Succulent Spiral by Duff Axom

A succulent is considered any plant that stores water, this could mean in its leaves, stem or in some cases roots. Typically, when we think of succulents, the cactus comes to mind, but there are is a large variety of arid climate loving plants that work well indoors for a number of reasons.

Care with Moisture

It is a myth that succulents are indestructible as commonly believed. To grow and thrive, they do need water and care just like any other plant. One advantage, however, is that they are able to survive on less water than other plants. It is necessary to let the growing medium become dry in between watering or the roots could rot. By the time you see the visible effects of rotted roots in the leaves, it is usually too late to save the plant. Therefore, it is important to make sure your succulents are never sitting in soggy, wet soil.

Choosing a Container and Soils

Succulent’s roots usually do not grow very deep. This allows more freedom in choosing a container.  Only a few inches of depth are required. There are a few succulents that have tap roots, if you are using one of these varieties, be sure to plan accordingly. Many succulents can also be planted  close together because they are slow growing, creating a dense and interesting arrangement. Depending on their location and access to sunlight, succulents could be a great choice for wall sconces, cubicle planters, or table top planters. Be sure the containers you choose allow proper drainage. If you would like to use a larger container you can set some pottery shards over the drainage hole and fill the bottom portion with gravel and then add your growing medium. The Succulent Plant Page suggests using a mixture of 70% garden compost and 30% grit or sand or a combination of the two to make the soil porous so that the water does not sit. You can also purchase potting soil made specifically for succulent plants.

Light

According to About.com Houseplants, succulents need bright light, so the closer you can place them to a south facing window, the better they will thrive. Bright light also promotes growth and flowering in many species. Some species can become burned or bleached with too much light, while others can become spindly or leggy with not enough light.  About.com suggests these signals to monitor whether or not your succulents are receiving the right amount of light,

 ”Some species will scorch if suddenly exposed to direct sunlight. The leaves will turn brown or white as the plant bleaches out and the soft tissues are destroyed. Alternatively, an underlit succulent will begin to stretch, with an elongated stem and widely spaced leaves. This condition is known as etoliation. The solution is to provide better light and prune the plant back to its original shape.”

Different Species to Grow

The Garden Pages suggested the Rosary Plant to fill in containers and cascade over the sides, or in hanging baskets. The Garden Pages says,

“Rosary Plants grow into mounds 6 to 10 inches high.  The leaves are just barely 1/4” long and arranged neatly along the stem to give it a square look. ”

Aloe is easily grown succulent that adds height to a container arrangement. Hens and Chicks are also a popular succulent that add some low growing texture and could be used in an arrangement or singularly in a small container. Midwest Living provides an excellent slide show of a variety of succulent species that grow well in containers. 

Indoors or outside, succulents in containers can add easy-to-care-for unique interest to any plantscape, simply maintain the right amount of light and do not over water.

Your Turn to Share

What succulents have you used in container arrangements? What are the biggest problems you have had with growing succulents? Do you have a favorite species of succulent?

 Photo “Succulent Spiral” by Duff Axom

Now that winter weather is settling in, you may want to cheer up your kitchen by bringing a little of your outdoor gardening indoors. Consider starting an indoor herb garden to keep your cooking fresh until it’s time to plant outside again.  It can be easy to keep a few pots of your favorite herbs in your kitchen window sill.

Herb Box by net_efekt

Choose Your Herbs

First you need to choose the  herbs you would like to grow and use.  Better Homes and Gardens  suggests oregano, chives, mint , thyme and rosemary as the five best herbs to grow indoors.  When you are choosing which herbs you would like to grow,  make sure they are herbs that will grow inside for the full season.  Some annuals, such as dill do not grow as well inside.

Find the Right Light

The next consideration is location. It is important for indoor herbs to have the right amount of light. The Herb Gardener says that most herbs need about six hours of light. Placing your herbs in an unobstructed south facing window will help provide the right amount of light in the winter. If your kitchen doesn’t face south consider alternate locations, a bathroom is another  great place to grow herbs. You also want your herbs as close to a window as possible. The farther away a plant is from the window, the less light it will be able to receive. If you do not have a ledge, wire shelves are another option.  If windows are not a possibility at all, you can use grow lights as an artificial source.  Spindly looking plants are a sign that your herbs are not receiving enough light.

The Importance of Moisture

Indoor herbs also need good drainage. To ensure proper drainage for your pots gardening-guides.com suggests adding an inch of small gravel to the bottom of your containers. The article also suggests adding one part perlite or coarse sand to a potting soil mix. This will allow the water to move through the pot and as a result, the roots will not stay soggy and  rot. While herbs need good drainage, in heated indoor climates, they can also dry out quickly. Be sure to check your soil daily, if it feels dry an inch down into the pot you will want to add water. To improve humidity around the plants you can also set the containers on a tray with pebbles in it. Fill the tray with water and the water will evaporate, adding moisture to the air around the plants.

