Houseplant Care
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybrida)
Potting: 12.5-18 cm. (5-7") pots, leaving the upper third of the bulb exposed above the soil
Soil: mixture of equal parts of soil and peat moss.
Drainage: good drainage is essential.
Watering: well after potting and then sparingly until good root growth is obtained.
Location/Sun: amaryllis thrive in a location exposed to full sunlight with temperatures around 15-20°C (60-70°F).
Feeding: frequently with a balanced fertilizer.
Specifics: This hybrid variety is a beautiful amaryllis for indoor culture. For best results buy large bulbs. When the plant starts to flower, move the bulb to a partially shaded location with cooler temperatures. This helps bring out the brilliant colours and keeps the flowers in good condition longer. With proper attention, the amaryllis can be kept to flower again. After the flowers are finished, let the foliage die down--the compost is kept almost dry until growth starts again. It usually grows leaves only at this time, and again allowed to die down. The next growth period produces the flower.
Soil: mixture of equal parts of soil and peat moss.
Drainage: good drainage is essential.
Watering: well after potting and then sparingly until good root growth is obtained.
Location/Sun: amaryllis thrive in a location exposed to full sunlight with temperatures around 15-20°C (60-70°F).
Feeding: frequently with a balanced fertilizer.
Specifics: This hybrid variety is a beautiful amaryllis for indoor culture. For best results buy large bulbs. When the plant starts to flower, move the bulb to a partially shaded location with cooler temperatures. This helps bring out the brilliant colours and keeps the flowers in good condition longer. With proper attention, the amaryllis can be kept to flower again. After the flowers are finished, let the foliage die down--the compost is kept almost dry until growth starts again. It usually grows leaves only at this time, and again allowed to die down. The next growth period produces the flower.
Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus truncatus)
Watering: requires extra water during the flowering period, but afterwards the plant should be kept on the dry side until new shoots develop.
Location/Sun: For Christmas flowering, the plant is exposed to short days beginning September 1. Total darkness of 12-14 hours each night at a temperature under 19°C (65°F) is required. Alternatively, kept at 12°C (55°F), Christmas cactus will flower regardless of length of day.
Specifics: this is a long-lived plant with types that bloom during the winter and spring. When the flower buds begin to show colour, the short-day, long-night treatment can be discontinued. Set the plant in a window with a high light intensity and cool temperature. Buds will not form at temperatures over 20°C (70°F), even with short days.
Location/Sun: For Christmas flowering, the plant is exposed to short days beginning September 1. Total darkness of 12-14 hours each night at a temperature under 19°C (65°F) is required. Alternatively, kept at 12°C (55°F), Christmas cactus will flower regardless of length of day.
Specifics: this is a long-lived plant with types that bloom during the winter and spring. When the flower buds begin to show colour, the short-day, long-night treatment can be discontinued. Set the plant in a window with a high light intensity and cool temperature. Buds will not form at temperatures over 20°C (70°F), even with short days.
Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum)
Variety: genus numbers 80 to 90 species of perennial bulbs
Height: from less than 30 centimetres high to more than two metres
Appearance: one stalk with long, pointed foliage on the stalk and usually several buds, each of which opens to last several days
Transplanting outdoors: If you've received this plant as a gift and want to try growing it on, gradually harden it outdoors so it won't become sunburned. Remove the bulb from the pot, and plant it in a sheltered sunny spot about 7.5 cm (three inches) deeper than it was. If you're lucky, it will bloom for you every June; however, it's not reliably hardy outside in our area.
Location/Sun: more sun than shade and needs its roots shaded from the head of the day.
Other info: Among the most fragrant of all the lilies is an oriental lily named Casa Blanca. The flowers are large, up to 18 cm. across, with the petals curving toward the back. The inner part of the petals is flocked and streaked in yellow. Orientals are the most fragrant and tend to bloom in mid- to late-summer.
The Asiatic species bloom a few weeks earlier. Hybrids within the Asiatic species exhibit a wide range of colours including pastels, strong reds, oranges, and yellows.
A cut lily lasts at least five days inside. Bulbs that have been planted two years or more typically produce one strong stalk with as many as eight blossoms.
Of all the hazards in your home, Veterinary toxicologist Dr. Steve Hansen, director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Illinois, says he is most worried about Easter lilies, a special hazard this time of year. One taste and a cat can instantly plunge into renal failure. No matter how out of the way you think the lilies are, if you have a cat, it's just not worth the risk." "I'm not sure why cats are so attracted," says Hansen. "It may be the aroma of the flowers, or it may just be that it's something new in the house but the results are instantaneous."
