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Showing posts with label foliage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foliage. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Poinsettia 2014
I've been mostly absent from this blog for the past few months. I need to make some time to blog. The Holiday season is upon us and I just can't resist the seasonal poinsettias. Red is most common, but other colours, including white and pink, are also available. I purchased this small red one recently and it's at my office for now.
Care of poinsettias courtesy of Colorado State University Extension here.
Care of poinsettias courtesy of Colorado State University Extension here.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Thai Aglaonema 2
Holiday season is around once again and I've been extra busy. I've been decorating, shopping and attending several social events.
I haven't even been able to purchase a poinsettia as yet. I like them in spite of their gaudiness and overabundance this time of the year. I still have the one I got last year but it hasn't re-flowered because it receives some artificial light at night. Poinsettias need complete darkness for 12 hours at night for 10 weeks to induce blooming. I had one years ago that bloomed several times a year even though it received some artificial light at night. I guess it was probably an anomaly.
This is another one of my Thai aglaonemas. I quite like it as it has a nice colour.
I haven't even been able to purchase a poinsettia as yet. I like them in spite of their gaudiness and overabundance this time of the year. I still have the one I got last year but it hasn't re-flowered because it receives some artificial light at night. Poinsettias need complete darkness for 12 hours at night for 10 weeks to induce blooming. I had one years ago that bloomed several times a year even though it received some artificial light at night. I guess it was probably an anomaly.
This is another one of my Thai aglaonemas. I quite like it as it has a nice colour.
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Saturday, August 17, 2013
Dieffenbachia
An indoor foliage plant in temperate regions, dieffenbachia is well suited to the tropics. It is a very common potted plant and is occasionally found in shade gardens. Cultivars range from dwarf varieties to others reaching more than five feet in height, in various shades and combinations of green, yellow, white, cream and silver. It is an attractive and strong grower.
Dieffenbachias are great for novices and those who only have time for one or two potted plants.
Dieffenbachias are low maintenance and suffer from few problems. Plant in well draining soil as improper drainage can lead to rot which spreads and can decimate the whole plant. The plants are not affected too much from occasional under-watering. Place in shade though some cultivars can handle more light than others. Fertilize lightly.
Top shoots or stems with at least a few nodes can be rooted in moist soil. This usually takes a couple of weeks.
Care should be taken when handling the plant. The sap is toxic and causes painful rashes, allergic reactions, numbness, and even the temporary inability to speak or paralysis if ingested. Keep away from children and pets.
Dieffenbachias are great for novices and those who only have time for one or two potted plants.
Dieffenbachias are low maintenance and suffer from few problems. Plant in well draining soil as improper drainage can lead to rot which spreads and can decimate the whole plant. The plants are not affected too much from occasional under-watering. Place in shade though some cultivars can handle more light than others. Fertilize lightly.
Top shoots or stems with at least a few nodes can be rooted in moist soil. This usually takes a couple of weeks.
Care should be taken when handling the plant. The sap is toxic and causes painful rashes, allergic reactions, numbness, and even the temporary inability to speak or paralysis if ingested. Keep away from children and pets.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Thai Caladium
I have always liked caladiums. They are easy to grow and suffer from few problems. With varying shades of white, pink, red and green, some truly are eye-catching. Who needs flowers when you have foliage like this? Everyone is familiar with the American cultivars, with a few such as White Christmas quite notorious. In recent years Thai cultivars have become available. They were supposedly kept a secret from Western horticulture for a substantial number of years. Some are considerably unique, others are unbelievably beautiful. However, many of these cultivars are not as hardy as their American counterparts.
I got this Thai cultivar a couple of months ago. It had small rounded leaves. Only recently have the leaves gotten bigger and more elongated, and might I add more beautiful. It appears to be one of the more vigorous Thai cultivars.
All caladiums basically require the same care. Shade or semi-shade is best unless it is a variety that can take full sun. Fertilize lightly as these plants are very sensitive to over-fertilization. Adequate water is needed for the leaves to remain at their best and to prevent the plant from going dormant prematurely. Most of these plants do go dormant at sometime or the other, lasting from a couple of weeks to months on end. They would be almost perfect if not for this trait!
I got this Thai cultivar a couple of months ago. It had small rounded leaves. Only recently have the leaves gotten bigger and more elongated, and might I add more beautiful. It appears to be one of the more vigorous Thai cultivars.
All caladiums basically require the same care. Shade or semi-shade is best unless it is a variety that can take full sun. Fertilize lightly as these plants are very sensitive to over-fertilization. Adequate water is needed for the leaves to remain at their best and to prevent the plant from going dormant prematurely. Most of these plants do go dormant at sometime or the other, lasting from a couple of weeks to months on end. They would be almost perfect if not for this trait!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Thai Aglaonema
If croton (codiaeum variegatum) and dumb cane (dieffenbachia) had a lovechild this would be it. With many varying colour and leaf types, these cultivars have taken the plant world by storm. From the understated to the almost gaudy, there is sure to be one to your liking.
This pink cultivar has been with me a couple of months now. It started as one main stalk with a smaller offset. It has since started to produce more offsets and is growing quite nicely. My only complaint is that the intensity of the pink variegation tends to vary from leaf to leaf, possibly due to light and/or fertilization issues.
This pink cultivar has been with me a couple of months now. It started as one main stalk with a smaller offset. It has since started to produce more offsets and is growing quite nicely. My only complaint is that the intensity of the pink variegation tends to vary from leaf to leaf, possibly due to light and/or fertilization issues.
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