tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269680392023-12-13T12:50:34.902-06:00Houseplant Care TipsVarious Houseplant Care Tips Including Watering and Lighting Requirements.drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-90529836747576705692014-03-20T09:28:00.005-05:002015-08-05T21:33:42.445-05:00Neanthe Bella Palm Care<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPgHS6cqVgY/Uyr5gPvU3OI/AAAAAAAABKI/p8TUKEKnfJc/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPgHS6cqVgY/Uyr5gPvU3OI/AAAAAAAABKI/p8TUKEKnfJc/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" width="240" /></a><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;">Common Name:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.111111640930176px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;">Neanthe Bella Palm, Parlor Palm, Good Luck Palm</span></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;">Scientific Name: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;">Chamaedorea elegans</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;">Lighting:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;"> Moderate to Bright</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;">Watering:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17.68000030517578px;"> Moderate to Heavy</span><br />
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The Neanthe Bella also known as a Parlor or Good Luck Palm, typically grows indoors to between 2 to 6 feet in height. Neanthe Bella Palms are very durable houseplants and can be enjoyed for many years. This palm is one of the most popular choices for an indoor houseplant. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 11px;">The Neanthe Bella Palm prefers medium to bright light so a north or west facing window will be best for placement. Do not keep your palm in direct sunlight as it may burn the foliage.</span></div>
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Neanthe Bella (Parlor or Good Luck) Palms need to have their soil moist at all times. These palms do not do well when allowed to completely dry out or being overly soggy. Aim to water your Parlor Palm at least once a week to begin with and adjust accordingly to how the soil feels. This palm can be picky when it comes to water. Be sure to use non-fluoride water for this plant.</div>
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Pests are typically not a problem with this palm any more than other houseplants. Spider mites may appear. If pests appear, try my home remedy that really hasn't failed me, of spraying the plant twice a day with a soapy dishwater mixture. If that does not work, go to your local gardening center and they can instruct you on which product to use.</div>
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It would be beneficial to give this plant some fertilizer on a regular basis. I typically use a general indoor houseplant fertilizer added to the water once a month. If you notice the frond tips beginning to brown, try fertilizing once every two months as it could be receiving too much. </div>
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</tbody></table>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-60412955459478423762013-07-16T23:45:00.002-05:002015-08-05T21:35:15.458-05:00Kentia Palm Care FAQs<i>Question:</i><br />
My Kentia Palm has some sort of pest (mites, white flys, gnats, etc). How do I get rid of them?<br />
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<i>Answer: </i><br />
Use a soapy dishwater mixture. Spray your plant twice a day for approximately one week and you should start to see improvements. A reader of this blog (Cynthia) also stated that adding a couple spurts of apple vinegar to the semi-soapy water seemed to help speed up the process as well!<br />
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<i>Question:</i><br />
My Kentia Palm has black spots all over the fronds and along the stems. What’s wrong with my palm?<br />
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<i>Answer:</i><br />
Is the houseplant within direct sunlight? Could the black spots be burn marks? The other area to watch is watering. If you over water your Kentia Palm it could begin to rot, thus the black spots. Also is your water treated at all? If so, this palm is known to be sensitive to chemicals.<br />
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<i>Question:</i><br />
How is the Kentia Palm propagated? Can I simply cut off the stem and replant?<br />
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<i>Answer:</i><br />
From what I’ve researched and from others who’ve commented, Kentia palms can only be grown from seeds. Unlike many other houseplants, you cannot simply cut off the stem and replant.<br />
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<i>Question:</i><br />
How often should I repot my palm?<br />
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<i>Answer:</i><br />
You only need to repot your plants when they outgrow their home. If they are not root bound, then do not send your plants into the shock of repotting.<br />
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Don’t forget to read the complete <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/12/kentia-palm-care.html">Kentia Palm Care Guide</a> for additional information.
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</tbody></table>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-68233753121673567502012-05-21T22:06:00.004-05:002015-08-05T21:36:01.945-05:00Jade Plant Care FAQ<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xi0QtGEi7HA/Uyr3LWir7XI/AAAAAAAABJ8/yO487uKs6t4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Jade Plant" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xi0QtGEi7HA/Uyr3LWir7XI/AAAAAAAABJ8/yO487uKs6t4/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" title="Jade Plant" width="240" /></a><i>Problem</i><br />
My jade plant stem seems to be rotting near the base. What should I do?<br />
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<i>Answer</i><br />
If the stem of your Jade plant is blackish in color and squishy to touch, than your plant may have stem rot which is typically caused by over watering. If it is stem root, remove the rotten stems as soon as possible to prevent the rot from spreading to other healthy stems. <br />
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<i>Problem</i><br />
My Jade plant has a white material near the base of some leaves. The white materials is silky like and clinging, similar to a spider web. There are also small white flecks on the leaves too. <br />
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<i>Answer</i><br />
Your plant may be infected with spider mites or mealy bugs. Spray your houseplant with a soapy dishwater mixture twice a day for around a week or two. Another home tip to try is dipping a Q-Tip in Rubbing Alcohol. Clean the foliage off with the Q-Tip. You may need to do this for a week or two so don’t stop if things don’t improve immediately. If the problem doesn’t appear to improve, please visit your local garden center for a stronger solution. <br />
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<i>Problem</i><br />
My healthy Jade plant has suddenly began dropping leaves. What’s wrong?<br />
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<i>Answer</i> <br />
There could be a possibility of reasons as to why your Jade plant may have begun dropping foliage. Does the pot have proper drainage preventing the roots from sitting in the water? Is the plant receiving sufficient sunlight? Proper watering? Double check your care instructions and then begin testing, changing one thing at a time to solve the problem.<br />
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<i>Problem</i><br />
Do Jade plants need special fertilizer?<br />
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<i>Answer</i><br />
I simply use Miracle Gro’s Houseplant Food. It’s a concentrate so you just add the instructed amount of drops to the water. I use it once a month.<br />
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<i>Problem</i><br />
The leaves on my Jade plant are brownish and slightly wrinkled. They seem almost skinny. What am I doing wrong?<br />
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<i>Answer</i><br />
You may be under watering the plant. A Jade plants foliage should be plump, so when they begin to wrinkle and shrink, many times the plant is not receiving the proper amount of water.<br />
