TheMinnesota State Horticultural Societywas launch by people who wanted to grow apples and other fruits in a northern mood . But from its early day of publishing gardening wind , the society had spacious interests - including in houseplant upkeep . Here ’s how plant lovers of more than 100 class ago would have cared for their indoor plants .
Mrs. Gen. Van Cleave of Minneapolis write about houseplants frequently in the early days of the hort society , advising in 1875 , that grower look for sunny spots for their geraniums , flame nettle , saxifrage and silver gray - abut vincas . “ A south bay window is the proper one in which to keep plant life - one catch the morning sun is of all thing desirable , ” she said . “ Plants are sun - worshipper and they thrive much the safe when they attend to to their devotions in early morning hours . ”
Cyclamen purpurascens has been a reliable and popular houseplant since the early Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of the hort society . In 1882 , James Bowen recommended growing cyclamen from come indoors . Here ’s how he did it : In other February , plant the seed into a shallow pan with 2 to 3 inches of a potting mix ( Bowen recommended a combination of sand , foliage moulding and moss . ) seat in collateral Christ Within and mist the grime surface whenever it appears dry . seedling will emerge in about three week , Bowen enunciate . A few week subsequently , transplant carefully into belittled pots . Place them outdoors when the weather warm up in spring . wreak them indoors in fall in a cheery window and watch over them peak .
Look for a south-facing window for houseplants, where even in January the sun is bright.
Whether your sign is too tender or too insensate in winter , it ’s almost certainly too dry for most houseplant , accord to Mrs. A.W. Massee of Albert Lea , who compose in a 1903 issue ofMinnesota Horticulturist . To supplement the humidity , she advocate keep a vessel with piss on the kitchen stove or a nearby radiator or laying sponges saturated with urine around and among the plants . forward-looking growers have the benefit of pebble tray to their houseplant tutelage tool chest . For lacrimation , she waited until plants were very dry , then watered them thoroughly , using soft water that is warm but not hot . Great advice — then and now !
Here ’s another houseplant maintenance backsheesh from Mrs. Massee that many northern gardener succeed today . Give plant a shower . She wrote , “ if your home is stale , wash plants off at times with a spray of water , ” to keep them healthy and expect dependable .
Not all houseplant have to be tropical . Many northerly gardeners brought plant they loved inside during the winter . geranium , fuschia and coleus were often convey inside for winter . In 1881 , Hortense Share of Rosemount recommendeda long lean of plants to maturate indoors . One of her favourite wasgolden flax ( Linum flavum)which blooms only in winter and adds a cheery yellow note to your indoor garden .
Many outdoor plants can be kept indoors in winter. Golden flax will often bloom in winter months.
Learn more inNorthern Gardener®magazine…
Four seasonal topic full of growing lead and featured garden — written and edit by local northerly horticulture pros just for you .
