House Plants and Flowers with a Christian Name

Angel-wing begonia gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which grow on stems that reach several feet in length if not pinched back. The plant forms clusters of flowers from spring to fall when conditions are ideal.

Place in small, shallow pot. Too large a pot retards bloom. Pot up only when root-bound. Pinch back to keep plant compact and bushy. Feed every 14 days with dilute solution during active growth. Propagate by stem cuttings.

LIGHT

Place in medium light. Bright east or west window is ideal. Avoid full sun, which pales leaves. Good light is essential for bloom.

WATER

Allow soil surface to dry out between thorough waterings. Overwatering causes leaves to drop. Water less in fall and winter during dormancy. Mist regularly or set on a tray filled with moist pebbles.

TEMPERATURE

Maintain average temperatures during active growth; provide low 60s in winter dormancy. Never allow to chill or freeze.

angelwing begonia collection of 5, or the "Begonia Listada"

http://www.fantastikgardens.com/t-trop-b2.html

Iron Cross

Begonia masoniana

Iron-cross begonia gets its name from the cross shape that appears on each of its broad leaves. Because they're lovely as well as durable, this begonia and its relatives make superb foliage plants.

Iron-cross begonia produces delicate pink and green blossoms in spring, but the flowers are insignificant compared to the foliage.

Feed weekly with mild solution during active growth. Pinch growing tips to control growth and to produce bushier plants. Propagate by rhizone division or seed.

LIGHT

Place in medium to high light during the winter and medium light the rest of

the year. Tolerates low light. Grows well if under artificial light 14 hours per day.

WATER

Allow soil to dry out slightly between thorough waterings. Mist daily to raise humidity. Maintain temperatures to low 60s at night for best growth. Plant tolerates average temperatures.

1 choice available at: http://www.fantastikgardens.com/t-trop-b2.html

Gods Eye and/or Heart of Jesus

Begonia semperflorens

Often though of as an outdoor bedding plant, 'wax begonia' grows well indoors, too

LIGHT

Place in high light (full sun) for best growth. Tolerates medium (bright indirect) light.

WATER

Allow soil surface to dry slightly between thorough waterings. Mist daily with tepid water.

TEMPERATURE

Maintain average temperatures during the day, but let them fall into the 50s at night. May not bloom in high temperatures. Feed every few weeks with dilute solution during active growth. Pinch tips for bushiness. Propagate by seed or tip cuttings.

choose Begonia Kaylan at: http://www.fantastikgardens.com/t-trop-b2.html

Rosary Vine

Ceropegia Woodii

Small heart-shaped leaves showering down in long chains. Small heart-shaped Grey flowers.

The leaves of the Rosary vine look somewhat like cyclamen leaves, different shades of silver and green on the top, and green to purple on the undersurface. They are opposite.

Tubers are forming at regular intervals on the stems and can be used to propagate the plant. The stems sometimes carry light purple or pink flowers and little paired bulblets, resembling a rosary.

The amount of moisture available to the plant determines the color and thickness of the leaves. Plants kept moist have thin, solid green leaves. When it gets drier, the leaves thicken and get the silvery coating that is probably used to reflect some of the sun to decrease temperature stress.

The Ceropegia woodii blooms most in mid-winter. The waxy, narrow, 1-inch long, brown flowers are borne in quantities. They are followed by horn-shaped seed pods containing flat seeds with their own little parachute, that are carried by any draft. They can be sowed immediately. Trailing stems of small fleshy leaves which are heart-shaped and marbled with white; fleshy bead-like structures develop on the stems; purple color on leaf backs and stems.

Plant Form or Habit: cascading. Plant Use: hanging basket . Flower Color: flesh colored. Height: vines up to 3 feet. Foliage Texture: fine. Heat Tolerance: high. Additional Comments: Bright light to retain leaf color; allow the soil to dry between waterings; stems tangle easily

Feed every 14 days with mild solution. Prune to base if plant looks rough. Propagate by rooting tip cuttings or by dividing and potting the little bulblets at base of plant and along the axils (where leaves and stem meet).

