The Alchemy Of Plants

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Sansevieria

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sansaveria-verigated-rosette.jpg — Golden Bird’s Nest Sansevieria

Sansevieria

Common names: mother in law’s tongue, snake plant

Why do I love the snake plant?: I have to be honest I did not like the idea of owning a sansevieria when my husband first suggested he wanted one. I didn’t particularly have anything against the snake plant, I have just always associated them with boring offices and sterile environments. It just didn’t feel like a plant I needed in my life, but now I see the error of my ways.

The day my husband and I went to the greenhouse to pick out some plants I was still trying to talk him into other options. What about a palm? Cactus?. When we got there, he b-lined for snake plants picked out a one-gallon pot of variegated sansevieria and we checked out. Compromise.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sansaveria-orginal-.jpg — Original Plant now 7 years old – outside for the summer

Once we got the little beauty home, he was so happy, and decided we needed it in the darkest room of our house. His rationale was that we could see it. He was not wrong, we could see it and in the back of my head I was telling myself, “we can see it die”. I mean come on! Plants need light.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sansaveria-thin-leaf-verigated.jpg

The Snake plant proved me wrong. It survived in that same spot looking no worse for the wear for months. Eventually I moved it into the sunroom to make it easier for me to take care of.

With the relocation of the snake plant my opinion really changed. Once it was in the sunroom, I started observing it instead of just walking by it. Its leaves are all individuals, and once it had more light there were small baby offshoots! Basically, every time I watered it and inspected it there was something new to appreciate.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sansaveria-moonlight.jpg — Sanseviervia Moonlight

Then it bloomed! At this point I’m obsessed. The flower stalk is sneaky it just seemed to appear one day. The flowers are delicate and white.

Now I feel the Snake plant is a style icon and a must have for the home. If you are into a modern low profile with high contrast vibes; or a bohemian ultra-chill macramé hang out there is a snake plant cultivar out there for you. Not to mention they tolerate low light environments. The heavy cuticle that covers the leaf makes it very tolerant to underwatering.

Their native environment is Africa, Madagascar, and southern Asia. They do thrive in a full sun window, but not required. My style for all my house plants is a rotation throughout the house so that every plant gets enough light.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sansaveria-clyindrica-.jpg — Sansevieria Clyindrica

Care tips:

Use your smart phone’s compass app or a real compass to determine the direction your windows face
I would suggest an east, southeast, south, or southwest facing window.
Let the soil dry out between watering (I use my finger to test the moisture level in the soil)
Fertilize with a indoor plant fertilizer per the directions of the fertilizer you choose during the summer.
I move my biggest plant outside in a shady spot during the summer when there is no chance of frost.

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Philodendron

Why is philodendron the right plant for your home? Simple question with a complex answer.

Multiple shapes and Varieties are so interesting

My first introduction to this genus was from my dad who has a philodendron which he has taken care of for 40 + years. It is a plain green Pothos from his restaurant (Roy Rodgers) he owned in the 80’s (Of course I have a cutting). This heirloom story highlights how prolific they are and how easy to care for.

Dad’s Pothos cutting from a 40 year old plant

Philodendron is a large genus with greater than 400 species. Most commercial house plant varieties are very attractive for their interesting foliage. To keep it simple I think about these plants in two categories. One is the climbing variety. The others are the interesting foliage varieties which are more sculptural.

Most varieties at your local green house are climbing and you can grow them up totems/ poles. As these varieties grow up totems or poles the leaves can get much bigger. If you want an indoor jungle look this a very effective way of achieving that goal.

Golden pothos growing up a jute covered pole

Adult Golden Pothos growing up a tree in Key West

Equally as attractive are the more sculptural varieties. These are just lovely and coveted for their ability to give that Indoor jungle look. There are varieties that have beautiful colors like the Prince of orange and pink princess. Leaves with interesting shapes and fenestrations.

Whatever your preference they are some of the best and easiest to care for varieties of house plants which is why they are perfect for your home.

Oncidium

What do I even do with this Oncidium? Ok, does anyone out there think to themselves, “woah! look at me! I kept this Phalaenopsis alive, I’m an orchid master!”? I did – and my oncidium has proven me wrong.

