House Plants

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Croton Problem

A couple of reasons why your croton may not be doing well: crotons are usually greenhouse grown and are used to bright, indirect light and high humidity. Suggest you find a brighter area for it indoors and set it up on a humidity tray such as a saucer filled with gravel and water and a brick to keep the plant elevated out of the water-filled saucer. This will increase the humidity by about 70% around the plant. Also water regularly but do not allow the plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot and feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for indoor container plants. Only fertilize it between March and September. It appears to may having some fungal spots but it is hard to tell from this picture. If you can take a couple of leaves to a local garden center, they may be able to tell if it is just the coloration of the croton or if there is a disease. Since Waterloo gardens is gone I'm not sure where to direct you.
Good luck!

By | 2016-02-27T14:01:49-08:00 February 27th, 2016|House Plants|1 Comment
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Moth Orchid Care Notes

Here are a few care tips for your moth orchid, (Phalaenopsis species): This is a very drought tolerant orchid. Because it's leaves are succulent, it can also tolerate normal household humidity. Moth orchids bloom once or twice a year. In between they'll produce a few new leaves. Don't expect them to bloom continuously. How often are you feeding them? In winter (slow growth time) they don't really need food. If your orchids are potted in bark, once a week thorough watering is good. If they are potted in sphagnum moss, then push your finger into the moss and if it feels to the touch, it's time to water. Feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants and provide bright, indirect light indoors. Do not allow the plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. It is best to water in the sink, flush out any excess salt build-up, allow to drain out completely before setting it back on a saucer. The wrinkling of the older blooms is a natural process of the flower's aging.

By | 2016-02-27T00:17:05-08:00 February 27th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Philodendron Problem

Your Philodendron likes bright indirect light indoors and moderate water. In pots, water only when the soil feels dry down to your first knuckle. The browning/yellowing of the leaves may be due to insufficient light (try putting it by a window that gets indirect light) or a watering problem. Also do not allow the plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Is your plant in a pot within a pot? If so take your plant to a sink and allow the water to drain out thoroughly before returning to the decorative pot. If it is in a pot without drainage holes, suggest you transplant in a container with drainage holes. We do not see any signs of insects, but carefully inspect not only the top of the leaves and stems but also underneath the foliage. Depending on the species and cultivar, the latex from the leaves and the stems/branches can be very irritating to the skin so be sure to wear protective gloves when handling. Also feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container house plants.

By | 2016-02-26T12:48:21-08:00 February 26th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Boston Fern Problem

Your Boston Fern needs bright indirect light (not just artificial light), regular water but do not allow it to sit in water as this may lead to root rot and a slow release fertilizer formulated for container plants. Outdoors does very well in partial to full shade, but bring indoors if winter frost or hot dry heat such as you described is common. We think the most important problem is watering - it seems it is in a pot within a pot and is sitting in water after being watered. Also, keep the plant moist but not soggy. Decrease watering to about once every 5-7 days. Do not place near a heating or air conditioning vent. Can also set up a humidity tray - a saucer filled with gravel/decorative rocks, fill with water and set the plant on top of a brick so it is not in the water - this increases the humidity by about 70% around your plant. As you know, ferns love humidity. Good luck and hope your fern perks up.

By | 2016-02-26T00:57:14-08:00 February 26th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

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 | 2016-02-25T10:06:40-08:00 February 25th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Peace Lily

This is 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. It is sensitive to chlorine, so if you water is chlorinated allow the water to sit for a day before using it to water the plant. Also, it is a houseplant and will not tolerate frost or cold temperatures, so do not place outdoors this time of year. With proper care, peace lilies can live as long as eleven years.

By | 2016-02-23T18:01:05-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Lipstick Plant

This appears to be a lipstick plant, but we cannot be positive without seeing it in flower. The tubular shaped flowers when in bud is encased in a purple calyx that resembles a lipstick and once the flowers emerge are typically red or orange depending on the cultivar. It is native to the rainforest. You can keep it outside in the summer in partial shade because it is triggered into flower by a warm, humid period followed by cooler temperatures. For this reason you'll see that it usually blooms in the fall into winter. Indoors, keep it in a bright window but not in strong direct sun - an eastern facing window is usually perfect in the northeast. Repot when necessary in March or April, and cut it back at that time before putting it outside again in May. Fertilize with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants from April through September when it starts to bud up again. Do not spray the foliage/buds once it starts to bloom as this can mar the flowers.

By | 2016-02-23T00:24:16-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Leaf Spot Or Fluoridechlorinesalts

This sort of leaf spot can be caused by several things and without culturing in a lab it's hard to be sure. It's also possible with plants that what you are seeing is a combination of problems. Excess build up of fluoride, chlorine or fertilizer salts in the soil is probably the cause. This commonly happens when a houseplant is watered with "city water" that has fluoride and chlorine in it over a long period, and/or when fertilizer salts have been allowed to build up in the pot. The solution for this is to repot the plant, gently removing some of the old potting mix from the roots and putting the plant back in a clean pot with new potting soil. Do not put rocks, shards or other materials in the bottom of the pot no matter where you've read that information: it's bad for plants. After that, water with distilled or well water that doesn't have fluoride or chlorine in it. Use an organic fertilizer in the future according to directions.

By | 2016-02-22T14:50:06-08:00 February 22nd, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Iresine

Your Iresine, possibly I. herbstii. is part of a genus of flowering plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. It contains 20 to 25 species, all of which are native to the American tropics. In the north, they are considered houseplants and like good light, medium temps and even watering.

It may be getting too much water.

Smaller plants tend to thrive in partial shade, but as they grow they can tolerate more light. They are margin plants by nature, meaning they grow on the edge of forests and can withstand varied light levels.
Water: Regular moisture is essential. They aren't water plants, so don't waterlog them, but plants without adequate moisture will begin to develop brown leaf margins and dropping leaves. We recommend watering over the kitchen sink, letting the water run through, then letting the soil dry out a bit, especially on top.

Soil: Any good, fast-draining potting soil will likely do.

By | 2016-02-22T14:34:44-08:00 February 22nd, 2016|House Plants|1 Comment
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Moth Orchid Care Notes

This is a moth orchid and here are a few tips for caring for your orchid (Phalaenopsis species). This is a very drought tolerant orchid. Because it's leaves are succulent, it can also tolerate normal household humidity. Moth orchids bloom once or twice a year. In between they'll produce a few new leaves. Don't expect them to bloom continuously. How often are you feeding them? In winter (slow growth time) they don't really need food. If your orchids are potted in bark, once a week watering is good. If they are potted in long grain sphagnum moss, then push your finger into the moss and if it feels dry an inch down, it's time to water. Feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants and provide bright, indirect light indoors. Do not allow the plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. It is best to water in the sink, flush out any excess salt build-up, allow to drain out completely before setting it back on a saucer.

By | 2016-02-22T14:31:24-08:00 February 22nd, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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