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Peace Lily

This appears to be a peace lily plant prized for its white blooms (actually spathes, the real flower is the spike in the center of the spathe) and characteristic of this plant. It grows best in bright, indirect light indoors, never direct sunlight. If the plant doesn't get enough light, it won't bloom, but if it gets too much direct sun on the leaves, it may get leaf burn. Give it regular water and feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants. Must have good drainage. If the first few inches are dry, water it until water runs out the bottom and let drain thoroughly. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Also, it is a houseplant and will not tolerate frost or cold temperatures, so do not place outdoors this time of year.

By | 2016-03-17T18:02:34-07:00 March 17th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Clivia

Care for a clivia: it is a perennial from tuberous rhizomes. Native to South Africa, it bears primarily orange, red, or yellow clusters of funnel-shaped flowers on stalks that emerge above the clumps of foliage in late winter-spring. Following the spent flowers, seed head berries appear that typically ripen to red-orange or yellow. It grows best indoors in bright indirect light and needs a period of coolness in winter to promote bloom. It should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry down to the first knuckle. Does not tolerate frost, but when day and evening temperatures remain mild, it will do very well outdoors in shade. Feed with a slow release fertilizer during its growth and bloom cycles. Do not water overhead, water at the plant's base.

By | 2016-03-15T16:10:17-07:00 March 15th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Moth Orchid Care Notes

They have extra long bloom cycles, but when they're done, flowers wilt and drop. During the bloom cycle, they need to be fed weekly with half strength water soluble orchid food or slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants. When flowers fall off, prune back only to green stem, since often the same flower stalk will rebloom. Check both sides of the leaves closely for mealy bugs and scale insects (the latter are like tiny scabs on the leaves). Both usually often produce sticky residue called honeydew. Remove insects with cotton swabs soaked in 70% alcohol. Does best in bright, indirect light and water every 7-10 days at the base of the plant, not in the center of the leaves. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot.

By | 2016-03-15T09:52:10-07:00 March 15th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Improper Watering Or Drainage

This looks like an issue caused by improper watering practices and/or lack of drainage appropriate to this plant. Improper watering (either not enough or too much), in this case it appears to be too much, can cause the leaf damage we see in your photo. If the pot does not have drainage holes, we recommend you move the plant to a pot that does have them. Water only as needed to keep the soil evenly moist, do not fluctuate between extreme dryness and flooding that removes all the air from the soil. And be sure that the pot and plant are not sitting in water in a saucer. Placing pebbles in the saucer to lift the pot can really help. Plant roots need a balance of water and air in the soil pores for healthy growth and development.

By | 2016-03-14T23:01:31-07:00 March 14th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Meyer Lemon Problem

We have several questions that should help us figure this out. First and formost: was the plant outside this summer? Many citrus drop their leaves when they come indoors after a summer outside and this is not always fatal. How much sun is your lemon getting now? (It needs full sun - south facing window.) What kind of soil was it in? How wet is your soil staying between waterings? Are you letting it dry out before you water again? Meyer lemons should dry out between waterings and should be watered only when the top inch of soil feels dry. A soilless mix is best, because it dries out more quickly than a soil-based mix. Garden soil is a big no-no. It stays wet too long and is not sterile. Check for spider mites and scale, both of which can be problems on citrus, especially indoors.

By | 2016-03-14T21:46:57-07:00 March 14th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Autograph Tree

Thank you for your response that this is not a ficus. Identification from photos is challenging and this might be a Clusia species. If it is, this is a tropical plant that can be grown as a house plant in temperate areas. Leaves are thick and waxy and if it is C. rosea, you can write on the leaves. Also known as pitch plant because it was used to seal boats. Pale pink to white flowers in late spring to summer. Provide bright indirect light and water regularly but do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Suggest you show your photo to a horticulturist at a local garden center that specializes in tropical plants for confirmation of its identity. If it is, parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested and handle with gloves as may cause skin allergies.

By | 2016-03-13T06:21:29-07:00 March 13th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Begonia

This is a Begonia, of which there are many kinds. Needs filtered or bright indirect light and regular water. This makes an excellent houseplant or an annual for the shady outdoor garden. Be careful not to over water it! Moist, not wet soil.
It is a genus of about 1300 species and numerous cultivars. They are divided into 7 informal groups because they vary so much on their growth habit and cultivation needs.
They are very sensitive to rotting. When repotting make sure to not plant in a pot that is much bigger than its original pot and make sure to keep the soil level the same depth. If the soil touches the stem it will rot and perish. Its best to allow them to briefly dry between waterings. They are not poisonous.

By | 2016-03-12T23:14:50-08:00 March 12th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Bud Blast

This is very interesting. If you hadn't said that the flowers never opened, we would have thought this looked totally normal. Christmas cactus flowers last only for a day or two and very quickly pass from bud to wilted. Your cactus looks like many at this time of year, with some flowers fully open, some in buds, and some on their way out. If, however, your flowers are shrivelling before they full open, the reason is probably bud blast, which occurs when flower buds get too cold or too dry or too wet. Usually it's temperature related. A Christmas cactus can take temps down to 45 F but the buds may blast if temps get below 55. Check to see if your plant is in a draft or near a door that gets opened frequently. We notice your cactus is sitting inside another pot. Check to make sure there's no water collecting at the bottom of the outside pot. Sitting in water could also lead to bud blast.

By | 2016-03-11T15:53:54-08:00 March 11th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

The photo is a bit dark and the tag is hiding much of the base of the plant, but its form and foliage resembles the Ficus genus, possibly F. microcarpa also known as F. retusa. Ficus are known for their dramatic roots that survive above ground resembling bulbous structures. It makes an ideal houseplant/bonsai provided there is bright indirect light, regular water, and a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants. Make sure the plant does not sit in water because this may lead to root rot. Feed with a water soluble organic or slow-release fertilizer formulated for container plants at 1/2 the recommended dilution rate during its growth cycle. Again, make sure the container has adequate drainage and allow to drain out completely, but do not allow it to sit in water. Also be aware that most Ficus do not like their locations changed and will show their displeasure by dropping its leaves. Once you find a good site with bright, indirect light and it is thriving, try to keep it there.

By | 2016-03-11T08:39:40-08:00 March 11th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Ficus Benjamina

The leaf structure resembles a F. benjamina. If you snip off one of the leaves and it exudes a milky sap, this is another characteristic typical of Ficus. Wear protective gloves, however, because the sap can irritate your skin. It is a popular houseplant. Growers often braid multiple trunks together. Ficus need bright indirect light, regular water, and a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants. Make sure the plant does not sit in water because this may lead to root rot. Ficus benjamina are particularly sensitive to changes in location and will show its displeasure by dropping all of its leaves. Find a good spot with bright indirect light and allow it to adjust to that location. Ficus also dislike cold or hot drafts, so do not place near an air conditioning or heating vent. Because of its sap, keep away from small children and pets. Here is another resource for you:
Plant Safety - About Kids Health
www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/.../Poisoning/.../Plant-safety.aspx‎

By | 2016-03-10T22:38:42-08:00 March 10th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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