Perhaps the finest of these heirloom plant species is the orchid. While many people think orchids require a great deal of maintenance, several varieties, such as Paphiopedilum, are surprisingly easy to care for. Popular with orchid enthusiasts for hundreds of years, Paphiopedilum orchids have large, bold blooms that are so colorful as to be a focal point in any room.
Another popular orchid variety is the cattleya orchid, which sends up stalks covered with clusters of small blossoms. Cattleya comes in yellow, pink and white as well as other, more subtle colors.
To care for either of these orchid varieties, you will need a potting mix specially made for orchids, a terra cotta pot, and a tray filled with small pebbles. Most purchased orchids come in small plastic pots or as bare root plants which are not currently growing in soil. If you bought the potted variety, remove it from the pot. Fill the clay pot with potting mix and place the orchid into the mix at the same depth as it was in the plastic pot.
The best way to water orchids is to place them under tepid running water for about two minutes. Allow the pot to drain thoroughly, as standing water in the pot will kill an orchid. Place the pot on the pebble filled tray and place the potted orchid and tray in an area that receives indirect sunlight. Be sure to check the plant once a week and re-water if the soil is dry.
Flower bulbs are also popular heirloom plants, which have been cultivated for hundreds of years. Bulbs are hardy enough to thrive and multiply despite years of neglect. This is why new varieties of heirloom bulbs are continually being discovered.
Daffodils are an especially prolific bulb and comes in many varieties, from the small, true daffodils to the larger narcissus. They are also available with many different petal shapes and may be scented or unscented. If you like scented blooms, you may also want to consider hyacinths, which are known for their strong fragrance and vivid colors.
You will find that any bulb variety you choose is easy to grow. Start by filling a container with potting soil, leaving the top six inches of the pot empty. Place the bulb, narrow end up, onto the soil, then cover with soil to the top of the container. If the weather is still cold, place the container in a cold, sheltered area like a shed or garage.
When springtime comes place the pots in a sunny window inside the house turn on the wireless outdoor speakers, and listen to music while watering them regularly until they sprout. Once you see blooms, plant the bulbs in your garden. If your landscaping plans do not include bulbs, you may discard them and buy new ones the next year.
So if you love to collect antiques, why not try collecting plants, too?
One popular choice for houseplants is the Spider Plant, whose scientific name is Chlorophytum Comosum. This is because they are very easy to care for, and are also quite attractive. While it is possible to over or under water them, as with any plant, they are very tolerant of varying conditions. They are very hardy, and can survive for many years in your home. Spider Plants' leaves are long and narrow, and come in several variations, from dark green with yellow stripes to speckles and other types. They grow quickly and have many leaves, making them visually interesting plants to add to your home. Unlike many other plants, they still grow well when root bound, meaning that you will need to repot them less frequently. As long as you keep the soil relatively moist, your Spider Plant should grow well. You can even go several days without watering them at all, as they are very tolerant of a range of environments. However, there is one ailment to watch out for with Spider Plants. If the tips of the leaves become brown or spotted, you should change the type of water you give them. The chlorine and fluorine sometimes found in city water can damage the plant, so if the leaves are turning brown, switch to rainwater or purified water. Not only can they tolerate varying amounts of water, but they are also tolerant of varying amounts of light. Although they do best in indirect sun, they can also withstand very bright sunlight for hours. They do particularly well in areas that stay around 65 degrees, but can go down to 55 degrees at night, because they are naturally used to a nighttime drop in temperature. Spider Plants also tolerate a range of soil types, and are not demanding when it comes to fertilizer. While you should not overdo it or neglect them, applying fertilizer once in the Spring and once in the Summer is fine. During the summer months, they grow beautiful, small, star-shaped flowers. These white flowers grow on a stalk that will grow to be three feet long. While they have this stalk, be sure to stake it if it is bending or learning excessively. Spider Plants are particularly well suited for hanging baskets, especially as older plants which have produced many leaves. However, they grow quickly and can outgrow such pots, so you may have to divide the plant and repot it every couple of years. In a basket, they can grow to be several feet wide, and two feet tall even before the flower stalk grows. , in addition to centerpiece dracaena plants, can be an easy way to add interest to your interior environment. Just like the Lucky Bamboo, they are very tolerant of a range of conditions, and are very beautiful plants. They can be found in any nursery, and are a perfect choice for the beginning gardener.
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