Hoya bella

Water: heavy

Light: much indirect sun

Temperature: 22-25

Blooming: may - july

The origin of Hoya goes to India, Thailand and China. The plant is named after English gardener T. Hoya. 

In winter Hoya takes rest and the best temperature during this period is +15. No spray and heavy watering in winter. Hoya can live through winter in higher temperature but it will mean that next blooming won’t be rich.

There is also another type of Hoya - Н. camosa R. Br (see the picture). The flowers are almost the same. The main difference lies in leaves: Hoya camosa has bigger thick dark green leaves. It also looks very beautiful and moreover it is less capricious.

Both types of Hoya can serve as a good decoration of your house. Hoya Bella looks gorgeous in hanging pots and the same true for Hoya camosa which you can also put somewhere on the window-sill or a table where its tiny diamonds will boost your spirits during rainy days.  

Hoya flowers are like small diamonds maybe this is why its name includes latin word ‘bella’ - beatuful.

The surprising thing about Hoya’s flowers is that it looks like so as if it consists of two seperate flowers glued together. The flower also represents a contrast. The white part of the flower is soft and delicate while the pink crown is firm. The plant is remarkable by rich blooming - during the blooming period you can see numerous clusters throughout the whole plant. It’s not recommended to touch or move the plant during blooming.

Talking about other requirements it is important to mention that Hoya likes a lot of sun but not direct.

Water and spray the plant thoroughly in spring and summer. Hoya likes when the room is well ventilated though cannot be put outside. When clusters fade and fall do not touch those places where these clusters were because next year clusters will appear at the very same place and it’s important not to damage those spots.

In winter Hoya takes rest and the best temperature during this period is +15. No spray and heavy watering in winter. Hoya can live through winter in higher temperature but it will mean that next blooming won’t be rich.

There is also another type of Hoya - Н. camosa R. Br (see the picture). The flowers are almost the same. The main difference lies in leaves: Hoya camosa has bigger thick dark green leaves. It also looks very beautiful and moreover it is less capricious.

Both types of Hoya can serve as a good decoration of your house. Hoya Bella looks gorgeous in hanging pots and the same true for Hoya camosa which you can also put somewhere on the window-sill or a table where its tiny diamonds will boost your spirits during rainy days.

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

Water: moderate/generous in summer and spring, moderate/sparing in winter

Light: direct summer during a blooming period, moderate in winter time

Temperature: 16-18

Blooming: February till May

Kalanchoe blooms with numerous tiny flowers about 1 cm in diameter collected in clusters. The flowers color can be red, pink, yellow, violet and others. The plant belongs to succulent group.

Kalanchoe came to us from South Africa.

The best time for seeds is April when temperature is not very high.

 Reasons to have this plant in your house.

1. Kalanchoe is one of the most popular indoor plants thanks to its low requirements and a generous blooming.

2. There was a tradition to give Kalanchoe as a present for Christmas. Nowadays you can present it on a different holiday.

3. It is a compact plant which you can put even on a narrow window-sill.

4. The plant is easy to combine with other plants.

 If you want this plant to bloom on a certain date you need to put it into light for 8-10 hours every day. This should last for 4-6 weeks after that it starts blooming. When flowers fade remove them and put the plant into a shady place for about a month.

 Tips. Do not overwater this plant. In summer the soil should remain wet slightly, in winter – almost dry.

In winter put it in a light but a cool place (10-15˚C). In summer make sure there is no hot sun shining directly on the plant. (This is though a general rule for many plants with tender thin leaves).When the outside temperature is high enough it will be good to put your Kalanchoe outside on the balcony or in a garden. Replant Kalanchoe yearly in spring or if worst comes to worst once in two years.

Cordyline - Enrooting

Cordyline gives good opportunities to make a nice composition and decoration of your house. When the plant is big enough (about 30 cm) you can notice outgrowths appearing on its scrape. That can happen without your help or you can cut the top of the plant and soon have the outgrowths here and there. Think of the future composition in advance and remove the outgrowths you don’t need. Usually gardners leave two outgrowths on opposite sides of the plant and at the same level. By the way the cut top of the plant you can put into the water and as soon as it gives roots you can plant it and have another Cordyline in your house.

Give your imagination freedom: together with the cut Cordyline you can seed some low growing plants — thus you’ll have an immitation of the tree and the grass under it.

