Archive for May, 2007

The African violet (Saintpaulia) first headed the pot-plant popularity polls about twelve years ago and has held the top spot ever since, with each year bringing an increasing number of friends. Varieties of this gesneriad are numbered in the thousands, and it is one of the few florists’ plants which blooms throughout the year. Thus, whatever the time of year or the occasion, if you grow African violets you will always have flowering plants to offer your customers. To you, the greenhouse owner, this constant bloom means extra money in the cash register.

Even though you do not devote your entire greenhouse to African violets, you will find it profitable to reserve at least one corner for a few dozen plants. These need not be pinched to single-crown specimens. Let them grow several crowns and become covered with bloom. Such plants make wonderful gifts.

Soil Mixtures

I doubt if there has ever been a pot plant for which so many soil formulas have been devised. Members of the African Violet Society never tire of coming up with new ones. For greenhouse culture, I like this formula: equal parts of loam, peatmoss, leaf mold, and sand, with a sprinkling of charcoal. I realize, however, that not everyone has access to the leaf-mold and rotted manure commonly mentioned in soil recipes. So, with a little extra care in fertilizing, you can grow your Saintpaulias to perfection in this easy-to-make “synthetic” potting mixture: equal parts of shredded sphagnum, peatmoss, and sand. Plants grown in this must receive applications of liquid fertilizer every week. A monthly application of M teaspoonful of dried, processed, sheep manure worked into the mixture for plants in 4-inch pots will enhance their development. Use less manure for smaller pots, more for larger ones. Some growers like to mix loam, peatmoss, and sand and, to a bushel of this mixture, add one 4-inch potful of superphosphate and one 6-inch potful of dried sheep manure.

Soil or synthetic mixtures should be sterilized. If you are planting in the type without loam it is unnecessary to place drainage material in the pot; with a soil mixture containing loam, drainage is a necessity. About 1/2 inch of pot chips to a 4-inch pot is ample.

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Ruellia

Pretty leaves, pretty flowers, and easy to grow-that’s Ruellia macrantha. With olive green leaves daintily marked in white and rosy-purple petunia-like blooms, it is a real eye-catcher. Propagate through cuttings inserted into light soil or other rooting media. Three or 4 months bring you plants ready for 2-inch pots. Flowers last several days; and ruellia becomes more beautiful if given monthly feedings of liquid fertilizer. Temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees, moderate light, and ordinary soil are the growth requirements.

Samevieria

Called sword plant or snake plant, this tough individual remains high on the popularity list with people who dislike the fuss and bother of caring for flowering plants. Sansevieria is also invaluable for poorly-lighted indoor areas. It grows in virtually any soil, in temperatures from 60 to 80 degrees. Improved forms of the old-fashioned snake plant are numerous. This, however, is another case of a plant in plentiful supply; so check your market first. One gardener made a considerable profit by selling these plants to residents of housing projects. Many of these folks have indoor planters and, while they like to see something growing in them, they cannot afford the more expensive green plants. For such planters a combination of sansevieria, anthericum (spider plant), and Chinese evergreen is hard to equal. All these plants can be offered at a price these householders-mainly young people-can afford to pay. Sansevieria propagates easily from 2-inch cuttings of the swordlike leaves.

Shrimp Plant (see Acanthacea)

Vines and Trailers

Potted vines and trailers, particularly those of easy culture, are among the best sellers. Several forms of cissus (treebine), closely related to the grape, are rapid growers and have good-looking foliage. The most familiar one is Cissus rhombifolia, the grape ivy. The peacock of the tribe is C. discolor-often confusingly called trailing begonia because leaves rival the coloring of Rex begonias. Foliage is green and silver above, reddish purple beneath the leaves. C. antarctica is the popular kangaroo vine. It requires some 8 months to produce salable plants from leaf bud cuttings, about 2 to 4 months from stem cuttings or basal shoots. A minimum temperature of 60 degrees, subdued light, and ordinary potting soil are the growth requirements.

Walking Iris

Another plant of most interesting growth is Marica northiana, the walking iris, whose leaf fans resemble garden iris. The flower, rather like a spuria iris, emerges from between the leaves. The “stem,” an elongated irislike blade, continues to grow. After the flowers have completed their blooming, this blade will be bent toward the earth. If it touches a growing medium, roots will soon form and dig firmly into the soil. This is an old-timer still loved by collectors. It grows in any kind of soil, in a cool to warm greenhouse, and needs little attention. Propagate through plant division.

