Houseplant Recommendations Anyone?
j.i.d Seattle,Washington (zone 8b)
6 years ago
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Does anyone actually keep gardenias as a houseplant all year?
Comments (6)Summer, my Gardenia was purchased 1994/5. It has its ups and downs, but continues growing. I agree with Nj keeping your Gardenia in a plastic bag would be more harmful than helpful, however, it wouldn't hurt setting inside a plastic bag a few day w/the top opened. Especially if your 'dena has been kept in a green house environment. Afterwards, place pot on a saucer w/stones/pebbles, and water, but water mustn't touch drainage holes. During winter, my Gardenias are misted 2-3 times a day.. If possible, keep in a sunny, cool room, away from a heat source. Shower foliage once a week, sink/shower. How tall is your Gardenia? Over the years, I've purchased Gardenias in 4" pots..They died. However, standard types, at the minimum 1' in height are doing well. Not the best-looking, but thriving. I believe everyone who live in cold climates should own a humidifer..lol.. Not only does humidity help our plants, but healthy for people, too. Who likes dry skin? I can't breathe when air is too dry. When it's time to fertilize, use a fert for acidic plants. My Gardenias are fertilized with timed-release, Rhododendron/Azalea fertilizer. They're not the easiest plants indoors, but with some work, your Gardenia should do fine. Toni...See MoreAnyone use epsom salt as fertilizer for houseplants?
Comments (20)Since no plants use N, P, and K in THE 1:1:1 RATIO supplied by 20-20-20, you can do better. Supplying fertilizer in the ratio at which your plants actually USE the nutrients offers some significant advantages, not the least of which is the ability to keep the level of dissolved solids (fertilizer/mineral salts) at their lowest w/o having to suffer the effects of deficiencies. After the calculations are done for how P and K are reported on fertilizer packages, you'll find that 3:1:2 ratio fertilizers like 24-8-16, 12-4-8 (Miracle Grow makes All Purpose fertilizers in these NPK %s) or 9-3-6 supply NPK at almost exactly the ratio at which the average plant uses the nutrients. I use Foliage-Pro 9-3-6 by Dyna-Grow almost exclusively for that reason and others, which include the fact that FP 9-3-6 includes ALL essential nutrients plants normally take from the soil (including Ca & Mg which most soluble fertilizers lack (MG 20-20-20 lacks these elements/nutrients) and FP 9-3-6 gets most of it's N from nitrate sources and no N from urea. The later fact helps keep plants compact and full. Also, your nutrient supplementation program is usually dictated by your soil choice and watering habits. Soils that retain too much water (like most off the shelf brands) require much more attention to detail than soils that you can water freely w/o concern that the soil will remain soggy so long it impacts root health/function. Root health is a key factor that determines whether or not a healthy organism is even possible - to the degree that good root health is a prerequisite to a healthy plant. Never apply Epsom salts willy nilly, that is to say w/o good reason. Unless it has been determined your plant is suffering a Mg deficiency OR there is an excess of Ca in the soil causing an antagonistic deficiency of Mg, you're probably 10X more likely to create limitations than resolve them by adding Epsom salts. You might find this Basic overview helpful. It will help you avoid all of the most common issues all container gardeners encounter early in their journey toward greater proficiency. Al...See MoreHas anyone ever grown azaleas as a houseplant?
Comments (18)High, if your dh bought the plant around a holiday, most like it's a florist azalea and can be grown indoors. There are several types of azaleas. I had literature about the differen types given to me at a flower show.. I wouldn't fertilize in winter..do you think it could be fertilizer burn? Also, if the plants make it, I think I'd look for an acidic fertilizer, use as recommended. Or better yet, buy an Azalea fertilzer. It doesn't need to be applied as often and contains the necessary nutrients for these plants. You can also use this fertilizer on hydrangeas, gardenias, citrus, camellias, or any acid loving plants. Toni...See MoreCan anyone identify my houseplant?
Comments (1)Maybe Sedum tetractinum 'Coral Reef'? If it is, it is quite hardy; as low as z4. Best grown outdoors - depending on your zone....See Morej.i.d Seattle,Washington (zone 8b)
6 years agoPaul MI
6 years agoj.i.d Seattle,Washington (zone 8b)
6 years agoLaurie (8A)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoj.i.d Seattle,Washington (zone 8b) thanked Laurie (8A)dbarron
6 years agoCassandra H
6 years agoCassandra H
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoj.i.d Seattle,Washington (zone 8b) thanked Cassandra HPaul MI
6 years agodbarron
6 years agoj.i.d Seattle,Washington (zone 8b)
6 years agoKaren S. (7b, NYC)
6 years agoPaul MI
6 years agoj.i.d Seattle,Washington (zone 8b)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agosummersunlight
6 years agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
6 years ago
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