Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2005
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/houseplants.html

Decorating Indoors
November/December 2005
Kendra Pilcher, Johnson's Ridge Rd. Greenhouse Manager

    With a variety of colorful tropicals, you can make the inside of
your home look as beautiful as the outside during the holiday season.
Here are some ideas to help get you started ...

Christmas Cactus
    This beauty blooms once a year and comes in colors of pink, fuchsia,
yellow, salmon and white. Sometimes Christmas cactus will have a
combination of colors. Keep it in a brightly lit room and water once a
week. Fertilize regularly with Daniels Plant Food until it starts to
bloom. Wait about two months after the blooms drop to start fertilizing
again. Christmas cactus can adapt to low light, but more abundant blooms
are produced on plants that have been exposed to high light.

Orchid
    Orchids require a temperature similar to other houseplants and must
be protected from cold weather. Most require partial shade for best
flowering and growth.

Lipstick Plant
    Lipstick plant needs a lot of light but not direct afternoon sun.
During spring and summer, feed lipstick plant every two weeks with a
liquid fertilizer like Daniels Plant Food.

African Violet
    An east window is best. If you don't put your violets by a window,
at least put them under a grow light. If your plants don't flower,
they're not getting enough light.

Cast Iron Plant
    The best plant for no light, cast iron plant is as tough as its
name! It will practically grow in the dark and is slow growing.

Philodendron
    This is the best plant! The philodendron needs moderate to high
light but cannot tolerate afternoon sun. If the philodendron is grown in
low light, it will be more open with larger leaves.

Dieffenbachia
    Dieffenbachias do best in bright, indirect light such as a north or
east window. Allow the soil to become moderately dry between waterings.

Norfolk Pine
    Norfolk pines may be grown in most temperatures. It makes a great
money tree for a Christmas party ... or any special party!

Boston Fern
    Boston fern is also called sword fern. It is the most commonly grown
indoor fern. The Boston fern is a shade-tolerant plant that grows best
in warm, humid conditions.