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Prayer Plant

Of interesting foliage and growth habit is Maranta kerchove-ana, the prayer plant. The leaves of soft green are blotched with dark brown. At night maranta folds its leaves upward as if in supplication-thus giving rise to the common name.

Grow this one in peatmoss, loam. Give it plenty of drainage and a warm greenhouse. Propagation is by plant division.

Rivina Humilus

Among the prettier of the rapid-growing house plants is white-flowered, red-fruited Rivina humilus, the rouge berry plant. Successive plantings of seeds or cuttings will give you plants with flowers and fruit for easy sale through the year. It is an especially good seller for fall and winter holidays. Seeds germinate in about 10 days, and the plants will flower and fruit 4 months after seed sowing-in 2 to 3 months from cuttings. A warm house of 70 degrees is to their liking; they grow in sun or slight shade. Symmetry can be produced by pinching out tips on older plants. Pot directly from the flat to 2-inch pots, a valuable time-saver.

Royal Poinciana

Although not strictly classed as a pot plant, the royal poinciana

60, 61. There’s a cluster of ready money in this multiple-crowned African violet plant (top). With careful dividing and slicing, retaining all possible roots, you may get as many as a dozen small plants or a half-dozen sizable specimens from it, and most of these will be all ready to be potted and sold. (Photographs by Author)

tree (Delonix regia or Poinciana regia) is so easily grown from seed into a ferny little shrub that it is a splendid subject for the dish garden. It will stay small enough for indoor use for some time.

Seeds resemble large beans. Plant them in any good soil; they pop up in a week or less. Their chief requirement is water; if you forget this, the leaves will fall all over the place. These plants have the intriguing habit of folding their leaves toward evening.

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Landscaping plants are plants that will be easy to care for yet beautiful at the same time. There are all sorts of plants that you can use for your landscaping design. It really depends on the area in which you are landscaping. You will need to take a few things into consideration before you decide on what plants to use for your creation. You can find landscaping plants at any home and garden center or green house.

Considering what types of plants to use

When you choose to use plants for your landscaping, you are going to have to think about what plants will grow better in the area in which you are planting them. Different plants need different things to grow. When it comes to the cost of the plants and the risk you are taking when you decide on plants before knowing what you need, it pays to research your decisions.

Think about the amount of sun and shade that you will have in your landscaped area. Choose plants that can live in the conditions that you are working with. Be sure that you are using plants that compliment your ideas and ones that are compatible with your other ideas for the project.

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When it comes time to do your project, make sure that you have help with the heavier items. This is especially a good idea if you are moving items in your yard to make room for your new landscape plans. If your landscape plans are large, then you may want the additional help to get the job done a little faster.

Once you have the right location, all the materials that you need, and some additional help if needed, you will then be on your way to adding a great improvement and investment to your property. Your new creation will be a landscape that your entire will enjoy for years to come.

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Gather ideas and designs for your landscape plans

In order to get ideas on what you want for your yard, you can look in magazines and books. You will usually find something that will fit your personality and the how to for doing the work. Some of the articles will give you step-by-step instructions.

Plants and flowers

It is a good idea to make a list of the plants that you like and want to use in your design. Figure out the conditions of your soil and atmosphere and decide what plants will grow best. Make note of how much sunlight your yard gets and what the drainage conditions are. Pick plants and flowers that compliment each other and enhance your yard.

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Your landscaping plans are one of the most important parts of the whole process. It is smart to lay out your entire design before you start digging and planting. By doing this, you will eliminate the chance of having to move items later or running into any problems. You will be able to come up with your own landscaping plans on your own. It just takes a little time and imagination.

There are no quick fixes

Remember to take your time and figure out what you are looking for in your landscape and what you will need to achieve the look. Make sure that you have all the materials that you need before you start. That way you do not have to stop in the middle of your work to get last minute items.

Take your time and do the work right. You do not want your creation to look messy and thrown together. Remember your yard is a reflection of your personality and usually the first impression people get from you. It is always a good idea to start a landscaping project in the spring. That way your new addition will be ready to enjoy in the summer months.

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Pilea

Pilea is ideal for the 2-inch pot sales. Grown mainly for foliage, it ranges from fernlike Pilea microphylla (or P. muscosa), the artillery plant, through P. involucaira (friendship plant) with crinkled bronze leaves, to P. cadieri, the so-called aluminum plant. Ordinary potting soil meets the requirements of these plants. They grow rapidly in 60 to 70 degrees if kept thoroughly watered, and take medium light.

