Collecting House Plants

[baustin]

I brought home cuttings from a huge white Christmas cactus that my daughters mother in law has had for over 20 years. I used to have some before but through the years mine died probably with moving so much. Anyway I brought four cuttings home wrapped in wet paper towels and hidden in the bottom of my carry on bag. They are doing fine. I also brought home a cutting off a cactus that was at least 4 foot tall, no idea what it's called but I really liked it so hope mine takes. I live in the high desert in CA so I especially like cactus. I'm also growing Wysteria inside from seed. Hope to set them out next spring after frost. I have three seedlings about 6 inches tall.

My DH can't figure out my obsession for plants either whether they're inside or outside.

 

[sheaviance1]

Oh, see, I totally see a "hey, can you send me a start of this" coming from this thread

This seems to be maybe the place, has anyone ever been successful starting an african violet? I have one that I received when my Mom passed away (usually kill every one I touch) that has bloomed several times since I received it. I would love to have several starts of this, because it has the prettiest bloom! I will try to post pics later. If you know how to do this successfully, I would love for you to share that knowledge with me.
My houseplant list includes:
aloe
spider plant
asparagus fern (grows in a cylindrical shape, think it's called foxtail fern)
Christmas cactus
jade
pitcher plant
venus flytrap
those little Christmas trees (something spruce)
Money tree
Pothos
Philodendron
Parlor palm
Peace Lily
Several that I don't know names for.

I love my green pets!!!! One that I want is asparagus plumosus, but cannot find it anywhere. I will look for ya'lls want list around my area.

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

I am proud of myself. I gave all my cactus plants away this fall instead of bring them in. About 12 pots of them. I do still have a pothos,make that three!;an orchid,two thanksging cactus;and two crown of thorns. Thats about all the room I have . Wish I had a lot more windows or a sun room.

 

[sheaviance1]

Oh, I forgot my cactus and my orchid! The cactus I have, truthfully speaking, because the way it has the "hairy" look, reminds me of my Pap-paw the way he looked when I was taking care of him just before he left to go to the great fishing hole in the sky! That cactus is very near and dear to my heart!!! I have no idea how I could forget to list it

 

[Damummis]

Quote:
African violets are one of the easiest to start in my opinion. Cut off a leaf with a nice good stem. Dip it in some rooting hormone and stick it in moist seed starter mix. Keep it moist but from the bottom. African violets DO NOT like their leaves wet. Always water from bottom with warm water. Put in a north window if you can and wait. Soon you will see small leaves form from the base . Voila, new plants.

I was going to start a few from my plants soon. Maybe I will do that today and take how to pics while I am at it. Hang tight. I'll be back.

 

[Damummis]

My cactus in bloom. I have never figured out if it is a Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Close up

 

[dkvart1]

I too forgot a couple of plants... a fern and a hibiscus.

I used to grow african violets, the easy way to root them is take a cutting, cover a glass of water with aluminum foil, poke a hole in the foil and stick the rooting through, it will root, that's how I used to propagate all of mine. They used to sit under plants I misted all the time so their leaves got damp (no big droplets however) and they did marvelous. I miss my pretty little violets, guess once we move next spring I'll have to get a couple!

 

[Damummis]

Choose violets you want to clone. I am using the middle and right one.

Cut off with a clean blade a good leaf with thick stem.

Dust a little rooting powder on stem and around cut.

Pop in sterile moist seed starter.

I do have the seed tray on a heat mat. It does help.

If you don't have rooting hormone you can use a baby aspirin crushed up added to about a half of cup of water and use to water cuttings. One of Nana's tricks. They are her violets. I've had and propagated them since she died in 2000.

Good luck.

 

[sheaviance1]

Oh, thank you so much!!! I am starting some tonight!

 

[baustin]

Quote:
I love that Christmas cactus. It's such a bright color.