House plants
When using house plants for indoor interest and beauty during cold months group only those with similar light requirements.
An understanding of form, color, texture and balance will help you create an attractive collage. The general form and size of a plant will have considerable influence on its position in the design. As in any plant grouping or floral design, a tall vertical plant probably is best used at the back of the grouping, while short vertical plants look better at the front, where they “tie-down” the design. For example, tall gladiolus often is used as a background flower in flower arrangements. A plant with a strong horizontal form gives the design a sense of stability. An irregular form will help fill in the voids. Keep in mind if the forms are too similar, the overall composition will seem artificial. If they are too diverse, it will look unresolved.
Texture is both visual and tangible. For example, the leaves of a rubber plant are not just big, they are smooth and glossy. African tree fern looks and feels soft. The feel is important, but consider its visual texture. Uniform textures will make the design monotonous.
The variety of color in the plant world is astounding, but it can be over-powering. Dark green plants tend to recede, while light greens have just the opposite effect. Color can be used to give your grouping a sense of depth and movement. Variegation and bright colors add interest, but give them a dark background for maximum effect. Too much variegation is distracting; save it for accents and special effects.
Balance probably is the most important consideration of all. A well-balanced plant grouping is the result of adjusting mass and scale, color, form and texture until they all work as a unit. The process may take some time, but it will be worth the effort – and will be everlasting.
Leaves of houseplants should be gently washed with warm water and a soft cloth at least twice a month to remove dust and undesirable accumulations. Plants with “hairy” leaves as African Violets should be cleaned by placing pots in the kitchen sink and spraying with a soft spray of warm water. Do not use cold water. Do not allow direct sunlight on wet foliage. The drops of water magnify the sun’s heat, and spots may be burned on the leaves. Set plants in the shade until the water evaporates from leaves, and then return to their original spots.
Begonias prefer an evenly moist soil and a drying out period between watering. Flooding the pot is a good way to ensure saturation but avoid wetting foliage. Place the pot in the sink or a basin filled with water until water overflows the rim of the pot. Leave the pot submerged until air bubbles stop rising to the surface, then remove pot from water, allowing it to drain thoroughly. Do not water it again until foliage indicates that it is time. Never submerge entire plant. Begonias are very susceptible to mildew. Water on leaves aggravates this situation. If you can not flood the plant without wetting leaves, set the pot in a shallow pan and pour water into the top of pot until it seeps out the bottom. Let plant sit in a few inches of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then allow to thoroughly drain. Feed begonias with a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, in a diluted solution of _ teaspoon per two gallons of water. Feed every other week when actively growing. Many begonias become dormant in winter and should not be fed until they begin developing new shoots. Be careful not to overfertilize. This causes leaf and flower distortion as well as chemical build-up in the soil, which can damage the root system.
Asparagus fern needs repotting when the roots become extremely matted and the fern has either stopped growing or is growing very slowly. Gently untangle matted roots. Cut the root ball into halves or quarters. Repot in sterile soil, filling the pot to the lower edge of pot lip.
Bromeliads are available in a wide range of colors, forms and textures. Combine different selections for an intriguing effect. Several hundred species of bromeliads are being sold as houseplants, but not all are desirable selections for indoor growing. In terms of cost, beauty, and durability, six genera provide outstanding choices: Aechmea, Cyptanthus, Guzmania, Neoregelia, Tillandsia, and Vriesea.