House Plants and Flowers with a Christian Name

Maranta is grown for its colorful foliage and unusual habit of folding up at night. Genus of about 20 species of evergreen, rhizomatous perennials from rainforest in tropical Central and South America.

The Maranta's leaves fold up at night hence the common name. When dusk falls, their handsomely marked leaves fold up to 'pray'.

Ideal temperatures are between 60 and 85 degrees. Dry air will be a problem in winter. Repot in February or March if needed - water sparingly until new growth appears. Place in a shaded bed or a window with bright indirect light. Protect from hot sun, dry air and drafts, which cause curling and scorch spots. Need rich, loamy soil, kept constantly moist while growing. In winter, water more lightly and let dry a bit in between. Mist or place pots on wet gravel trays for higher humidity. For strongest leaf markings, feed regularly with diluted liquid fertilizer.

M. leuconeura kerchoveana is also known as the Prayer Plant. So called, because of the 10 black spots on the leaves, thus the Dutch common name 'Ten Commandment Plant'.

Available at: http://www.highspeedplus.com/~harborcrest/tropicalsjm.html

Holy Ghost Flower

or Holy Ghost Orchid

Peristeria elata

This is the national flower of Panama, and as such, is a protected Appendix I species. It is found from Costa Rica in Central America, down to Colombia and Ecuador in South America. The plant is a terrestrial, with long pleated leaves that grow from the top of large, round pseudobulbs.

The flower spikes are about 3 feet in height and can have up to 2 dozen flowers. The flower is beautiful, white, very thick, waxy like in appearance. Inside of the white cup, is a perfect shaped dove, hence the name "Flor del Espiruto Santo".

The 'wings of the dove' have reddish-purple spots on its surface. The flowers are very fragrant and long lasting, especially, since the flowers don't all open at the same time, but continue opening over a long period of time (2 - 3 months).

Available at: http://www.jemorchids.com/jem_gongoras_fs.html

Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri

Rhipsalidopsis Dwarf ‘rosea’

Easter Cacti

Rhipsalidopsis

Easter Cacti resemble the popular Christmas Cacti but the branch segments are more gently rounded. They normally bloom in April and May, and sometimes again in the fall. Culture is much the same as for Christmas Cacti but they do not need to be "timed".

5 varieties available at:

https://www.highspeedplus.com/%7Eharborcrest/tropicalsrs.html

Judas' Sword

Sansevieria trifasciata

Commonly named 'Snake plant' -- a strong vertical plant that is durable and easy to grow. Flowers indoors are rare, but memorable.

Plant in shallow, heavy pot, using porous soil. Feed every week with mild solution. Clean leaves monthly. Remove dry leaves. Propagate by rhizome division, leaf cuttings, or offsets at base of plant.

LIGHT: Place in high light in winter and medium (bright indirect) light the rest of the year. Tolerates low light. WATER: Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings. TEMPERATURE: Maintain temperatures into the 80s during the day for best growth. Tolerates average temperatures

Available at: http://www.glasshouseworks.com/succ-s.html

and at: https://www.highspeedplus.com/%7Eharborcrest/tropicalsrs.html

Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera bridgesii

Christmas cactus often is confused with Thanksgiving or Easter cactus. All have arching foliage with brilliant flowers that cascade in whorls of colored petals. And all require care similar to that outlined below. Their leaves do vary in shape.

LIGHT: Place in high light (southern exposure) in fall and winter, and medium light in spring and summer. Keep dark 12 hours a day from October 1 until bloom.

WATER: Keep soil evenly moist except in fall; then, let it dry between waterings. Raise humidity.

TEMPERATURE: Maintain temperatures in the low 70s during the day and no lower than low 50s at night, except between October 1 and bloom. Then, keep temperatures below 53 degrees all day.

Feed less in fall. Never move or turn plant once it's in bloom; it will drop buds and stop flowering. Propagate by stem cuttings or seed.

13 varieties avail at:

https://www.highspeedplus.com/%7Eharborcrest/tropicalsrs.html

Resurrection Plant

Selaginella lepidophylla

When the plant dries out the branches curl up into a tight ball, but will unfold to fresh emerald-green when placed in water.

Resurrection Plant (Selaginella lepidophylla) is usually of arid regions, that may apparently be brought back to life after they are dead. In reality they have hygroscopic qualities which cause them to curl up when dry and to unfold when moist.

They are frequently sold in the dried condition as a novelty.

Available at: http://www.cacti101.com/store/product.php?productid=16738&cat=357&page=1

Jerusalem Cherry

Solanum pseudocapsicum

A small shrub favored at the holidays, Jerusalem cherry produces pretty but poisonous globes.

House Plant Care: LIGHT: Place in high light (southern exposure) during winter and medium (bright indirect) light the rest of the year. WATER: Keep evenly moist when actively growing and nearly dry during dormancy. TEMPERATURE: Maintain temperatures in the 50s at night for best growth.

Tolerates average temperatures. Keep plant cool for two months during winter dormancy. Avoid cold drafts.

Feed every six weeks during active growth. Prune to control growth. Train into a standard (tree form). Allow to go dormant in January and February by withholding fertilizer, cutting back on water, and placing in cool (60 degrees) spot. Propagate by seed.

Available at: http://www.hirts.com/cgi-local/catalog.cgi?cat=1,45,&item=3511