For now i didn’t cut my Cordyline because i like it as it is — it has luxurious foliage. Though it is normal if the scrape gets bold and the plant is covered with foliage only by half. In this case you can easily cut the plant trying to make it more interesting.

 When you enroot the cut top of Cordyline make sure you don’t put it too deep into the pot. In future you might have problems with it as the outgrowths will grow directly from the soil and it will be too late to remove without hurting the plant.

Unfortunately i’ve made this mistake and on the picture you can see it. What i’ve done is first of all removed the layer of the soil to find the place where the outgrowth comes from. Then i cut the outgrowth. I put it into the water and later i’m going to write later about the results.

Ficus Benjamina

Water: moderate

Light: diffused light

Temperature: 15-18

Blooming: no

This plant comes from Asia mostly, countries like India and China.

Ficus can grow high enough up to 20 meters height.

At the same time when planted in a pot this kind of Ficus won’t grow too high and can be a nice house plant. The remarkable thing about Ficus is that it’s perfect for Bonsai art. In good conditions Ficus grows very fast and to restrain its growth use small containers and cut branches.

Water the plant moderately and spray with boiled water. The reason for using boiled water is that usual water from the tap contains a lot of soil. After boiling, water won’t leave salt spots on the leaves.

Ficus benjamina multiplies with grafts which give roots quite soon. When replanting Ficus put a thick layer of drainage on the pot botton, then add universal soil or special soil for Ficus. Replanting should be done every 3 years and better in spring. Or you can renew the upper layer (ab. 3 cm) with fresh soil. In the period from spring to the middle of autumn Ficus need foliar application

Due to a specific coloring of its leaves it can decorate your appartment to advantage. You can put it eather by a large window on the floor and use to make a plant composition.

Ficus Benjamina doesn’t need as much light as other ficuses that’s why you can put it deep in the room. It doesn’t like dry air and drafts. Also avoid drops in temperature.

In winter Ficus benjamina has a rest period and loss of leaves is normal at that time till it doesn’t exceed 30% of the foliage.

On the whole Ficus won’t take much of your time, even with little of care it can grow better from year to year and be a good decroration of your place.

Ceramics or Plastic?

If you are planning to start your indoor garden the information below can be of use.

Let’s talk about pots. This is an important question if you don’t want to regret in vain wasted money and time. This is the question which raises for every gardener – what pot to choose – ceramic or a plastic one?

I suggest to look into the matter to find advantages and disadvantages and to make the best choice for your garden.

 Let’s start with ceramics. There are two types of it: lacquered and non-lacquered. The main advantage of lacquered ceramics is that it gives you a variety of colors to match the colors of your rooms. All imaginable and unimaginable pictures on lacquered pots will decorate your place to advantage. You can easily take care of the lacquered pot thanks to its smooth surface – dust can be easily wiped off with a wet cloth. Another thing which is also true for non-lacquered pots is that you can single out your favorite, especially beautiful plant. For instance, choose a pot which color matches the color of plant flowers. And, of course, there is always a fly in the ointment. In lacquered pots plant roots cannot “breathe”. Besides ceramics is quite heavy and if it is a big pot you might have difficulties when transferring it into the bathroom for shower. Ceramics is fragile as well – you have to find a secure place for such pots.

 The best thing about non-lacquered ceramics is that plant can breathe which is very important for some plants. Water and salts in that water easily escape through porous pot walls making plant’s life comfortable. At the same time salts coming out spoil the appearance of the pot. Be careful with pot in a form of a ball – because of the narrow throat you will most likely have problems when replanting. Anyway this kind of pot is most natural for pot plants.

 Plastic is first of all a practical material: easy to clean, it won’t break into pieces if your cat or child drops pot by chance on the floor, and it is much cheaper than ceramics. Many people prefer plastic pots of one color (usually white or blue) thus they can move pots from one room to another and not to be afraid that one company stops production of specially designed ceramics and they have to buy pots of a different design and remain unhappy of disharmony. Plants in plastic pots require less water. Though there’s a danger of a plant decay. Some people think that a plant feels cooler in a plastic pot as well. Plastic is more comfortable when replanting. Due to a low price you can break the pot and not to regret money spent on it.

 I tried to mention major advantages and disadvantages of ceramic and plastic pots. You’re welcome to share your experience.

