Chapter 10 - Flowering Plants

If foliage plants, vines and succulents are the bread and butter of the indoor garden, flowering plants are the caviar and champagne. The flowers you will grow in your own home are worth ten times their cost in beauty and satisfaction. As a general rule, flowering plants are harder to cultivate than the average foliage plant of whatever species, but the rewards are comparably greater. We are going to devote a good deal of space here to the cultivation of just a few plants: African Violets, which will be handled in a separate chapter, Begonias and Geraniums. These are the most popular flowering all-round house plants available on the market and they will all grow under other-than-greenhouse conditions. Often we will see a flowering plant in a flower shop or in the house of a friend and feel that we should be able to duplicate it at home, only to meet with dismal failure. The chances are when this happens that the plant we have seen has been grown to maturity in a greenhouse where it had the advantage of ideal conditions. We cannot duplicate these conditions at home and so we start with a number of limitations. The best thing for us to do is to realize these limitations and to work within them. There are plenty of flowering plants that can and will adapt to home conditions. These are the plants to grow.

Begonias

There are so many species and varieties of Begonia that a nearly complete and certainly varied garden could be grown using these plants alone. There are over five hundred separate varieties ranging through the spectrum in color and in size and shape from low growing specimens to hanging, vine-like plants. There are also many varieties of Begonia, such as the Rex Begonias, which do not flower and are grown for the beauty of their leaves. If we include all the hybrids that have been developed and sold, the figure rises to the thousands. They are among the most versatile of all flowering plants to grow and next to the African Violet the most popular.

Description. Since Begonias are grown in so many different sizes and shapes it is difficult to give a simple overall description of the species that makes any real sense. On these pages several of the most popular varieties are depicted however. They will give you as good an idea as anything can, of the wide range the plant encompasses. But don't be surprised if you are confronted with a plant that looks quite different from anything you see here and are told it is a Begonia. The chances are that it is. i

Growing conditions. Begonias, like African Violets, are tropical in origin and therefore demand an atmosphere which is humid rather than dry. The ideal temperature is roughly 60° to 70° during the daytime and not lower than 50° at night. Sixty degrees is obviously cooler than most people like to keep their homes, but this need not be a problem if the Begonia plants are well humidified and kept away from spots directly over radiators or next to hot-water pipes. Next to excessive heat, the cause of failure is most often escaping gas. Like all other plants, the Begonia will fade and die if exposed constantly to even the most minute amount of manufactured gas. If your plants begin to wilt and die, one of the first things to do is to check all gas appliances. Chances are you'll find the culprit.

Begonias may be watered either from the top or the bottom and the leaves should be sprayed with water at room temperature at least once a week. This tends to increase the humidity around the plant and also helps keep the foliage free of dust and insects.

The Begonia is another plant which is not overly fond of direct sun. An east or west window is therefore its best setting. If you have a southern exposure in which you want to grow Begonias be sure there is a glass curtain between the plant and the window to filter the direct rays.

In the spring, after all chance of frost is past, your Begonias should be moved outdoors with most of your other plants. They are not happy in drafty surroundings either indoors or out so be sure to plunge the pots in a spot which is at least partially sheltered from the wind. It ought also to be partially shaded as the plants don't like direct sun outdoors any more than they do inside.

Soil. This plant will tolerate a wide variety of soils, but as always a specifically prepared commercially packaged soil will do the best job for you and save you considerable time and trouble. For Begonias it should not be too tightly packed as the roots need aeration. Pots should have good drainage facilities with a layer of crocking at the bottom of the larger pots and at least one piece set over the drainage hole at the bottom of the smaller.

Plant food. The time of the year in which Begonia plant goes through its period of maximum growth varies with the variety of the plant being grown. This period is easy to spot, of course, and during this interval your plant should receive heavy doses of plant food, as it will need it to grow. Both plant food and water should be cut down sharply during the season in which the plant is dormant. Then when it begins to grow new shoots and leaves it is time to report to a larger container. Always follow directions on the label of the plant-food container and never overfeed or you may burn the roots.

