There are a number of platyceriums available, but this is the one most likely to be encountered. All require similar conditions in which to grow, and the emphasis should he on moisture and warmth.

Cuttings a few inches in length root very easily in standard house plant compost if placed in a warm propagating unit, several cuttings to each pot. When they have rooted and obviously begun to grow the growing points of each cutting should he removed. Grown in moderate light in a warm place they will give little trouble. Feed with a weak liquid fertiliser while in active growth.

The silvery grey Pilea cadierei was at one time the most popular but has now been superseded by the much more compact and attractive P. c. nana, which has smaller leaves of brighter appearance. The artillery plant, P. microphylla, gets its common name from the way seed pods ‘explode’ and scatter seed in all directions; other than this interesting facility it would seem to have little to recommend it for house decoration.

The arrival of orchids in Europe came about with the age of exploration, and it was the ships’ captains who saw a lucrative deline in bringing back many strange and exciting tropical plants from the new worlds being discovered.

It is the showy species from Asia and South America which have been most easily cultivated and hybridiscd from and these are a certainly the most rewarding to grow.

No wonder it became an obsession to grow these beautiful and exotic plants from far-off lands, and no wonder the highest prices were paid, as the wealthy industrialists tried to outbid each other for ownership of the latest arrivals.

Not all species will readily breed in cultivation and the raising of seedlings is often difficult under artificial conditions. Hybrids often have a wider tolerance of artificial conditions and are a much better proposition for the beginner.

It is well known that orchids belong to one of the largest families of plants on earth and that their variety is unsurpassed in the plant kingdom. Their method of growth is a fascinating study in itself: the plants have become so well adapted that they are completely at home in even arctic and temperate regions where they live conventionally in the ground as terrestrials. In warmer tropical and subtropical areas they have developed a completely different method and grow by attaching themselves to trees as epiphytes.

Of the two common names. money plant seems to be by far the most suitable as far as the plant supplier is concerned. On a visit to our nursery some years ago, a charming Indian girl, with a surprising knoWiledge of plants, informed us that in her country the saying went that you would never be without money if you had a scindapsus plant in the house - a good reason for us all to have one.

Leaves are fleshy to the touch, but otherwise resemble those of the smaller hederas, and many is the time we have had flower show visitors come up and whisper that we have made a mistake with one of our labels, only to be assured in an equally low whisper that it isn’t an ivy!

A moist moss support for plants to climb and get their roots into will greatly improve their performance. Potting compost should be peaty- in its composition and the inclusion of a little good leafmould will be an advantage if it can be obtained.

All reasonably compact plants, the peperomias will do fairly well at temperatures less than that suggested above, but for best results a minimum of 13C. should he maintained. Provide a light position out of strong sunlight, and err on the side of dryness when watering, as soggy conditions result in tired, limp plants.

There are some variegated forms, but they seldom do as well as the naturally coloured. Being indigenous to the tropical jungles of South America, they will all be the better for growing in an atmosphere as moist and humid as possible, where for preference the temperature should he in the region of 18C. (65F.).

Most will tolerate temperatures as low as the 13′C. given above provided plants are kept on the dry side and lower temperatures apply for only short periods. Some years ago we were amazed to find that during a particularly cold winter Philodendron bipinnatilidum survived in temperatures that dropped as low as freezing point ; compost was kept very much on the dry side. However, one would not recommend such low temperatures as the plants will just about survive and take a considerable time to recover.

Not all the bizarre orchid flowers appear in miniature. Among the larger flowering varieties can be found some very curious flowers and methods of flowering. The genus Stanhopea is known for its highly individually styled flowers. In all the species the petals and sepals are drawn or folded back to totally expose the lip.

The pscudobulbs are the most permanent part of the plant. Leaves and roots will be formed and eventually die, but the pscudobulbs will outlive them both. Provided the pseudobulbs remain alive even a sick plant will regain its health in time.

The pseudobulbs should always appear plump, an indication that sufficient water is being received. Some species will shrivel slightly during their resting period and this must be allowed to a certain extent if flowering is to follow.

Their flowers are among the most short-lived of all the cultivated orchids, lasting from three days to barely a week. Nevertheless, a large specimen producing a succession of flower spikes can be in flower on and off for several weeks. Added to this they are highly fragrant.

