Herself's Houseplants

Chances are you’re going to go on vacation. But how will your plants live without you?  Their major enemies will be heat and moisture loss. But with planning, you can be confident you won’t return to a garden graveyard.Choose survivor plants. If you are going to be away for a week or more, don’t plant thirsty things such as impatients. Smart owners of weekend homes who often leave their plants for weeks at a time rely on drought-tolerant species such as black-eyed Susans (rudbeckia) and coneflowers (echinacea), says Linda Patejdl, co-owner of Sawyer Garden Center in Sawyer, Mich.The most-durable and resilient houseplants for frequent travelers are rubber trees, says Marion Parry, owner of A New Leaf in Chicago.-Group containers and put them in the shade,
-Use plastic pots
-Mulch
-Easy on the fertilizerfor more tips and information visit the link below.

They’ll grow in your absence

And a spineless cactus she is! This cactus will grow to as tall as 3′ and have 2′ long branches that produce stems and flowers. Although the flat stems look like leaves they are not leaves.

Unlike most cactus it does not want a great deal of sun, making it an ideal house plant. Grow this in an east or west facing window for best results. Like most cactus it does not want a great deal of water. Let the top inch of soil go dry between waterings. But do not let the roots grow dry.

If you are having trouble getting yours to bloom try to place it some where a bit chilly for a couple of weeks. Perhaps in a garage or basement near a window or door so it still receives light. Do not let it freeze! Chilly – not cold is what you want.

You can cut off some of the stem, let it dry for about a week then replant it and you should get a new plant from it.

These plants can be mounted and grown with just a small amount of moss around the roots. They also make great hanging plants.

The flower is heavily scented, opens at night and lasts only one evening.

See also Epiphyllum , for some gorgeous photos and more information

I’m told they are addictive and looking at the pictures at the link above and below I can see why.

See also:
putting all your eggs in one basket