Houseplant survival in early Spring
While I’m waiting for my garden to recover from last week’s freezing weather and for Spring to revive herself, I think it’s a good idea to turn my eyes away from the dead flowers and foliage outside my windows and to marvel at some of the houseplants I’ve nurtured for the past six months, chiefly begonias and ferns.
Why begonias and ferns, you ask? Well, it’s simple. My garden club is hosting a flower show for clubs of the Garden Club of America at the Westin Poinsett in early April and begonias and ferns comprise two of the horticulture classes. Needless to say, I hope to win at least one blue ribbon for my club and perhaps more if I’m lucky, but it’s a touch and go situation here at home.
You see, I’m not the best houseplant “mother.” The days of providing constant care for little children and puppies is long behind me, so being tethered to the needs of persnickety indoor plants has proven to be a challenge for all. The plants are making every effort to survive my slapdash ways and I, in turn, try not to scream every time another one kicks the bucket. At this point, April can’t come fast enough.
Nonetheless, we’re managing to muddle along and I even admit to becoming rather fond of some of my begonia and fern “babies.” Here’s a bit of what I’ve learned in the past months.
Begonias are native to a number of tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Grown for their blooms, their foliage, or both, they make up the fifth-largest genera of flowering plants with nearly 1,800 species, plus countless hybrids. Different types have different cultural requirements, but most need warm temperatures and high humidity.
Growing them as a houseplant is a bit tricky. Indoor warmth is not a problem, but high humidity is virtually impossible. Experts suggest growing the begonias over trays filled with pebbles and water, but goodness that’s an awful lot of trouble, don’t you think?
To compensate, I’ve closed the ceiling vent over the 6-foot table placed in a south-facing window, shielding the begonias from blowing heat while providing a nice dose of morning sun and bright light throughout the day. Surprisingly, despite their need for humidity, I’ve discovered they like their soil to dry a bit between watering.
Begonias have never been high on my list of favorites, but there are two that have captured my heart. The first is Muddy Waters, a hybrid featuring nearly black leaves with dark-red undersides, tufts of tiny hairs along their leaf margins, and a snail-like spiral where each leaf connects to its stem. The surface of the foliage has an iridescent sheen too. Simply put, it’s a stunning plant.
The second is a dwarf eyelash begonia named Tiger Paws that grows just 4-inches tall and has green angel-wing like foliage with dark markings along its veins, which create a tiger paw effect. It, too, has stiff white hairs along leaf margins, but what I really love are its itty-bitty lacy flowers that hover just above its foliage.
Ferns, thankfully, have been a tad easier to grow. I’ve tried a handful of new varieties and am particularly happy with crocodile fern (Microsorum musifolium), which has wide fronds and heavy veining that resembles the scaled texture of crocodile skin. A tropical fern native to the Malaysian Archipelago, it demands temperatures above 50 degrees F, but can be moved outdoors in summer.
I’m also quite taken with Blue Star fern (Phlebodium aureum), a rabbit’s foot type with handsome blue-green foliage that is deeply lobed and held aloft on wiry stems. Native from Florida south to Argentina, the species is hardy to 25 degrees F and can be grown outdoors in niche gardens that provide adequate winter protection.
Did I mention the upcoming show is open to the public? The Carolina Foothills Garden Club invites visitors to the GCA Flower Show, The Hills are Alive, in the ballroom of the Westin Poinsett between 2 to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 3. I’d be thrilled for you to examine my efforts, win or lose, and to admire the hundreds of exhibits that will be on display, including the very best horticulture, artistic design, and photography from clubs across the region.