Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
No matter how much time the garden outdoors demands this month, we must not forget that our houseplants need attention, too. How they are treated now and through summer will determine their decorative potential for next winter’s window garden. Here is a list of chores for May:
African Violets. East, west and south windows are getting too hot; better move the plants to a bright north window, or place them beneath fluorescent lights. A leaf inserted in a tiny pot of vermiculite will give you new plants of flowering size in time for February.
Bulbs. Store the hardy ones with matured foliage in their pots in a cool, well-ventilated place until autumn.
Christmas Cactus. Shift to a larger pot only if absolutely necessary. To make new plants, break off leaf segments and root them in 3- or 4-inch pots of porous soil.
Coleus. For a colorful future, take cuttings now and root in water, sand, or vermiculite. Pinch out new growth to create branching.
Geraniums. Take cuttings later this month for winter-flowering plants.
Meyer Lemon. Prune now to encourage new growth and more blossoms during summer.
Vines. Growth is robust now. Why not train your philodendron, grape ivy or jasminum polyanthum to frame your window garden?
Wax Begonia. If tall and leggy, shear back to one or two inches.
Later this month, when the weather has settled, take an afternoon for repotting. Also,decide which of your houseplants are keepers. Throw out the misfits and sickly specimens. Why keep a plant that truly has no future with you?
A :-) says
Hi Kevin! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you’ll visit regularly!
susan says
Spring is finally here!!!!Can I still lift irises before they bloom. They are being shaded and won’t flower where they are. Is it too late??
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
A: You’re welcome!
Susan: Thanks for stopping by! Now, regarding your irises. As a rule of thumb, spring-blooming plants are best moved in the fall. If you insist on moving them now, try to do so with as little root-disturbance as possible. This means digging up the rhizomes along with the soil around them. When you transplant, keep the top half of each rhizome exposed (not buried). I hope this helps! Let me know if they bloom!