Free House Plants?

Anybody want some free exotic house plants?

Well why not try planting some of the pips and stones of more unusual fruits that we have all been eating over the Christmas time. Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Tangerines, Dates, Apricots, Avocado and olives would all make an exotic and interesting houseplant.

Fill a few 10cm pots with good multi-purpose compost, one pot for each variety you intend to plant. Plant the pips about 2cm deep, and about 2-3cm apart. compost, one pot for each variety you intend to plant. Plant the pips about 2cm deep, and about 2-3cm apart. You should get about 3 -4 pips per pot or maybe 1-2 stones. Water the planted pips/stones and cover the pots when planted with a little clear plastic to retain the moisture, and place pots in a dark & warm place to germinate. When they have germinated/sprouted, remove the plastic covers and then place them into the light. Don’t let them dry out, but don’t drown them either. As they continue to grow, feed them with a diluted liquid feed about once a month. When they need replanting chose a larger stronger pot than the thin plastic ones we used to plant the pips and stones in, they may need to endure not only a large plant but also being moved quite a bit! As they like well-drained soil, consider John Innes / Multi-purpose compost mixed with perlite / course sand. Continue to feed monthly. Although this group of plants come from sunnier shores they will happily live as house plants here and even outside in the warm summer months, but slowly acclimatise them if placing them out for summer – out during warm days and in at night until they get used to being out. All citrus trees like a little humidity, especially during the colder months, so either spray foliage frequently or place pot in a tray of pebbles and water. A word of warning though - if plants are placed in a draft they will shed their leaves.

Happy gardening.

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