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<i>Extra Tip from an Anonymous Reader</i><br />
If you leave the fallen leaves of a Jade plant, they will begin to root right they fall. <br />
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<b>Be sure to read my full guide to <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/08/jade-plant-care.html">Jade Plant Care</a>.</b> <br />
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<br />drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-15719091305083415962012-03-05T22:38:00.003-06:002015-08-05T21:37:58.697-05:00Heart Shaped Philodendron FAQ<i>Problem</i><br />My philodendron has become nothing more than long vines with very few leaves. What can I do?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Philodendron’s need what I like to call “hair cuts” to remain full. If you don’t want to trim your whole plant, do a handful of vines first versus the whole thing. Clip the vines back to a couple of inches from the beginning. Take your clippings and trim them down so they are long enough to fit into a vase filled with water. Continue to provide the clippings with water and within a month or so, your philodendron clippings should begin forming roots. After a good set of roots have formed, you can now replant your clippings with the original plant.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />My heart-leaf philodendron leaves have developed a white fuzzy substance and have begun dying. I wipe the fuzzy substance off, but it comes right back. The fuzz even shows up on new leaves while they are developing. <br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Your Philodendron has gotten infested with mealy bugs or a type of mold. First thing you need to do is move it away from other plants so the infestation don't spread. Try removing the white fuzz with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. After a day or so, spray the entire plant with water, like a mist. Do this for a couple days. If the rubbing alcohol doesn't work, go to your local garden center and try a insecticidal soap.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />My Philodendron plant looks beautiful and healthy, however it won’t grow any larger. What am I doing wrong?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Many times when a plant looks otherwise healthy, it typically signals a lighting problem. The plant is receiving enough light to remain healthy but not enough to flourish. Try providing the plant with more light. Not necessarily direct light. Move it closer to a window or try a grow light a distance away from the plant for a month and monitor what happens. If you see a large amount of improvement leave the plant within the new light arrangement. If you see some improvement but not much, give the Philodendron a little more light until you find the happy medium.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />I’ve had my Philodendron clippings in water for over 5 weeks and still no roots. How long do I wait? Will it hurt the clippings with roots to sit in the water this long?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Be patient! Each clipping will act differently. Sometimes they may root within 2 - 3 weeks, sometimes longer. Those that do root faster than the rest will be just fine within the water. I actually have a small vase in which I have 2 clippings that have been in water for over 4 years now. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />When should I repot my heart-leafed Philodendron?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />I’m not a plant expert on paper, but from my experience, you won’t need to repot your Philodendron often at all. These houseplants like to be root bound. I’ve had mine for 10 years now. I’ve repotted it once and that was just within the last year. If roots start appearing on the top of the soil, you may want to add more dirt to the top of the pot. If adding dirt is not an option than go ahead and repot into a bigger container.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />How often should I water my Philodendron?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />This houseplant doesn’t require heavy water. Typically if you water once every 1 - 2 weeks your Philodendron will grow wonderfully.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />My plant has become infested with little black bugs. How do I get rid of them?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Spray the plant with a soapy dishwater mix twice a day for one week. If the bugs are still present, visit your local garden center to find an insecticide that will be more potent. I always like to try the dishwater mist first. It’s been quite effective for getting rid of pests on all my houseplants.<br /><br /><b>Be sure to read my full guide to <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/01/heart-leaf-philodendron-plant-care.html">Heart Shaped Philodendron Plant Care</a>.</b> <br /><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td align="center"><br />
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</iframe><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-14278118143735411362011-09-15T22:42:00.005-05:002015-08-05T21:38:41.993-05:00Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) FAQ<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_qJWNc928354/Re4pCDvPurI/AAAAAAAAAHg/pXfqZSrgaVA/s320/DumbCane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039010148414110386" /> <i>Problem</i><br />My Dieffenbachia plants are tall and falling over. What’s wrong?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Typically Dumb Cane will get fuller before taller. Your plants may not be receiving enough light and therefore reaching. Move them closer to a window.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />My Dieffenbachia’s leaves are yellowing.<br /> <br /><i>Answer</i><br />Yellowing leaves is a fairly common problem, not only with Dumb Cane plants but many houseplants in general. Yellowing leaves can also signal one many potentials problems. Sometimes the yellowing of the foliage is a signal that the plant is not receiving enough light or water. On the opposite side of things, yellowing leaves could simply mean the plant is shedding older foliage.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />My Dieffenbachia foliage is turning yellow and drooping. What’s wrong?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />The yellowing of the leaves and drooping may mean you are over / under watering your plant. Before making that assumption though, check the undersides of the leaves for some type of pests. Sometime spider mites can cause these symptoms. If you do see tiny red spots or some other sort of houseplant pest, spray the entire plant twice per day with a soapy dishwater detergent.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />Can Dieffenbachia be propagated?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Yes. if your Dumb Cane plant has fallen over or continues to fall over, you can split it easily. This houseplant easily roots itself by simply placing it in water until iiiDieffenbachia and stuck it in water with rocks on the bottom. The plant then rooted and was ready to go. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />My Dumb Cane plants has grown “pods”. What are they? <br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />The pods are Dieffenbachia’s flower. They look almost like a bean. Dumb Cane’s typically do not flower often. I personally never had mine flower (unfortunately), however readers have shared their experiences. For additional information please see http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2008/11/random-plant-event-special.html<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />The foliage on my Dumb Cane plant is no longer a beautiful green and it has lost its white centers. What can I do to get the markings back on my Dieffenbachia?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Typically houseplants will lose some of their color luster because they are not receiving enough light. Try moving the plant to an area closer to a window that receives more light each day.<br /><br /><b>Looking for more advice and tips on caring for this houseplant? Be sure to read the complete <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/08/dieffenbachia-dumb-cane-plant-care.html">Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) Plant Care Guide</a>.</b> <table align="center" cellpadding="10"><tr><td><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=houscaretips-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=0764551027&asins=0764551027&linkId=7X3BHOUVIPG4L6AM&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=031405&title_color=0F7E3D&bg_color=FFFFFF">
