Ugh, I just can't grow house plants. Help with Orange Star!!!
FLgardenmom
11 years ago
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juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
11 years agoFLgardenmom
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Tomatoes! Finally! And harvest pics, I just can't help myself..
Comments (7)walaa, those are Trionfo Violetto beans. Supposedly they turn green when they are blanched just right... I've been eating them all raw, so I don't know that for myself just yet! The small peppers are Sweet Pickle, and are actually sweet, not hot. They are a gorgeous ornamental--the plant isn't too big, it bears peppers upright, and it's covered with yellow, purple, orange, and red all at the same time. The pattypan is from a Burpee hybrid mix. cyrus, I've tried eggplants two years in a row, and no success yet! Maybe next year... I'm hoping my charentais melons will yield, I am excited to try those....See MoreWhy can't I grow a simple ivy plant?
Comments (10)I think this condition happens to everyone, just with different plants. Mine are the spider plant and the pothos variety - everyone goes on about how easy they are, but not for me! As for ivies, you'd hate to hear my stories. I've overwintered them to plant out the next summer, usually taking cuttings in the fall. Last fall I ran out of time, so I just ripped the very bushy single stemmed ivy out of it's pot (dirt flying everywhere), took the scissors and clipped the 12" length roots down to about 3" to fit in my little clay pot (limited for space here) kept in a bright spot without watering for 3 or 4 days, watered well and stuck in the south window to grow grow grow. Soon it will be time to clip off some cuttings, and I've got a well established momma plant to put out to. I have an orchid that did not bloom for 4 years straight, so I made the decision to 'chuck' it, and thought about it hard for several days (since it was a gift - and I always feel bad giving up on a gifted plant). Set my mind and set about to do it, and as I am walking to the garbage can my eye catches something, what is this? New root? NO! This could be a spike! So I gave it another week to prove itself and yes, it was a spike and it's been in bloom for nearly 2 months, so it gets to stay. Maybe try some evil thoughts with your ivies, let them know they have to earn their keep, no free ride. Worked for my phal orchid and me!...See MoreI can't grow poppies. I must have poppies.
Comments (49)Carrie- does the packet happen to have the species name on it? It depends on which kind it is and where you are. Here in the raleigh area, poppies bloom starting in late april through late may. Unless we have exceptionally cool weather i don't think you're going to get reliable blooms for mid-june here. That said, if you're a good bit further toward the mountains (and 7A says it's colder than here which is 8a/7b), then you might just squeak some blooms out if they are shirlies- p. rhoes-, or p. somniferums, aka bread box or opium poppies. My guess is that 'giant peonies' are somniferums, but there are rhoes cultivars that are double and called peony, too. They aren't nearly as large as the somniferums when they bloom, but just as pretty. If it's either of them, i'd sow the rest of your packet in just a week or 2- don't wait any longer or they won't get big enough (like you've already observed in the past). They need light to germinate, so sow them directly on the surface and just tamp them down or walk on them. I wouldn't worry about hardiness- poppies like cold to germinate. Another flower that would be a more reliable bloomer for that time of year would be daylilies if you can find a friend who has some they'd let you use. Another nice plant for bridal bouquets (if a bit wild) is queen anne's lace. It does wilt fairly fast so you have to plan to pick and use it the same day. You can find it in fields or along the road. Not sure of your colors, but as you mentioned, larkspur are nice and easy, as are nigella and bachelor's buttons. They all bloom about the same time as the poppies but keep going a bit longer. also, poppies and nigella have nice seed pods you might consider using. Good luck!...See MorePlants you just can't get rid of
Comments (14)I still can't get rid of the sweet potatoes or the Little Ruby alternanthera. The sweet potatoes I don't mind so much, because I can eat the leaves, but the Little Ruby is horrid. It's pretty, but it smothers everything in the garden and once it goes to seed, you can never get rid of it. For all of you who say "Just dig the sweet potatoes up," it's not that easy. They're planted in spots where tree roots prevent a lot of digging and many of them are underneath large roots, so I can't get to them. Then there are the vines rooting into the ground and making baby potatoes, so even if I pull up al the vines, more come up next year. Also, this year my chinquapin oak had a bumper crop of acorns that the squirrels buried in the gardens (easier to dig), and they're coming up everywhere. Then there are the perennial hibiscus seedlings and the four-o'clock seedlings...Even if I clear all these gardens out completely before I leave, these things are still going to come up every year. Nothing I can do about it....See MoreFLgardenmom
11 years agoCarol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
11 years agoCarol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
11 years agokayjones
11 years agoFLgardenmom
11 years agokayjones
11 years agoCarol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
11 years ago
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