September is a month of changes for our interior plants. The plants are able to sense the changing light levels outside and respond by a marked shift in their water needs and growth habits. This change happens very suddenly, overnight it often seems. In a similar sense the coming of fall in September affects people with [...]
Anthurium For many people, Anthuriums are best known as a source of showy cut flowers, grown in Hawaii and sent home to us on the mainland from a vacationing relative. Most Anthurium species though, of which there are over 500, do not have showy flowers. These many species of Anthurium grow in tropical jungles, [...]
Tropical plants are less susceptible to infestations and disease pathogens when they are acclimated to the lower light and humidity levels found in interiorscape environments. Though many plants are grown in partial shade or have been shade-conditioned by growers before shipping, others are shipped directly from high light and high humidity conditions. When they first arrive [...]
Training someone else can sometimes be daunting. Even if your company has a person specifically assigned to train all of the new technicians, all of the managers must teach those that they supervise and all supervisors must know how to do effective on-going training of existing employees. No matter who is doing the training, there are [...]
Dizygotheca elegantissima - False aralia Dizygotheca elegantissima (False aralia) Dizygotheca (di-zi-go-thee-ka) from the Greek meaning, 'twice yoked' refers to the flower's anthers having 4 lobes — twice the normal number; elegantissima (ay-le-gan-tis-ima), meaning 'most elegant,' refers to the plant's graceful appearance. This narrow upright aralia produces few lateral branches; pots contain multiple single-stemmed plants [...]
During your early days of horticulture, you may not see all of the differences in the leaves of plants, but as you mature in the field you begin to notice them more and more. Some leaves are small and hairy while many are large and flat. Why are there so many shapes, sizes, colors and textures? [...]
The media interiorscape plants are grown in varies from grower to grower and plant to plant. Each specialized mix differs in its water-holding capacity, ability to retain nutrients and rate of decomposition. Recognizing the amendments in the mix helps you understand the impact media has on the health of the plants in your care. Basic functions [...]
Water has a special property. Its molecules stay together in lumps and attach to each other, and when lumped together, they form anything between puddles to our rivers and oceans. Plant roots tap into these grouped molecules in the soil and drink. What many people (and even some plant technicians) do not know though, is that [...]
Ever notice plants listing towards a window or light source? The entire plant strains in one direction. They look as if they are "looking out the window" or perhaps listing like a boat that is unbalanced. If not corrected a boat may sink. A plant that is listing will continue to grow lopsided, look unattractive and [...]
Noninfectious Disease Agents Some of the most difficult diseases to diagnose are caused by noninfectious (abiotic) agents. Abiotic symptoms can be non-specific and are often similar to symptoms associated with infectious diseases. Plants weakened by noninfectious agents may develop secondary infections which further confuses the diagnosis. Disease-Causing Factors Noninfectious diseases develop due to the presence or [...]
