Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-04-16, Page 60PAGE 34 A houseplant sh u1s1complement the space it fills There's more to selecting houseplants than picking out one you like, paying for it and taking it home. A plant should comple- ment the space it fills. Before shopping for houseplants, study the total room environment, especially natural light conditions, and measure the spaces where the plants will be positioned. The amount of sunlight a plant receives will determine its success or failure in your home. That's why it's important to evaluate the available light. If the sun shines directly through a south - facing window for at least four hours a day, you have bright light. Cactuses, scheffleras, and most flowering plants need bright light. Medium light 'is the indirect sun that filters `rough windows that face east or west. Plants suitable for medium light in- clude rubber trees, weeping figs and Swedish ivy. Low light comes from a north window and is just bright enough to cast a shadow. Parlor palms, Chinese evergreens and many species of ferns thrive in low light. Other factors to consider,in plant selection are the size of the plant at maturity, its shape, foliage texture and color. A six-foot Kentia pahn would overwhelm a small room, while a shorter lacy -leaved false aralia would be perfect. HOUSEPLANTS SHOULD COMPLEMENT the spaces they fill. A six-foot Kentia palm (L) would overwhelm a tight corner or small room. A shorter, lacy -leafed false aralia (r.) wou'.d be more appropriate. Once you've measured your space and determined the light intensity, you've also narrowed your houseplant choices. The next step is to select those that are suitable for your room. Inspect each plant carefully for pests and diseases. Don't hesitate to question the plant 41, tilio low lWAYA PHONE THE "HOT LINE" 482.3211 WE BUY AND SELL WRECKS PARTS FOR LATE MODEL CARS & TRUCKS 'Both rebuilt and used 'installation 'Service by Licenced Mechanics SUNOCO ...make room for the flowers this spring, give the hotline a call. It's $$$'s in your pocket. (We pay spotcash for wrecks) —TIRE SALE— FARM - PASSENGER - COMMERCIAL By: Dunlop, Dayton, Road King, Michelin and B.F. Goodrich Radials - Belted - Polyester Ply "AT SPRING SALE PRICES" Computer Balancing Available CLERE-VU AUTO WRECKERS ..482.3211.,... • ....... .Highway.8,..three.mi..west.of.Clinton. dealer about anything that looks suspicious. Never purchase a plant that has limp, off- color leaves; it will be a constant problem. Look for firm foliage and new growth. Flowering plants should have plenty of buds. Don't buy a plant in full flower. It's at its peak and won't blossom much longer. When you get your new plants home, water them thoroughly to flush out any salts in the soil. Isolate the. [newcomers from other houseplants for two weeks and continue checking for tell-tale signs of pests and diseases. If the ,plants look clean after two weeks, move them to their new locations. Fertilrring too soon can cause root burn. Wait until ,the plants have acclimated themselves to their new environment, usual- ly in about two months., All houseplants need nitrogen for vigorous • green growth. A convenient source of this vital nutrient is as near as the pantry shelf Knox Unflavored Gelatine. University research has concluded that unflavored gelatine, commonly used in recipes, helps promote fuller, greener plants. To apply, dissolve an envelope of gelatine with one cup of hot tap water in a pitcher or large mixing bowl; then add three cups of cold water to make a quart. Water the plants with this mixture once a month. When you repot actively growing plants into larger containers, fresh potting soil will provide phosphorous and potassium. One last tip; new houseplants can lose up to one third of their lower leaves. Don't be alarmed; it indicates that the plant is mak- ing a normal adjustment. re -open MAKE YOUR YARD A SHOWPLACE... TREES: •apple •peach *flowering cherry •flowering crab •umbrella catalpa *weeping caragana •red maples *linden •silver & sugar maples •paper birch *mountain ash •mugo pine •white spruce •pyramid cedar •andorra junipers *compact pfitzer •dwarft alberta spruce FOR YOUR YARD •marble chips •new lava rock •driftwood bark *peat moss opine mini -nuggets •potting soil •and much More o serve you SHRUBS •euonymus •lilacs *rhododendron •purple sand cherry *honeysuckle •floweki,ng almond,. •cotoneaster •forsythia •gold nine bark See our flowering window box display at the Goderich Garden Club Booth at the oderich Home & Garden Show {