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| From In the Garden |
Has this fall weather been nice or what? Perfectly blue skies and warm days with little humidity has made being outside so very pleasant. Okay, they'd be more pleasant if we got some rain but that is another story. It is clear the weather has taken a turn from the hot and humid days to the pleasant days and cooler nights of autumn. It is a lovely time in the garden but a time of work too. For me I've begun bringing in my houseplants. The general rule of thumb is to bring in houseplants when nighttime temperatures are consistently below 50 degrees. Some of our nights have dipped below 50 degrees but then the nights get warmer. Nonetheless, to save myself a lot of work all at once I have begun to bring in my houseplants-one at a time.
I am not normally a houseplant person but for some reason I have accumulated a collection. I move the collection outside during the summer months so that I can enjoy the plants there and they get some much needed humidity plus they add to my garden. Come fall I am ready for them to come in because they actually give me a great deal of pleasure in the wintertime; not to mention their good air cleansing properties for the stale winter air we tend to have in our homes. One such plant is this stunning begonia pictured above. I have to work hard to bring the pot and all in but having this beauty is so worth it! Just look at it glow in front of my fireplace. Begonias are easy to grow and propagate. I give this one a haircut several times during the growing season and just stick the cuttings back into the pot. For the haircut I am rewarding with a bushier and more full plant that looks most healthy. I just love it and wanted to share it with you all and to remind you to start thinking of bringing those houseplants in out of the cold....
in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
Tina, is this an Angel Wing Begonia? It is beautiful. I have one and didn't have a clue what to do with it come winter...Hauling it in the house I guess.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder Tina. Unfortunately I don't have any houseplants anymore. :( Cats & Dogs made that pretty much impossible. ;)
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask what Darla asked. It reminds me of mom's angel wing she had when we were young.
ReplyDeleteI have the little people to pack and I better hurry before they start cracking from cold condensation.
I'm back and I need to get caught up. Thanks again for the flowers and for all of you who sent me surprises and cards, it means alot to me.
Darla, I wish I knew what kind it was. I purchased it at the thrift shop because I knew it was a begonia and because it was cheap:) I'll try to research it. Yes, I'd for sure bring in my begonias even in Florida if the weather dips below 50 or so. Best to save them. They are easy inside and don't drop too many leaves.
ReplyDeleteRacquel, Then you have less work! Yeah! I need to downsize myself. Thinking of sending some plants on hiatus for sure.
Dawn, Gosh I don't know how you do it as you are most strong. I hope you are feeling better and don't over do it. Please take care and mend well.
I was watering the porch plants yesterday and thinking some would soon come inside while others will parish to winters breath.... Not much room for plants inside with the kitties and their nibbling ways...
ReplyDeleteHappy to see you back Dawn but as Tina says, DON’T OVER DO IT…
Everyone have a great Weekend!!!
Tina,
ReplyDeleteIt is expected to maybe get down to 40. I think we can still wait a few weeks longer here. Meg has tooo many plants to bring in anyway.
That is a stunning begonia! Houseplants are so good for you. I'm busy bringing mine in too. Plus, any summer annuals I think I can keep alive. It'll be a jungle by the time I'm done. Ha! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, Tina, but it won't take long for me, since I've pretty much killed any houseplants I once had:) But it does remind me that now is the time to take some cuttings from some tender plants like coleus that I'd like to overwinter--we might have frost next week!
ReplyDeleteJust think of all that clean air in your house because of all those "air-cleaning" plants. My husband always gives me houseplants. That's why I have so many. I kill a good portion of them. Not on purpose, it is just htat he buys the ones that are "cool" and I don't know how to care for them properly.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like an angel wing, which is my very favorite house plant I think. I have almost always had one but do not right now. The one I last had for years finally died a year or so ago and I really must get another. Even though I have almost always had one, I never had one that looked as happy and healthy as yours. Never had one with spots either but the leaves sure are shaped and colored like an angel wing.
ReplyDeleteThe begonia is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, Thanks for the timely reminder - a lot of gardening excitement here depends on the begonia family. I also like to take cuttings to share and as insurance :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, I can't seem to keep houseplants alive in my house. Not so sure if it's me or the boys who knock them over and try to put them back together, lol. It's okay -since Lil Bundle would probably try to munch on them and we don't want that:)
ReplyDeleteTAKE it EASY Dawn -it is great to see you on here but don't overdo it. We want you to get healthy and strong again!
Have a great weekend everyone -lots to do with this gorgeous weather and busy kiddos. Ciao!
It sure seems early to me but the weather is what it is! I was hoping to have space cleared out in the shed before the cold set in. I may have time still if I baby a few things in the garage for a day or two. I'd better take some annual cuttings like coleus and basil this weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, that begonia is gorgeous. Mine {a gift from brother} looks so scrony. What do you feed yours?
ReplyDeleteYes, by all means Dawn DON'T OVERDO IT. Welcome back tho. We've missed you.
WOW! Your begonia is amazing! The leaves are so beautiful! I didn't know begonias need a haircut regularly! I don't have any houseplants now but I'm thiking of having some....
ReplyDeleteThat's a stunning begonia! I'm not generally a fan, but those leaves are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSomething I definitely need to start doing! I'm procrastinating for some reason? Maybe reading your post will be just the nudge I need to get to it. The begonia really is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAre you bothered much by white flies or other houseplant insects?? I got a bad case last spring on my hibiscus, tubeflowers, brugmansia, etc., and it made me want to force them all into dormancy instead of trying to overwinter them.
Hi Tina! Funny story one my begonia. My neighbor gave me a start, it grew, then she told me to cut it back--way back. Scared me to death, but I did it her way. And oh the beautiful plant it produced! Live and Learn!
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I do occasionally get white flies and spider mites. Very frustrating especially when plants are grouped together like most of mine are due to limited light. I have a great insecticidal soap that quickly takes care of the problem though. Dormancy sure sounds more appealing though but I just hate to lose nice houseplants.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both thought a like. We have had lows in the 40's and 50's for about 2 weeks now, doesn't matter how hot it gets during the day. Last night was our coldest temperature at 41f. The next 3-4 nights we are suppose to me in the 35f-39f range. I don't have any actual plants that sit around just four pots of random seedlings and cutting or pieces of plants that I had to move to my garage.
ReplyDeleteThat Begonia by the way is very pretty. I didn't know they could get that large.
Jake
You have chosen just the right spot for it too. The foliage is beautifully patterned.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit colder here, so my houseplants have been inside a few days/weeks. The problem is, in addition to also not being a houseplant person but accumulating many, my plants have grown so much I don't really have adequate space for them indoors. Heh...
ReplyDeleteI love your rule about when to bring houseplants back inside. If I followed it I would never take my houseplants outside. :) I love the foliage on your begonia.
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, i am about to comment here, but saw Skeeter's so commented on hers first. But your begonia is so healthy and so vigorous, envious me again! It deserves to be put indoors when climatic conditions will be damaging, or it will really be a pity for that lovely plant to suffer torture!
ReplyDeleteI'd just been contemplating bringing in my hibiscus and oleander when I read your post. Although they've gotten so huge I was thinking of leaving them up to their fate in the winter. That begonia of yours is so big it might also get to that point.
ReplyDeleteIt is a busy time. With several frosts already I got my houseplants over the weekend. Now if I can find enough windows for all of them.
ReplyDeleteThat is BEAUTIFUL! I love house plants. It's my weakness.
ReplyDelete