Well, I decided to take my own advice during this recent hot spell...take an interest in my indoor plants. I have always liked indoor foliage for many reasons: Plants seem to soften the indoor scene and are actually good for you, in that they emit oxygen and remove air toxins from the room . Plants can also create a focal point or theme for a room . Healthy plants give a room a vitality that cannot be achieved in any other way. They also satisfy a gardener's yearning for nurturing during inclement weather!
Over the years, I have had many indoor plants. I would say the most resilient of any was a Sheffleria I bought as a small plant and placed in the corner of the living room when we lived at the beach. The plant grew and grew, until it was almost ceiling high, thrived when we were absent for months at a time, stayed in place after we sold the house and was still there long after the new owners lived there! That plant was perfect for that particular place!
That's the secret. Some plants have an affinity for a certain place. It's hard to find an indoor plant that really does well in Borrego but, I think that I have found several that do exceptionally well here. Three that I love are Rhaphis excelsa ( lady palm ), Sansevieria ( mother-in-law tongue) and Zamiocula zamiifolia (zz plant).
Presently, I am trying a new liquid fertilizer that I was informed (on good authority ) is used to grow marijuana with great success. I don't know much about marijuana horticulture, but I certainly think it has given my indoor plants a big boost! Botanicare Pure Blend Pro Gro for hydro gardens, soil and coco,is an organic 3-2-4 mix. I only use 1 tsp./gal. of water, so it lasts a long time!
The palm takes more water ( once/week ) than the other plants, which I allow to dry out between waterings. Your finger is your best tester. When the soil pulls away easily and you don't feel moisture, it is dry enough to water. Remember, more plants die by over-watering than are killed by under watering!
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