During the winter months plants should be kept very much on the dry side, particularly so where the lower temperature is likely to apply. In these conditions plants will almost inevitably lose a number of leaves, but this should not cause too much concern as they quickly refurbish themselves when better spring growing conditions arrive.

The variety Sireptocarpus Constant Nymph is an excellent plant producing a succession of violet-blue flowers on slender stems over a long period, and is not in the least difficult to increase in numbers, by inserting complete leaves or leaf sections in peaty compost at a temperature of about 18C. (65F.).

Raised from seed sown in early spring in John Innes seed sowing compost or similar, they are not difficult to germinate if a temperature in the region of 21 C. (70 F.) can be maintained.

Pot progressively into larger pots using J.I.P.3, but do avoid using very large pots out of proportion to the size of the plants; it should be remembered that flowering plants will usually flower much more freely if roots arc confined to a smaller area. Plants can also be increased by dividing older specimens and planting them up individually in pots early in the year.

The large leaves of Ricinus communis are similar to those of Aralia sieholdii, which is often known as the castor oil plant as well, but they are of a more purplish tinge and grow more freely. These are annuals which are grown from seed sown in the spring. The seeds ought to be soaked in water for several hours to soften them before sowing.

Small, star-shaped flowers are produced in profusion in winter, and there are numerous colours, of which the rose pink is probably best. New plants may be raised from seed sown in good heat in March, or by means of cuttings which root very easily at almost any time of the year if reasonable heat is available, somewhere in the order of 21C. (70F.).

One of the more aristocratic members of the tradescantia family (Commelinaceae), the rhoeo has stiff, upright leaves streaked with pale yellow markings, the undersides of which have a purple hue. Flowers are borne low down at the base of the leaves and are an unusual boat shape in appearance, but are otherwise undistinguished. The common name is derived from the shape of the flower which is said to resemble three men in a boat.

After studying everything I could get my hands on at the library about landscaping and renovating a yard, I finally was ready to tackle my yard. Ive been saying this for a year now and I realized I needed a little help to make sure what my wife and I wanted was going in the right direction.

Luckily I knew someone from a local organization that was an experienced landscape designer and my wife agreed to use part of the money we had saved to hire him. Since we wanted to do most of the work ourselves, he helped us by creating a design that we could pull off with some help from friends and family.

After taking the time to listening to us he came back with a very simple plan where we were able to accomplish almost 90% of the work ourselves without a hitch. Laying the patio blocks and getting them even and right was the most difficult thing we had to do and thankfully, we had some much needed help that day.

Fresh plants can be started very easily from cuttings which will root at almost any time if conditions arc agreeable. White flowers are produced in summer, the pistils of which open outwards at the slightest breath of wind hence the common name.

With the increased popularity of the poinsettia at Christmas the solanum has lost much of its appeal. Usual procedure is to purchase these while bearing their red or orange-coloured berries, and to dispose of them when they are no longer attractive. Indoors they require the lightest possible position ; in poor light they soon deteriorate. Keep the compost moist and feed with weak liquid fertiliser at regular intervals to keep the foliage a pleasant colour.

Cuttings root very easily at most times of the year and should be inserted several to a small pot filled with standard potting compost. The tips should be removed almost as soon as the young plants show signs of growth to keep the plants much fuller and more attractive at the base.

Like the majority of these quick-growing plants it is better to start new ones each year and discard the overgrown parents. Greenfly can be troublesome and is usually found on the young growing tips.

Encyclia cochleata flower is certainly not typical of an orchid flower although it is typical of its group within the genus and therefore not unusual. Encyclia contains many examples of these `upside down’ flowers, where the lip is seen at the top of the flower and the sepals and petals are held below. These are called nonrespinate flowers, as they do not turn to bring their lip on the lower plane as do most orchids. There is presumably some advantage in this for the pollination of these flowers.

Encyclia cochleata was the first tropical orchid to flower in Great Britain. It did so in 1786 at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

There are very few hybrids within Encyclia which is still dominated by its species, many of which are extremely pretty, highly fragrant, or both, and certainly all worthy of being grown. They are mostly cool house orchids, which adapt well to indoor culture, as does this species. It is a native of South America where it grows as an epiphyte. Fortunately, along with others of its genus, it remains fairly common today. It also propagates easily from backbulbs and seems to relish living in cultivation.