Far and away the most important member of this family where house plants are concerned is Sansevieria trilasciata laurentii, which has the amusing common name of mother-in-law's tongue. Numerous reasons are put forward for the plant having acquired such a name, one of them being that, like mothers-in-law, once you have got one of these plants you never seem to he able to get rid of it!
And, with reasonable care, it does seem to be almost indestructible, and to almost thrive on neglect. The most dangerous enemy of the sansevieria is the over-zealous owner who feels that he or she must be foreVer watering, watering, watering. Having very thick, fleshy leaves the plant is able to go for long periods without attention.
I was once informed by a lady plant grower that when she purchased her sansevieria the advice given by the supplier was that she should water it once each year in August. On asking her, somewhat incredulously, how long it had lasted under such harsh treatment she replied that it was in its fourth year and doing very well!
Though the average saintpaulia grower usually hesitates to expose his plants to full sunlight, he may take comfort, as I did. It makes very good strong plants, but wants to he in the house, on a sunny window-sill, with as much light and sun as possible, even the scorching Portuguese summer sun.
When growing plants on a sunny window-sill it is of the utmost importance that plants should only be watered from below, as any water on the leaves or flowers will quickly result in scorch marks and other damage when exposed to full sunlight. Actually, watering from the bottom by placing plants in a saucer of water and allowing them to drink up what is required should become standard practice indoors. It is also advisable to use tepid water, as very cold water can he particularly harmful.
Other than light and proper watering, adequate temperature is also of considerable importance and one should endeavour to maintain an even temperature in the region of 18C. (65F.). Wildly fluctuating temperatures will be more harmful than temperature that is constant but slightly below that advised. During the spring and summer months it is also necessary to feed plants regularly with a weak liquid fertiliser; weak and often is much more preferable than occasional heavy doses.
And, with reasonable care, it does seem to be almost indestructible, and to almost thrive on neglect. The most dangerous enemy of the sansevieria is the over-zealous owner who feels that he or she must be foreVer watering, watering, watering. Having very thick, fleshy leaves the plant is able to go for long periods without attention.
I was once informed by a lady plant grower that when she purchased her sansevieria the advice given by the supplier was that she should water it once each year in August. On asking her, somewhat incredulously, how long it had lasted under such harsh treatment she replied that it was in its fourth year and doing very well!
Though the average saintpaulia grower usually hesitates to expose his plants to full sunlight, he may take comfort, as I did. It makes very good strong plants, but wants to he in the house, on a sunny window-sill, with as much light and sun as possible, even the scorching Portuguese summer sun.
When growing plants on a sunny window-sill it is of the utmost importance that plants should only be watered from below, as any water on the leaves or flowers will quickly result in scorch marks and other damage when exposed to full sunlight. Actually, watering from the bottom by placing plants in a saucer of water and allowing them to drink up what is required should become standard practice indoors. It is also advisable to use tepid water, as very cold water can he particularly harmful.
Other than light and proper watering, adequate temperature is also of considerable importance and one should endeavour to maintain an even temperature in the region of 18C. (65F.). Wildly fluctuating temperatures will be more harmful than temperature that is constant but slightly below that advised. During the spring and summer months it is also necessary to feed plants regularly with a weak liquid fertiliser; weak and often is much more preferable than occasional heavy doses.
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The pruning of fruit trees in summer can only be done done when the fruit trees in your garden are mature.
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