Containers
There are many types of containers. Be sure to choose one that fits your plant. It should be large enough for the roots and provide bottom drainage. You can find containers made from almost any type of material imaginable.
Repotting
Healthy, growing plants need repotting occasionally. If you see roots growing out of the bottom of your pot, it's time to repot. The pot you select should be no more than two inches in diameter than the old pot. It should be clean. Be sure to wash salts from clay pots with water and a scrub brush. If there are small children around, let them help you repot your plants. Kids always love to play in the dirt, and they will quickly learn the joys of growing plants and flowers.
Special Potted Plants
Poinsettias require bright light and should be kept away from drafts. They like temperatures of 65° to 70°, and they want to be well -watered, but not too much. Some of the newer varieties can be kept attractive all winter.
Azaleas need direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist, and use an acid fertilizer. When repotting, use a mixture high in acid. They can be planted in a shady spot in the garden during the summer. They need to be watered adequately during the dry periods. Bring them inside before freezing weather.
In order to grow gardenias indoors, you have to give them special care. They need acid soil and similar nutrients as azaleas. They need low temperatures and high humidity.
Keep amaryllis in full sun. As soon as the danger of frost has passed, you can plant them in the semi shaded spot in your garden. In the fall, bring in the bulbs and store them in a cold dark place until January.
The Christmas Cactus will develop buds and bloom if you give it bright light, short days, and cool temperatures. They bloom best when somewhat pot bound.
Cyclamen require full sunlight and cool evening temperatures. They need lots of water and must be watered whenever the surface of the soil is dry. Let the plants die down after they finish blooming. In June, repot the corm with the top just above the soil line. Allow resting bulbs to dry but not shrivel.
Propagating Plants
Some gardeners prefer to start their plants from seed. Seeds are more inexpensive than buying growing plants. Some plants that are easy to grow from seeds are asparagus fern, bromeliads, cacti, coleus, gloxinia, impatiens, and kalanchoe.
First, you need to fill a pot or a tray with planting medium and peat moss. Dampen it and sprinkle seeds across the surface. Cover the seeds and pat them into the medium. Water them again. Cover the tray with plastic or glass and place in a warm location; a heating pad or top of the refrigerator will work fine. Water it whenever it feels dry.
Remove the cover whenever you see the seedlings pop through the moss. and move them to brighter light. When the second leaf appears, it is time to transplant your seedling. Plant each seedling in its own small pot. Be careful not to bury the leaves. Water your plants, and then move them to a brighter light.
If you have plants with several stems, you may divide them to make new plants. Pull the stems apart carefully, and make sure that you have roots on both stems. Put each stem in its own pot with fresh potting soil. Place plants out of direct light until they begin to grow. Then increase the light gradually over several days. Be sure to keep the soil moist so that the injured roots can heal.
To divide bulbs, simply pull off the small bulbs that grow in the side of the parent. Plant the new bulbs the same way you did the parent bulb. To divide caladium and tuberous begonia, cut their tubers (underground growths) in several places. Each section should have an eye. Plant and water. Gloxinia and cyclamen have roots like potatoes. Cut sections with at least one eye. Plant and water. Each section should produce a new plant.
Some plants can be divided by simply cutting off the tip of a branch. Be sure to cut below a node (where the leaf and stem join). Remove the lower leaves and any flowers and plant in moist rooting medium such as ½ peat moss and ½ perlite. Be sure not to bury the leaves. Provide indirect light and bottom heat. Dieffenbachias often lose their lower leaves. When this happens, cut off the top and transplant.
Some plants, such as African Violet, can be rooted from a stem. Cut the stem with a node and root in water. When little roots appear, it's time to pot the plant. To propagate a rex begonia, put a healthy leaf on moist growing medium. Pin the leaf down so that it is in contact with the soil. New plants should grow from the leaf. To propagate a snake plant, cut the leaf into sections and insert them into potting soil. New plants should grow from the sides of the sections.
Some plants put out runners. Simply pin the runners to the soil, and when they develop roots, cut them away from the parent plant.
Happy Gardening.
