Houseplants – Flowering: Begonia and Bromeliad

Common Names:  Begonia

Description:  This is an extremely large and diverse group of plants.  Some Begonias are enjoyed for their beautiful foliage, while others are loved for their vibrant flowers.

Temperature:  65 degrees.

Light:  Bright light.

Water:  Allow the top of the soil to dry out between waterings.  Empty saucers immediately.

Humidity:  High level.

Pinching and Pruning:  Pinch back new plants to prefvent leggy growth.

Fertilizer:  Every two weeks throughout the year.

Soil Contents:  African violet mix.

Propagation:  Seeds, stems, cuttings and division.

Pests and Diseases:  Botrytis Grey Mold.

Care Rating:  Moderate

Bromeliad

Common Names:  Bromeliad.

Description:  An Exotically beautiful group of plants whose thousands of species include the pineapple.

Temperature:  70 to 75 degrees.

Light:  Partial sun or bright light.

Water:  Allow the top of the soil to dry out between waterings.  Keep the cups of the epiphytics filled with water and change the water once a month.

Humidity:  High level.

Pinching and Pruning:  Remove yellow and brown leaves.

Fertilizer:  Once a month during srping and summer.

Soil Contents:  Epiphytic soil mix or one part clean, washed sand, one part fir bank, and one part sphagnum moss.

Propagation:  Plant the pups or offsets in a light soil.

Pests and Diseases:  Mealybugs, Scale, and Root Rot.

Care Rating:  Moderate

Sunflowers All Around

These bright blooms add life to yours. 

Easy to raise, they take little care and produce blooms galore.  Stay tuned for growing tips and history of these special buds.

Raising Sunflowers

Sunflowers are big

beautiful, bouncy flowers

blooms that make you smile. 

They bounce in the breeze

as if

nodding to those passing by. 

Who can resist

this glorious bloom? 

Not I. 

(by Marisue Alsobrook, Author of Raising Sunflowers)

Come back for all things sunshiney.  Raising Sunflowers is just beginning.  In the meantime:

“Bloom Where You’re Planted!”

Hello Fellow Gardeners!

This Site will bring sunflowers into your garden with all the sunshine you can handle.  These popular blooms have a wonderful history, and come in all sizes.  Put on your gloves, gather your supplies, fill the watering can, drag over the potting soil, and let’s get down and dirty!  We’re just about ready!  Bookmark us now for tomorrow — see you then!