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</iframe></td></tr></table><br /> <br /><br>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-54946616461475230042011-01-07T22:23:00.005-06:002015-08-05T21:39:13.510-05:00Croton Plant FAQ<i>Problem:</i><br />My Croton plant has grown long and spindly with many of its leaves falling off. Can I save my plant?<br /><br /><i>Answer:</i><br />Typically those signs would signal that your Croton is not receiving enough light. I personally have never tried it, however you can try cutting the plant off under the leaf line and new shoots may begin to grow. Keep your plant near bright light to prevent the spindling from occurring again.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />The leaves are all falling off my Croton.<br /><br /><i>Answer:</i><br />Make sure your houseplant is receiving enough water. Croton’s require heavy water levels. Water your houseplant weekly if not more, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Be sure your pot allows for proper drainage. Use distilled or untreated water. Croton’s can be touchy to chemicals in the water.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />I left my Croton outside too long. The plant was exposed to the cold and now looks like it’s dying. Is there hope?<br /><br /><i>Answer:</i><br />Croton’s are typically very hardy. They are also temperamental. Continue to provide it with its basic watering and lighting needs and it may spring back. The plant may just be in shock and needs to recover. Time.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />My Croton’s foliage no longer contains its bright, vibrant colors.<br /><br /><i>Answer:</i><br />Lack of color or dullness in the leaves usually signals a lack of light. Move your Croton closer to a bright window and the vibrant colors should return.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />The leaves on my Croton are drying up and turning brown on the ends.<br /><br /><i>Answer:</i><br />Foliage browning can signal you may be over watering the plant. The browning ends may also signal the plant needs higher humidity levels. Croton’s require heavier water levels, however keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Utilize a pot with holes in the bottom allowing excess water to drain out, helping to prevent root rot from over-soaked soil near the roots. You can also try using a humidifier if you are in a dry air climate.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />My Croton has mealybugs. How can I get rid of them?<br /><br /><i>Answer:</i><br />Before trying an pesticide, try using a soapy dishwater mixture. Simply mix dishsoap with water in a spray bottle. Spray the plant down twice a day. If after a couple days you don’t see improvement, then visit your local garden store for a pesticide as the infestation may be too strong for the homemade solution.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />My Croton just grew 2 stems with very small balls on them from the middle of the plant. What are they?<br /><br /><i>Answer:</i><br />Congratulations! Your Croton is flowering! Go to Google Images and search “Croton flower” to confirm. <br /><br /><br /><i>Added Croton Care Tip</i><br /><br />When traveling, utilize a water bottle for watering while gone. Poke a few small holes in an empty water bottle. Fill the water bottle with water (leaving a little space for expansion). Turn the bottle upside down and freeze. Then before you leave, put the bottle right side up in your plant allowing your plant to receive water while away. <br />Thanks missterious518!<br /><br /><br /><b>Read the complete <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/05/croton-plant-care.html">Croton Plant Care</a> post for additional information on how to care for this houseplant.</b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="10"><tbody>
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</iframe></td></tr></tbody></table>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-19317077046641206862010-07-17T13:20:00.004-05:002015-08-05T21:41:58.944-05:00Corn Plant FAQ<i>Problem</i><br />The leaves on my Corn Plant are turning yellow / brown?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Yellowing and browning of Corn Plants can be for a variety of reasons. If you are overwatering the houseplant the foliage may yellow. Water once every week or two. Allow the soil to slightly dry out in between watering. <br /><br />In regards to browning, it could be the plant is not receiving enough water or just a normal part of owning a Corn Plant. My Corn Plant will get brown tips and shed some of the lower leaves without any change in care. Seems to be part of its nature. You can also try giving your plant a daily misting. The leaves may brown on the tips if the plant is not receiving enough moisture.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />I broke the top of my Corn plant off. Will new growth start?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Yes! However, a time frame is unknown. New shoots will either begin from directly below where you cut or from the root. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />There are white spots on my Corn Plant. What are they?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />The white spots could be one of two things. One if you are not using distilled water, the white spots could be from that. If you are using distilled water, then you may have a pest infestation. Spray the plant twice a day with a soapy dishwater mixture for a week. If the spots do not go away, then you may need to go to your local garden center and purchase a more potent pesticide.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />How can I clean / shine my Corn Plants leaves?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i> (Courtesy of Baton Rouge Gardener DA)<br />You can use Milk on a soft rag or sponge to clean and polish the leaves about once a month or so. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br /> My Corn Plants are top heavy and keep falling over.<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Corn Plants have very shallow roots, therefore easily tip over. Stake them up using a small stick and some string. This will help support your Corn Plant and lessen the strain on the roots.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />Do Corn Plants flower?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Yes! My Corn Plant, which I’ve had for almost 10 years now has never flowered but various readers have shared information with me. You can cut the flower off if you’d like or let it fall off. Some have said the fragrance can be overwhelming at times. I’ve also been told that the flower can release a sticky substance so you may want to put a towel under the plant until its done flowering. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />Can I split my Corn Plant? How do your propagate?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />I have never tried taking cuttings or propagating my Corn Plant, however one reader has said that she had successfully cut off a branch from her plant and soaked in water until roots began to form. Below are a couple Website links with additional information:<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week208.shtml">Corn Plant: Dracaena</a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/c950/c950.htm">cane cuttings</a><br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />Are Corn Plants poisonous?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Yes. Corn Plants are poisonous if eaten so keep away from pets and children. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />The yellow / white stripe markings on the foliage are no longer there. Why?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Sometimes when plants receive too much or too little light, their markings will disappear. Adjust your light slightly to see if changes. Many times, the plant is not receiving enough light.<br /><br /><br /><b>Read the complete <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/05/corn-plant-care.html">Corn Plant Care</a> post for detailed information on how to care for this houseplant.</b>
