I LOVE houseplants, but prefer those with interesting leaves to exotic flowers. Having said that, I do have a Christmas cactus that is festooned with pink trumpet-shaped flowers each year, a little moth orchid coming into its second season of flowers and a pink-spathed anthurium.
The anthurium isn’t looking too happy so I’ve moved it into the bathroom, where there’s more humidity, in the hope it will perk up.
Houseplants are excellent gifts (as long as you know the recipient is a ‘planty’ person) and the most popular varieties to give as Christmas gifts are orchids, amaryllis bulbs, Christmas cacti, African violets and streptocarpus.
Christmas cacti (schlumbergera) are one of the most popular houseplants, and can live for years. They usually flower over the festive period and need a resting period either side.
Schlumbergeras are forest cacti, hailing from rainforests, so need humid conditions out of direct sunlight. Once they are in a place they like and have produced buds, leave them there as they don’t transport well and may lose their flowers in protest.
Water sparingly, as they dislike cold wet compost, and stand on damp pebbles to boost humidity.
Denne historien er fra December 03, 2022-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra December 03, 2022-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters
