Anyone with a green thumb?
 

I have a question about sunflowers. Will an already cut sunflower sprout roots so you can plant it outside? :confused: I googled it and came up with nothing.

Help!

paging Carnation.......

My parents own a flower shop, but I kill green things.

Anyway, as far as I know, a cut sunflower will not sprout roots. You could, however, germinate some seeds and use those, but really, your best bet would just be to either buy a sunflower plant, or but some already-germinated seeds.

If you are interested just in growing something for fun, do a spider-plant or avacado seed. It's about the easiest thing in the world to do.

No, it won't because it's the flower end, not the plant end.

However, sunflowers are very easy to grow and there are even some gorgeous dwarf varieties that you can plant in containers.

Thanks guys. My boyfriend got me this flower "just because" and I have fallen in love with it. I think I'll purchase some for the spring and see how that goes. Thanks again! :D

If you are starting with seeds, put them in starter pots until they get their roots going. Otherwise, you will have a hard time distinguishing between weed and flower. If you are going to buy the plants, put a little split, bottomless Dixie cup around the base. Mulch around the cup not on the plant, to keep the weeds down. When the flowers die, they will drop seeds and self propagate.

AHAHAHAHA ThetaGrrl, you crack me up. I can't believe we're not sisters. bwahahahaha

I have a question? Why do the tips of all my plants turn brown and die? Someone told me it was becasue I water my plants too much. Is that true?

Aww, thanks, I'm blushing... :D

Lifesaver- are they turning brown and drying up and getting crunchy? Because if so, you are not overwatering. Depending on the plant, it might be anything from the light it is in, to whether or not it's around other plants (i.e., carnations will make roses go soft when they are cut). You can cut the ends off if they are just slightly brown, at the angle at which the leaf grows, to make it a little more aesthetically pleasing.

Or, throw it away and buy a new one. That's what I'd do, but purely out of laziness.

I know it's very easy to get gnats when you overwater. We have them at the plants in my office and it grosses me out. I keep asking my boss if I can pesticide them (I have a license to do it) but she won't let me because it'll apparently piss of the people that take care of the plants (who don't have a license, so they use alcohol and water, which apparently doesn't work).

It really depends on the plant, what is it?

Brown tips can mean the air is too dry/not enough water/too much light or over fertilization. If you were watering it too much, the leaves USUALLY turn yellow and drop.

I have a gazillion plant reference books. If you tell me what it is, I'll look it up for you.

New question...

Are Gerber Daisies (i might have spelled that wrong) difficult to grow? I think they are beautiful and I would like to try to grow them myself.

I have the same problem. It started to happen with this bamboo plant I had. I know bamboos aren't exactly "real" plants but I don't have the time to spend on nicer plants. First some of the tips turned yellow. I didn't know if it was the water level though. I gave it filtered watered and, since it's held in little pebbles, I filled it up to the top usually so whenever it went down i kept filling it up. Is that why? Am I a plant killer and don't even know it??

I left one of my plants near a heater and all the leaves fell off :( They will grow back right?

-Rudey
--Does anyone even trust me with kids if I say I think their toes would grow back?

These are pretty easy. Just make sure you don't plant them deeper than the pot you got them in. I really do suggest starting with a mature plant at first. They will die in a cold area, but here in La the original can come back. When the flower dies, a lot of people will pinch them off. I let these types dry and then with my fingers role the seeds out and drop on the ground. you can just bury-not too deep- a dry pod...at least it works for me. Give it miracle grow as you see buds forming and continue through the flowering season. Miracle Grow is a MIRACLE!!! Super Bloom is great for flowers to. Sometimes you can force their bloom or extend their time.

Rudey, are you talking about the bamboo you see in Chinese restaurants? I'm not well versed on those, but I'll look it up for you. I had one that an acupuncturist gave us. I "allowed" it to live for almost a year. The leaves kept turning paler and paler.
I moved it outdoors (sick of watching the pain) and forgot about it. It caught a lot of rain water and fooled me into thinking it would come back. It didn't. So, don't feel too bad.

Plant by heater-If you get it away from dry air and direct light, you will help it immensely. If the roots are still alive, it SHOULD come back. Some plants are so fussy, you have to MIST them...not for me.

I'll see what I can find.
__________________________________________________ __
Edited here...We are BOTH guilty of murder! The water is to be changed every three days. It roots easily. This plant is steeped in tradition. It passes happiness to the receiver. You are supposed to take a cutting to pass along once it has roots. Then you can plant it in rich, fertile, loamy soil. Do you have roots? Are they firm and not squishy? If so, it might rebound.

Where do you get fertile soil? Please don't tell me I have to buy a giant bag of that stuff from home depot.

Are all plants different for watering?

This has roots. In fact it has lived longer than any other bamboo plant i've heard of and is bigger. It's double its size in over a year. I seriously spent time cleaning the rocks with filtered water once a week and water it every day. I'm scared that taking it out of the plant each time to clean its rocks might have hurt it.

-Rudey

Gosh, there are several different types of bamboo plants. If it has grown that much you are doing SOMETHING right. You can grab a little bag of Miracle grow at a large grocery store like Albertsons. Wal Mart sells it too. There is a new type that holds moisture longer so if you plan to be away, it won't dry up as fast.
Is there new growth anywhere on this plant? Sometimes leaves will fall due to age or handling. You could take a very sharp knife (a razor is prefered, but I use knives) and cut it at a joint-stick it in water and let a new one root.

Water-it spans the spectrum like an air fern-no soil, no water, just humidity in the air...to a water lily. Same thing goes for sun-
Cacti to Closet Plant. Are you anywhere near a nursery? Most will tell you what is happening.
I have a schefelera I bought for $9.00 at a Houston flea market in '76. It has been through hell and back. I know you don't want to lose this plant. You could just drop in and ask. It could need a "shower". Spider mites can attack that type of leaf. You can control them by putting your plants in a shower or taking them outside and rinsing the UNDERSIDE of the leaf as well as the top.

If you knew the exact type (name) I could do a better search on Google. It has a TON of info on plants. You just need to que in the term "culture" as it refers to what it needs to grow.

edited-the bigger the plant, the more careful you have to be with the roots. It's their supplier for their food source and if the littlest ones get damaged, it can't get what it needs. You have a dilema...

Our national symbol is ivy and i seem to kill any ivy that comes my way.... or any plant for that fact... they dont like me :(

Killing an ivy is ...well, pretty hard. I think you are loving it to death. That's what happens to most plants. I learned this a long time ago. I had to leave my house for two weeks. When I returned, everything was so beautiful where it was weak and struggling before! Nature (and a normal weather cycle) took perfect care of the plants. Since then, I learned to "read" them to know what they need. Over watering is the biggest culprit for plant death. Then follows sheer neglect where the plant dries up and dies. Then follows too much sun or too little (houseplants). Third on the list is drafts. Rudey's plant is beyond that entry level house plant. So, his problems can't be solved as easily.

There are some great plants to start with that will give you confidence, look GREAT and teach you along the way.

Another question for the experts...
 

So does anyone know how not to kill an orchid? I received one as a gift from a friend and it's lasted a few weeks so far but I've heard they're very easy to kill. I'm terrified that I might look at it wrong and it'll die. Besides orchid food (which I actually bought! shocking, since I don't even buy food for myself to keep in the house!) is there anything I need to know?

-Michelle

Orchids really aren't *that* easy to kill. Just be sure not to overwater/underwater (I can't really give you specifics, because it depends on how dry the climate that you live in is).

However, once the blooms stop, they usually won't come back for at least a few months, and sometimes years depending on the variety. Any local flower shop should be able to help you, if you bring it in so they will know the variety.

I will look into this. I wonder - if I put it into soil as opposed to these pebbles, will that be better since I won't have to keep removing it to wash the pebbles every week?

The plant is looking like it wants to bud a couple new leaves. (Is bud even the word for that?) After the heater incident the leaves just were flimsy and brown/yellow and looked like they wouldn't stay on so i took it off. You described the thing with a razor - should I always cut yellow parts out and if the whole leaf is yellow, just cut it off?

-Rudey
--Plants should come with instructions!

I second that!

They do if you ask for them! Just go to an actual flower shop or greenery (not Walmart or anything like that) and they will usually copy some instructions for you!

Haha, who knew! I definitely need to remember that-thanks for the help by the way.

Michelle

Rudey-
 

Here is PART of the article!:D http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_containe...493258,00.html


Bamboo does not have permanent leaves; it sheds at the onset of new growth. If the leaves start to look ragged, cut the foliage down to soil level, and in a few weeks you'll have an abundance of fresh growth.

To protect the roots from becoming waterlogged, fill a plastic saucer with loose gravel and set underneath the pot holding the bamboo. Place both the saucer and pot inside a waterproof, decorative container.

Lucky Bamboo Arrangement
An easy way to add the look of bamboo indoors is with cuttings from Dracaena sanderana, a bamboo look-alike that goes by the name "lucky bamboo." (figure A).


Use a glass container to show off the texture and color of the rocks. Fill the bottom of the container with some river rocks.

Tie a group of Dracaena stems together with an attractive ribbon and place in the center of the container (figure B).

Stabilize with more rocks and add water.
Keep the arrangement out of direct light and change the water every other week.

This site went all "funky" on me-It's at HGTV.

Usually, if it's dying, I'll remove it. Look it over real good first, especially the underside.

orchids
 

http://www.orchid.org.uk/contents.htm

Clicking problems and culture will be your best bet.

I love orchids they are so elegant! So MANY varieties-all different appearances and colors!

(If you want something REALLY tough-try African Violets! Touchy, touchy, touchy!)

I have a funny "Lucky Bamboo" story...

My parent's flowershop is on a fairly busy street and has *huge* windows (7 which are each about 8X8 feet). We always have big signs in the windows to advertise for specials. When bamboo was really trendy (a year ago maybe?) my dad placed a order for it and put a giant sign in the window reading: "LUCKY BAMBOO."

That night, someone shot out the window that had the sign in it. (no, we don't live in the ghetto or anything, people are just stupid.) :rolleyes:

Now we don't consider it so "lucky" anymore.

Re: Rudey-
 

I'm confused. Should I keep it in the pebbles it came with? I was thinking of putting it in soil and in a bigger pot.

This is lucky bamboo. This bamboo has seen all sorts of cuties ask me out, it's been there when I got a job offer, and it was there when I felt homesick. I refuse to let it go and want it to become huge.

-Rudey

ThetaGrrl- That's pretty funny! Not to worry, we KNOW punks are EVERYWHERE! Just don't put a horse shoe over the door or wear any lucky charms!

Orchid information can also be found through the following link.

Rudey- This is the best thing I found. Bottom line keep it in water.
Now, on to the details. I think this covers most of your questions-especially about the leaves. If you need more, I'll try to find more.
This is about the best I've come across.

http://www.tcsiam.com/tcsiam/lucky_bamboo_care_of.htm

A portion of the article-
Care of Lucky Bamboo :

During transportation, Lucky Bamboo may be some stressed. (notice from the leaves are not fresh) Therefore, When you received the Lucky Bamboo, remove the plastic bag and cotton absorbent that wrap around the bottom of the stalk. Then put Lucky Bamboo in clean water right away. After a few hours the leaves will recover. The water in the cotton absorbent only enough to cover the transportation period (less than 36 hours) only.
Lucky Bamboo is hydroponics plants, all it needs is to have enough water. Therefore add water when the water runs low.
Do not keep the water level to high, it will give Lucky Bamboo chances to putting the roots too high on the stem. The root will always pop out of the stem below the water level. While the Lucky Bamboo does not necessarily have to be in a transparent container, a transparent container better displays it hydroponics quality and promotes good water hygiene
Use clean water
Lucky Bamboo can have fluoride problems. so try to stay away from tap water. Fluoride in the water can lead to top burn.
If you cannot avoid using tap water, at least let it sit out over night so that chlorine will evaporate this will minimized the effect of chlorine.
If possible change water oftenly (every 3-7 days) or sooner if it get murky
Lucky Bamboo with more leaves will required more water than the one without leaf. Make sure you put in enough (but not too much) clean water to keep all the leaves green. If some of the leaves turn yellow, it is sign of not enough water. don't worry just put more water then use clean sharp scissors to trim off those yellow leaves. And sometime the lucky bamboo just adapts to a new environment. Do not worry the new leaves will grow.

Humidity above 25-30% in best but will tolerate long periods down to 10-15%.. anyway, make sure roots get enough water.

Lucky Bamboo will survive low interior light but would prefer bright filtered light. Once it become acclimated for use indoor should not place in direct sun or it will sunburn.

Even though Lucky Bamboo is indoor plant, which make it have few pest problems. Mealy bugs are usually most common insect indoor. Most problems occur on the growing end therefore make sure that the top of it is cleaned. so that it will not has fungus or rot.
More at site.

Thanks JAM :)

Here is an interesting plant article just in case it tickles your fancy: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/04/ga...ATU.html?8hpib

-Rudey