LIGHT: Place in high light (southern exposure) in winter and medium (bright indirect) light the rest of the year. WATER: Allow soil to dry out between thorough waterings. Mist lightly. TEMPERATURE: Maintain average temperatures. Available at: http://www.toobees-exotics.com/acatalog/Asclepiads.html

Madonna Lily and/or Star of Bethlehem

Eucharis grandiflora Family of Amaryllidaceae

Eucharis grandiflora is a beautiful shade loving plant from South America. The shinny dark green foliage is very attractive. Occasionally during the year white flowers will emerge. Mature clumps can flower at different times of the year but more often it will flower in the spring.

It likes shade and sheltered areas and makes an excellent potted plant, or it can be planted in the flower garden in frost free places. They are quite easy to grow. Just keep the soil slightly moist all the time and try to avoid temperatures bellow 45.° The bulbs will go dormant if the temperatures goes near freezing. Try to keep the pot elevated from the ground.

Planting

Plant bulbs 1/2 inch deep. To ensure good bulb development, allow flowering only twice a year, pinching buds at other times. Propagate by offsets or seed. Maintain temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees for proper seed germination.

House Plant Care

LIGHT: Expose to medium (bright indirect) light. WATER: Keep soil evenly moist except during winter, when it should be kept a little drier. Raise humidity. TEMPERATURE: Maintain temperatures of 68 degrees or higher for sprouting bulbs and above 60 degrees for mature plants.

Available from: http://www.rareflora.com

Crown-of-Thorns

USDA calls it ‘Christ plant’

Euphorbia milli spendens

Unusual because of its curving stems, crown-of-thorns should be used as a living sculpture. Leaves drop occasionally, but the red flowers (bracts) that appear at the tips of spiny branches are attractive.

Planting: Plant in sandy soil rich in organic matter. Prune to desired shape. Feed during flowering, usually January through March. The pale leaves drop periodically, which is normal. Propagate by tip cuttings or sections of root 1 to 2 inches long taken after flowering.

House Plant Care: LIGHT: Place in high light (south exposure). WATER: Allow soil surface to dry out between thorough waterings. Water less in fall when the plant is dormant. Use tepid water because cold water causes leaves and blossoms to drop. TEMPERATURE: Maintain an evenly warm temperature. Avoid hot and cold drafts.

available at: http://www.toptropicals.com and here: http://danielscactus.hypermart.net/

Christ's Tears

Fuchsia x hybrida

Upright or trailing, fuchsia produces spectacular bell-like blooms in a wide range of colors. Feed every 14 days during active growth. Pinch tips for bushiness. Prune if leggy. Blooms develop near growing tips, so pinch and prune each spring to encourage new growth. Remove faded flowers. Drops leaves in late fall and winter. Propagate by tip cuttings taken in spring.

House Plant Care: LIGHT: Place in high light (full sun) in winter and medium (bright indirect) light rest of year. WATER:Keep evenly moist. Mist daily. Raise humidity, but provide good air circulation. Never let roots dry out.

Water less during dormancy. TEMPERATURE: Maintain temperatures below 68 degrees during day and in low 50s at night for best growth. Tolerates average temperatures.

15 to choose from at: http://www.naturehills.com/new/product/annuals_subcategories.aspx?catname=Fuchsia

All Saints Flower

Laelia autumnalis

Named for its blooming season, Laelia autumnalis is a wonderful, temperature tolerant laelia with lavender color not unlike Laelia anceps. This Mexican species is very hardy, and has three-bulb divisions with one flower spike.