Begonia Stardust                      begonia emily clibran
 
begonia imperials                                  callo lily begonia

Propagation. Depending on the variety you are dealing with, your Begonias can be propagated in a number of different ways by stem cutting, leaf cuttings, division and seeds. In the section that follows on varieties we have noted the methods for each of the flowering Begonia plants listed.

Pests and diseases. Begonias may be attacked by any of the mites and insects listed in Chapter 9, but if you take proper care to wash them thoroughly when they are brought into the house for the first time or after a summer outdoors you should be able to avoid the problem entirely. If your plants do become infested, treat them as indicated.
Varieties. As we have said again and again in this section, the number of different varieties of Begonia in popular use runs into astronomical figures. We are going to list several varieties here (others will be mentioned in the chapter on foliage plants) which we have found to be among the most outstanding. We will miss a good many that you will see growing in greenhouses and homes, and perhaps your favorite will be among those passed by, but space just won't allow us to do justice to them all.

Wax Begonia (B. semperflorens). This is a large family of Begonias whose flowers come in red, white and pink. The whole plant usually is less than a foot high. If it grows much taller, it probably is getting too little light and should be moved to a spot that is not so shady. The joy of Wax Begonia comes in the fact that it will flower all year long. As the flowers begin to fade, pinch them off and new buds will start to grow. Propagation of the Wax Begonia is done by seed, stem cutting or root division.

Christmas begonia in bloom

Beefsteak Begonia (B. feasti). Another home garden favorite, this plant has red underleaves that are green on top and hairy at the edges. It is handsome enough to be grown for its foliage alone. Its flowers which are pink, stand up high above its mass of leaves and stems. Stem cuttings are your best means of increasing stock.

Angel Wing Begonia (B coccinea). These plants get their name from the shape of their leaves which are large, up to six inches long, and green, occasionally spotted with silver. The flowers are a light shade of red and stand out above the foliage. There are many hybrid varieties of the Angel Wing, all of which have something to offer. Propagate by slips and seeds.

Star Begonia (B. heracleifolia). One of the taller Begonias used extensively in house culture, this plant will grow as high as four feet. It has large round leaves and flowers that measure about an inch across in white or pink standing above the foliage. The best propagation method is stem cuttings.

Begonia Scharffi is another beautiful, long-blooming plant that has large pink clusters of flowers with dark green and red leaves. It is one of the handsomest of the group, and is propagated by cuttings and division.

Christmas Begonia. There are a number of hybrids that go under this general name. They are beautiful when in full color, but need the conditions supplied in a greenhouse for proper growth. Therefore, if you should receive one of these plants as a gift, don't waste time trying to keep it growing. When the plant dies, throw it out and enjoy the use of a new pot.

Geraniums

The Geranium or, if we use its technically correct name, the Pelargonium is the third of the three most widely grown flowering house plants in America. Although they are not the hardiest of plants they are easy to grow and can be the central attraction of any window garden. Geraniums, like Begonias, are grown in an enormous number of different varieties, shapes, sizes and forms. Some species can and will grow into what resemble small bushes five or six feet high, while others resemble trailing vines.

Description. To keep the various major strains in some intelligible order, the Geranium has been broken down into four major classifications of identification. They are: The Show or Fancy Geranium, which is also called the Lady Washington, is a showy plant which produces large flowers which bloom for a few months a year, most often in the summertime. They grow in a wide range of colors, usually with a black spot on each petal toward the center of the flower. The Zonal or Fish Geranium is the plant most often seen in home gardens as it blooms continuously from early spring to late fall. It will tend to use its energy to grow rather than to flower and so it must be watched and cut back or it will get out of hand. Pinching back the buds of course will also delay flowering until you want the plant to bloom. The flowers of this type are not as showy, but make up for this deficiency by blooming longer. The third category of Geranium is the Ivy-leaved type. As their name implies, they can be trained to climb or allowed to trail along a mantle or from a hanging jardiniere or basket. The final group is the Scented-leaved Geranium which comes under the classification of flowering plants although they are grown almost completely for their foliage which is scented, in different varieties, like rose, lemon, cinnamon, apple and nutmeg. These plants have small, rather insignificant flowers but make excellent house plants. '

here is a display of all shapes and sizes of geraniums you can grow all of them at home.

