Houseplant propagation

Summer is the ideal time to make more plants, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

ALTHOUGH it is all going on in the garden, houseplants are also in full growing mode.

Most will need regular watering and feeding and you will also need to check them over for pests that to break in through open windows.

Stand plant pots on a layer of damp gravel to raise humidity around the plants and mist their leaves.

Cacti and succulents are the exception to frequent watering as soggy compost will cause them to rot. Give them a good soak, then don't water again until the compost is dry, and feed them occasionally with a solution of liquid tomato fertiliser.

You can propagate houseplants in summer too. Small rooted offshoots of spider plants can be potted up and the leaves of African violets and streptocarpus can also be used to make new plants. The stems of African violet leaves are inserted into pots of compost, and they will root in a few weeks.