How much soil and space for a small indoor plant?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: liquid51
You could also choose a plant that thrives in low/partial light. Orchids, while rather expensive, are a partial light flowering plant. They require very little watering, the blooms last a very long time, and they are incredibly nice looking plants. I just bought a yellow orchid for my wife for valantines day.

Here are some general orchid pics: Bloom, full pic

My wifes yellow has a bloom just like the first pic; I love it. Google image search for more pics; there's an almost endless variety. And while being expensive, I think they may actually be more affordable than bonsai and would also maintain an asian decorative style.

Orchids are seasonal, wouldn't it be a little hard to do indoors? I'm not that good at growing plants yet.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Someone recommended a cypress as the plant to put in there, since they're commonly found in swamps - any thoughts on that?

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
How do I deal with mildew and disease issues?

Use plants that won't get diseased in the given conditions. Don't plan on battling diseases, it's not worth keeping houseplants that are a pain in the ass to keep. A good thing to think about is what the environment is like where the plants came from in the first place. If they're rainforest plants that grow in trees, they're going to thrive in lower light, humid air, damp but not soaking wet soil or bark, and flounder in direct sunlight, dry air, and sitting in water. If they're cacti, they're going to want direct sunlight, soil that drains quickly, dry air, and they'll want to be watered on the same frequency that they get in nature (which will vary from season to season.) When I lived in Davis California, it was easy to figure that one out: I'd just water the cacti/succulents on rainy days if they weren't outdoor plants.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
How do I deal with mildew and disease issues?

Use plants that won't get diseased in the given conditions. Don't plan on battling diseases, it's not worth keeping houseplants that are a pain in the ass to keep. A good thing to think about is what the environment is like where the plants came from in the first place. If they're rainforest plants that grow in trees, they're going to thrive in lower light, humid air, damp but not soaking wet soil or bark, and flounder in direct sunlight, dry air, and sitting in water. If they're cacti, they're going to want direct sunlight, soil that drains quickly, dry air, and they'll want to be watered on the same frequency that they get in nature (which will vary from season to season.) When I lived in Davis California, it was easy to figure that one out: I'd just water the cacti/succulents on rainy days if they weren't outdoor plants.

Wow, that's pretty cool. Eli, if you know him, has been telling me the same thing that I should find plants that are in an environment similar to what I'll be putting them in so that I don't have to deal with tons of issues. I'll see what I can find about plants found in rainforests that I might be able to get my hands on - any recommendations?

 

[SoulAssassin]

I would say go to a real garden shop (not just HD or Lowe's) and talk to someone there. Tell them what you want to do and ask for recommendations....remember...we're a bunch of computer geeks here. 😉

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I would say go to a real garden shop (not just HD or Lowe's) and talk to someone there. Tell them what you want to do and ask for recommendations....remember...we're a bunch of computer geeks here. 😉

I think I'll end up doing that, but I'm trying to do as much research as possible before going to a store, not to mention I have a sore throat 🙁

I think I might be able to make a choice on the plant just from the intarweb though, especially because of the knowledge some of the AT'ers have - bryophyte, Eli, fobot, etc.

 

[liquid51]

Look at my above post. I give my orchids about 2 oz water a week. Super easy to care for and they like partial light. Well, thats my recommendation 🙂.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I would say go to a real garden shop (not just HD or Lowe's) and talk to someone there. Tell them what you want to do and ask for recommendations....remember...we're a bunch of computer geeks here. 😉

Some of us computer geeks have degrees in botany, have worked in plant research, and own huge greenhouses. 😛

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I would say go to a real garden shop (not just HD or Lowe's) and talk to someone there. Tell them what you want to do and ask for recommendations....remember...we're a bunch of computer geeks here. 😉

Some of us computer geeks have degrees in botany, have worked in plant research, and own huge greenhouses. 😛

Pics.... or ban 😛

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Bryophyte

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I would say go to a real garden shop (not just HD or Lowe's) and talk to someone there. Tell them what you want to do and ask for recommendations....remember...we're a bunch of computer geeks here. 😉

Some of us computer geeks have degrees in botany, have worked in plant research, and own huge greenhouses. 😛

Pics.... or ban 😛

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Bryophyte/bryo_snow_greenhouse_28Dec2003.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Bryophyte/bryo_greenhouse_plants.jpg

A couple pics, one outside, one inside. I built it myself (my spouse might've helped some 😉 ) It's about 12'x36'. Wanna see my list of publications? 😛

 

[slurmsmackenzie]

the important thing is the size of your lamp and how it affects your electric bill

 

[liquid51]

Very nice pics Bryophyte! Thats one of the main reasons I can't wait to get out of our "beginner" home 🙂

 

[thujone]

i can't even imagine owning a greenhouse.

that being said... it's almost time to start gardening.

 

[preCRT]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Bryophyte

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I would say go to a real garden shop (not just HD or Lowe's) and talk to someone there. Tell them what you want to do and ask for recommendations....remember...we're a bunch of computer geeks here. 😉

Some of us computer geeks have degrees in botany, have worked in plant research, and own huge greenhouses. 😛

Pics.... or ban 😛

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Bryophyte/bryo_snow_greenhouse_28Dec2003.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Bryophyte/bryo_greenhouse_plants.jpg

A couple pics, one outside, one inside. I built it myself (my spouse might've helped some 😉 ) It's about 12'x36'. Wanna see my list of publications? 😛

OMG, that looks awesome.