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</iframe><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-86686544650190579852010-06-18T15:44:00.004-05:002010-06-18T15:54:35.879-05:0015 Awesome Secret Indoor Gardens - Truly Amazing!<p><a target="_blank" href="http://growingplantsindoors.com/indoor-gardens/"><img src="http://growingplantsindoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/subwaygarden_thumb.jpg" border="0" align="center" height="316" width="400" hspace="10" vspace="10"></a></p><br /><p>I was sent a link to the blog post <a target="_blank" href="http://growingplantsindoors.com/indoor-gardens/">15 Awesome Secret Indoor Gardens</a> and had to share. The post includes pictures of amazing indoor gardens located within subway and train stations, airports, banks, businesses and homes. It is a must see for any plant lover! Thank you to the author for sharing with me.<br /><br />- Drayas</p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-43951572060543363402010-03-18T22:21:00.005-05:002015-08-05T21:39:52.694-05:00Bird of Paradise FAQ<i>Problem</i><br />Why has my Bird of Paradise leaves rolled up?<br /><br /><i>Answer (Thank you Stef)</i><br />Chances are that your Bird of Paradise is infected with spider mites. These pests will cause the leaves to roll / curl inward. The spider mites suck the leaves dry thus turning them yellow / brown and causing them to roll up.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />How often should I water my Bird of Paradise<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Generally once a week should be a sufficient watering schedule for your Bird of Paradise. As a general rule of thumb, when the soil is dry to touch, water<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />Can I grow my Bird of Paradise outside?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />If you live in a warm climate, yes, you can grow Bird of Paradise outside. Generally I have found that Bird of Paradise plants can usually tolerate brief exposure to temperatures under 30 degrees however you can severely limit flower production and growth when exposed for any extended periods of time. One night you should be fine, but more than that, probably not.<br /><br />I personally do not have any experience with this houseplant outdoors, however below are other Web sites that do:<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-27.pdf">http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-27.pdf</a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG106">http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG106</a><br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />How often / when will my Bird of Paradise flower?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Typically it may take 3 - 5 years to flower, depending on the size of the plant as well as how much light, water and humidity the plant is receiving. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />Are Bird of Paradise plants poisonous?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Yes, the Bird of Paradise is a <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/04/poisonous-houseplants.html">poisonous houseplant</a>. Keep your houseplant away from pets and children that may eat / chew on the plant.<br /><br />Read the complete <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/04/bird-of-paradise-care.html">Bird of Paradise Care</a> post for detailed information on how to care for this houseplant.<table align="center" cellpadding="10"><tr><td><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=houscaretips-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=0764551027&asins=0764551027&linkId=7X3BHOUVIPG4L6AM&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=031405&title_color=0F7E3D&bg_color=FFFFFF">
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</iframe></td></tr></table><br /> <br /><br></p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-46909950295728725982009-12-04T13:24:00.005-06:002015-08-05T21:43:08.133-05:00Areca Palm Care FAQs<i>Problem</i><br />How often should I water my Areca Palm?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Areca Palms prefer high water levels so keep the soil moist at all times. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Be sure your pot allows for proper drainage by putting 2 inches or more of pebbles at the bottom of the pot as well as a water tray. The foliage of your Areca palm will tell you if the plants needs water. If the leaves droop, close-up or dry up then the palm probably needs more water.<br /><br />In winter months, like many other houseplants, Areca Palms require less water. Areca Palms also prefer high humidity levels, so running a humidifier or a daily misting will be beneficial too.<br /><br />Brown, then black, leaf tips are caused by salt build-up in the root zone. Cut off the black tips, but realize that the salt in the root zone is causing the problem, and you need to flush them out with lots of water, outside, where they can dry out and you can do it again, and again. Or transplant them into new soil mix. Tolerate the burn until the weather warms up, if you live where it's cold. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />Can Areca Palms be split into multiple plants?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i> (Courtesy of Denis)<br />Clustering palms can be propagated by dividing the root ball. Seeds are the normal way, but for indoor plants, dividing them is the easiest. Trim them back to a few healthy stems, because damaged roots will reflect back in the head leaves, so don't expect a weaker root system to support the many leave stems it had before.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />How much light does my Areca Palm need?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Areca Palms prefer full sun, so keep your palm within 3 to 5 feet from a window receiving 4 to 5 hours of sunlight. East and West windows are good choices for this lighting requirement. <br /><br />Remember Areca Palms are not dark green normally, but when in dark areas, all plants increase the amount of chlorophyll in their leaves to help get the most out of the minimum light. Yellow green is the color of a happy Areca's leaves, with plenty of light (Golden cane palm).<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />Do you have any tips on pruning an Areca palm?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i> (Again courtesy of Denis)<br />You can save a lot of worry and prayer by doing a simple test on almost any plant, to see if it is viable. Using a fingernail, or some small knife, remove a bit of the outer tissue of the stems (bark) and check for green tissue, underneath. If there is none, the stem is dead; remove that stem or cane.<br /><br />In fact, a distressed plant is better off with less leaf mass to support. If sick, 90% of plants will show it, and "you can tell".<br /><br />If a plant was exposed to freezing temperatures long enough for the water in the cells to freeze, the ice formation will expand and break the cell walls, generally killing that section. Leaves can come back, but not on dead canes or stems. Root cells can survive more easily because the earth around them has to freeze first.<br /><br />Generally, the best thing you can do for a sick plant, is give it a "haircut". Cut it back and you relieve the stress; keep cutting until you get to green tissue. Simpler, you can see if the stem bends; if it is dead, it will snap and break. This is true for roots too. Remove the dead tissue (that snaps) and keep the top area proportional to the remaining root mass. New stems should come up from a living root system.<br /><br />You may not want to have the plant in your living room after it is cut back; put it someplace where it can rest and recover, --if the roots are alive. With few or no leaves, it needs little light or water. Too much water can induce rot, and cool, wet conditions cause fungi to thrive. Once new leaves start to emerge, gradually bring it back to some sunlight. <br /><br />Healthy areca palms have a yellow tint, as they are not shade plants and do not need as many chlorophyll cells. The house plants we like, are usually natives of the under-canopy (jungle) world, where they produce wide leaves saturated with chlorophyll cells to compete for the available light.<br />Water: The leaves will close to reduce water loss area, first, so that signals their stress. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />How do I cut off dead or browned branches on my Areca Palm?