In the garden I tend to drop my thoughts here and there. To the flowers I whisper the secrets I keep and the hopes I breathe. I know they are there to eavesdrop for the angels. ~Dodinsky
When one of my plants dies, I die a little inside, too. ~Linda Solegato
Just because you've only got houseplants doesn't mean you don't have the gardening spirit - I look upon myself as an indoor gardener. ~Sara Moss-Wolfe
Gardening is a kind of disease. It infects you, you cannot escape it. When you go visiting, your eyes rove about the garden; you interrupt the serious cocktail drinking because of an irresistible impulse to get up and pull a weed. ~Lewis Gannit
When one of my plants dies, I die a little inside, too. ~Linda Solegato
Just because you've only got houseplants doesn't mean you don't have the gardening spirit - I look upon myself as an indoor gardener. ~Sara Moss-Wolfe
Gardening is a kind of disease. It infects you, you cannot escape it. When you go visiting, your eyes rove about the garden; you interrupt the serious cocktail drinking because of an irresistible impulse to get up and pull a weed. ~Lewis Gannit
Here will be my little discussion spot about my plants.
The first part are the plants I am going to bring snips of into the house to see how they work.
The second part of this page will be the plants I have only outside.
Clover {Trifolium}
Have had this in all my pots for as long as I can remember, very - very invasive but beautiful to behold in a single pot, I love it, I suppose it's the Irish in me
The Wikipedia says
Clover (Trifolium), or trefoil, is a genus of about 300 species of plants in the leguminous pea family Fabaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution; the highest diversity is found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, but many species also occur in South America and Africa, including at high altitudes on mountains in the tropics. They are small annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herbaceous plants. The leaves are trifoliate (rarely 5- or 7-foliate), with stipules adnate to the leaf-stalk, and heads or dense spikes of small red, purple, white, or yellow flowers; the small, few-seeded pods are enclosed in the calyx. Other closely related genera often called clovers include Melilotus (sweet clover) and Medicago(alfalfa or 'calvary clover'). The "shamrock" of popular iconography is sometimes considered to be young clover. The scientific name derives from theLatin tres, "three", and folium, "leaf", so called from the characteristic form of the leaf, which has three leaflets (trifoliate); hence the popular nametrefoil. Clovers are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species; see list of Lepidoptera that feed on clovers.
Cushion Moss
I have this around the yard as well, but will be trying it inside as well.
The Wikipedia says
A cushion plant is a compact, low growing, mat forming plant that is found in alpine, subalpine, arctic, or subarctic environments around the world. The term "cushion" is usually applied to woody plants that grow as spreading mats, are limited in height above the ground (a few inches at most), have relatively large and deep tap roots, and have life histories adapted to slow growth in a nutrient poor environment with delayed reproductivity and reproductive cycle adaptations.[1] The plant form is an example of parallel or convergent evolution with species from many different plant families on different continents converging on the same evolutionary adaptations to endure the harsh environmental conditions.
Hen & Chicks
Have had this as everything around forever, I put some in a pot last year and left it outside and its is doing just wonderful, now however I want some in the house with me. :0
The Wikipedia says
Hen and chicks (also known as Hen-and-chickens, or Hen-and-biddies in the American South) is a common name for a group of small non-succulent plants belonging to the flowering plant family Crassulaceae, native to Europe and northern Africa. They grow close to the ground with leaves formed around each other in a rosette, and propagating by offsets. The "hen" is the main plant, and the "chicks" are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots, taking up residence close to the mother plant.
Hen and chicks is also the popular name of a strain of opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, in which the seed head is surrounded by clusters of smaller heads.
Lettuce
I love iceberg lettuce, I had some growing in here a few years ago, but managed to drop a pot of it - won't happen again, anyway it was growing wonderful in here and I am now wondering what ever made me decide to take it outside. ???
The Wikipedia says
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the aster or sunflower family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce was first cultivated by the ancient Egyptians who turned it from a weed, whose seeds were used to produce oil, into a plant grown for its leaves. Lettuce spread to the Greeks and Romans, the latter of whom gave it the name "lactuca", from which the English "lettuce" is ultimately derived. By 50 AD, multiple types were described, and lettuce appeared often in medieval writings, including several herbals. The 16th through 18th centuries saw the development of many varieties in Europe, and by the mid-18th century cultivars were described that can still be found in gardens. Europe and North America originally dominated the market for lettuce, but by the late 1900s the consumption of lettuce had spread throughout the world.
Generally grown as a hardy annual, lettuce is easily cultivated, although it requires relatively low temperatures to prevent it from flowering quickly. It can be plagued with numerous nutrient deficiencies, as well as insect and mammal pests and fungal and bacterial diseases. L. sativa crosses easily within the species and with some other species within the Lactuca genus; although this trait can be a problem to home gardeners who attempt to save seeds, biologists have used it to broaden the gene pool of cultivated lettuce varieties. World production of lettuce and chicory for calendar year 2010 stood at 23,620,000 metric tons (23,250,000 long tons; 26,040,000 short tons), over half of which came from China.
Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps. One type is grown for its stems, which are eaten either raw or cooked. Lettuce is a good source of vitamin A and potassium, as well as a minor source for several other vitamins and nutrients. Despite its beneficial properties, lettuce when contaminated is often a source of bacterial, viral and parasitic outbreaks in humans, including E. coli and Salmonella. In addition to its main use as a leafy green, it has also gathered religious and medicinal significance over centuries of human consumption.
Blue Chalk Sticks {Senecio Serpens}
These are new to me, I have some growing in a pot outside, so this will be the first time I ever try to propagate and bring any in the house
The Wikipedia says
Senecio serpens is a species of the genus Senecio and dwarf shrub from the family Asteraceae that is indigenous to southern Africa. It needs little water, and is thus one of the many plants suggested for cultivation in Australia.
Aloe
Have had these in pots outside forever and will be bringing them in to try again to get them to grow in here
The Wikipedia says
Aloe pron.: /ˈæloʊ/, also Aloë, is a genus containing about 500 species of flowering succulent plants. The most widely known species is Aloe vera, or "true aloe", so called because, though probably extinct in the wild, it is cultivated as the standard source of so-called "aloe vera" for assorted pharmaceutical purposes.[1]. Other species, such as Aloe ferox also are cultivated or harvested from the wild for similar applications.
The genus is native to Africa, and various species occur their respective regions in southern Africa, the mountains of tropical Africa, various islands off the coast of Africa including Madagascar, and on the Arabian Peninsula.
The APG III system (2009) places the genus in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae.[2] In the past it has also been assigned to families Aloaceae and Liliaceae or lily family. Members of the closely allied genera Gasteria, Haworthia and Kniphofia, which have a similar mode of growth, are also popularly known as aloes. The plant Agave americana, which is sometimes called "American aloe", belongs to Asparagaceae, a different family.
Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowersare tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink or red, and are borne, densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems.
Many species of Aloe appear to be stemless, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched stemfrom which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in color from grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or mottled. Some Aloes native to South Africa are arborescent.
Jade Plant {Crassula Ovata)
Have had these in the yard forever and a day. tried getting it indoors last year but it died so I will try again.
The Wikipedia says
Crassula ovata, commonly known as jade plant, friendship tree, lucky plant or money plant, is a succulent plant with small pink or white flowers. It is native to South Africa, and is common as a houseplant worldwide. It is sometimes referred to as the money tree; however Pachira aquatica also receives this nickname.
It is an evergreen plant with thick branches and smooth, rounded, fleshy leaves that grow in opposing pairs along the branches. Leaves are a rich jade green; some varieties may develop a red tinge on the edges of leaves when exposed to high levels of sunlight. New stem growth is the same color and texture as the leaves, but becomes brown and woody with age. Under the right conditions, they may produce small white or pink star-like flowers in early spring.
English Sweet Violet {Viola Ordata}
I have had these growing in the yard forever so I just decided to go ahead and bring some into the house. They seem to be doing very well. They are just in a tiny pot and I don't expect them to flower because they have been recently transplanted. Though I do expect a lovely showing by next year and a wonderful smell.
The Wikipedia says
Viola odorata is a species of the genus Viola native to Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced to North America and Australasia. It is commonly known as Sweet Violet, English Violet, Common Violet, or Garden Violet. The herb is known as Banafsa, Banafsha or Banaksa in India, where it is commonly used as remedy to cure sore throat and tonsilitis. The sweet, unmistakable scent of this flower has proved popular throughout the generations, particularly in the late Victorian period, and has consequently been used in the production of many cosmetic fragrances and perfumes. The French are also known for their violet syrup, most commonly made from an extract of violets. In the United States, this French violet syrup is used to make violet scones andmarshmallows.
Haworthia {Haworthia Limifolia}
Now this little one I found in the front yard. I had gotten it possibly 30 years ago and somehow it ended up being planted in the yard, though I had forgotten about it. So in my quest to have a small succulent garden that did not work I got this and put it in a small pot and it has been growing lovely in here for nearly 6 months now.
I have read it is in the Aloe family. I have never had Aloe grow well indoors though. I might try again at some time though.
This makes the cutest little rosettes and it does not seem to be invasive in the least. I am not sure about its air cleaning qualities, I don't really care I just think its the most adorable little thing.
The Wikipedia says
Haworthia is a genus within the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae.[1] They are small succulent plants, typically 4 cm (2 in) to 20 cm (8 in) high, depending on the species, though the inflorescences of some species may exceed 40 cm (16 in). solitary or clump-forming and endemic toSouth Africa. Most species have firm, tough leaves, usually dark green in color, whereas others are softer and are window plants with translucent panels through which sunlight can reach internal photosynthetic tissues. Their flowers are small, white and very similar between species. But their leaves show wide variations even within one species.