Available at: http://www.sborchid.com/OrchidOfTheDay/Laelia-autumnalis.htm

Flower of Jesus

Laelia rubescens

Mexico to Panama. A real nice species that tolerates a wide range of growing conditions as its habitat extends from sea level to over 3000 ft. The 10 - 12 inch flower scape bears 4 - 7 flowers, each about 2 1/2 - 3 inches across. The color is typically pink with a maroon patch near the base of the lip.

Available at: http://members.aol.com/billschin3/0835.html

Corpus Christi Flower

Laelia speciosa

A beautiful orchid, with flowers that range from dark to light lavender, with lavender dots on the whitish lip base. Requires less water in winter. Blooms in late Winter and Spring.

Available at: http://www.orchidconnection.com/pricelist5.htm#pg_middle

Easter Lily

Lilium longiforum

The Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) is the traditional flower of Easter and is highly regarded as a symbol of beauty, hope and life. The Easter lily belongs to the subgenus Eulerion, the true lilies. It is native to the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. While most bulbs that are grown for their beautiful flowers will not grow in Florida, the Easter lily is an exception.

Although we seldom see bulbs being sold for use in the landscape, we see a lot being sold as potted plants, usually around Easter time. Easter lilies are the most profitable major-holiday pot-plant crop produced.

Current U.S. production began when Louis Houghton, a World War I soldier, brought a suitcase full of hybrid lily bulbs back home to Oregon in 1919 and like a true gardener, gave all his friends bulbs for their gardens. At that time, Japan was the major exporter of Easter lilies to the United States, but World War II cut off Japan’s exporting of these bulbs. Following WWII, the values of lilies increased dramatically and many lily hobbyists went into business. By 1945, there were 1,200 growers producing bulbs along the Pacific coast. Over the years, Easter lily bulb producers have dwindled to just ten small farms located along the Oregon-California border.

House Plant Care: In the home, potted Easter lilies prefer moderately cool temperature around 60 to 65°F. Place the lily near a window that receives bright, indirect natural light but avoid direct sunlight. Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry. Avoid overwatering by removing the decorative pot cover and water until it seeps out of the pot’s drain holes. Allow the pot to drain for several minutes before putting it back into its decorative cover. Never allow the plant to sit in trapped, standing water. As the flowers open and mature, remove the yellow anthers before the pollen sheds. This will give the flower longer life and prevents the yellow pollen from staining the white petals. When a flower starts to decline, cut if off. When plant dies back, cut stalk, clean bulb, and store in cool, dark place. In August, plant bulb deep in a pot, barely covering it; add soil as growth occurs. Place in dark, cool spot. Water lightly. When bloom occurs 115 days later, move to brighter light. When foliage dies back, restart cycle. Propagate by seed or bulb scales.

For Replanting in your Flower Garden: As soon as all the flowers have faded, you will want to get the plant out of the house and into the ground. Easter lilies prefer a sunny location in a well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter. Good drainage is the key for success with lilies. Our sandy soils usually have good drainage but you will have to add compost, composted manures or other organic amendments to your planting bed. Adjust the soil to a pH of 6.2 to 6.5. Avoid planting the bulb too deeply by keeping it at the same level it was growing in the pot and water immediately after planting. Lilies like their “feet in the shade and their heads in the sun,” so be sure to mulch with a 2-inch layer of compost, pine straw, or leaves. Eventually, the leaves will die back. Once they have died completely, you can cut off the stem at ground level. The following spring, fertilize with a light application of 6-6-6 or 8-8-8- or a “bulb special” when the new shoots emerge and again about six weeks later. Apply the fertilizer to the soil around each plant about 2 inches from the stem and water in. Easter lily producers use a complex set of planting dates and chilling methods in order to get the bulb to bloom around Easter. Don’t expect your garden planted lily to bloom exactly at Easter. But, it will re-bloom sometime in late spring. Just an added note, Easter lily leaves, stems and flowers have a high toxicity rating but the only reported toxicity is in cats.

Available from: http://windyhillflowers.com.au/index.html?target=dept_65.html&lang=shop