The Phalaenopsis orchid does not need a lot of sun and will be quite happy in an eastern facing window. If you plan to place it in a western or southern window, I would recommend that you place it behind a shear drape or blind. A good way of knowing if the lighting is correct is the shade of the leaves. Dark green leaves say that the plant is not getting enough sun. Be careful when you start adding light because the leaves will burn if they get too much sun.<br />
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<h3>
Planting Medium</h3>
Your Phalaenopsis will usually come in one of two mediums (stuff that is in the pot). One is a combination of bark and charcoal. The other is peat moss. Both of these mediums will hold water for the orchid's use and allow the roots to be free of too much water. It is important that the roots not sit in water for any length of time or the orchid will drown. If you find that your medium has dried out sit the pot in warm water for about 20 minutes and then drain completely.<br />
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<h3>
Watering</h3>
It is best to water all your orchids in the morning. This is important especially for the Phalaenopsis because of its leaf formation. The leaves come out from the center and create a cup that holds water when it is misted and it loves to be misted. If the plant does not get a chance to dry off by nightfall it could be exposed to a fungus called crown rot.<br />
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Depending on the humidity of the plant, water your Phalaenopsis from twice a week to every day. Water and let drain. Check the medium for moisture and mist any exposed roots. <br />
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<h3>
More Information</h3>
There is so much I could tell you about the Phalaenopsis that I am just not sure where to stop. So here is just a little more information to get you started. If you have any questions I did not answer just ask.<br />
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Cinnamon is a known anti-fungal and have been sprinkled on plants to kill active fungus. This should be done with care because if it is too thick on your plant it will interfere with the photosynthesis. <br />
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I have learned a watering tip from an orchid grower when I received a new Phalaenopsis for my wedding. This is simple and easy for all us busy gardeners. One or two ice cubes in the pot will slowly melt and water the roots.<br />
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Mature Phalaenopsis Orchids can develop bloom spikes two to three times a year and blooms can last up to six months. As you learned last week, there is a possibility that an old spike will through off a new spike and bloom again.<br />
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Thanks for reading this blog. I hope that it has been helpful. Please give me some feedback. Any questions can be added to this blog or sent to me at <a href="mailto:houseplantsos@gmail.com" target="_blank">houseplantsos@gmail.com</a> .<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
k.k.jones
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3qWnFWgfpm2gZ4kZ3v0Qj32Flo9TMUvqzHl36-GIjrV9PqOw4nbOwCqOr1Bd48z2ehWewZUjRaXhDhvHRLQFrYu3g2Y73uLsebuFksqGyi6qtma4KDGTxyoSH_O9pMmEVVscyoWWDFTM/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3qWnFWgfpm2gZ4kZ3v0Qj32Flo9TMUvqzHl36-GIjrV9PqOw4nbOwCqOr1Bd48z2ehWewZUjRaXhDhvHRLQFrYu3g2Y73uLsebuFksqGyi6qtma4KDGTxyoSH_O9pMmEVVscyoWWDFTM/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1972.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8CaB58WKZSJkCLuM6YM-5Xs6kZY7M2wmqmJjcO-v3JBVhrzBJLSxRHeOy3J18zpbDZDvqw0iyyuvYU_tl6nIU5ipHqj_WwvNpTbWaYFh_2yjEOmPR5f90neKJwcHFlejzR-ntXnw1jvq/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8CaB58WKZSJkCLuM6YM-5Xs6kZY7M2wmqmJjcO-v3JBVhrzBJLSxRHeOy3J18zpbDZDvqw0iyyuvYU_tl6nIU5ipHqj_WwvNpTbWaYFh_2yjEOmPR5f90neKJwcHFlejzR-ntXnw1jvq/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1962.