Bromeliad Flower Arranging!

Everyone wants to get the most out of their flowers… potted house plants, cut flowers, roses outdoors or planted in the landscape. Flowers just say “happy” or “welcome” … come into the room and make yourself comfortable.

But don’t all of us at times want something that looks “different” or “unusual”? Something that draws a conversation? Something to set your room apart?

Bromeliads not only give lots of color for months on end, but some varieties used mainly in the landscape can create a wild and exotic look!

This arrangement is made up of Bromeliad blooms, Bromeliad leaves, bamboo and cool looking pottery! How’s that for a “flower arrangement” Bromeliad style!

Cacti or Succulents Outside in The Summer?

Do you move your cacti or succulents outside in the summer?

That question comes with many points of view. In my opinion it’s six of one half-dozen of the other.

Cactus and succulents may in fact benefit from the extra sun they will receive during the summer season, that benefit must be balanced against the potential of mealy bug attacks and rot from the rainy season.

Contrary to popular opinion, the best “soil” to grow cactus in is not sand. A sandy soil, yes, but not plain sand.

The best method to prepare a good soil for cacti is to start off with a standard
potting soil and add about one fourth as much clean sand - I like to use playground sand. Coarse finely ground rocks also work well.

If you use sand, don’t scoop it up from the beach! Beach sand contains too much salt and will hurt growth. Drainage is so important with cactus and succulents, make sure you take special steps to add extra rocks or broken pots to the bottom of the pot
so any excess water will “stand” for the roots to sit in.

Cacti and succulents can be fed using foods - dry or soluable - you use on your other plants, however, use it a little more sparingly.

For me I like to find a place to put a plant as a house plant or outdoors, but opt NOT to move them back and forth. The choice however is up to you!

House plants, Palms and Spider Mites Colonies

Many house plants can be called “home” to a colony of spider mites.

Usually spider mites can be found on just the underside or the leaves. However, when populations get very high the colony of mites begins to produce webs which give them a method or means of growing their colony and traveling between other house plants and leaves.

Part on house plant care should include cleaning of the plant to prevent against disease and problems such as mites. For help check out - Cleaning House Plants

African Violets Virus or Water Spots

African violets (Saintpaulia) are hosts of viruses. Is the leaf in the picture a vrus spot or water spot?

The plant is not infected with a virus but shows symptoms of cold water damage on leaves which appear similar to ringspots caused by some viruses found on African Violets.