Growing conditions. The ideal growing conditions for the various species of Geranium vary very little. They all must have a good deal of direct sun or they will become very leggy from reaching out for the light. Despite the fact that their original habitat is South Africa, they thrive in a somewhat cooler atmosphere than African Violets or Begonias, liking a temperature close to 60°.

Geraniums should be kept well watered, although, of course, you should avoid allowing the soil to get soggy. In the spring they can be taken out of doors and plunged in the garden where they may be kept until the first sign of frost. However, if you want your plants to flower during the winter months be sure to keep them pinched back or you will have what amounts to foliage plants when you bring them indoors.

Soil and plant food. Use a good commercially available potting soil and keep them well fed with plant food. When planted in a garden Geraniums will generally thrive in an indifferent garden soil, but under indoor conditions they need a richer mixture. Pots should be firmly packed with soil with good drainage provided for at the bottom.

Propagation. Geraniums are best propagated from stem cuttings, although it is possible to increase your stock with leaf cuttings and for Zonal Geraniums with seed. The time to propagate Show Geraniums for late winter flowering is during the early summer. After the new plant has reached a stem size of about six inches, pinch back the tips of the shoot to make it branch out. Keep it in a cool place during the early winter months, being sure not to overwater. Then in January or February, repot and administer plant food when it starts to bud. You should have a healthy flowering plant by April or May. Propagation of Zonal, Ivy-leaved and Scented-leaved Geraniums can be started from cuttings at any time of the year, although May through September are the best months. For procedure, see Chapter 7.

four different varieties of fancy geranium

Pests and diseases. White flies and red spider mites are the worst insect enemies that attack Geraniums. They should be dealth with as described in Chapter 9. There are a number of plant diseases which attack Geraniums, the most common of which are leafspot, oedema and gray mold. If your plants become affected by these disorders the best remedy is to cut back the water supply sharply and pinch off the affected leaves. Isolate the diseased plants so that there will be no spreading. If the blights don't disappear after several weeks your best solution is to discard the sick plants and start anew.

Varieties. Here again the great number of different varieties of Geranium makes any partial listing of those available so insignificant as to be almost useless. Within each of the classifications there are many varieties. Grow those flowers that suit your surroundings best.

Other Flowering Plants A Selection

In the next few pages we have touched the highspots in the culture of ten of the most frequently cultivated flowering house plants. In the selection we have tried to include a fairly varied lot, each of which can and do serve a useful purpose in the home garden. With a couple of exceptions which we have noted they are all comparatively easy to grow.

Anthurium is a tropical plant that needs plenty of water and plenty of humidity and heat. If it is well treated it will pay by blooming for weeks on end. There are several varieties of Anthurium, but the two most common and easy to obtain are known as Tail Flower and Flamingo Flower. They both produce red buds with those of the latter larger than the former. They have long and narrow shiny leaves and require a soil to which sphagnum moss has been added. The soil should be well drained. Anthu-rium should be kept in partial sun, an east or west window, and is propagated by seed and division.

Beloperone guttata (Shrimp Plant) must have a rich soil, well fed, and plenty of sun. It should be well watered and its foliage sprayed several times weekly. Like the African Violet it prospers in a warm and humid atmosphere. The Shrimp Plant gets its name from the pinkish-brown bracts which surround its flowers which are white with purple spots and hang in clusters. Propagation is done by cuttings, generally in the fall or when the plant gets overly leggy. It is one of the easier plants to grow and despite its small size it rarely grows to be more than 12 to 18 inches high can be rather showy.

Bromeliads are a large family of plants closely related to the pineapple. Many of the more than a thousand varieties produce large and spectacular flowers. Their leaves, like those that grow out of the top of the pineapple, are hard and usually spiky on the edges. They can be grown in only moderately sunny surroundings, but will not prosper in a north window. They should be watered and sprayed with water at room temperature, but their roots will rot quickly if they are overwatered for any length of time. Bromeliads, as a general rule, will tolerate a wide variation in temperature, but it is best to try to keep them between 60° and 75°. Propagation is effected by division. Some of the most popular varieties are B. Aechmea, B. Billbergia, B. Cryptanthus, B. Guzmania, B. Nidularium, and B. Tillandsia (Spanish Moss).