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />Snip the dead branch where it meets the soil. Just cutting the ends or dead portion off will not help the palm; it may actually stunt your plants growth. Pulling the frond from the root is also not a good way. Doing so you may disrupt the other roots and do more damage.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />My Areca Palm is infested with some sort of pest. How do I get rid of it?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i> <br />Whatever the type of pest (scale, mites, spider, fungus, etc.) I always try my homemade remedy first. Mix together some soapy dishwater (water and dish soap), spray the entire plant twice a day for a few days. If you are seeing improvement, then continue for at least one week. If the pest doesn’t seem to be going away, local garden center for a pesticide safe for houseplants.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem</i><br />My Areca Palm looks sickly and isn’t doing well. What could be the problem?<br /><br /><i>Answer</i><br />With a sick palm, remove canes where the crown pulls out, then remove the dead, rotting roots. It’s easy to tell if you have any living roots that aren't rotten yet, from fungi. Sniff test will confirm if they are rotten. Remove all the dead tissue, top to bottom, and re-pot in new clean mix. Do not give the plant any fertilizer or houseplant food until new growth has started. <br /><br />You can use Hydrogen peroxide to determine if it’s a fungi problem. In the crown of palms, Hydrogen peroxide will bubble when it hits fungi protein. The same is true for the roots. The Hydrogen Peroxide won't hurt the plant, but will kill fungi. The bubbling will stop when no more fungi is present.<br />Without good drainage, plants will drown and even faster if during the winter months. Fungi will spread more quickly in an over watered plant. Adding some vinegar to the water will keep the soil slightly acidic and kill residual fungi. You can check pH with pool or aquarium test paper.<br /><br /><br /><i>Miscellaneous Tips</i><br /><br />Remember, that when you transplant any type of houseplant, many will go through a down period due to shock. The shock from the transplant will cause the houseplant to look worn out, even yellow for a short time period. Usually within a month, your houseplant will be back to normal.<br /><br />Additional tips from the always knowledgeable, Dennis:<br />They are tough, 27F doesn't bother them, surprisingly, and like most plants, will decline if given too much "care". <br /><br />Cold temps will "burn" them and the look resembles heat burn, as the cell tissues are burned by heat transfer, in or out. Once the tissue is burned, get rid of it because it becomes a target for disease or fungi. Palms only grow from the crow of each stem, so when the crown dies, that whole stem will never recover, so cut it off. Once the plant, any plant, is damaged, it goes into shock and stops growing. Never fertilize a sick plant, or over water it! <br /><br />Stems that are too long will bend, normally. Tie them together with green nursery tape or cut the big ones down.<br /><br />Be sure to also read the complete <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/11/areca-palm-care.html">Areca Palm Care</a> post for detailed information on how to care for this houseplant.<table align="center" cellpadding="10"><tbody>
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</iframe></td></tr></tbody></table></p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-59464931721504724582009-09-08T23:08:00.006-05:002015-08-05T21:43:50.048-05:00Aloe Vera Plant FAQ<a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/11/aloe-vera-plant-care.html"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4119/2829/200/misc%20002.jpg" border="0" alt="Aloe Vera plant" /></a><br /><p><i>Problem:</i><br />How much should I water my Aloe plant?<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />Aloe plants require low water levels, so water the plant once every 2 weeks or longer. Typically I wait 3 weeks to a month in between watering. Allow the soil to dry completely in between watering. And as usual, be sure your plants soil has proper drainage.<br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />Are Aloe Vera Plants Poisonous?<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />Various sources state the varieties of the Aloe Vera plant are poisonous if ingested. Aloe is safe to use on sunburns, warts, eczema and other topical uses, but ingested state poisonous. Below are the 2 sources I used:<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Aloe_ve.htm">North Carolina State University</a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe">Aloe - Wikipedia</a><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />Do Aloe Vera plants flower / bloom?<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />My Aloe plant has never bloomed, however multiple readers have shared stories that their very old Aloe plants have bloomed. A slender shoot varying from 12 to 18 inches will small buds is how it has been described. You can also go to Google Images and search "Aloe flower" to see pictures. Do put your Aloe Vera plant on a towel or something while it is blooming. They can drip sap.<br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />Some of the stalks have shriveled up and died. Can I remove them?<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />Yes. You can cut the dead foliage off, as close to the main center stalk as possible without harming the plant. It will actually help the plant, as it will no longer waste energy trying to save a dead stalk. The shriveled up foliage could be a sign that you are under watering the plant.<br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />The leaves on my Aloe Vera plant seem droopy. <br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />This is most likely a watering issue. You may be providing the plant with too little or too much water. Aim to water once every 2 weeks or more. I would water once a month, giving a good soaking with proper soil drainage.<br /><br /><br /><b>Miscellaneous Tip</b><br /><br />When watering, water directly to the soil and try to prevent water from getting on the foliage. Multiple readers have witnessed that when water gets onto the lower leaves in particular, they brown. <br /><br /><br /><b>Featured Comments on Aloe Vera Plants</b><br /><blockquote><br />I got my Aloe's from my aunts garden in Tucson, Az. Every summer I put them outside and the leaves turn a nice light rosy brown. When I bring them back in in the fall they return to green. I have waited to bring them in until later in the fall when the night temperatures have been in the upper 30's (I live in Minnesota) and they have been just fine. They all flower once every year with a long stem that has small orange trumpet shaped flowers on it. I have not watered in the winter for up to two months and they do fine. <br /><br />If the leaves start to shrivel they need water. They will come back just fine. They like being crowded, that's the way they grow outside. They don't mind being overcrowded. Each plant will just grow taller (into a stalk) and the "babies" will find their way up between the established plants. Any of the "babies" can be repotted at any time. I've even had "babies" grow out of the overcrowded established plant. This is, by far, the easiest plant, along with Mother-in-laws tongue (Snake plant), I have ever had, to care for.<br /><i>Anonymous Post</i><br /><br /><br />Hello everyone,<br />I want to share some of my lifetime experiences with Aloe Vera; I grew up in a tropical Country where it grows wild. Notice that there are about 400 varieties of Aloe, and "Vera" is the one I'm going to refer to. Go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera and you will see on the right how it looks like; in the US you can find it at the grocery stores everywhere and I call it 'the miracle plant'. <br />We ingest it as a body cleanser, use it for burns, wounds (small and big), mild infections, bug bites, as suppositories for hemorrhoids and minor vaginal infections (a great way to have it available when needed is by peeling the Aloe Vera carefully with a sharp knife, cutting long strings lengthwise, wrapping them individually with aluminum foil and freezing them in a sealed plastic bag, so when you need some, just brake a piece); Aloe Vera is a great for cuts and burns and when its flesh is applied directly on the wound and then covered with a gauze, it regenerates the skin and you don't get scars! <br /><br />Aloe Vera loves sunlight; humidity and cold weather are its worst enemies; I live in GA, so I keep it indoors close to a sunny window during winter and either keep it there all year long or take it out for Summer time. I bring it in when it rains a lot, because it will rot in no time. When I accidentally bump into a leaf and it starts to get saggy or looks ugly, I simply cut it from the base with a sharp knife and proceed to peel it for future use.<br /><i>Anonymous Post</i><br /></blockquote><br /><br /><b>Be sure to also read the complete <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/11/aloe-vera-plant-care.html">Aloe Vera Plant Care</a> post for detailed information on how to care for this houseplant.</b></p>