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>Here is my newest independent thinker. This is a Phalaenopsis Orchid. For those of you who do not know what a Phalaenopsis is I have added a picture of the bloom so you will recognise it. The plant is usually made up of large leaves near the pot and then flowers form on a long spike towering over them. After the blossoms fall I have always been taught to leave the long empty stalk on the plant until it grows brown because the green stalk is full of nutrients that the plant will continue to use for the next blooming. Sometimes, though I have not seen it very often the stalk will send off a side stalk and will bloom again. Usually, it just sits there looking ugly. So what the heck, I cut it off and stuck it in the dirt of a large plant to see what would happen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95gEGCuwVjerS91DRQNn54KSFhPRVJ68RZUQhFpPS-A3Sskr28eQR018Pz_IR4oieApdQApwvFBoKtphb5rRFoHqWAO8D0VvfXPotOOixk0sxWLzDIhMyPKcsrafWU4pJP6sxuY8n99hZ/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95gEGCuwVjerS91DRQNn54KSFhPRVJ68RZUQhFpPS-A3Sskr28eQR018Pz_IR4oieApdQApwvFBoKtphb5rRFoHqWAO8D0VvfXPotOOixk0sxWLzDIhMyPKcsrafWU4pJP6sxuY8n99hZ/s1600/KODAK+EasyShare+Z981+Digital+Camera+-+100_1963.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Well, I did do a little more than that. I started with three stalks. Cutting them just under a flower node, I dusted them with rooting hormone and then I stuck them in the dirt. I did not expect anything. I watched two of the stalks turn brown and waited for the third to follow suit. You can imagine my delight when it did not turn brown but developed buds. Phalaenopsis are not suppose to like dirt. They like their roots to be able to breath in moss or bark or coconut fiber. I am not sure how this will turn out. It is not wise to disturb the roots of a flowering plant so I cannot tell you what is happening down there yet. But I will keep you posted.<br />
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Next week I will tell you about the care and feeding of the Phalaenopsis Orchid so stay tuned. I hopefully will have an update on my buds. <br />
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Please tell me about your plant and its unusual behaviour. Send me photos that I can post here along with your story. You can post them yourself on this blog or email me at <a href="mailto:joneskathee@gmail.com">joneskathee@gmail.com</a><br />
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Until next time,<br />
k.k.jones<br />
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-1142157892081180242013-02-07T18:21:00.001-05:002013-02-07T18:21:40.062-05:00Orchids for Easter<h2>
The Dendrobium Orchid</h2>
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Since Easter is right around the corner, I thought I should start a series on the favorite flower to give at this time of year, the Orchid. It is hard to believe that only 20 to 30 years ago, Orchids were considered exotic plants that only connoisseurs with the big greenhouses grew and an Orchid corsage was once the ultimate in Easter finery. We can thank the big box stores for making them available to you and me. They were the first to feed the masses by adding them to their choice of houseplants. Now you can even find them in grocery and drug stores at this time of year.<br />
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The Orchid family is the largest family of flowering plants in the world and can be found in all types of environments. The Dendrobium, one Orchid that we are familiar with has 1200 species alone and we know only one. This is actually a hybrid Dendrobium Phalaenopis.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOkpxULUZHezQTrKeXLEb0RuVB5hhbVHgVoo9RMEvu_Ma1AZPrJJRs2CqYI87met2DtLE1allUrjM1M_e8zbJmwTXO1Wv-yDKsXgULxZFxJIOxoNZH4BmNkGbAfiL6EPpUFwx2jBEJ3Ic/s1600/full+flowering+plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOkpxULUZHezQTrKeXLEb0RuVB5hhbVHgVoo9RMEvu_Ma1AZPrJJRs2CqYI87met2DtLE1allUrjM1M_e8zbJmwTXO1Wv-yDKsXgULxZFxJIOxoNZH4BmNkGbAfiL6EPpUFwx2jBEJ3Ic/s1600/full+flowering+plant.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a><br />
<h3>
How Does It Grow?</h3>
Since most of us get our first Dendrobium as a gift and in full bloom, let's start there. I received the Dendrobium seen here as a Christmas gift. As you can see it is in full bloom. The blooms are all on one long stalk and come from the top of a thick stem-like growth called a pseudobulb. It is now February so you can see that the flowers last a long time and can continue to bloom from the top with the right growing conditions. Once the pseudobulb is finished blooming, it will rarely bloom again unless it is from the same stalk. The pseudobulb that is next to the blooms in the picture is where the last blooms were and the small pseudobulbs at the bottom of the pot are from when the plant was much younger and stalks of flowers were not as well developed.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n925Kv7P5bN7hb7nv6qWtsIJQX2Fn9nU3ITCwZufXIE_GkKUQhcERXlnQI85HPZxD0pK-Pb4yoMV9sTz0AelMDAG1uglu_IwvRIqTRukg2Od032OdIxHASRpGXjjNpMK4s4rck5CACQI/s1600/pot+view+of+old+flower+stalks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n925Kv7P5bN7hb7nv6qWtsIJQX2Fn9nU3ITCwZufXIE_GkKUQhcERXlnQI85HPZxD0pK-Pb4yoMV9sTz0AelMDAG1uglu_IwvRIqTRukg2Od032OdIxHASRpGXjjNpMK4s4rck5CACQI/s1600/pot+view+of+old+flower+stalks.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
