A Loamy Start ...
Thursday January 8, 2009
First things first -- it's nice to be back at work again. And I never thought I'd be the kind of guy to say that ... but there are worse things than writing about and caring for plants all day!
So, we're kicking off the new year around here the same way we ended last year: bringing you more information on excellent houseplants. This week, check out the aglaonema, a beautiful plant native to tropical Asia available in a variety of cool leaf forms.
Photo © Jon VanZile
How Can You Resist?
Friday December 19, 2008
I know this is poinsettia season, but check out this lovely pink Christmas cactus. These wonderful plants make great hanging specimens and they're easy to grow. Newer hybrids are more free-flowering and feature brighter and larger blooms than in years past. Really, what more could we ask for?
Photo © Jon VanZile
Happy National Poinsettia Day!
Friday December 12, 2008
Yep, believe it or not, National Poinsettia Day is here once again, and if you're interested in learning more about these plants or seeing some beautiful photography, you've come to the right place.
Check out my article on choosing and keeping poinsettias healthy, or go to my fellow guide, Lisa Hallet Taylor's site to see photo galleries of some beautiful poinsettia varieties.
Photo © Jon VanZile
A Cold Blooming Orchid
Wednesday December 10, 2008
If I had to invent the ideal orchid, it would be easy to grow in pots, bloom profusely, and able to withstand almost freezing temperatures and uneven watering. Well, Nature beat me to the punch. The cymbidium orchid is all of these things, plus sprays of large and beautiful flowers. These plants were trendy decades ago, and thanks to new miniatures, are making a much-deserved comeback. If this sounds good to you, check out our new profile of cymbidium orchids.