A gift of a plant might just be what your gardening friends would appreciate. Judith outlines several choices available at this time of year.
Greetings fellow gardeners,
It is chilly and the too-many cats and I are snuggled under a blanket near the woodstove. This is the time of year when I realize that “Oh dear! It’s almost Christmas! I had better get on that!” Perhaps you have a gardener in your life and would like to give them a plant or perhaps you would like to reward yourself with a plant for a great gardening season. Here are a few indoor plants you could consider:
Amaryllis
Every year you will find these lovely large flowers offered in nurseries and even grocery stores. Instructions on their growth and care are usually included and are very detailed. The bloom can be many different colours and lasts for a long time. If you wish to keep these plants, you need to let them hibernate in a cool basement for the winter. Be aware that these bulbs are toxic to humans and pets.
Poinsettia
Although poinsettias are not poisonous, the leaves will cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten. Perhaps this is a plant not to have in a house with animals and children. These plants are beautiful and after you have enjoyed them for the holiday, they can go down to the basement to hibernate. You can plant them outside in a sunny spot and continue to enjoy them in your garden over the summertime.
Christmas cactus
Again, this is a plant that is offered almost everywhere. It is easy to grow and can sit outside in a shady spot for the summer. It flowers for at least six weeks over the beginning of winter.
Orchid
Orchids are often given as gifts, the most common one being Phalaenopsis or the moth orchid. They are not difficult to grow if they are in a perfect spot with moderate light, but can be slow to produce flowers. Once the flowers appear they last for a long time. Overwatering is what tends to kill these beauties. Once a week I soak my orchid in a pot of water for thirty minutes then allow it to thoroughly drain.
African Violet (Saintpaulia)
African violets
African violets are at the grocery store and the hardware store and most nurseries. They look lovely and need minimal care. They do not want to sit wet, and overwatering will cause them to rot. When you purchase one of these plants look carefully at the soil as they are prone to soil-borne pests. You will see the tiny pests moving on the surface.
Jade
This glorious succulent is a great choice for an indoor garden. It is readily available and needs very little attention. If it is in a sunny window, you might even get flowers. It likes to go outside in the summer in a shady spot.
Geranium (Pelargonium)
These workhorses of the plant world are a favourite indoor plant. Generally, if you have one outside in the summer you can bring it inside to sit on a table near a lamp or near a bright window. I like my scented geranium. The flowers are not showy, but the leaves smell lovely.
Scented geraniums decorated for Halloween and Christmas
Rex Begonia
And here it is! The plant you can grow almost anywhere in your house. Many years ago, the Rex Begonia was the plant grown in every Victorian parlour. Dark and cool conditions do not bother this old-fashioned plant. It has some mediocre flowers from time to time, but the leaves are so beautiful. My favourite has burgundy leaves with veins of silver running through them. These lovely plants will grow well in a room with less light and like to sit outside in the shade in the summer. You can find them in the nursery.
Remember, if you are transporting plants from the store to your home be sure to wrap them up well against the cold.
Enjoy your week.
Judith. (Email: sghorticultural@gmail.com)
Veggie Bites are available at https://sghorticultural.wixsite.com/website or https://gardeningcalendar.ca/articles/veggie-bites/
Comments