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</iframe></td><br /><td><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=houscaretips-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=0696220083&asins=0696220083&linkId=QRFDSPPJEK4ZDIV5&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=031405&title_color=0F7E3D&bg_color=FFFFFF">
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</iframe></td></tr></table><br /> <br /><br>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-12702347889277479412009-08-02T12:53:00.006-05:002015-08-05T21:44:34.695-05:00African Violet FAQ<a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2008/05/african-violet-plant-care.html"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qJWNc928354/SDbX_79pV9I/AAAAAAAAAU0/EANOeUaRYzk/s200/AfricanVioletSmall.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203583912901171154" /></a><p><i>Problem:</i><br />There is white mold or fungus growing on top of the soil of my African Violet plants.<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />The mold or fungus is typically due to over watering or the soil is not draining properly. Use soil specifically for African Violets. Water less frequently or less heavily to prevent the soil from becoming water logged.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />I want to replant my African Violet however it doesn't look healthy. Should I wait?<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />Yes. Typically, replanting will put the plant in a slight state of shock, so transplanting when the plant isn't healthy may actually hurt the plant. Wait until the plant is in a healthful state before repotting.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />Your African Violet has some type of pest. How do I get rid of them?<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />There are multiple ways. You can spray them with a soapy dishwater mixture twice a day for a couple days. Another method a reader shared was a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. However with the alcohol mixture, it killed the crown of the plant. But, it then grew many new crowns, when can't be left to grow for a few months then separated. You can also purchase an insecticide at any local garden center. <br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />What is the right way to water African Violets?<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />African Violets prefer moderate water levels, which typically means once a week when the plant dries out. In terms of how much depends really on your plant. The biggest thing I've learned with houseplant is that you need to feel it out. As one reader commented, she drenches her African Violet and then lets it dry out completely. That strategy has worked very well for her. I, myself seem to have to not drench it, but give it a good soaking. Do test and see what will work best for your plant.<br /><br />One thing is for sure; make sure you are allowing proper drainage of the water. This is true for all houseplants.<br /><br /><br /><i>Problem:</i><br />How do I propagate African Violets?<br /><br /><i>Solution:</i><br />These houseplants are extremely easy to propagate. Almost too easy. Take any leaf with stem and place in soil. Water thoroughly and you should be good to go!<br /><br /><br /><b>Miscellaneous Tips:</b><br /><br />African Violets don't like to be moved, so find them a great location and keep them there. If you do need to move them, be ready for a little backlash. The plants will spring back, but may go through a little shock period and take a little longer to bloom again.<br /><br />Be sure to pinch off dead blossoms to help keep your African Violet keep blooming for many years.<br /><br /><b>Be sure to also read the complete <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2008/05/african-violet-plant-care.html">African Violets Care</a> post for detailed information on how to care for this houseplant.</b><table><tbody><tr>
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</iframe><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br></p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-81962660968013231142009-05-04T06:17:00.002-05:002015-08-05T21:45:22.752-05:00Wandering Jew Plant Care<p><b>Common Name:</b> Wandering Jews<br /><b>Scientific Name:</b> Zebrina pendula<br /><b>Lighting:</b> Bright to Moderate<br /><b>Watering:</b> Moderate to Heavy</p><br /><p>Wandering Jews is a houseplant that many claim to be one of the easiest houseplants to grow. The Wandering Jew is a vining plant with leaves characterized by white, silver and purple foliage with stripes down the length of the leaves. Since the plant tends to vine, hanging baskets or areas where it can trail down are the perfect locations for the Wandering Jew. Wandering Jews do flower with flowers colors ranging from purple, white and even some pink varieties.</p><br /><p>This houseplant does best in bright sunlight, with a combination of direct and filtered sunlight. If the foliage color doesn’t seem to be as dramatic as it used to, your Wandering Jew probably isn't receiving as much light as it would like.</p><br /><p>Wandering Jews prefer moderate to heavy watering. Aim to keep the soil moist most of the time, however not soggy. Allow it to try ever so slightly in between watering. They also prefer a slightly higher humidity level.</p><br /><p>Wandering Jews also prefer to be more root bound, so typically you don’t need to repot much, in fact barely at all. One care tip I can share is that you should try to prune the ends of the stems often. By pruning the ends of the stems back, the plant will branch out and become more full and bushy. You can also create new little plants, by taking cuttings from the plant and rooting in water.</p><br /><p>One area of caution with this houseplant. I found on a few Web sites posted that sap from Wandering Jews can cause skin irritation to humans. So take caution.<table align="center" cellpadding="10"><tbody>
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</iframe></td></tr></tbody></table></p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-66949851968779986362009-04-02T13:02:00.013-05:002015-08-05T21:46:05.950-05:00Houseplant FAQ Guides<p>With the large assortment of comments, I began creating pages that try and answer many of the common questions and problems people have with their houseplants. Browse through the pages below to read common question and answers to a variety of houseplants. These pages will continually be edited if new problems or tips are being posted often. New FAQs will be posted in the coming months as they are created.<br /><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2009/08/african-violet-faq.html">African Violets FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2009/09/aloe-vera-plant-faq.html">Aloe Vera Plant FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2009/12/areca-palm-care-faqs.html">Areca Palms FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2010/03/bird-of-paradise-faq.html">Bird of Paradise FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2010/07/corn-plant-faq.html">Corn Plant FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2011/01/croton-plant-faq.html">Croton Plant FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2011/09/dieffenbachia-dumb-cane-faq.html">Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2012/03/heart-shaped-philodendron-faq.html">Heart Shaped Philodendron FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2012/05/jade-plant-care-faq.html">Jade Plant Care FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2013/07/kentia-palm-care-faqs.html">Kentia Palm Care FAQ</a></p><br />