Propagate pilea through cuttings or basal shoots. Cuttings taken in late January will make salable plants by May. From one mature plant of P. involucatra in a 4-inch pot, I was able to obtain fifty cuttings. This being a great favorite at plant counters, I sold my plants to the retailer for 25 cents each; the retail price was fixed at 49 cents each.

Plectranthus

From Australia and Africa comes plectranthus, the spur plant. This rapid grower, a relative of coleus, is a real find for the 2-inch pot. There are a number of species, but only the one named Plectranthus Oertendahli is obtainable in America. This plant has hairy, silver-veined green leaves and red petioles; sprays of dainty mauve flowers decorate it most of the year. In my collection is an unidentified one having smooth, waxy green leaves that on warm humid days give off a fragrance like rose talcum powder. I hope some day to have sufficient time to propagate this unusual plant and distribute it. I think it deserves a place among the green trailers used in the indoor garden.

Plectranthus sets its own seeds. Sow these little spheres in any light soil mixture. Seed sown in January produces flowering plants by July, and you can prick them out of the flats and plant directly into 2-inch pots of porous soil. To insure a superior floral display your plectranthus plants should be fed dilute fertilizer at 10-day intervals after they have been potted for 6 weeks.

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Pellonia

Suitable for baskets and pots, or in mixed foliage planting, is Pellonia. Green leaves sometimes marked with black, bronze, or dark red, are characteristic. Propagate as for ivy.

Philodendron and Pothos

It is truly hard to beat philodendron and pothos for planters or use as specimens. Philodendron cor datum is the one with the green heart-shaped leaves. Pothos’ leaves are also heart-shaped but are marbleized. Southern growers can produce

58. You’ll never be lacking in customers from the African violet world if you have a good novelty or two to spice up your offerings. This is Ruffled Triumph, an origination of mine. (Photograph by Author)

59. Aluminum foil pots make bright, clean containers for plants or rooted cuttings intended for local selling. They are sturdy, yet lightweight, and thus ideal for shipping. (Courtesy, House Plant Corner)

small plants in quantity for sale in markets, as well as florist shops, and at a price northern growers cannot hope to meet. But it may pay you to obtain stock and propagate your own small plants or grow them on and sell them as larger specimen plants.

Propagate both philodendron and pothos by tip cuttings or leaf-bud cuttings. They root rapidly in any soil in temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees, and grow best in somewhat shady areas. Terminal cuttings taken in February will produce 2-inch potted plants in about 3 months. Philodendron pertusum starts out with a complete heart-shaped leaf, and as the leaves mature they split into interesting designs. These plants are native to regions of torrential rains. Nature endows the leaves with these splits so the rain can pour through without injury to the leaf. The “adult” plants of this species are the ones we know as cut-leaf philodendron or Monstera deliciosa. Because of the abundance of existing sources of supply, you would be wise to check carefully for potential business before you go heavily into production of pothos or philodendrons.

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Kaempferia

Among the really unusual pot plants for your sales list is kaempferia, the resurrection lily; Kaempferia rotunda, sometimes called ginger-lily, actually produces flowers before foliage. The flowers, resembling small orchids, are very fragrant-one potful will perfume a small greenhouse or a window garden. They appear daily or at 2-day intervals over a period of 4 to 6 weeks; K. rosceana sends forth foliage in early spring and flowers of rosy-orchid in midsummer. The satiny bronze foliage is so lovely that people want the plant even before seeing the bloom. And when informed of the succession of flowers, they are more eager than ever to possess it.

There are few growers of these lovely plants in the United States; but those who do list them sell the tubers at about a dollar each. The tubers are usually shipped in their dormant season, early fall to winter. As soon as you receive them, plant them in rich porous soil. Keep them slightly watered until growth starts. They need a warm greenhouse and a slightly shaded position. They increase through new tubers. To propagate, separate the tubers and plant in individual 3-inch pots of soil.

Oxalis

Oxalis, the little shamrock, is a novelty item to have on hand at any time but especially for St. Patrick’s Day sales. Grow both the annual and perennial kinds from seed or bulbs started in a cool greenhouse. The bulbous sorts are potted up and grown on, also requiring a cool greenhouse. After flowering, they should be dried off and given a rest. Soil composed of equal parts of sand, peatmoss, and light loam is best.

If you plan to sell them from small pots, place two bulbs to a 3-inch pot-up to five for a 5-inch pot display. The annuals, Oxalis rosea with rosy flowers and O. alba with white flowers, are favorites. Perennial O. adenophylla shows lilac-pink flowers in late spring to midsummer; O. Bowiei, red flowers in autumn. To propagate, remove the bulblets from the parent and repot them.

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