Spearmint {Mentha Spicata}
I have tons of this growing outside but my laziness has decided to try to grow it indoors for the first time. So far I found a caterpillar on it and it was eating all of it, so I pulled off all the leaves and at the moment there is nothing but a stem that is showing good signs of have little leaves again. Will keep this updated till it grows again.
Just a side note, this works absolute wonders with heartburn and all types of indigestion - personal experience, and it tastes simply lovely after every meal. I have researched this and this is one of those wonderous things you can find in the garden - do some research on it.
The Wikipedia says
Mentha spicata syn. M. cordifolia (Spear Mint or Spearmint) is a species of mint native to much of Europe and southwest Asia, though its exact natural range is uncertain due to extensive early cultivation.[citation needed] It grows in wet soils.[2][3] It is an invasive species in the Great Lakes region of North America where it was first sighted in 1843,[4] although it is grown widely across northern Indiana.
Health effectsRecent research has shown that spearmint tea may be used as a treatment for hirsutism in women. Its anti-androgenic properties reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood, while leaving total testosterone and DHEA unaffected.[9] However, administration of spearmint tea to rats causes dose-dependently temporary or permanent negative effects on the reproductive system of the male rat and leads to lipid peroxidation that results in histopathologies in the kidney, liver, and uterine tissues;[10] more research into the toxic effects of the tea in humans is warranted. It can also be used to treat a variety of digestive ailments, including stomachache (as previously mentioned) and gas.[11]
Spearmint has been studied for antifungal activity; its essential oil was found to have some antifungal activity, although less than Oregano.[12] Its essential oil did not show any evidence of mutagenicity in the Ames test.[12] It can have a calming effect when used for insomnia or massages.[11] Spearmint has also been described as having excellent antioxidant activity; its antioxidant activity was found to be comparable to the synthetic BHT.[13] Due both to its antioxidant activity and its common use to season lamb in Indian cuisine, it has been studied as an additive to radiation-processed lamb meat, and was found effective in delaying oxidation of fats and reducing formation of harmful substances, which can be detected using thiobarbituric acid as a reagent.
Baby Onions & Garlic
I have been growing these for years outside but this year decided to grow them indoors instead.
The Green Onions you buy in the store. I just cut off the scallions and keep the bottoms with the roots, get some potting soil and put them in a chopped up Kool - Aid tub { saves space } and they pop up within 2 or 3 days. I use them until they grow no more and just get some new ones and start the whole process over again. One set of Onions will produce about a months worth of smaller greens.
The Garlic I take a whole clove and plant it top end up and the greens will come up in a few days as well and they will produce again for about a month until they rot and then I just start all over again.
Since I have put them in pots that do not drain I tend to only have to water them every 2 weeks or unless it has been dry. I will wait till the water is dried from the top and just put a bit more in.
I have no real interest in growing bulbs or whole onions my only interest is the greens.
Golden Pothos {Epipremnum aureum}
I have had mine for possibly over 25 years. It was given to me by my Grandmother many years ago. It was originally in a small elephant shaped pot. Since then I have had several, several cuttings made into new plants.
It is a bit invasive so you must be vigilant as to keeping it where you want it. I love this plant though. I have not really ever taken any special care of it and it just keeps growing and growing and growing.
It is a vine native to Southeast Asia so it likes a tropical touch but here in the Desert of Southern California it has no trouble.
I water it once a week and need to prune it possible 6 or 7 times a year just to keep it under control and looking nice. Its a beautiful plant, its never had flowers though.
It is used for cleaning the air in a small room, so it is a clean air plant.
I have read that its poisonous but in all the years I have had it I have never had any ill effects from it. I have never eaten it and never let any of my pets eat it either.
The Wikipedia says
Epipremnum aureum (or Epipremnum pinnatum cv. aureum, in addition to numerous other synonyms) is a species of flowering plant in the familyAraceae, with a broad native Old World distribution. Native range extends from Northern Australia through Malesia and Indochina into China, Japan andIndia. The species has become naturalised in tropical and sub-tropical forests worldwide, where it has caused severe ecological damage in some cases (see below). The plant has a multitude of common names including Australian native monstera, centipede tongavine, devil's ivy, golden pothos,hunter's robe, ivy arum, money plant, silver vine, Solomon Islands ivy and taro vine. It is sometimes mistakenly labeled as a Philodendron in plant stores.
E. aureum is an evergreen vine growing to 20 m (66 ft) tall, with stems up to 4 cm (2 in) in diameter, climbing by means of aerial roots which adhere to surfaces. The leaves are alternate, heart-shaped, entire on juvenile plants, but irregularly pinnatifid on mature plants, up to 100 cm (39 in) long and 45 cm (18 in) broad (juvenile leaves much smaller, typically under 20 cm (8 in) long). The flowers are produced in a spathe up to 23 cm (9 in) long. This plant produces trailing stems when it climbs up trees and these take root when they reach the ground and grow along it. The leaves on these trailing stems grow up to 10 cm (4 in) long and are the ones normally seen on this plant when it is cultivated as a pot plant.