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Blooming Plant Care Tips
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HYACINTH
Hyacinths thrive in bright locations, and do best when their soil is
kept moist but not soggy. Water yours thoroughly and then place it in a
sink (or outside if the weather is mild) to allow the water to drain
completely. The stems of these bulb flowers can be supported with
decorative bamboo stakes and raffia ties to prevent the weight of the
flower from causing the stems to topple in the pots.
When your hyacinth is finished blooming, you can replant the “forced”
bulbs in your garden in the fall. They will take a few years to fully
recycle and bloom abundantly.
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HYDRANGEA
Place your hydrangea in a sunny, bright spot that receives indirect
light, and keep its soil moist by watering it thoroughly and allowing
excess water to drain. In the fall, allow it to rest and lose its leaves
by placing it in a cool, dark location (a basement or cellar) without
water. In January, bring it out again to a spot with plenty of light,
and it should bloom in time for spring.
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ROSE
Kept indoors, rose plants will do well in bright, indirect light. Keep
their soil moist, allowing it to dry out a bit in between waterings.
Remove any leaves that have yellowed while indoors, and pinch off spent
blossoms to encourage new blooms.
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ORCHID
Despite their elegant, graceful appearance, orchids aren't difficult to
care for, and by following a few simple guidelines, many varieties will
bloom for you again next year.
Keep your orchid in a well-ventilated spot with partial shade, away from
radiators, air conditioning, and strong drafts. To help maintain the
right level of humidity, set the planter in a tray of pebbles and water
so that the pot sits out of the water. This prevents the roots from
rotting, and allows the moisture to circulate.
Orchids gain their water from the relative humidity in the atmosphere,
they do not absorb water in a traditional way from the roots and soil.
For stability, orchids are often potted with the roots in a growing
media that should not be overly wet. Orchids require a period of
dormancy during the winter in order to bloom again in the spring, so
allow it to rest in a sunny spot, and don't water it at all during this
time. When its blooms are gone, cut the spike an inch above the foliage,
leaving the old canes in place.
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CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Chrysanthemums like bright light, place them near an open window to
encourage their buds to open (but avoid allowing them to be exposed to
direct sunlight once in bloom, as that can burn their flowers). While
they're in-bloom, water them every two days or so – even at the risk of
over watering, since wilting will shorten their life. When not in bloom,
keep their soil moderately moist, watering thoroughly only when the soil
surface feels dry to the touch.
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CYCLAMEN
Characterized by heart-shaped leaves and blossoms that fly over the
leaves like miniature colorful birds, cyclamen plants are sensitive to
over watering and under watering. Keeping the soil moist (not wet) to
the touch is the trick to having them last long in a home or office
setting. Allowing the plant to dry out will prevent unopened buds from
opening and maturing. Spent blossoms should be removed immediately to
make space for new buds to open and unfurl. Cyclamens prefer cooler
temperatures 55 to 65 degrees F and diffused bright light.
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DAFFODILS (NARCISSUS)
As trumpets of spring, pots of daffodils like moist soil and cool
temperatures with high light sources. Placing the plants in low light
once they are blooming can cause “stem topple” where the stems that
emerge from the bulbs become askew instead of being parallel in the
container. Using a series of bamboo stakes and some twine or raffia -
the stems and foliage can be corralled within the dimensions of the pot.
Depending on their stage of openness, daffodils can last from 5 to 12
days.
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EASTER LILY
Easter lilies prefer moist soil and diffused light. As the blossoms
open, you may want to remove the yellow anthers with a tissue to prevent
the white blossom from discoloring and the pollen from damaging clothing
or home surfaces. As flowers pass their prime, they can be removed to
keep the plant looking healthy and to make room for new buds to open.
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CALLA
Callas thrive in slightly cool, sunny spots, especially after their
blooms open. Check their soil frequently and keep it moist but not
soggy.
These bulb-like plants grow from rhizomes, and when they're finished
blooming, you can plant them outdoors in mild climates. They need a
winter rest period before reblooming, so allow them to dry out over the
winter.
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CHRISTMAS CACTUS
The Christmas cactus, with flowers ranging in color from yellow, salmon,
pink, fuchsia and white (or combinations of those colors), isn't just
for the holidays – it can be grown indoors throughout the year.
While it adapts to low light, it will produce more abundant blooms if
you place it in a sunny spot. In the summer, you can move it outdoors,
but keep it in a shady or semi-shady location, since too much direct
sunlight can burn the leaves. When it's time to bring it back indoors in
the fall, do so gradually to allow it to adjust. Since it relies on
shortened daylight in the fall to induce budding, help it along by
placing it in a room that receives no additional evening light. Once
buds begin to appear again, bring it back into the living room or
kitchen.