Steve Dale "Pet World," The Observer, March 23, 2002
Height: from less than 30 centimetres high to more than two metres
Appearance: one stalk with long, pointed foliage on the stalk and usually several buds, each of which opens to last several days
Transplanting outdoors: If you've received this plant as a gift and want to try growing it on, gradually harden it outdoors so it won't become sunburned. Remove the bulb from the pot, and plant it in a sheltered sunny spot about 7.5 cm (three inches) deeper than it was. If you're lucky, it will bloom for you every June; however, it's not reliably hardy outside in our area.
Location/Sun: more sun than shade and needs its roots shaded from the head of the day.
Other info: Among the most fragrant of all the lilies is an oriental lily named Casa Blanca. The flowers are large, up to 18 cm. across, with the petals curving toward the back. The inner part of the petals is flocked and streaked in yellow. Orientals are the most fragrant and tend to bloom in mid- to late-summer.
The Asiatic species bloom a few weeks earlier. Hybrids within the Asiatic species exhibit a wide range of colours including pastels, strong reds, oranges, and yellows.
A cut lily lasts at least five days inside. Bulbs that have been planted two years or more typically produce one strong stalk with as many as eight blossoms.
Of all the hazards in your home, Veterinary toxicologist Dr. Steve Hansen, director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Illinois, says he is most worried about Easter lilies, a special hazard this time of year. One taste and a cat can instantly plunge into renal failure. No matter how out of the way you think the lilies are, if you have a cat, it's just not worth the risk." "I'm not sure why cats are so attracted," says Hansen. "It may be the aroma of the flowers, or it may just be that it's something new in the house but the results are instantaneous."
Steve Dale "Pet World," The Observer, March 23, 2002
Orchids
Humidity: as much as possible
Watering: regular
Feeding: monthly with orchid fertilizer
Other info: Several varieties of orchids are easily grown in the home atmosphere and they are becoming increasingly popular for holiday giving. This is one plant that will continue growing for years if properly cared for. They like as much humidity as you can provide, regular watering and monthly feeding with orchid fertilizer.
The Phalenopsis is a favourite of many. It sends out a flower stem and once the buds open, the flowers last for weeks.
Orchids will welcome a time outdoors in a sheltered location in the garden, but this is not a necessity. They need careful attention to watering, feeding and pest control. Bring them back indoors well before any danger of a first frost.
Watering: regular
Feeding: monthly with orchid fertilizer
Other info: Several varieties of orchids are easily grown in the home atmosphere and they are becoming increasingly popular for holiday giving. This is one plant that will continue growing for years if properly cared for. They like as much humidity as you can provide, regular watering and monthly feeding with orchid fertilizer.
The Phalenopsis is a favourite of many. It sends out a flower stem and once the buds open, the flowers last for weeks.
Orchids will welcome a time outdoors in a sheltered location in the garden, but this is not a necessity. They need careful attention to watering, feeding and pest control. Bring them back indoors well before any danger of a first frost.
Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Temperature: Hot dry air will cause the fruit to fall, and attacks of aphid and red spider mite are likely. Temperature should be cool or average warmth; not less than 13º C (55º F).
Watering: keep soil moist at all times. Water occasionally by the immersion method. Mist leaves frequently.
Location/Sun: bright window; some direct sun
In early fall, before frost, bring the plant, which should then have green fruit, indoors. Grow in a bright window and by the holiday season the fruit will be bright orange or red. Although the name, Capsicum annuum, indicates an annual plant, you can keep this plant and other peppers growing for more than one year with proper care. The fruit will eventually fall off and can be dried. Save the seeds to sow in the summer garden.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Temperature: 19°C (65°F)
Location/Sun: a sunny window but not in direct hot sun. Keep them out of drafts and rising air currents from heat registers or cold air from front doors. The dry air in many homes may cause the plants to drop the decorative bracts.
Watering: well, without leaving soil wet.
Feeding: regular
Pruning: remove some of the new growth to leave 4 - 5 strong new stems in early summer. Use as cuttings.
After flowering: store it in a cool, dry place and let the soil almost dry out. You can cut it back to 10 cm (4"). In early May, repot, removing some of the old soil, continue watering and shoots will soon appear. From the end of September, careful light control is essential. Cover with a black plastic bag from early evening and remove next morning so that the plant is kept in total darkness for 14 hours. Continue daily for 8 weeks, then treat normally. Your Poinsettia will again be in bloom at Christmas time, but it will be taller than the plant you bought.