The Right Container

As you search for the right containers, consider a  NewPro Container with sub-irrigation. This will help keep moisture in the planter consistent without having to put a lot of time into watering.  These containers will also add a polished look to any indoor container arrangement. In addition to a home, herbs can also make great center pieces on restaurant tables, or add fragrance and texture to a container arrangement in any location.

Your Turn to Share

Have you grown herbs indoors? Do you have a favorite easy to grow herb? What herbs have you used as accents in you plantscapes? 

Photo “Herb Box” courtesy of net_efekt

"Dolphin Topiary and Flowers" by Karyn Christner

The topiary has been in use in gardens throughout the world since ancientRoman civilization first began creating them, and are often associated with formal European gardens. However, an article  from Topiary Organisation on the history of the topiary states, 

“…there is an ongoing revival in the art of topiary.
It maybe nostalgia, a sentiment common to every generation, that explains our interest, or it may also be the visual impact topiary creates.”

Topiaries are an elegant touch to many plantscapes. They can be large outdoor sculptures that line stately walkways. Topiaries can be the central focus of a garden, or they can be small accents in little pots placed strategically to catch the eye.  Topiaries can be some work to maintain the precise shape,  but they maybe the interesting  touch your clients are looking for.

Two Types of Topiaries

Topiaries can be made in a variety of shapes, from simple circles, to more complex shapes such animals.  There are two ways topiaries can be shaped.  Two dimensional or hollow topiaries are shaped around a wire frame that could be bought or made with an old coat hanger or other wire. Vining plants are typically used for this type of topiary.  The three demensional topiary is made from a frame that is filled with sphagnum moss, in which the plants grow instead of soil.

Care

According to an article by Cindy Haynes of the Iowa State University Extension Service,

“Besides regular pruning to control unwanted growth and maintain the basic shape, most topiaries require about the same amount of care as typical houseplants.”

The work comes in keeping the topiary trim so that the form stays recognizable and neat. It is also important that you monitor the water level in the topiary, as it can dry quickly.

Best Plants for Topiaries

Topiaries can be made from any number of vining plants. An article from Cornell Universityhas excellent step by step instructions for creating and caring for both types of topiaries. The article also includes and extensive list of houseplants that are ideal for indoor topiaries. The article suggests that herbs are especially advantageous as topiary plants because they fill the air with fragrance as they are pruned. Rosemary and Lavender are listed among the plants that work particularly well as topiary plants.  English Ivy  and other creeping plants are also ideal as they are easy to train to climb the frame.

Topiaries Indoors

To bring your topiaries indoors you will need to find the perfect container that compliments the size, shape and style of your creations.  Consider the Lechuza Classico line of containers from NewPro Containers, for their sleek design. They are available in a variety of sizes, finishes and with sub-irrigation systems to help maintain the proper moisture for your arrangement.

The topiaries can add elegance and a sense of identity a variety of plantscapes.   Have you tried a topiary in your plantscapes? What plants have you found work best for topiaries? Have you faced any challenges in trying to use topiaries indoors? Let us know what your experience has been in the comments section.

Photo “Dolphin Topiary and Flowers” courtesy of Karyn Christner

Sales to Interiorscapers have improved this last year, and as a result of NewPro’s 16 percent growth in 2010, we are adding a larger warehouse facility.

We've added more room for the products you need!

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The supposed death of a two year-old in 1919 after eating a poinsettia leaf seems to be the genesis of a persistent urban legend that poinsettias are deadly for children and pets. While there may not be too many kids or dogs on your Interiorscape service routes, many in the plantscape industry still hear this question from clients dozens of times a season.

Ironically many of you may still answer “yes!” Nearly 66 percent of those participating in a 1995 Society of American Florists poll believed poinsettias toxic if eaten. A 1994 survey of 1,000 Americans by Bruskin/Goldring Research for the Society of American Florists showed that 42 percent of men and 57 percent of women polled also thought that.

The truth is that poinsettia leaves taste awful – but don’t kill.  The assumed cause of the toddler’s death was never confirmed according to the well-respected myth debunking site snopes.com. In fact, after extensive testing by the American Society of Florists and the Ohio State University, researchers confirmed that no part of the Poinsettia plant is toxic. While the leaves may cause minor skin irritation, and consuming any part of the plant could result in a stomachache, there is no documented evidence that ingesting any part of a Poinsettia would be life-threatening or has actually killed anyone.
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