Despite its name, the Christmas cactus isn't a true cactus, and it's not
quite as drought tolerant as you might think, so water it thoroughly
when the top half of the soil feels dry to the touch. During the summer,
keep it continually moist, and when fall arrives, water it only well
enough to prevent wilting. During the month of October, give it no water
at all, and then cautiously resume watering in November, being careful
not to let the stems get full from over watering.
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AFRICAN VIOLET
A healthy African violet will bloom for nine months and then rest for
three. Despite their delicate appearance, they are not difficult to care
for. Keep their soil moist to dry and allow it to dry out between
waterings to encourage blooming. Because water can damage their leaves,
always water them from the bottom by placing the container in a tray of
water. Allow the plant to absorb the water for about 30 minutes.
Place your African violet in moderate to bright, indirect light, and
avoid exposing them to sudden temperature changes. Pinch off wilted
blossoms and leaves to encourage blooming, and fertilize monthly or when
the plant is actively growing new leaves and buds.
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AMARYLLIS
The amaryllis is native to warmer climates. The showy funnel-shaped
blossoms stand atop a single stalk stem. Occasionally the flowers'
weight will require some support for the stem. A simple bamboo stake and
raffia tie can support the stem and be a decorative addition to the
plant.
Some amaryllis are frequently given as a gift in bulb form. Place your
amaryllis in a bright, warm room at first, but when buds appear and
begin to color, move it to a cooler spot to prolong blooming time. Water
it moderately, keeping the soil moist but not soggy, and avoid letting
it sit in water.
Once it stops flowering, continue to give your amaryllis four hours of
full sunlight so allow the leaves to collect solar energy to nourish the
next year's blooms. Cut off the flowers once they fade, and cut down the
stems to their base when they wither. Be sure to water and care for it
as long as it has leaves, then let the leaves wilt naturally (but don't
remove them). Keep the dormant bulb in its pot in a cool, dry place, and
then replace the top inch or two of soil and start watering it when it
begins to sprout again.
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AZALEAS
Azaleas prefer cool, well-lit spots (out of direct sunlight) with
temperatures between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the soil
frequently, and keep it moist but not soggy; never allow it to dry out
completely.
Allow new growth to develop, and regularly remove any dead flowers. When
it's finished flowering, you can replant your azalea in a larger
container or move it outdoors, as long as there's no risk of frost. Some
cultivated varieties of azaleas are designed for inside use only. Others
are “hardy” varieties that can be planted in the garden in warmer
climates. Be sure to ask your florist what type of azaleas they carry.
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KALANCHOE
Known for their bright small flowers in abundant clusters atop waxy
leaves, kalanchoe plants are among the longest lasting blooming plants
you can have in your home or office. Keep the soil moist, but not overly
saturated. Do not allow the pot to sit in a pool of water. Pinch off
blooms as they pass their prime. These plants could last 3 to 4 weeks
depending on the room's temperature. Sensitive to cold temperatures,
storage below 40 degrees F could cause foliage to become soft and
damaged.
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ORIENTAL LILY
Display your Oriental Lily in well-ventilated spot with bright, indirect
sunlight, taking care to keep it away from air conditioners, heaters,
and strong drafts. While in bloom, water it whenever the soil feels dry
to the touch, and feed it with a water-soluble fertilizer. When it's
done blooming, you can replant it outdoors in mild climates. Since
pollen can stain clothing and furniture, carefully remove the anthers
(the orange coated tips at the end of the stamens) with a tissue.
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PAPER WHITES
Your fragrant, pre-sprouted paperwhite narcissus will bloom within about
2-3 weeks if kept in bright, diffused light. Water them thoroughly when
the soil is dry to the touch, but don't allow the plant to stand in
water. Cool-weather plants at heart, your paperwhites will bloom longer
if kept away from heat.
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POINSETTIA
Even though we associate poinsettias with the mid-winter holidays,
they're actually a tropical plant and need to be kept away from drafts
and cold. Too chilly temperatures can cause their colorful leaves
(called bracts) to drop.
Keep the soil of your poinsettia moist and allow it to dry out only
slightly in between waterings. Encourage new blooms by pinching off
spent blossoms and adding plant fertilizer when it's actively growing
new buds or leaves. Poinsettias can also be cut from the plant and used
as cut flowers. When you cut a stem, a milky-white sap flows from the
cut end. Place the stem in water immediately to allow it to hydrate
before mixing it with other flowers.
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