Best Tips For Growing Indoor Plants ( Part 5 ) - Philedendron

Philodendron genus is known for plants with beautiful foliage. As name suggests (Philos- lovers, dendron- tree), they grow on tree. Native to Central and South America Philodendron is perfect choice for a houseplant as it requires minimal care. There are two types of indoor varieties- climbing and non-climbing or self heading. Self heading varieties do not require any type of support to grow. 

Propagation

Although they can be grown from seed, the germination period is lengthy and rarely yields a full-grown plant. Climbing philodendron is easy to propagate from stem cuttings in a simple glass of water. Rooting hormone will increase the chances of success. Self-heading philodendron sometimes send out plantlets that can be potted up once they are larger. Philodendron rarely flowers indoors.

Soil

Philodendron grows in a well drained, organic matter rich soil. You can grow philodendron in a soil less mixture of peat-perlite or peat-vermiculite. Use moss stick as a support for climbing varieties. 

Watering

Philodendron likes moist and humid environment. Mist it regularly or use a water filled pebble tray to maintain high humidity around the plant. Keep soil moist but never over water it as it is prone to root rot.

Light / Temperature

Philodendron thrives in indirect and bright sun light. Direct sunlight causes sun burn or yellowish leaves. So place the container in partially shaded place.

Fertilizer

Slow-release pellets in the beginning of the growing season or weekly liquid fertilizer. Nitrogen based fertilizer is ideal if you want to improve foliage characteristics. 

Repotting

Some of fast growing varieties will need annual repotting. Pinch off the new growth on stem to keep plant size under check.

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Best Tips For Growing Indoor Plants ( Part 4 ) - Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo is a low maintenance and easy to grow plant. It is not really a bamboo but a water lilly called Dracaena sanderiana. It is assumed to originated from Africa. Lucky bamboo is believed to bring good luck and fortune in the home, that's why it is very common in homes. 
Best thing about lucky bamboo is that it can grow in plain water, doesn't require soil at all. 
Lucky bamboo leaves are glossy, shiny but mildly toxic so it should be kept away from pets and children. It is also known as Ribbon plant or Ribbon dracaena.

Container

Use a tall glass vase or ceramic container or deep bowls. Put some stones or rock pieces to help it in standing straight. 

In case of growing in soil, make sure container is having adequate number of holes at bottom so that excess water could be drained out.

Soil

As mentioned earlier, Lucky bamboo can grow in water and doesn't require soil at all, however if you want to grow in soil then make sure soil is well drained. Almost any type of soil will do well in case of lucky bamboo. Soil should not be soggy as it induces root rot.

Light / Temperature

Lucky bamboo prefers bright, filtered sunlight. It can't tolerate direct sun light, leaves get scorched in such conditions. It can tolerate too little light than too much light. If the green color of stem and leaves starts fading, provide more light. It likes warm environment, temperature ranging 65 F - 90 F (18-32 C) . Avoid placing the plants in front of air conditioning or heating vents.

Watering

Fill the vase or container with 2-3 inches of water. Prefer using bottled or distilled water as tap water contains chlorine and chemicals which can be detrimental for the plant. Or use tap water which has been kept out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate. Change the water weekly or whenever you find it turbid as dirty water can invite harmful bacteria and algae.

Fertilizer

Feed lucky bamboo every other month using a very weak liquid fertilizer. Add 1-2 drops of liquid fertilizer to the water. You can try specific fertilizers available for lucky bamboo too.

Trimming and Shaping

Lucky bamboo is shaped by rotating the plant stalks in front of a light source. This way plant tend to grow toward the light source and get shaped automatically, no need of using copper wires (done in case of bonsai).
To maintain the plant's shape, you will need trimming. Cut the offshoots growing out of main stem with help of pruning shears or any sterile sharp object. You can trim some offshoots back to few inches. If you cut main stalk itself then new growth will emerge from the cut, and the cutting can be used for propagating new plant. 

Caring

Chlorinated water will kill the plant over time. Dirty or turbid water will invite many disease causing bacteria and algae. So try to use bottled, distilled or De-chlorinated water. If green structure (algae) starts growing in the water, change it instantly and clear the vase. If algae keeps growing then switch to an opaque vase as in opaque vase light won't be available for algae to grow.
If stalk turns black and start to rot then take it out otherwise it will induce rotting in other stalks. In too much light or fertilizer, leaves turns yellow, so cut down on fertilizer and move the plant to shadier place. In low humidity conditions lucky bamboo's leaves turn brown so maintain required humidity level by misting the plant regularly.

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Best Tips For Growing Indoor Plants ( Part 3 ) - Zebra Plant

Zebra cactus (Haworthia attenuate) belongs to aloe family. Identified by white bands on under sides of leaves, Zebra cactus is a low maintenance indoor plant. Upper side of leaves has white dots all over it. Like aloe it is a succulent which stores water in its foliage. The stem is a rosette on the base from which leaves come out.  

Propagation

You can propagate a Zebra Plant by taking cutting from a healthy houseplant in the spring or summer and placing it directly into a new planting pot. Use a rooting hormone for increasing chances of success.

Pups (offshoots) formed at the base of the plant, can be used for propagating the plant. Detach the pups from mother plant and plant in suitable potting media. To reduce stress takes the pups in spring or autumn when plant is not actively growing. 

Soil

Use fast draining soil mixture consists of loam and sand.  Or purchase potting mix available for cacti from market. 

Sun / Temperature

Zebra plants in indirect sun light. So place your plant in a shaded location. Too much direct sun light can scorch the plant leaves. It can�t tolerate extreme low temperatures so bring your Zebra cactus inside in winter.

Watering

Water the plant regularly in summer when it is too hot. Cut down the watering in winter to twice a week. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. It is also important to not over water the zebra cactus as it doesn�t like standing water.

Mist zebra cactus regularly or every other day as it is a humidity loving plant. You can use water filled pebble tray for that. 

Fertilizer

Feed weekly during summer with liquid fertilizer or use slow-release pellets at beginning of every growing season.

Repotting

Repot the plant in spring or summer when mother plant has outgrown the container and starts sending many pups from the base.

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Best Tips For Growing Indoor Plants (Part 2 ) - Peace Lily

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a common house plant as it is very easy to grow in low light and a low maintenance one. It grows up to 4 feet tall. Peace lily�s bloom is unconventional from other flowering plants. Provided good conditions it can bloom year long. 

Container

Use a medium sized pot/ container. When peace lily becomes root bound, transfer it to larger pot. Container should have adequate number of drainage holes to ensure smooth passage of water out of the pot. 

Soil

Peace lily can grow in almost any type of soil. Soil should be well drained. Add garden compost to improve draining capability of the soil. 

Sun / Temperature

Peace lily thrives in indirect sunlight. So place the plant in a partial shaded place or a place few feet away from a north facing window.
 

Watering

Keep soil moist always but do not over water it. Blooming stops when you over water the peace lily. Cut down watering in winter.

Fertilizer

Peace lily doesn�t have much fertilizing requirements. Fertilize peace lily twice or thrice a year with a general purpose fertilizer.

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