If you grow your own fresh air, you appreciate the liveliness houseplants bring to the indoors during the long winter months. On days when I’m feeling blue, nothing lifts my spirits like taking care of my houseplants. Removing dead leaves, looking for any insect pests that I missed when bringing them indoors last fall, pinching…
Category: Houseplants
Container Plantings Winding Down
It’s the end of September in eastern Nebraska, which signals the very near end of patio plantings and container plants in the out of doors. There are several reasons for this:
Patio Planter Care in Mid-Summer
In mid-summer, especially when a hot, dry week is predicted, (like this upcoming week), patio planters and houseplants need a little TLC. Four actions are involved:
Plants & Indoor Air Quality
In the current wave of “houseplant mania”, it’s important to remember that houseplants provide numerous benefits in addition to adding amenity to the indoor landscape. Scott Evans, Horticulture Program Coordinator for Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties reports that water vapor given off via transpiration is a big plus for the indoors, as well as their capacity to absorb potentially harmful gasses such as formaldehyde, ammonia, bioeffluents and volatile organic compounds.
COVID-19 – Extend Poinsettia Life With Proper Care
The December glory of a poinsettia can fade to January/February paleness in a matter of weeks. Those bright red, white or pink leaves (bracts) can turn limp, curl up and drop, creating a desire to toss it out with the rest of the Christmas leftovers.
Norfolk Island Pine – A Great Option for Christmas
If you lack the space for an 8 foot Christmas tree, or detest the 3 foot plastic types, here’s a great option for you – a Norfolk Island Pine.
Valentine’s Day Alternatives
No doubt there are certain reported health benefits to a little dark chocolate now and then, but maybe this year, an alternative is in order for your loved one. Here’s a short list of good ones: *A potted plant – pots of Boston fern, rosemary, African violets, orchids and sweet bay can last…
The Amaryllis
Of all the holiday plants, the amaryllis boasts some of the largest flowers and can be one of the easiest to grow for next year’s re-bloom. Bulbs received as gifts can be planted right away and their fast growth will amaze everyone, even those with brown thumbs. Hybridization has greatly expanded the red-flowered offerings of…
National Poinsettia Day
Today, December 12th, is National Poinsettia Day in the United States. Today we celebrate this durable and highly attractive plant for the indoor landscape. Some quick tidbits about poinsettias: *Contrary to popular belief, they are not poisonous. Oh sure, if you ate a whole plant, it’s likely that it would result in a stomachache,…
All That Glitters
Trendy or not painting plants is a surefire way to kill them. Plants have pores (stomatal pore) that are located mostly on the surface of leaves. These pores are how plants gain access to carbon dioxide to carry out the process of photosynthesis. They are tiny and typically not visible with the use of a…