I am pointing out the smaller pseudobulbs because I want you to notice that they have no leaves on them. The Dendrobium Orchid is known to be an evergreen Orchid but some will drop their leaves leaving them to look like dead stalks in an empty pot. Please do not throw them out. They are not dead, just sleeping. Leave them alone and when you start seeing new growth in the bottom of the pot, start watering and fertilizing. The new pseudobulb will usually grow taller with each blooming so be prepared to stake it to keep it from fall down.<br />
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<h3>
Caring For The Dendrobium Orchid</h3>
Happily, the Dendrobium is very easy to care for. Like most Orchids, it does not like wet feet (roots standing in water) so it will come in a pot that will drain easily. If your Orchid came with a decorative outer pot, remember not to let water stand in it for more than 20 minutes. If you like you can mist the whole plant every day but a good soaking once or twice a week will be enough as long as the planting material stays moist. Dendrobiums are usually planted in a bark or moss which holds water for the plant until it is needed. This allows the air to circulate around the roots but still gives the plant water. The Dendrobium likes a sunny location but does not like to be directly in the sun. I like to give mine a morning sun which becomes more shady as the day goes on. A southern window will do well if you step it away from the window by about 2 feet or place it behind a sheer drape. That is about it. Oh! Don't forget to fertilize. The best way is a small amount every time you water. If you are watering with a mister, be sure to clean your plants leaves now and then to keep the salt of the fertilizer from doing damage. It is best to use an Orchid fertilizer and my favorite is Schultz. It has a formula of 19-31-17 which is great to promote blooms. For general healthy plants forgo the bloom for a good basic formula which again I favor Schultz with a formula of 10-15-10. <a href="http://www.schultz.com/" target="_blank">Schultz Fertilizer</a> Here is a link to make it easy to fine.<br />
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Thanks for spending some time with me. Please keep your questions coming. You can post on this site or email me at <a href="mailto:joneskathee@gmail.com" target="_blank">joneskathee@gmail.com</a> . If you would like me to send you a copy of any new postings right to your email box, just drop me a line and I will add you to my mailing list.<br />
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Yours until next time,<br />
k.k.jones<br />
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<br />Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-83559415589638726542013-01-29T10:49:00.001-05:002013-02-25T20:22:26.857-05:00Is it Poisonous?One of my readers sent me this question that has me talking about our Poinsettia plant again and I thought that this would be a good time to talk about the toxicity of houseplants.<br />
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<h3>
The Poinsettia</h3>
First, the Poinsettia has been long rumored to be poisonous. The story of a poisoning of a child in 1919 after ingesting a few leaves cannot be confirmed as there is no medical record of the incident. The truth is that many tests have been on rats and rabbits that were feed large amounts of this plant with no effect. However, the milky sap has been know to be an skin irritant and there are toxins in the plant that may have an adverse effect on some small children and pets. The death of a small dog in Switzerland was attributed to eating Poinsettia leaves is one isolated occurrence.<br />
