HortChat.com

Plant Care and Gardening Tips

Practical plant care, seasonal notes, and grower questions answered.

Start here

Find the right garden answer faster

Reader archive

Most discussed plant problems

Articles

Latest garden notes

February 9, 2009 · 0 comments

Stimulating new side growth on leggy plants

I have moved two pieris plants from within a group of cherry laurels. They are tall, 5′ or so, and very leggy with almost no branches on the lower 3-4′ of the trunk. Can I scrape the bark…

February 6, 2009 · 34 comments

Propagating pineapple plants

How do you replant the shoots/suckers to make new pineapple plants? Pineapple plants can produce one or more shoots (also refered to as suckers) at the base of the mother plant. To make…

February 4, 2009 · 9 comments

Can lucky bamboo be propagated

Can Lucky Bamboo be propagated? If so, how do I do this? Yes, Lucky bamboo can be easily propagated. A cut section of the stem will root in plain water, although natural spring or rain…

February 3, 2009 · 0 comments

Accomodation pot

Our Christmas cactus has roots growing up out of the soil. Before we re-pot we would like to know how long do the roots get and is it okay to pot the cactus in a pot big enough to…

February 3, 2009 · 16 comments

Repotting Christmas cactus

Our Christmas cactus has roots growing up out of the soil. Before we re-pot we would like to know how long do the roots get and is it okay to pot the cactus in a pot big enough to…

February 2, 2009 · 2 comments

HOW TO MAKE A PEBBLE TRAY

Most houseplants are tropical plants and require a humid environment to grow well indoors. A pebble tray is used during the winter to counter the dry indoor air and increase the much…

February 2, 2009 · 105 comments

Kalanchoe care

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana belongs to Crassulaceae family. It is an attractive plant with fleshy, scalloped leaves that bear clusters of star-like flowers and comes in a myriad of vibrant…

February 1, 2009 · 0 comments

Plant grow lights

I have a grow light to start plants. I don’t remember how close the light should be to the plants. How close should the pots be to start seedlings and held over geraniums? Once the…

January 31, 2009 · 0 comments

Kalanchoe

I have two types of kalanchoe house plants, have pruned them. Cannot get them to bloom! Have them in porous soil, bright afternoon west sunny window. I use a fertilizer that can be used…

January 31, 2009 · 28 comments

Pruning Norfolk Pine

I have beautiful, healthy Norfolk Pine that has grown close to 7 ft tall & about 6 ft wide. Can I trim off the top without causing damage to this tree?? Unfortunately, Norfolk Pine does…

January 30, 2009 · 22 comments

Coaxing your pineapple to bloom

My mum has been growing a pineapple plant for about 2 yrs now and it gets more and more leaves, but as yet it has not sent up a flower, she is worried that she’ll never get a fruit. Is…

January 23, 2009 · 0 comments

Incredible Edible flowers

Did you know that there are a number of flowers that you can eat? Edible flowers have been enjoyed as a culinary delight throughout history. They were used to enhance the flavor and…