The house plant grower with an experimental turn of mind may well he able to grow on aphelandra plants from one vear to the next if he has at his disposal some simple propagating equipment with which to raise new cuttings. To do this allow the bract to die back and lose its colour before cutting the plant back to a firm pair of leaves.
New plants can be raised by taking cuttings of the ends of young shoots raised in the usual way at a temperature of about 18C. (65F.). However, better balanced, more symmetrical plants are obtained from seed, a long, slow business, but plants so produced are usually worth the extra effort involved. Pot on into J.I.P.2 compost and grow on in good light, but avoid the possibility of leaf scorch to young leaves by protecting the plants from strong sunlight.
From this second pot the plant will have to he potted on into at least one more pot size during that season provided the cuttings were struck early enough in the year. Then, who knows, with a little luck you may have your very own aphelandra plants in flower by the end of the year.
Essential advice from the time of purchase: it is vitally important to ensure that the compost is kept moist all the time, as dryness at the roots results in limp and bedraggled leaves which have a marked tendency to detach themselves from the main stem very soon afterwards. The aphelandra is also a pretty avid feeder and will require fertilising from the word go indoors.
Asparagus sprengeri is a supremely adaptable plant which can' be planted in the garden-room border for the growth to climb wall or trellis or to provide graceful foliage spilling out of hanging baskets, or it can he used more conventionally as a pot plant. In any case, it will be little bother if given some sun protection and adequate moisture during the spring and summer months. It will also appreciate during the summer regular application of weak liquid fertiliser. New plants may be raised from seed sown in a reasonably high temperature, about 21C. (70F.), in the spring or, if only a few plants are needed, older clumps can be split up and the pieces planted individually. Do this in spring, using a standard house plant compost.
The principal attraction of Asparagus aleyeri is the compactness of the pale green foliage, which makes it an ideal plant for pot culture or for use in hanging baskets. Fronds achieve a maximum length of some 2 ft. and their neat, cylindrical shape is particularly attractive. Grow in light shade and keep warm and moist. Old clumps can be split up to make new plants in the early part of the year, or they may be raised from seed.
New plants can be raised by taking cuttings of the ends of young shoots raised in the usual way at a temperature of about 18C. (65F.). However, better balanced, more symmetrical plants are obtained from seed, a long, slow business, but plants so produced are usually worth the extra effort involved. Pot on into J.I.P.2 compost and grow on in good light, but avoid the possibility of leaf scorch to young leaves by protecting the plants from strong sunlight.
From this second pot the plant will have to he potted on into at least one more pot size during that season provided the cuttings were struck early enough in the year. Then, who knows, with a little luck you may have your very own aphelandra plants in flower by the end of the year.
Essential advice from the time of purchase: it is vitally important to ensure that the compost is kept moist all the time, as dryness at the roots results in limp and bedraggled leaves which have a marked tendency to detach themselves from the main stem very soon afterwards. The aphelandra is also a pretty avid feeder and will require fertilising from the word go indoors.
Asparagus sprengeri is a supremely adaptable plant which can' be planted in the garden-room border for the growth to climb wall or trellis or to provide graceful foliage spilling out of hanging baskets, or it can he used more conventionally as a pot plant. In any case, it will be little bother if given some sun protection and adequate moisture during the spring and summer months. It will also appreciate during the summer regular application of weak liquid fertiliser. New plants may be raised from seed sown in a reasonably high temperature, about 21C. (70F.), in the spring or, if only a few plants are needed, older clumps can be split up and the pieces planted individually. Do this in spring, using a standard house plant compost.
The principal attraction of Asparagus aleyeri is the compactness of the pale green foliage, which makes it an ideal plant for pot culture or for use in hanging baskets. Fronds achieve a maximum length of some 2 ft. and their neat, cylindrical shape is particularly attractive. Grow in light shade and keep warm and moist. Old clumps can be split up to make new plants in the early part of the year, or they may be raised from seed.
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