Know Tropical Plants Before You Buy Them
Imagine more than a thousand houseplants of unending variety available in one place - and at bargain prices. It’s the always-popular Friends of Manito annual perennial and houseplant sale Sept. 6. But before dashing out to buy baskets of these tropical exotics, it’s wise to know their likes and dislikes and how you plan to use them.
I have a terrible time with this last concept. Plants that are interesting, challenging or just downright attractive seem to find themselves in my shopping cart. There’s no rhyme nor reason for buying them except I know for sure that they will brighten some spot in the house.
Given the right conditions, these impulse purchases can easily develop into a small rainforest. Given so-so conditions, they may never outgrow their original four-inch container. A good rule to follow: Know your house before buying any plant. This rule should also apply to houseplants given as gifts.
The number of windows, which direction they face and how warm or cool we keep our homes all contribute to the success or failure of our plants. South-facing windows usually provide the most light. Therefore we should be able to grow cacti, citrus, flowering maple, lipstick plant, hibiscus and others. North-facing windows usually provide the least amount of light. Plants like pilea, ficus, dieffenbachia, grape ivy and a long list of others do quite nicely in these bright, but sunless areas.
Some plants will tolerate cold drafts from doors opening and closing or cold air seeping through window frames. Most however, will rebel. A ficus will punish us by dropping its leaves. African violets will curl up and stop blooming.
Once we have determined just what type of plants our home can handle, the next step is deciding how we’re going to use them. Clustering plants of different sizes, leaf textures and colors can add a dramatic statement to any corner or window area. To create a sense of harmony and stability, plant each of the plants in the same type of container. To give height and a sense of movement to the arrangement, set some on stands, some on inverted pots and a few on the floor (all with saucers underneath, of course).
The human spirit is rekindled by nature. We experience its joy every day of our lives. Inviting plants into our homes is merely extending Mother Nature’s vast garden (although hitchhiking critters are not a part of that invitation).
The Friends of Manito plant sale is your opportunity to start a special collection of new friends for your home. Some of my favorites include flowering maples (abutilon), a plant with delicate bell-shaped flowers; begonias of any shape or size (there will be six varieties); hibiscus, scented geraniums and peperomia (again, six varieties).
There will also be easy-to-grow houseplants such as snake plant (sansevieria) and various ivies. These are perfect for dorm rooms. There are also plenty of plants for children to start dish gardens - jade plants, sedums and kalanchoe.
The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Manito Park (again, that’s a week from Saturday). A presale for members of Friends of Manito begins at 8 a.m.
Special note: The North Idaho Dahlia Society will be hosting its first annual dahlia show this weekend - Saturday and Sunday during regular mall hours - at the Silver Lake Mall, Highway 95 and Hanley Ave., in Coeur d’Alene. Dahlias are spectacular flowers and this year’s weather has provided us with dahlias that are gorgeous.
, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-Review