I'm pretty new to houseplants. Actually, with the exception of two rather large "lucky bamboo" plants I have in my kitchen and a couple of cactus plants, I only plant things outdoors. I recently have been reading and getting more interested in growing indoors.
After some random trips to garden centers, I ended up falling in love with the golden pothos. It is pretty fool proof according to all the books I've read, and it also looks nice hanging in my house. OK, so I ended up buying four. Three for us, and one for a gift for my Mom.
I noticed that we seemed to have some "fruit flies" hanging around. No big deal, considering I live in Florida. Right?
Well, then I realized they were living in my beautiful newly potted golden pothos plants. Not on the plants, but in the soil. So, after much research, I have concluded they are a common pest called fungus gnats. And, I had to inform my Mom that I gave her an infested houseplant.
If anyone knows of another solution to the problem, feel free to tell me. But, for now I'm trying the solution I found on gardenweb. Soak a mosquito dunk in water, and when it is fully dissolved water the plants with it. It should kill all the larvae without causing any environmental issues in my home. I guess sometimes you have to do it a couple cycles, but they do not harm your plant. Oh, and apparently they don't harm humans either!
Showing posts with label Houseplants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Houseplants. Show all posts
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tiny Greenhouse
First, I apolgize for the pictures. My camera isn't the best of the bunch, and is pretty finicky lately. Actually, I fight with my camera on a daily basis. So, the lighting may look a bit strange.
We picked up a small kit while purchasing some soil for a new project in the backyard garden. It is a tiny cactus growing greenhouse. The Boy did everything himself, even planting the teeny tiny seeds in those little tiny pots. He now is keeping it in his sunny bedroom window. I really think these kits are a lot of fun. We grew sunflowers from a similar kit meant for outside. They did wonderful.
Here are some pictures. Just to show how tiny this kit was. We've been really doing some reading on cactus plants around here lately. Something about the prickly nature of cactus plants has really caught the Boy's attention.
We picked up a small kit while purchasing some soil for a new project in the backyard garden. It is a tiny cactus growing greenhouse. The Boy did everything himself, even planting the teeny tiny seeds in those little tiny pots. He now is keeping it in his sunny bedroom window. I really think these kits are a lot of fun. We grew sunflowers from a similar kit meant for outside. They did wonderful.
Here are some pictures. Just to show how tiny this kit was. We've been really doing some reading on cactus plants around here lately. Something about the prickly nature of cactus plants has really caught the Boy's attention.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Two Trees
We have two trees this season. Our new artificial tree which is beautiful, and you cannot mistake that it is fake. We did this on purpose, plus the boy really wanted a white glittery Christmas tree. We love it, and are glad we picked this one.
We also have a live tree, which is tiny but equally as beautiful. What isn't beautiful in nature, really? It is our solstice tree. My son keeps it in his room and after we celebrate the solstice it will be planted in a special spot in our yard. It was grown locally and is meant to live in our area. It is too small to hold any lights or heavy decor, so we have some tin ones on it.
Our yard and house is decorated and lighted this year as well. I enjoy this time of year, and I enjoy sharing it with those I love.
We also have a live tree, which is tiny but equally as beautiful. What isn't beautiful in nature, really? It is our solstice tree. My son keeps it in his room and after we celebrate the solstice it will be planted in a special spot in our yard. It was grown locally and is meant to live in our area. It is too small to hold any lights or heavy decor, so we have some tin ones on it.
Our yard and house is decorated and lighted this year as well. I enjoy this time of year, and I enjoy sharing it with those I love.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Cactus
I have been regretting not being more interested in plants and gardening when I was younger. It doesn't do much good to regret things in the past, but I still have the tendency. Which brings me to the purchase I made on Sunday. I found the perfect red "Holiday" cactus plant. I'll have pictures soon, as my husband is still working on setting up the final destination.
I had been thinking about my Gram's Christmas cactus. She had one in particular that was very old, and it bloomed beautiful every year at Christmas. I remember her sticking it in the back bedroom closet every fall, only to pull it out a couple months later. It would then go back to the sunny bedroom spot where it would thrive for the rest of the year. When she died, there was much discussion on what would happen to her cactus plants. We finally decided on a neighbor who was thrilled to be the recipient. Had I known how important that plant would have been to me, almost 8 years ago, I would have taken it home.
My Mother also had a very old cactus. Her's was beautiful each year too, though she says it would bloom at Easter if she forgot to put it away for a couple months. My Mom's has been passed on as well, because she wasn't able to bring it when she moved south. So, I figured I would start my own plant and hope for the best.
I have learned that there are actually three types of these cactus plants. I'm amazed at this, but now that I see the pictures, I know mine is called a Thanksgiving cactus. That forum I linked to is a wonderful source of information. I like Gardenweb as well.
I am not disappointed at all. My son is thrilled that we have a new plant to add to our small indoor collection(cat you know). We have been doing a lot of reading on houseplants lately, and I can see him picking up all the knew information like a sponge. So, this may not be my Gram's Christmas cactus, but it is now a new generation started.
I had been thinking about my Gram's Christmas cactus. She had one in particular that was very old, and it bloomed beautiful every year at Christmas. I remember her sticking it in the back bedroom closet every fall, only to pull it out a couple months later. It would then go back to the sunny bedroom spot where it would thrive for the rest of the year. When she died, there was much discussion on what would happen to her cactus plants. We finally decided on a neighbor who was thrilled to be the recipient. Had I known how important that plant would have been to me, almost 8 years ago, I would have taken it home.
My Mother also had a very old cactus. Her's was beautiful each year too, though she says it would bloom at Easter if she forgot to put it away for a couple months. My Mom's has been passed on as well, because she wasn't able to bring it when she moved south. So, I figured I would start my own plant and hope for the best.
I have learned that there are actually three types of these cactus plants. I'm amazed at this, but now that I see the pictures, I know mine is called a Thanksgiving cactus. That forum I linked to is a wonderful source of information. I like Gardenweb as well.
I am not disappointed at all. My son is thrilled that we have a new plant to add to our small indoor collection(cat you know). We have been doing a lot of reading on houseplants lately, and I can see him picking up all the knew information like a sponge. So, this may not be my Gram's Christmas cactus, but it is now a new generation started.
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