Cineraria, or as it is more properly called, Senecio cruentus, is one of the most beautiful of all house plants and, unfortunately, one of the most difficult to grow. As you can see by the photograph, its lush and abundant flowers will put all other surrounding plants to shame. Cineraria is an annual and will not bloom again once it has flowered. It should be kept as cool as possible, as it will wilt if it is allowed to stay at a temperature of much more than 55° for any length of time. Propagation is by seeds and requires a practiced hand and greenhouse conditions.

Anthurium                     shrimp plant

bromeliad aechmea                               cineraria

Cyclamen is another one of those house plants which are difficult to grow, but which are so attractive when in bloom that it is worth giving them a try. They produce masses of which, pink, or red flowers standing above a forest of foliage, and when well cared for will bloom for a surprisingly long period. Cyclamen should be kept at medium temperature (60° to 70°) in an atmosphere of maximum humidity. They should be watered from the bottom as they are susceptible to stem rot. Use warm water (some say boiling water should be used). If you have bought or been given a plant in the winter, wait until the flowers begin to die and then cut down the water supply. Keep the plant in a cool and light location and then repot into a larger pot in the fall, feeding the plant well until it blooms again. Propagation is from seed and requires about a year and a half before the plants will reach a flowering state.

Fuchsia presents one great problem in that it will thrive and flower only at a temperature a good bit cooler than most of us like to keep our homes. Otherwise these pink, red and purple beauties with their thick hanging flowers are perfect house plants. They should be set in well drained pots and kept in partial shade. In the spring when they start to grow, pinch back the buds for future flowering. During this period of maximum growth, they should be well watered and sprayed daily, although over watering should be carefully avoided during the winter months. Fuchsia should bloom all summer. They are easily propagated by cuttings.

Heliotrope is grown mainly for its scent for although it bears violet or purple flowers they are so small as to be insignificant. The plant is a perennial, but most authorities recommend treating it as an annual and suggest propagating new stock every year from cuttings. The cuttings should be made in the summer for late winter blooming. Heliotrope likes a fairly warm atmosphere and as much direct sun as it can get. It should be sprayed frequently, but you should be careful not to over water it. The plant can also be propagated from seed.

cyclamen one of the most impressive of all the flowering house plants

lmpatiens, which is also known as the Patience Plant, is one of those flowers which blooms continually throughout the winter. It is a bushy plant up to about two feet in height with succulent stems. It is extremely easy to grow and produces white, pink, red or purple flowers. It should be kept in partial shade during the hot summer months, but given as much sun as possible during the winter. Propagation is either by seed, sown in the spring, or cuttings, rooted in early fall. This plant likes plenty of water and should not be over potted as it will be stimulated to better flowering if its roots are kept confined. Originally found in Zanzibar on the east coast of Africa, it propagates naturally from a seed pod which breaks at the slightest touch and as a result has collected many nicknames snap weed, touch-me-not, etc. The English call it Busy Lizzie.

Lantana is an easy blooming perennial with red, orange or yellow flowers that grow in clusters above oval shaped leaves. The plants will grow well at a normal room temperature and should be given a spot close to a sunny window. Their annual flowering season is late summer and early fall, but they can be induced to bloom in the winter by pinching back the blossoms and keeping them at a temperature of roughly 60°. During this time they should be watered sparsely. They may be plunged in the garden for the summer. Propagation is by slips and seeds.

a handsome arrangement of flowering plants

Marica is one of those plants which have acquired colorful names it is known as the Apostle Plant or as Twelve Apostles because its leaves, which are up to two feet long, grow in clusters of twelve. The flowers of this plant, which are violet and white, bloom in late winter. They grow on short stems out of the leaves. The flowers die and drop within a matter of days, but will bloom again within a few more days, continuing this cycle over a period of weeks. The plants should be given good sun; however, they should be set in partial shade when moved to the garden for the summer. Methods of propagation are by division or rooting the stalks that carry flowers. Either way is satisfactory and generally successful.

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