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</iframe><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-51048727332624658132009-03-01T12:44:00.003-06:002015-08-05T21:43:22.179-05:00Piggyback Plant Care Tips<p><b>Common Name:</b> Piggyback Plant, Mother of Thousands, Youth-on-Age<br /><b>Scientific Name:</b> Tolmiea menziesii<br /><b>Lighting:</b> Moderate to Bright<br /><b>Water:</b> Moderate</p><br /><p>The Piggyback plant is characterized by long stalks of heart or star shaped leaves with a rough edged appearance to the foliage. Foliage is a generally a pale color plus the foliage is fuzzy! Piggyback plants grow very quickly and most are vining thus hanging baskets make a great home for this houseplant.</p><br /><p>The Piggyback plant prefers moderate to bright in-direct light levels. So filtered light works best. If too much direct light is received the foliage could burn. This houseplant will also tolerate lower light levels, but may not look its best when in that environment.</p><br /><p>The Piggyback plant likes to have its soil kept evenly moist at all times, however not soggy. This houseplant does not like its soil to dry out. If the soil does dry out, the foliage will turn brown and the plant will quickly deteriorate. This houseplants foliage has a drooping appearance to begin with so don’t overwater thinking the drooping is from that.</p><br /><p>The most unique characteristic of the Piggyback plant separating it from other houseplants is their means of reproduction. Buds will develop at a leaf's base. From these buds, new plants will grow thus the name "Piggyback". Many times you can simply pick a leaf and gently push it into the soil to start a new plant. They root very easily.</p><br /><p>Share any of your tips to care for this houseplant by commenting below.<table align="center" cellpadding="10"><tbody>
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</iframe></td></tr></tbody></table></p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-21105054535628013892009-02-18T06:06:00.002-06:002015-08-05T21:44:06.033-05:00Maidenhair Fern Care<p><b>Common Name:</b> Maidenhair Fern<br /><b>Scientific Name:</b> Adiantum pedatum<br /><b>Lighting:</b> Moderate to Bright<br /><b>Water:</b> Moderate to High</p><br /><p>The Maidenhair Fern does require more attention and care than your typical houseplants. The biggest challenge making the Maidenhair Fern somewhat difficult to care for is its requirement for a consistent environment. It will grow best in an area where temperatures and humidity levels remain the same. Therefore a bathroom is not a good place for the Maidenhair Fern. Along with the ferns need for a consistent environment it also does not like to be moved. So choose your home for this plant wisely.</p><br /><p>Maidenhair ferns grow best in moderate light environments. However, limit the amount of direct sunlight your fern receives. Keep the light filtered to prevent the foliage from burning.</p><br /><p>The Maidenhair Fern prefers to have its soil keep moist at all times, however not soggy. They also prefer higher humidity levels, however sometimes can be temperamental to misting. Therefore using a water tray below them to allow the humidity to rise up to the plant seems to work much better.</p><br /><p>Another area to note with this ferns are when it produces seeds. The foliage will grow dark brown spots around the edges which is the ferns spore. The fronds that contain the spore typically don’t last as long as the normal fronds, however if you do not like how the spore fronds look, you may cut them off without injuring your plant.</p><br /><p>Common pests for this fern are aphids and mealy bugs. Both however can be controlled using a soapy dishwater spray or for more serious infestations, an insecticide should take care of the problem.
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</iframe></td></tr></table><br /> <br /><br></p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-39292859591160044212009-02-12T14:47:00.000-06:002013-02-12T15:10:19.300-06:00Meet The Author<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Thank you for visiting the Houseplant Care Blog. I hope my love for plants and experiences help you grow your green thumb! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">You'll frequently see comments from me be addressed as "drayas". That my little nickname here. My real name is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Andrea. I'm a happily married, mother of 2 children. I work full time for an online marketing agency. I graduated college with a Bachelor's degree, double majoring in Marketing and Management Information Systems back in 2003. Recently I decided to go back to school and am currently taking classes online with a local technical college working towards an Associate's Degree in Web Development and Design. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">So needless to say, there's a lot more going on in my everyday life besides my love of plants! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">I hope everyone finds some helpful advice here and can share their tips and plant care guidance. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Please feel free to connect with me on </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/109305129237329193359" rel="me" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Google+</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;">Happy Planting!</span></span>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-74614954016693375132009-01-06T13:27:00.001-06:002009-01-06T13:28:37.010-06:00Houseplants Help Get You Through The Winter<p>I was going through various news today and found this great article on how houseplants can help get people through the bleak of winter. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/01/fresh_air_indoors_houseplants.html">http://www.mlive.com/</a>. Basically the article first describes how houseplants can help add color to a usually bleak and dull looking time of the year. They also help with the quality of air when our homes are closed up.</p><br /><p>The article also goes on to give some houseplants that would make good candidates for adding color as well as some holiday overwintering tips. Overall it was a good article. Go check it out!!</p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-76461995685427878962008-12-26T12:43:00.003-06:002015-08-05T21:44:47.030-05:00Cast Iron Plant Care<p><b>Common Name:</b> Cast Iron Plant<br /><b>Scientific Name:</b> Aspidistra elatior <br /><b>Lighting:</b> Low to Moderate <br /><b>Watering:</b> Low to Moderate</p><br /><p>The Cast Iron Plant is an <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/03/easy-to-grow-houseplants.html">easy to grow houseplant</a>, tolerating just about anything, thus its name. Characterized by glossy, dark green foliage extending upward somewhat resembling corn leaves, Cast Iron Plants make an attractive house plant for any type of decor.</p><br /><p>Aim to dust the foliage to prevent the pores from clogging however as said before, Cast Iron Plants are very hardy and will tolerate dust filled leaves. This houseplant is also known to be a slow grower do I would not expect large growth.</p><br /><p>Cast Iron Plants prefer low to moderate light levels therefore aim to keep it out of direct sunlight. This houseplant will do best in moderate light areas, but out of direct sunlight. Corners or table tops are a great homes for this plant.</p><br /><p>Cast Iron Plants prefer lower water levels. I have found it to do well when the soil is kept semi moist. Occasional dryness in between waterings however typically has no effect on the plant. Give the plant a monthly dose of houseplant food for extra nutrients as well. A daily or every other misting will also help this house plant look its best.</p><br /><p>Cast Iron Plants generally tolerate a large range of temperature. As long as you stay between 45 and 80 degrees the house plant should grow fine. Typically this house plant is also pest free. Occasional spider mites may appear.</p><br /><p>Overall, Cast Iron Plants are a great house plant for beginners. It really will tolerate almost any type of neglect you may give it. Forgotten watering, low light, drastic temperature changes, all seem to have little effect. However, for best appearance aim to provide it with proper care. It does tolerate neglect but not over and over.<table><tbody><tr>
