Newsletter - January 2008 - Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone! I'm starting this month by planting cyclamen and fairy primroses in the terrace containers. The cold weather finally got the better of the impatiens, but with the holiday activities, my garden was pushed to the bottom of my "to do" list. My roses were pruned last month, but I still need to tackle the grapes and pinch- tip the dwarf fruit trees for shape. I also need to apply lime-sulfur to the nectarine to protect it from peach-leaf curl. I've been keeping droplights around the orchids for warmth and the cymbidiums and zygopetalums are budding nicely. Still raking leaves and I have so much Bermuda oxalis blooming that I tell myself the weed is pretty rather than try to fight it in the cold. Maybe this next rain will convince me outside, but this time of year, I'm usually more interested in indoor gardening.

I have two green house windows and quickly learned that if they weren't shaded, the glass fried every plant I tried to grow on their shelves. One window faces north and has afternoon protection, so it's been perfect for African Violets, Bromeliads, and Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus spp.). I also jam in some of the orchid varieties that really aren't happy outside here. The other window however, faces west and for the longest time, I was using it for stonecrops and cacti. Now the exterior Japanese Maple protects the plants, so these shelves work well for Xmas Cactus (Zygocactus), Queen's Tears (Billbergia nutans) and Goldfish Plant (Nemtanthus gregarious). When I choose plants for the house I usually look for those with interesting and different foliage, because I never know when, or if I'll be successful in coaxing a plant to flower inside. I like pink leafed polka-dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), angel-wing and painted begonias, and purple-velvet plant (Gynura aurantiaca). All of these stay colorful all year.

A greenhouse nursery worker once told me that there are four main causes of houseplant failure. These are too much light, not enough light, too much water, or not enough water. I can add to the list by including inappropriate species for household environments (plants must be tough to withstand knocks from pets, kids, vacuum cleaners and husbands who talk with their hands) and busy, neglectful homeowners. Purchasing a "light meter" can solve the lighting question and then research about the amount of light the plant requires. In general plants sold specifically for interior decoration prefer bright, but indirect light. A dark corner really may only be suitable for mushrooms, or silk.

As for the irrigation, I think under watering may be preferable to over doing it. To keep this under control, be certain the root ball is in proportion with the container size. Tiny plants in large containers will drown. Large plants is tiny containers dehydrate rapidly. Again, you may purchase a moisture meter, but your finger works just as well to test for damp conditions. The best idea is to check your plants frequently when new to learn how often they dry in their specific location. Houseplants that suspend from the ceiling need more frequent water that those sitting on the floor.

People wonder about fertilizing houseplants and there are many good products available. Because in general we apply water once a week, it's best to add a quarter strength of the recommended monthly amount with each irrigation. If that is too much work though, once a month is better than never. Also, the soil should be changed once a year to prevent a build-up of lime deposits and replenish healthy growth systems for roots. This is a great time to cut back vigorous plants to keep them in their existing containers. So, I have a busy week ahead following my own advice.

This is also the month typically reserved for planning and ordering seed for spring planting. That's only two months away! If I don't order soon, some of the new introductions, or specialty flowers and vegetables I want to try will be sold out. My favorite catalogue is Thompson-Morgan from England. Not only do they describe plants botanically, but give background about origins and propagation requirements. I like reading through it.

Solano Master Gardeners will begin their classes this month as will Solano Community College. If you have the time and interest, check out these programs. You meet great people and they all share our interest in gardening.