Outdoor Gardening Postponed - Again

This latest blast from Mother Nature has certainly dampened my enthusiasm for gardening out of doors. My plans to start some seeds are on hold, although they probably shouldn't be. I know onions started from seed take forever (a few months wouldn't be too long) to grow large enough to be transplantable.

But I can be a lazy gardener and starting seeds is definitely a time and effort commitment. Those baby seedlings need almost daily waterings. Whatever you use to start those seeds (peat pots, peat pellets, seeding trays, homemade newspaper cups, cardboard egg cartons), once the seeds reach true leaf stage, needs to be turned often. That turning assures the developing plants will grow up straight. I usually set my trays under the glass-topped table (where I paint rocks) in the kitchen nook. They get direct sunlight through the glass doors that face south. Even under grow lights plants tend to lean towards the light source.

Between the new depth of blown-in snow covering my garden (two to three feet) and my natural bent towards procrastination, no seeds are yet out of the packets I purchased. I have bought a lot of veggie seeds, and I'm collecting the seed heads from my Jewels of Opar, so there are at least plans being made.

I did purchase a new houseplant recently. It's labeled Vigaro Calathea, but it came without care instructions. Naturally, I did a little online research. It's from the family Marantaceae, species Calathea (duh), genus Goeppertia. Common names are Cathedral Plant, Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant, Rattlesnake Plant, Prayer Plant, or Beauty Star.

These plants are tropical, found in jungles, usually at the bases of trees. They're native to South America (the Amazon) and South Africa, so they're grown here as houseplants. Their unique leaf movement is known as nyctinasty. The leaves lift up at night so that the leaves all face each other, hence the Prayer Plant moniker. During the day the wide, colorful leaves lower to catch as much light as possible.

As tropical plants, they like bright, indirect light. They'll sunburn in direct sunlight. Temperatures should remain between 65° and 80°, although they will tolerate higher temps for short periods of time. Avoid cool drafts in winter, and keep away from the air conditioner in summer. They like high humidity but not to be in standing water. Water with distilled water, or rainwater if your water is treated, every one to two weeks. Setting the pot on a tray with wet pebbles helps. Also, you can mist the leaves once a week.

Fertilize half-strength in the spring, summer, and fall. The soil should be rich in nutrients and organic matter, but not contain any water-retention crystals. Coco or peat based potting soil is best. I'm thinking orchid or cactus potting soil. Propagation is through root division. These plants are slow-growing, and might get up to two feet tall. They'll produce "babies" at the side of the pot. You can carefully separate those to repot. Calatheas are non-toxic, which is good news for Dennis!