Spathiphyllum - Enjoy the Beauty

 Water: warm, moderate

Light: shadow, half shadow

Temperature: +20C

Blooming: yes, white flowers

Spathiphyllum is one of the most popular plants among indoor plants. The reason of its popularity is a magnificent appereance and low requiments. There are few important rules which you need follow to keep this plant healthy. First of all avoid direct sun beams on the leaves as the foliage tissue is tender and the sun can cause serious sunburns. Temperature is another important aspect. Spathiphyllum doesn’t like cold and overwatered soil. The temperature shouldn’t drop lower than 16 degrees. Avoid excessive watering, just make sure the soil doesn’t get completely dry.

For blooming Spathiphyllum needs a bit more sun than usually and it happens in most cases naturally in spring or summer. Cut the scrape when you notice brown spots on the flower thus you will help Spathip hyllum bloom again and longer. To achieve best results spray the plant twice a day or make a bath for it, especially if the air is dry in your house.

If there’s too much light Spathiphyllum will react the way you can see on the picture. In this case find a more shaded place.

Eucharis Grandiflora (Amazon Lily)

Water: moderate

Light: indirect defussed

Temperature: in summer up to 25,

in winter not lower than 15

Blooming: october - march

 The origin of Eucharis is South America. It has lustrous green leaves. Leaves are quite large and at the same time very elegant (eucharis is a greek word meaning ‘very elegant’).

Flowers are of a white color and by its form remind an umbrella. At a time there can be up to 6 flowers with a diameter of about 12 cm on one stem. Another thing you will like about Eucharis is a long blooming period.

To have this plant blooming well and regularly replant it every 3-4 years. Most of the roots lie in the upper layer that’s why choose a wide and not very deep container for you Eucharis. The optimal soil is 3 parts of foliar soil, 1 part of peat and 1 part of sand. Put several bulbils in one pot - it will not only make the plant look more splendid but it is also important for blooming. After replanting do not water it for a week and a week later water the plant once in 3-5 days. When flowers fade cut the stem in the bottom.

Dormant period for Eucharis is from April till August. At this period do not water the plant but make sure the soil doesn’t get absolutely dry.

It is recommended to spray the plant regularly and wipe the leaves with a soft sponge because Eucharis doesn’t like dust. Though take it as a rule for every plant in your house – no plant will develop properly when the leaves are covered with a layer of dust.

In general Eucharis is a grateful plant. With little care from your side the green wonder will please your eyes all year around.

Cyclamen - a plant that blooms in winter

Water: moderate, in a pot plate

Light: indirect, moderate

Temperature: +17⁰С

Blooming: yes, - march

 The origin of the name Cyclamen is a Greek word ‘Kyklos’ – i.e. round, cycle. Cyclamen are widespread in Mediterranean in central Europe. It used to be a beloved plant at Antient Rome where it was put into the ground together with Narcissus and Violets. Maybe Cyclamen will find its place in your house too.

Ancient doctors used Cyclamen to treat rheumatism, sinus trouble and a bite from a poisonous snake. Unfortunately history keeps silent about recipes for treatment of those illnesses.

There are sevel sorts of cyclamen but the most famous are Cyclamen europaeum L. and C. persicum Mill with their varieties. I’ve chosed Cyclamen persicum Mill because for me it is important to have blooming plants in winter. This Cyclamen differs from Cyclamen europatum L by bigger leaves. When Cyclamen blooms its flowers bend down and with little of imagination it can remind you of butterflys hovering above the plant.

You can also notice that Cyclamen persicum Mill has its bulb half above the soil surface. Make sure no water gets on the bulb otherwise the plant can die. The best way to water it is to pour water into the pot plate.

Cylamen doesn’t like high temperatures (the optimal t. is +17⁰С) and too much sun.

When blooming period is over Cyclamen needs rest: its leaves get yellow and drop. Usually in this case you give it little water - just enough not to let the soil get very dry. Also it’s recommended to put the plant in a dark and cool place. When new leaves start coming out the plant is put again into the sun and watered as necessary. It would be good to replant cyclamen at that time to provide enough minarals and other plant food.

Following these simple rules you can have this plant blooming during a long period giving you a feeling of happiness at winter evenings.

Tips for decorating the house with plants

For every person house plants have a specific meaning. For somebody house plants are an opportunity to be closer to nature, for others – they help to obtain harmony, physiological relaxation, etc. In any case you can make the plant composition so that they won’t just improve house environment but also satisfy the eye. Below there are few recommendations that will help you to choose and organize house plants.

