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The Houseplant Nook


© Norine Woods

Welcome to The Houseplant Nook. I'm Norine Woods. Let me guide you through the selection, care and feeding of your precious leafy friends. One thing that makes houseplants so appealing is their never-ending variety. From tiny, prickly ball cacti and succulents to the giant palms, there is a size and a type to fit every home, every situation and every taste. If you like a multitude of flowers, there are many plants to choose from -- dainty African violets, amaryllis, lilies, orchids, azaleas, the list goes on and on. Some houseplants sport such brilliant foliage that they almost outshine the flowering plants. Try caladiums, crotons, hoyas, begonias or coleus. Cacti and succulents put on a miniature display and need a minimum of care. Frothy ferns and lofty palms in every corner of a large room are truly eyecatching, and vines like ivy and pothos can trail from ceiling to floor or drape a wall in leafy splendor. How about a touch of the unusual? Carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap and cobra lily make great conversation pieces. Japanese Bonsai is a very creative hobby and you can achieve startling results with a bit of expertise. Epiphytes or air plants need no soil and flourish as they get their nutrients from the air. The mimosa or sensitive plant has leaves that curl up at the slightest touch.

Citrus trees planted indoors grow into medium size shrubs and will produce fruit, although usually the fruit is small and very sour. Oranges, lemons, limes, and more exotic varieties like tangerines and kumquats can be grown right in your living room. In future articles I'll discuss many of these plants and others I haven't mentioned. I also plan to write about plant care, propagation and the growing of houseplants in greenhouses, solariums and terrariums. I'll also talk about insects and diseases that attack your greenery and show you how to cure and prevent these infestations. I'll help you select plants for various locations and conditions. Decorate your home with a living landscape that changes from season to season and even from day to day. If you have any questions or if there's a particular plant, problem or situation you'd like me to discuss, either privately or in an article, please don't hesitate to write me at knwoods@telusplanet.net or mention it in the discussion area of my columns.

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The copyright of the article The Houseplant Nook in Houseplants is owned by Norine Woods. Permission to republish The Houseplant Nook in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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