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Holiday Flowering Houseplants

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Amaryllis

 Amaryllis will provide you with the largest most exotic bulb flowers you can easily grow in your home. Flowers are 6 to 8” across in a large variety of colors. Amaryllis is a subtropical plant so they do not require a cold period like so many other flowering bulbs. Therefore, they are much easier to grow.

Plant amaryllis in any loose potting soil in a tall pot. The size of the pot is determined by the size of the bulb. The pot should be 1” larger on all sides than the size of the bulb. If the bulb still has roots, spread the roots through the pot. The bulb should be pointed upward and the tip of the bulb should stick well above the soil. Initially water the plant well with lukewarm water, but after that not more than once a week till you see that your amaryllis is starting to grow. Amaryllis likes to be grown at 70-75 degrees. Once your amaryllis starts growing you can water everyday. Amaryllis can grow as much as 1” per day. You can prolong flowering by placing your flowering amaryllis in a cool window or cooler room.

Future Flowering: If you would like to try to get more years out of your amaryllis, start feeding it after it starts growing (any good houseplant food will do). Cut the old stem 6” above the bulb when the stem has finished flowering. Continue to water and feed till June/July. Remove foliage, stop watering and rest your plant for at least 2-3 months. Some people will plant their amaryllis in a semi-shaded garden during the summer months after the last chance of frost is gone. (This is fine but don’t forget to water if you don’t have any rain). In October, bring indoors and start watering and enjoy them all over again.

 

 

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Christmas Cactus 

The Christmas Cactus is a popular houseplant for many reasons. They product beautiful, vibrant, tubular flowers in a wide variety of colors. Additionally, these flowers have a long bloom time. The care itself for the Christmas Cacti is quite simple, making them a wonderful plant to keep in the house. While most cacti enjoy arid environments, the Christmas Cacti naturally grows in trees in the rainforests of Brazil. This means they prefer a more humid climate.

When choosing a pot for your Christmas Cactus, choose one that has holes at the bottom of it so that the soil drains properly. If the water is not able to drain, your plant may develop root rot. These plants prefer bright, indirect light in the spring and summer, and full sun in the fall and winter. As soon as the top soil of the pot feels dry, you'll want to soak the soil until water runs all the way through the pot. Make sure the water that drains out of the pot is discarded immediately, so the plant doesn't sit in water. This is especially important when the plant is flowering.

Fertilize your Christmas Cactus every 2-4 weeks with 15-30-15. When the plant is blooming, fertilize every 4 weeks. To reflower a Christmas Cactus: About September, begin to cut down on watering, decrease by half on fertilizing and keep in a room that is cool (preferably 60-68 degrees). Also, keep it in a room that will remain dark from about 5:00 pm to 7:00 am. It should have at least 12 hours of darkness or longer. In other words, it should be in a room that is dark from sunset to sunrise. Flowers will only form when the temperature is between a cool 50 to 55 degrees F.

Diseases/Pests: The plant may be susceptible to mealy bugs, and if over-watered, root rot. If you have any problems, cut out infected areas and repot in clean soil.

 

 

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Cyclamen 

Cyclamen is seen throughout the year, but is very popular during Christmas. With flowers in shades of pink, red, or white, you'll find them in garden centers and grocery stores alike. Even the foliage is beautiful, heart-shaped with a silver marbling on the tops of the leaves. The entire plant reaches only about 8 inches high. Cyclamen make excellent houseplants, blooming for weeks and requiring very little care.

Cyclamen does best when planted in soilless-based potting soil mix. Water your cyclamen whenever the soil feels dry about an inch beneath the surface. Do not get the crown of the plant wet, as it could cause the plant to rot. The cyclamen plant likes humidity, so keep the cyclamen on a tray of water with a layer of pebbles. However, be sure that the pot is not sitting in water, or else the roots will rot. When the flowers begin to fade, gradually allow the plant to dry out for about 2-3 months. It is going into a dormant stage and any excess water will cause the plant to rot. For light, cyclamen thrive in bright, indirect light in the winter. They are actively growing in the winter and go dormant in the heat of summer. While they are dormant in the summer, it is best to keep the cyclamen out of bright light.

Make sure your cyclamen is not exposed to temperatures below 50 F. Avoid drafts as well as hot, dry air. For fertilizer, feed your cyclamen plant with a low-nitrogen fertilizer every couple of weeks while in full leaf. 

 

 

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Kalanchoe

Kalanchoes bloom for long periods with very little care. Flowering Kalanchoes are available in red, pink, yellow, or white. Because they bloom in response to the length of daylight, they can be encouraged to bloom even during the darkest days of winter. Like many succulents, these are not difficult plants to grow, providing you are careful with the water, especially in the winter. They are a great houseplant for every home owner!

Kalanchoe grows best in bright, sunny locations, especially during the summer growing season. During the winter, consider a south-facing window. Water moderately throughout the summer and reduce watering in the winter. Let the soil surface dry out between waterings, and in the winter, the plant can almost dry out. They actually thrive in the low humidity of winter households. Watch the fleshy leaves for signs of water distress. When fertilizing, feed every two weeks in the summer with a liquid fertilizer, or opt for slow-release pellets.

 


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Norfolk Island Pine

You may recognize the Norfolk Island Pine as the small tree offered in many stores and garden centers around Christmastime, often covered in a layer of glitter. Be careful: this conifer is adapted to warm-weather, and will perish in cold climates.

Growing a Norfolk Island pine as a houseplant starts with realizing a few important things about Norfolk pines. While they may share the name and even resemble a pine tree, they are not true pines at all, nor are they as hardy as the standard pine tree that people are accustomed to. In terms of proper Norfolk pine tree care, they are more like a gardenia or orchid than a pine tree. First thing to keep in mind with the care of Norfolk pines is that they are not cold hardy. They are a tropical plant and cannot tolerate temperatures below 35 F. (1 C.). For many parts of the country, the Norfolk Island pine tree cannot be planted outside year round. It also needs to be kept away from cold drafts. This plant needs to get enough light; the Norfolk pine tree prefers several hours of direct, bright light, such as the type of light that can be found in a south-facing window. They will also tolerate full, indirect bright light as well. Water your Norfolk Island pine when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize your Norfolk pine in the spring and summer with a water soluble balanced fertilizer, but you do not need to fertilize in the fall or winter.