Top Tips For Indoor Flower Gardening.
Indoor flower gardens are great for many reasons.
Firstly, they brighten up any decor, adding a touch of life and color.
Secondly, for those folk who are housebound, or who have no yard, indoor
gardens are a way to keep the thumb green. Thirdly, and most importantly for
some, indoor gardens can alleviate those pesky issues such as wrong soil, bad
weather, and insufficient light, that can prevent your favorite blooms from
living or flowering in your great outdoors. Try these handy hints for growing
indoor flowers.
Pots. Your selection of pot may be
dictated by your decor or your budget, or both. Terracotta is a perennial
favorite, especially for kitchens. Whatever you decide upon, the pot should
meet a few basic requirements. Firstly, it needs to be big enough to
accommodate the plant or the pot containing the plant. Next, it needs to
provide good drainage, with at least a hole in the bottom. If your pot is for
display purposes only, make sure the inner pot containing the plant is
elevated off the bottom of the display pot to ensure the plant is not
constantly sitting in water.
Potting mix. Select a potting mix
that is specifically for indoor use, and better still, flowering plants. Good
quality potting mixes will minimise the frequency of fertilizing, especially
initially. It is a good idea to note that some indoor plants such as cacti,
African violets, and orchids, all require specific potting mixes for the plant
variety.
Fertilizer. Most flowering plants
require fertilizer, especially around flowering time. Check the particular
requirements of your plant when you buy it. Not all plants like the same type
of fertilizer, and not all plants can be fertilized at the same strength.
Check the label on the fertilizer to ensure you have the correct one for the
job. You may find you need a couple, one for less fussy plants, and others for
specific plants. When fertilizing indoors, the smell of the product can be an
issue for some. If this is the case opt for odor free, or low odor products.
Climate control. You may like to
sit on the heater or fireplace in the middle of winter, but your indoor plant
will not. In fact, for most indoor plants too close a proximity to the heater
can equal death. Your plant likes to have access to fresh air, without being
exposed to drafts. Indoor plants also do not care for over dried air. If the
air is too dry you will need to mist your plants a couple of times a week to
compensate.
Dusting. Your indoor plants do not like to get really dusty leaves. This
can be remedied by either wiping them over with a damp sponge or cloth, or
heavy misting of the foliage. If your plant looks dull and dusty it is crying
out for a clean.
Watering. Some plants need to be
watered from above, and others prefer to absorb the water from the base of the
soil, or pot in this case. Others like to be misted. If your plant is going to
want to sit in your bath or kitchen sink to be watered make sure it is light
enough for you to lug around. Most indoor plants prefer to be kept moist, as
opposed to water logged. An obvious exception to this would be the cactus
family who require minimal water.
Light. Indoor flowering pants as a generalization
like to be in a sunny position, this would be facing South if
you live in the Northern Hemisphere. Check the plant's specific light
requirements. Many indoor plants like light positions, but don't want to be in
the direct sun. If you cannot provide enough light through your windows, you
may have to resort to either fluorescent lighting or special grow lights.
Bulbs. Bulbs can make absolutely
stunning indoor bloomers. Why not try tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, miniature
agapanthus, amaryllis, snowflakes, (the Chesapeake snowflake will provide the
longest lasting flowers), and even gingers? Bulbs can even be chilled in the
crisper section of your fridge for the cooling dormant period prior to
re-potting.
Other plants that can actually flower indoors include:
* Cactus. This family includes
many, many varieties. Cacti can be a great place to start if you are not
around a lot to water. Cacti often have magnificent flowers, but don't forget
about the prickles! Cacti like plenty of light and do require a specific
potting mix.
* Cyclamen are extremely popular
indoor plants. Cyclamen prefer the temperature on the cooler side and do not
care for direct sun. Cyclamen love being kept moist, but do not like being
watered from above. These are one of those plants that we mentioned that will
require standing in the sink to get their drink.
* African Violets are one of those
plants we all associate with some-one's kitchen window sill. These popular
plants are available in plenty of colors and flower shapes. African violets
prefer indirect light and are relatively easy to keep flowering. However, they
do require a specific potting mix and fertilizer.
* Kalanchoe are available in a wide
range of flower colors from red through to pink, orange, yellow, mauve, and
white. These plants are technically succulents, and are very easy to care for,
only requiring bright light, a little warmth, and a good watering once the top
of the mix has dried out.
* Bromeliads are extremely colorful
plants that are shaped a bit like a flower. They will also send out shoots
with flowers along them once or twice a year. Bromeliads do not require much
light. The shape of the plant ensures that when you water them it is held in
the center of the plant.
* Peace Lily
is another extremely
forgiving indoor houseplant. These gems can flower almost year round and only
require low levels of lighting. These plants will flower even more
prolifically if you provide them with a little humidity.
* Zebra Plant is a dramatic looking plant with dark green leaves with
white stripes. The flowers are yellow. Zebra plants like a sunny position and
plenty of water. These plants will require frequent applications of fertilizer
in spring and summer.
* Begonia are another indoor
bloomer that are available in multiple colors and styles. The best potting mix
for begonias is soil-less. Begonias love humidity, so misting regularly is a
great idea. Begonias can vary in their lighting requirements, but generally a
South facing window will be a good place to start. Begonias hate to be over
watered and should never be potted in too big a pot.
* Orchids offer a huge variety of
flowers in all sorts of colors and shapes. Although these plants can look
pretty ordinary when not in bloom, their exquisite flowers call for a mention.
Orchids are the sort of indoor plant that can be kept in a corner, or even
almost the shed or back porch (weather permitting) until they are ready to be
shown off indoors. Orchids require specific fertilizers and potting mixes. For
orchids to flower they need a daily drop in temperature of about 10 to 20
degrees. If you don't keep the heater on all night you may get away with
leaving the plant indoors. Otherwise you may need to relocate the orchid to a
chillier place in the evenings. Orchids should be watered and then allowed to
dry out a little. Orchids prefer indirect light, but this can fluctuate
dramatically between varieties. It may be best to research the requirements of
an orchid prior to purchase to ensure that your house will fit the bill.
(There will be an orchid out there suited to your home.)
Conclusion.
Indoor flowering gardens bring a splash of the great outdoors inside. All
indoor flowering plants require certain amounts of light, warmth, and water,
however some indoor plants are more famous for their easy going and forgiving
temperaments than others
Garden Planting Schedule
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