1. Proportion between your house and your plants.

Nowadays thanks to the development of transport industry we have a great variety of indoor plants to choose – from ordinary plants which our grandmothers used to have to a big number of exotic plants available almost at every plants shop.

Plants composition can be very different. You can make a composition on small table somewhere in the living room or you can even make a kind of a ‘winter garden’. If you don’t possess a spacious house, give preference to vertical compositions. You can use columns or walls for that – fasten a decorative lattice with the help of brackets, or make a solid screen (e.g. of glass) and thus you can divide your place into zones. These kinds of organization are good for climbing plants due to the fact that a lattice and a screen will serve as a support which is necessary for these plants.

One more very effective composition is a ‘plant chandelier’ – a flat vase with plants hanged on the ceiling. Besides its highly decorative quality it has one more advantage – this composition doesn’t steal your space at home at the most common places – tables, window-ceilings, floor and so on. If your house is big enough you can afford big plants in big quantities. For spacious rooms you can use tree-like plants – dragon-tree, ficus and other plants with big leaves. This composition is good for big rooms with little furniture – halls, living-rooms.

2. Harmony

Plants should be in harmony with things around them. For instance, plants look nice on the plain background. If you have wallpapers with tiny figures on it, put there plants with big leaves and the other way around – wallpapers with sporty figures match plants with tiny leaves best of all. Do not place plants with variegated leaves close to walls decorated with photos and pictures.
Red and orange flowers of the plant such as Kalanchoe and Hibiscus should find their place in a dark corner/room. If the room has too much of ‘warm’ colors, decorate it with violets with white-blue flowers.

It is important to pay attention to the light angle. If you put plants near the wall where sun lights shine to, you will see an amusing pattern on the wall. If your plants have some specific intriguing shape put it against the light, e.g. on the window sill. You will also see a nice effect if the color of curtains, walls, furniture, etc, will match the color of your plants. If you have a design with a contrast of black and white it is strongly recommended to have plants to refresh the room.

For furniture of elegant and straight forms made of steel, glass, marble and lacquered wood - plants of distinct and well-defined forms will make it look gorgeous.

For furniture made of bamboo and rattan, for small cupboards and wicked shelves, low tables and chairs use plants like orchid, ivy, jasmine, etc. To make your room look Japanese decorate it with bamboo, Azalea and bonsai plants. If your room is done in a French or English style put there bushy and generously flourishing plants with a note of softness: Cyclamen, Camellia, palms and other tree-like plants.

The one thing you have to remember is that you don’t need to use a huge amount of plants to decorate your place. It is important to choose among the great variety of plants the most fitting ones to your interior which are in harmony with everything around.

Don’t forget about your own temper. If you are an active passionate person choose bright colors – yellow, orange. If you are a reserved person you would probably prefer violets, roses and lavenders.

3. Plant knowledge

The choice of plants for your house should not be restricted by pompous blooming or beautiful leaves. Correct way to find best plant combination is to study their requirements: lightening, temperature, air humidity,etc. And even that is not all!

Containers where you keep your plants also play a very important role. Thanks to a good choice of pot materials and shapes you can find the most agreeable for the room of any styel. Pots of bright colors will best fit in the children’s room. Expensive picturesque containers of elegant style can be put in the halls and living-rooms.

To sum up everything we have discussed: when decorating the house you should remember the following three rules: right choice of the plant, good position and proper care. Of course to make a big composition without skills and knowledge is difficult. That’s why start with small things, read more articles about plant decoration and one day people coming to your house will start paying compliments to you.

Welcome

I am glad to welcome you at my blog FlowerWonders.

With the hectic run of life which is usual for big cities a human starts looking for harmony. Someone finds it in Joga, someone — in communication with animals and i find my harmony in the garden.

Though i would like to inform in advance that my blog is mostly about indoor garden since i live at the place where summer is too short. And i don’t regret it at all! I can change my garden anytime because pot plants are portable and i can easily arrange them the way i want but, of course, taking into consideration some rules.

I prefer blooming plants that’s why i want to call my blog FlowerWonders — blog with a lot of pictures of beautiful flowers made by myself. I’m not a professional photographer but i’d like to show plants the way i see them.

Garden is healthy both for your body and mind because it is natural as well as a human being.

I want to tell you about plants around me, also to share my experiance and joy which i receive from gardening. You are welcome to comment on my articles!