Tropical Hibiscus

Nepenthes, the tropical pitcher plants can get to be large plants and are best suited to a greenhouse or large terrarium where they thrive in high humidity. However, there are a few hybrids (if you search for them) that are on the smaller side and these can make good houseplants (‘dwarf [...]]]>

nepenthes pitcher close-up

Nepenthes, the tropical pitcher plants can get to be large plants and are best suited to a greenhouse or large terrarium where they thrive in high humidity. However, there are a few hybrids (if you search for them) that are on the smaller side and these can make good houseplants (‘dwarf peacock’ is one that comes to mind).

These smaller plants can be grown in a tapered glass vase or glass jar(see photo below) , but make sure you have some sort of lid to trap in the humidity which they need. Contrary to what you might think, not all nepenthee are from steamy jungles. Many are found higher up on  cooler  mountain-tops where it gets downright chilly at night. Unless you live far north,you may fare better with warmer growing ‘lowland ‘ species or hybrids than the cooler growing upland’ ones.

Either way, be sure to grow them in a peat-based mixed with good drainage, and fertilizer occasionally with dilute orchid fertilizer to get good results. And yes, you can feed them tiny bugs or insects as well.  One thing we’ve found is that if nepenthes are unhappy, or the air too dry, they will stop making pitchers. It can take months to get restarted making pitchers, but once they settle in they should be fine. Vines can be clipped if the plants get too tall and leggy, at which point they should start producing basal rosettes. They need bright light, though not necessarily direct sun.The Nepenthes below is growing in a 2.5″ rose pot that is hidden by decorator moss. The crypanthus (bromeliad family) adds a dash of bright color and contrast to the reddish-green colors of the Nepenthes plant and pitchers.

Nepenthes growing in 6 inch glass vase.

Enjoy a dazzling display of orchids in Washington D.C this Columbus Day weekend. This fall tradition brings thousands of orchids in bloom, and visitors, to the U.S National Arboretum. There is a also a sales tent where vendors from around the nation offer many [...]]]>

Paph. Hsinying Citron X Pat Rowlands purchased at last year

Enjoy a dazzling display of orchids in Washington D.C this Columbus Day weekend. This fall tradition brings thousands of orchids in bloom, and visitors, to the U.S National Arboretum. There is a also a sales tent where vendors from around the nation offer many orchids that you won’t find in your local grocery store.

Members of the National Capital Orchid Society (NCOS) are also on had to give tours and answer any questions you many have on orchids. Better still, attend one of the many free orchid growing workshops offered and and then select some orchids to take home with you from our sales tent. I’ll be giving a talk on Saturday at 1.45pm on ‘5 Secrets to Great Orchid Growing;’ come find out what they are!

Admission to the show, classes, and sales tent is free! Show hours are:
Saturday 10 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 10 am – 5:00 pm
Monday 10 am – 3:00 pm
The entrance to the Arboretum is at 24th and R Street, NE, not the New York Avenue address. For more information visit the NCOS website.

If you’re an orchid nut, and looking to to add plants to your collection, get there early on Saturday.  However, there are enough orchids to suit everyone’s taste, so even if you get there later in the day, you’ll still find something you like. I found the slipper orchid pictured above left well into Saturday afternoon after the best stuff had supposedly been ‘picked over.’ Read my orchid website post on how to buy orchids so you can make your way through the sales tent like a pro. If you want to enjoy the displays, then Monday is usually the quietest day ..

New this year are special photo sessions before the show opens to the public:
Saturday, October 8, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Sunday, October 9, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Monday, October 10, 9:00 – 10:00 am

Photograph rare and exotic blooming orchids set in spectacular museum-quality displays without the worry of crowds or space to set up your tripod. The fee per session is $12 (Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) $10). You can register on the NCOS website.

You can also sign up to become a member of the National Capital Orchid Society at the show. Meetings are held monthly at the arboretum and feature a guest speaker as well as a show table with hundreds of orchids in bloom. Here are some photos from last year’s NCOS Show to whet your appetite.

Here is an exhibit I designed for Orchid Enterprise at last year's show

Well, these garden grown roses aren’t quite houseplants but as summer winds down there is nothing quite like the last of the summer roses to remind us of glories past,and to sustain us during the bleaker days ahead. And there is no better place to take in these elegant beauties than [...]]]>

Rose Norwich Castle

Well, these garden grown roses aren’t quite houseplants but as summer winds down there is nothing quite like the last of the summer roses to remind us of glories past,and to sustain us during the bleaker days ahead. And there is no better place to take in these elegant beauties than the rose gardens at The Regent’s Park in London. I’m sure that even Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham would wholeheartedly approve and might even stop to sniff the roses when no one was looking, as untoward as that might be…

Typhoon

Sheila's Perfume

spider orchid

I was traveling in northern Brazil last week–it was hot and on the dry side given that the rains had just ended a month or so ago. I try to make it a point to visit garden centers or nurseries wherever I travel to see tropical houseplants. In many cities the [...]]]>

decorative pineapple

I was traveling in northern Brazil last week–it was hot and on the dry side given that the rains had just ended a month or so ago. I try to make it a point to visit garden centers or nurseries wherever I travel to see tropical houseplants. In many cities the garden centers, or nurseries, tend to be clustered together so if you find one, you find them all! These photos were taken in Teresina, the capital of the state of Piaui in Northern Brazil.

Sobralia orchid plants--about 5 feet tall

Sobralia orchid--native to South America

Hibiscus

Guzmanias are a genus within the Bromeliad family.  They are grown primarily  for their attractive flowers that emerge from the rosette of leaves, and that can last several months!

These tropical beauties like heat, bright indirect light, and humidity. While these specimens depicted were growing and bloomed by the US Botanical [...]]]>

Guzmania Limones

Guzmanias are a genus within the Bromeliad family.  They are grown primarily  for their attractive flowers that emerge from the rosette of leaves, and that can last several months!

These tropical beauties like heat, bright indirect light, and humidity. While these specimens depicted were growing and bloomed by the US Botanical Gardens, there are many smaller growing hybrids that are popular as house plants. Guzmanias are often used in office  interiors in mass plantings where their flame colored bracts and blooms provide a rare burst of color.

Most guzmanias that you will find have plain foliage, but there are exceptions such as the stunning specimen shown below which is attractive even when not in bloom!  If you have guzmanias in your house4plant collection, be sure to keep the central vase filled with water and occasionally add a little dilute flowering plant fertilizer to keep your plants blooming.

Guzmania Marina