African violets (Saintpaulia) are popular houseplants in Ontario, in part because they can flower continuously under ideal conditions. They are members of the Gesneriaceae family, and are not related to the hardy outdoor violets that belong to the Violaceae family.…
The name “geranium” is often given to two members of the geranium family (Geraniaceae). However, the name really belongs to only one of them – the hardy perennial geranium, also known as a cranesbill (Geranium). The other geranium is a…
Originating in the tropics, begonias (family Begoniaceae) are among the largest and most diversified genus of indoor plants, with over one thousand species and thousands of hybrids varying from miniature terrarium-sized plants to giants over six feet in height.
Begonias…
Light
Ferns generally grow best in filtered or diffused light, for example a bright position out of the direct rays of the sun or near a window filtered by a sheer curtain. Northern windows, except perhaps a bright unobstructed one…
Growing houseplants can be just as rewarding as outdoor gardening. Healthy houseplants add beauty to the home and, for many, growing houseplants is the only way to express an interest in horticulture and love of plants. Plants in the natural…
With a sunny window, growing succulents is easy and rewarding. Cacti are one of the best know groups of succulents, but there are many succulents that are not cacti.
Cultural Requirements
To stimulate flowering, keep plants potbound. Flowers usually occur…
Several members of the Gesneriad family of plants originate in tropical forests where they have adapted to relatively low levels of light and fairly constant moderate to warm temperatures. As a result, many make good houseplants. A few of the…
There are 15,000 to 35,000 different species of orchids and they are not all easy to grow. The orchids most generally cultivated are Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids), Paphiopedilums (Slipper Orchids) and Cymbidiums. Even within these general groups cultural requirements…
Bonsai is the Japanese name for the art of growing trees in small containers and has been a tradition in China and Japan for centuries. It is also the name by which these miniature plants are known. They range…
