Indoor Gardening/Growing Amaryllis

Gardening will move indoors around December just before the holidays. In winter, here's what you can do to get your garden fix and it's a good one: plant Amaryllis bulbs.

Amaryllis flowers are amazingly beautiful. The trick is plant them now if you want them to bloom for the holidays.

Here are my growing tips:
1) Amaryllis bulbs are big, but they like to fit snug in a pot. Pick a pot that is one to two inches past the bulb size. The right size pot is usually a little over 6'' and 7" being about perfect.
2) Plant roots down, leaving the top 1/3 exposed above the soil.
3) Place them in a sunny window.
4) I like using a soil covering: you can plant grass seed around the bulb, moss or cover with decorative stone.
6) Amaryllis come from South Africa and Holland. Bulbs from South Africa bloom for the holidays, Dutch bulbs bloom after, closer to February. So be sure to check when getting your bulbs.
7) Water once, well after planting. Make sure the water drains from the pot in to a saucer. You must have drainage, and do not over water or the bulb might get mushy or spongy, not good. Water once or every other week or when the top of the soil dries out a bit. Water more often in bloom.
8) Do not use fertilizers or soil heavy in nitrogen. Nitrogen promotes foliage growth not floral growth
9) Amaryllis start to lean towards the direction of the light. Rotate the pot if this starts to happen.

Amaryllis are so easy to grow and so festive for the holidays. Give them a try!

Next post: fall traditions, and having something clever by the front door.

Moving Houseplants Inside

I heard this story about a friend's Ficus tree he's managed to keep alive and healthy for over twenty-five years. I was amazed with his story.

Most of us can agree that Ficus trees have a reputation for being finicky. I hear this a lot... "the leaves have started to drop." "What am I doing wrong?" Can it be saved? Well the answer, according to my friend, is yes.

Ficus trees are deciduous in their natural habitat. Meaning they will loose there leaves in winter and they return in the spring. So if the leaves are starting to drop and you see your ficus in decline, it could be part of it's natural cycle.

Here's my friends secret. Once the leaves start to drop he lets the plant go into its dormant period inside his house from late fall to spring. Then in mid-spring he'll bring his Ficus outside in bright sunlight and there, he says, "it thrives through the summer."

Garden Tip:
It's that time of the year to bring your houseplants inside.

Before bringing them into the house, inspect them for pest. If you notice them, spray your plant with an organic insecticidal soap. I'd do this anyway regardless if you see pest or not.

Think about the conditions they like. Ficus Trees like sun, others plants like shade or indirect bright light. Place your plants in the condition they like.

Develop a watering schedule, plants like a regular watering time. I water my houseplants once a week and that's it. Protect your surfaces when watering. I use saucers to catch water BUT you have to use a cork mat as well particularly on hardwood floors. Saucers, clay, are pervious.

During the winter, conditions inside the home can be dry. If you are not using a humidifier, use a spray water bottle to create moisture in the air as you see fit.

Celebrate the season. Fall is a glorious time of the year! It's the best time to plant in the garden. Next post: Fall gardening.