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The Aracae Family</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP0LZjMkqrsnQWYDwzzSwNlvoAgCfP4jz9aXoHLATGj3RmHHwrmARZoessEbZJ8d5aRutXyguFyw_HUKKTmjN8pvKsfHrbqZAlP9hH0UHqIrUVDiDBcJVnqE0O_s6dU08R2Fb_W3iYDYB/s1600/2013-02-21+10-03-29crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP0LZjMkqrsnQWYDwzzSwNlvoAgCfP4jz9aXoHLATGj3RmHHwrmARZoessEbZJ8d5aRutXyguFyw_HUKKTmjN8pvKsfHrbqZAlP9hH0UHqIrUVDiDBcJVnqE0O_s6dU08R2Fb_W3iYDYB/s200/2013-02-21+10-03-29crop.jpg" height="105" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most common Dieffenbachia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFERodC8ipwDxY02EaD0cWBQJ98lijdwWjqTDxci8BH5C0GeDSsh_inBw4HdhKYPR3QQSlJStUrnxKTtNdhQlRy0cEiVlC_2grx32dyO5h3S1hhzQXGqCmC2IAf371p81YhNoa0zJhTg_/s1600/2013-02-21+09-58-48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFERodC8ipwDxY02EaD0cWBQJ98lijdwWjqTDxci8BH5C0GeDSsh_inBw4HdhKYPR3QQSlJStUrnxKTtNdhQlRy0cEiVlC_2grx32dyO5h3S1hhzQXGqCmC2IAf371p81YhNoa0zJhTg_/s200/2013-02-21+09-58-48.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dieffenbachia</td></tr>
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The most dangerous houseplant in my opinion is the Dieffenbachia. The sap of the plant when it comes in contact with moist parts of the body will cause immediate swelling with redness and stabbing pain. The good thing about this is that if leaf is chewed, the swelling will hopefully prevent swallowing. The bad part is that that the swelling can last several days with a lot of drooling. In severe cases there will be a loss of speech - hence its name which translates to Dumb Cane. <br />
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The Dieffenbachia is favored for its large patterened leaf. The oldest one I know is the one pictured above. I remember my mother had one in her livingroom when I was growing up. It finally fell over when it reached a heighth of 8 feet and the ceiling of the room was only 71/2 feet. Since then there have been many different leaf patterns offerings on the market. I have two of them pictured here.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill8KDGuAoc162a9ruZCNpFpkGjiPd9LoAddBsMyy29aWXODXfJZ9_9qQWs06X0QU_anwIO2kmbG421Y1dm4NJhymedVJz2zgMWN38QP9h5pGkEKgUbrDTWjPS1ilMJVqlLh7ywdhCsg2I/s1600/2013-02-21+10-01-04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill8KDGuAoc162a9ruZCNpFpkGjiPd9LoAddBsMyy29aWXODXfJZ9_9qQWs06X0QU_anwIO2kmbG421Y1dm4NJhymedVJz2zgMWN38QP9h5pGkEKgUbrDTWjPS1ilMJVqlLh7ywdhCsg2I/s1600/2013-02-21+10-01-04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76oIEWq0h6Y5BcxpDL_ohv6uULn4OuTdr3CD9MKZO8XUJMZdBephvPDVFMvAxlihjUrmTxPTn7jnS8Pjx0q9_36DFwmzUDHFm-n-6cB85QMK5LaNR4Bh-IDPGDOA1X2pIlKBEUmVBy9IL/s1600/2013-02-21+10-01-04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76oIEWq0h6Y5BcxpDL_ohv6uULn4OuTdr3CD9MKZO8XUJMZdBephvPDVFMvAxlihjUrmTxPTn7jnS8Pjx0q9_36DFwmzUDHFm-n-6cB85QMK5LaNR4Bh-IDPGDOA1X2pIlKBEUmVBy9IL/s320/2013-02-21+10-01-04.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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More plants in the Araceae family to watch are the Anthurium and Philodendron. The Anthurium is loved for its simple bloom that comes in a variety of reds, pinks and whites. A larger variety also has a purple blossom. It has not had any case of serious poisoning reported. The Philodendron which is a large genus has been responsible for skin complaints. Care should be used around animals as there was a report written in 1961 by Greer that cited 72 cases of cats in which 37 died from eating Philodendrons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyatvK8k00B8HJO83ytKX-wy44CwOlUj87kyrTxWy_LZxYDgJAgtghUVczav9z8JITAw6I3kYS0AQQiizgw-fWsYIuWdjRqxIKYUyQRzA81lynqWeJKv8a_LRbLZ7dFpNbY7S8c_JsuIX/s1600/2013-02-21+10-28-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyatvK8k00B8HJO83ytKX-wy44CwOlUj87kyrTxWy_LZxYDgJAgtghUVczav9z8JITAw6I3kYS0AQQiizgw-fWsYIuWdjRqxIKYUyQRzA81lynqWeJKv8a_LRbLZ7dFpNbY7S8c_JsuIX/s200/2013-02-21+10-28-36.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>This picture is the split leave variety call the Saddle Leaf Philodendron. This is a large family so if you are not sure ask.<br />
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Other plants to be careful with are in the Amaryllis family which include the Daffodil. The poisonous part of these plants is the bulb and most reported poisonings were when the bulb was confused with an onion. Digestion of the leaves will cause salivation, vomiting and diarrhoea. As you can see, this can be very dangerous for a small child.<br />
<h3>
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<h3>
If it happens call for help</h3>
