Many people tell me they do not have a green thumb or are not gardeners. I always tell them anyone can grow plants successfully indoors or outdoors with some good directions.
Others argue those who grow plants indoors are not gardeners. Well, I strongly disagree.
I started growing houseplants when I was about five years old. I had houseplants long before I ever had my own property where I could plant flowerbeds and a vegetable garden. I have vast experience growing many types and varieties of houseplants, as well as working in a greenhouse caring for houseplants.
My first badges as a Brownie and a Girl Guide were for gardening and I used houseplants for my projects.
So whether your goal is to grow plants indoors or an entire yard full, you can learn many things by starting with just one houseplant. I encourage you to discover your green thumb and call yourself a gardener: get a houseplant.
Many of what we consider houseplants in Canada actually are plants from the wild in other parts of the world. Essentially, house plants come from the forests, jungles, and deserts of the tropics and sub-tropics. However, a number of species also come from the Mediterranean and a large number of succulents are native to the drier parts of southern Africa, such as aloe, Haworthia, and the living stones, Lithops.
Humid areas in Africa provide varieties of Dracaena, Peperomia, and Saintpaulia while humid areas in South Africa are the home to beautiful bulbs such as Freesia and unique plants like the Bromeliads (Billbergia and Tillandsia). Varieties of Dieffenbachia and Philodendron are native to some parts of South America.
Orchids always have been a popular choice for floral arrangements, but now are very popular among indoor gardeners. Orchids are native to Malaysia and the Philippines.
Originating from Mexico is probably the best known of all house plants, the Poinsettia. And just for the record the Boston fern is not native to Boston but to the tropical regions throughout the world.
Knowing where plants come from helps to understand how to care for it them in your home and where to position them. Many of the species mentioned above have been hybridized to be more colourful, lush, and better suited to indoor growing.
When selecting a houseplant, choose only those foliage plants which appear to be insect- and disease-free. Check the undersides of the foliage and the axils of leaves for signs of insects or disease.
Select plants that look sturdy, clean, well-potted, shapely, and well-covered with leaves.
Choose plants with healthy foliage while avoiding those which have yellow leaves, brown leaf margins, wilted or water-soaked foliage, spots or blotches, and spindly growth. In addition, avoid leaves with mechanical damage, and those which have been treated with “leaf shines” which add an unnatural polish to the leaves.
Plants which have new flowers and leaf buds, along with young growth, usually are of superior quality.
When transporting plants, remember the two seasons of the year that can cause damage to them: the hot summer and the cold winter months. In the summer, avoid placing plants in a car and leaving the car shut up because the temperature will rise and destroy the plant in a short period of time.
If you have to travel for any distance at all, the plant can be burned by the sun shining on it even though the air conditioner is on and the temperature is comfortable in the car.
Shade the plant from direct sun while it is in the car.
During the winter months, wrap plants thoroughly with newspaper or paper bags (not plastic) before leaving the store to carry them to your car. A short run from the store to the car in very low temperatures can kill or severely damage plants.
Place the plant at the front of the car and turn on the heater, but make sure the heater is not blowing directly on the plant.
The trunk of most cars is too cold to carry plants safely during winter months.
Many foliage plants will be damaged considerably if the temperature drops much below 50 degrees F, so maintain as warm a temperature as possible around these plants when transporting them from one location to another.
Remember that it is easier to purchase a plant which requires the same environmental conditions your residence has to offer than to alter the environment of your home or office to suit the plants.
Make sure you assess your home before you venture out to purchase a plant. Just like buying plants for the outdoors, it pays to do a little research ahead of time.
There are many good books on houseplants available at the local library. Research what you like and then narrow it down to what will grow in your home conditions.
As well, base your choices on the care commitment required and what you are willing to provide. Remember your friend may have a lovely Boston fern but if your house is not suited to the growing requirements for ferns, then you’ll have to choose something else.
By the same token, I encourage you to take a chance. If you can find some reasonably-priced plants in small pots, then go ahead and give them a chance.
Sometimes it is experiments like this that yield the best results.
Featured
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