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</iframe></td></tr></table><br /> <br /><br></p>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-32359202771841818002008-11-03T21:17:00.004-06:002015-08-05T21:46:51.363-05:00Shamrock Plant Care<p><b>Common Name:</b> Shamrock Plant<br /><b>Scientific Name:</b> Oxalis species<br /><b>Lighting:</b> Low to Moderate<br /><b>Watering:</b> Moderate</p><br /><p>Shamrock plants come in a wide variety of species. Varieties include those with deep burgundy foliage with white or pink flowers to green foliage as well. Shamrock plants form a mound like appearance by continually sprouting new shoots. One thing to be aware of, is that generally within 2 months of receiving your Shamrock plant, the plant will appear to be dying and actually seem dead. Don't throw it out! It is a bulb and goes into a dormant state.</p><br /><p>Shamrock plants prefer low light levels in most cases. Some varieties like higher levels, so be sure to follow the tag for your specific variety. If your plant is stretching or becomes lanky in appearance, it is probably not receiving enough light.</p> <br /><p>Shamrock plants prefer to have their soil somewhat moist at all times. However you do not want the soil to be soggy, so be careful not to over water. Generally, if the soil does dry out, this houseplant will spring back from a wilted state quite quickly. But do not make a habit of under watering the plant. If the foliage begins to yellow, you may be over watering the plant.</p><br /><p>If you're Shamrock plant has not bloomed, you can try to cut back water levels on the plant to force it into a dormancy state. Then in 2 to 3 months begin to increase the water levels.</p> <br /><p>I have never had this plant, so any tips or advice are welcomed and encouraged to assist my readers in caring for this houseplant.<table align="center" cellpadding="10"><tr><td><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=houscaretips-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=0764551027&asins=0764551027&linkId=7X3BHOUVIPG4L6AM&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=031405&title_color=0F7E3D&bg_color=FFFFFF">
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<b>Common House Plants</b><br />
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<a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2008/05/african-violet-plant-care.html">African Violet</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/11/aloe-vera-plant-care.html">Aloe Vera</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/05/chinese-evergreen-care.html">Chinese Evergreens</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/02/christmas-cactus-plant-care.html">Christmas Cactus</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/05/corn-plant-care.html">Corn Plants (Dracaena)</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/05/croton-plant-care.html">Crotons</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/08/dieffenbachia-dumb-cane-plant-care.html">Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/01/heart-leaf-philodendron-plant-care.html">Heart Leafed Philodendron</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/08/jade-plant-care.html">Jade Plants</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/06/madagascar-dragon-tree-care.html">Madagascar Dragon Tree</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/10/majesty-palm-care.html">Majesty Palms</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/09/orchid-care.html">Orchids</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/10/peace-lily-care.html">Peace Lily</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/06/ponytail-palm-plant-care.html">Ponytail Palms</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/07/rubber-plant-care.html">Rubber Plants</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/10/sago-palm-care.html">Sago Palms</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/05/snake-plant-care.html">Snake Plants</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/08/spider-plant-care.html">Spider Plants</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/05/yucca-houseplant-care.html">Yuccas</a><br /><a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2006/06/zebra-plant-care.html">Zebra Plants</a><br />
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</iframe></td></tr></table><br /> <br /><br>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-62934982540067058442008-09-07T13:38:00.006-05:002015-08-05T21:45:39.232-05:00Arrowhead Vine Care<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qJWNc928354/SMkrrR8QnNI/AAAAAAAAAgE/7rH7CN0Rp7w/s1600-h/ArrowheadVineSmall.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qJWNc928354/SMkrrR8QnNI/AAAAAAAAAgE/7rH7CN0Rp7w/s200/ArrowheadVineSmall.jpg" border="0" alt="Arrowhead Vine" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244771263600172242" /></a><br /><p><b>Common Name:</b> Arrowhead Vine<br /><b>Scientific Name:</b> Syngonium podophyllum (Nephthytis)<br /><b>Lighting:</b> Bright to Moderate<br /><b>Watering:</b> Heavy</p><br /><p>The Arrowhead Vine is a fairly easy to grow houseplant. The Arrowhead vine tends to resemble a <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/01/heart-leaf-philodendron-plant-care.html">heart-leafed philodendron</a>. Due to the vining nature of Arrowhead vines, they make great houseplants for hanging baskets or areas where allowed to climb. New shoots seem to grow more upward and have a more arrow shape. As they get older, the vines tend to start climbing and foliage will change shape.</p><br /><p>There is a large selection of varieties of Arrowhead vines. Depending on the variety the foliage may have white, pink, or silver markings on the leaves upper surfaces.</p><br /><p>Arrowhead Vines prefer bright to medium light levels. They will tolerate low light, but grow much better in brighter lighting. Keep the plant within 5 to 8 feet of a window receiving bright light.</p><br /><p>Arrowhead Vines require moist soil at all times, so do not allow the soil to dry out in between watering however do not allow the soil to be soggy either. This houseplant also prefers high humidity levels for a daily misting would be beneficial. You’ll also want to water to the soil directly. Getting water on the foliage may cause spotting.</p><br /><p>Another note is that this houseplant likes to be root-bound therefore you do not need to repot as much as other houseplants. Keep the roots more compacted.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="10"><tbody>
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</iframe></td></tr></tbody></table>drayas / Logical Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07623327995870089958noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968039.post-78571985505702392092008-08-06T13:19:00.004-05:002015-08-05T21:44:56.680-05:00ZZ Plant Care<p><b>Common Name:</b> ZZ Plant, Aroid palm, Fat Boy, Eternity Plant<br /><b>Scientific Name:</b> Zamioculcas zamiifolia<br /><b>Lighting:</b> Bright to Moderate<br /><b>Watering:</b> Low</p><br /><p>The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is an easy to grow houseplant. It seems to handle neglect and miss-care very well. The ZZ plant is characterized by stems radiating shiny, dark green foliage. The ZZ plant is a slow grower therefore do not expect large amounts of growth to come from this houseplant. In outdoor or greenhouse situations it appears to grow faster. The average height for the ZZ plant is approximately 15-30 inches, however I have seen some up to 3 feet.</p><br /><p>The ZZ plant prefers bright, indirect light; however it can grow fairly well in low light situations as well. Keep in mind, in bright, indirect light, this houseplant will do even better. Do not place this plant in direct sunlight though as its foliage can burn fairly easily. Keep direct light exposed to the plant filtered.</p><br /><p>The ZZ plant likes to have its soil on the dryer side of things. Do not allow the plant to sit in water or the soil to stay moist. If the foliage begins to yellow, chances are you're overwatering the plant. Your ZZ plant should only need watering once every 2 weeks or more. Others have said once a month is sufficient.</p><br /><p>This houseplant can be kept outdoors if temperatures stay above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However do keep in mind that it should be placed in an area where direct sunlight is limited.</p><br /><p>I have not taken cuttings from this houseplant, however others I've read say you take a leaf cutting and place it within soil and it grows, thus giving you an endless supply of houseplants!!</p><br /><br /><p>This is a <a href="http://houseplants-care.blogspot.com/2007/04/poisonous-houseplants.html">poisonous houseplant</a> so please don't allow children or pets to eat it.<table><tbody><tr>
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