I am a very lucky orchid lover because there is a beautiful family owned and operated orchid greenhouse and grower about an hour from my house. ( No this is not an ad but https://carter-and-holmes.com is worth a visit if you love orchids) I have made several visits to their greenhouse for mother’s day events and just because. On one such visit they had a huge oncidium on sale, and since I’m an orchid master, I bought it. Before taking it out of the store I was told that this species is very hard to get to rebloom in your house. (challenge accepted!)

So, I felt I had to give you the back story to explain where I’m at mentally with this plant. I bought this plant 4 years ago. It is alive. Pretty much that is all I can say about my care of this plant.

This is my plant today 7/24/2019 – the large structures at the base are pseudobulbs and store water/nutrition for the plant.

My goal is to learn and get it to thrive.

Anytime I have an orchid question (and I forget what they told me at Carter and Holmes) I go to the American Orchid Society Fact Sheets. The following information is taken directly from then American Orchid Society Oncidium fact sheet, which you can read at http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets/oncidium.aspx .

Light requirements: East, south or west windows in a home- they generally require a large amount of light.

Temp: 50-55 F at night and 80-85 F during the Day

Watering: the type of watering seems to depend on the type of plant you have. I have a thin leaved large pseudobulb cultivar. so once a week sound be ok.

Humidity: between 30-60%

Fertilizer: 30-10-10 twice a month during the growing season.

Repotting: should be done when new growth is half mature. Depending on the roots of your plant you can choose a finer medium for finer roots and a coarser medium for thicker roots. There is a recommendation that I do not understand which is; Keep the newest growth farthest away from the edge. My plant seems to just be circular, but maybe I will get better insight when I take it out of the pot. After repotting keep humidity high and don’t water until you see new roots.

There you have it the recipe for success.

thinking about the care of my orchid, the

up the amount of fertilizer.
Investigate if Carter and holmes has an oncidium blend potting mix.
attempt repotting.

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Orchidaceae Cattleya and Phalaenopsis

Why do I love Orchids?: Better question; why don’t you love orchids? Maybe you have killed a few? That experience has left a bad taste in your mouth ? I’m here to tell you; IT’S OK.

Orchids are a fascinating species. I have kept them since my mid twenties. Prior to that my mom and I had one or two we killed but my real attraction started at whole foods floral section. Strategically placed as you walk in the door were rows of rainbow colored intricate blooms. I just do not have the will power to walk away from a display like that. I honed in on a particularly interesting cattelya which was white with a dark purple center. Into the cart it went, and that was how my collection started.

I took that beauty home to the rental I was staying in at the time. Quickly googled what the heck a cattelya even was, and sped through a couple websites. I saw that they love bright indirect light, and frequent watering but drying out in-between. After finding the brightest window in the house, I set it on a dining room chair about two feet back from the window. Then I proceeded to ignore it for most of the week, except for a good soaking once a week. The plant was thriving. I was/am hooked.

So back to the original question; why do I love orchids? I love them because they suit my life style. More specifically Phalaenopsis , and Cattelya are a good fit for me.

The way I care for these two types of orchids is simple:

1. bright indirect light in my sunroom – my sunroom is oriented South facing

2. soaking watering once a week

3. fertilizing with Better- Gro brand Grow better- every other week in the growing season April – September

4. Switch to Better – Better Grow Better Bloom in the winter and fertilize once a month. https://www.better-gro.com/

5. repot them with a cypress blend from https://carter-and-holmes.com about once every 2-3 years.

This plan will work to keep your cattelya and Phalaenopsis alive, with a few other notes. Orchids may look super fancy in their blooms, but they are not in love with fancy pots. Sorry folks, plain plastic well draining pots are their favorite environment. If you must keep your prized plant in a fancy vessel that is fine, the solution is a Cashpot (Fancy word for a decorative pot you put your crappy plastic pot in to disguise it). When you style your plant this way be sure to take it out of the cashpot to water it, fully drain it before putting in back in the decorative pot. Orchids don’t like wet feet!

Most orchids are Epiphytes, which means they grow in and on trees. Which once you know that it should help with inferring what would keep it happy. Lots of bright indirect light, water frequently but quickly drying roots.

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I hope some of this helps you sort through some things about your orchids!

Email me if you have questions/comments: The.Alchemy.of.plants@gmail.com