There is a lot to remember so try to keep it simple. Take care in where you place your plants. If you have large floor plants, it is OK to put a stake that identifies what it is. Have the Poison Control number right next to your Doctor's. Then if you find that you child, dog or cat has chewed on a plant you will have the information at your disposal for the center when you call. It is best to be safe than sorry. <br />
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I want to thank my reader who submitted this question. It is an important issue to remember when bringing plants into our homes. If you have any other questions, post them here or email me at houseplantsos<a href="mailto:joneskathee@gmail.com">@gmail.com</a> .<br />
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k.k.jonesKathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626700334257411119.post-4131387757702107162013-01-21T20:30:00.001-05:002021-10-21T07:31:06.608-04:00So what are you going to do with your Poinsettia now?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaK_6xOI84kN0ano-GAkomD8Z-S9vKwQnENjNZ0iwaYlaK2kauThlP1fCpKDB0utVbxjmlU1O7JDRXFyCXD0ChZAOH6o6F4YO5TJiBrqE9cuy4VblhYOHYv2WZPUIQcbti763qa2vcsyZ//" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaK_6xOI84kN0ano-GAkomD8Z-S9vKwQnENjNZ0iwaYlaK2kauThlP1fCpKDB0utVbxjmlU1O7JDRXFyCXD0ChZAOH6o6F4YO5TJiBrqE9cuy4VblhYOHYv2WZPUIQcbti763qa2vcsyZ//" width="320" /></a></div><br />Christmas is over and that beautiful plant on the dining room table is starting to get a little ragged. There still are a lot of red leaves on it but some of the branches have broken off and the lower leaves are curled or gone. It really is not what you want on the table any more. So what are your options? <br />
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The choice most people make is to throw it out and buy another one next year. That would be easiest but if you wanted to do that you would not be reading this posting. So let's continue to the next option.<br />
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The next option is to save the plant. I have found that to do this it is best to put it the plant to sleep. This means to stop the watering and trim the plant to about 4 or 5 inches tall. This will encourage the plant to remain compact. The larger the plant the taller the stalks should be after trimming. There should be no leaves left on it. Now you can set it somewhere safe. Check on it from time to time and when you start to see green leaf buds you will need to start watering it again and giving it sunshine. Now just let it grow. Remember to fertilize. Keep it compact during the growing season. By October stop trimming so that the Poinsettia can start setting it's bloom.<br />
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The third option is to just let it grow. I have planted Poinsettias in the garden once the danger of frost is over and they have grown quite large. It makes a beautiful green annual that will be as big as a small bush in no time. Now what if you want to keep it as a houseplant? The only reason that you would want to do that is because you want to try and get it to bloom again. <br />
<h3>
How to make a Poinsettia to Bloom</h3>
The Poinsettia blooms through photoperiodism which means it is the amount of light and dark that triggers the bloom. It not only wants full sun for 10 hours and it also needs full darkness for 10 hours. That is why the Poinsettia blooms in the winter. If you want your poinsettia to bloom then you will have to recreate nature. A greenhouse is the easiest route. Next location is a unused room that faces south and has no streetlight out side the window. If these options are not open to you, here is the last hope. Every night when you come home from work, place your plant in the hall closet. In the morning when you open the closet to take out your coat and head for work, put your plant in the window. Keep this up for about 7 weeks. You plant may not actually bloom, but you should get you red leaves and that is an accomplishment few can brag about.<br />
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This is my last Christmas posting. I have not seen any pictures from you so I am again encouraging you to send me your pictures. I will post them along with any advice you would like concerning the care of plants. Please contact me through this blog or email me at <a href="mailto:joneskathee@gmail.com">joneskathee@gmail.com</a> .<br />
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Kathee Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01419150777982594859noreply@blogger.com0