My Plant of the Month February

Azalea

Rhododendron simsii

Two sorts of Azalea's are widely used in the indoor house plant market these are Rhododendron simsii (Azalea indica) & Rhododendron obtusum ( Japanese Azalea).

Pronounced a-ZAY-lee-a, its genus name is Rhododendron simsii. The name orginates from the Greek azaleas meaning dry, but it is not a suitable name, as azaleas today are not related to the original Lapland variety which grow in dry places, but comes from China and Thailand in very wet conditions.

Colours Red, pink, white, purples, two tone colours.

Related to garden rhododendrons; but azaleas are not as hardy and should be indoors in the winter except in very mild areas such as cornwall.

Care remember to water regularly - with rainwater if you live in a hard water area or soften water for a few days with added peat. - Azalea hate drying out.

Dry brown leaves usually indicates underwatering whereas firm yellow leaves means it has been watered with hard water.

My Plant of the Month

Phalaenopsis - The Moth Orchid.

Name - Comes from Greek phalaina meaning a moth and opsis meaning resemblance. It is pronounced fal-a-nop-sis.
Description - Arching flower stalks bear lovely, flat, multiple flower heads which resemble moths or butterflies.
Country of Orgin - South East Asia
Family - Orchid family, with 50+ species belonging to the genus Phalaenopsis
Care Tips - Enjoy a light spot, but do not place in bright direct sunlight. Regular, moderate watering ideally using boiled and cooled water. Provide high humidity, mist often but not on the flower heads. Feed with Orchid fertiliser every other watering. Cut back stems after flowers fade to just below node which produced the first flower. Given the right conditions phalaenopsis can flower for months on end.
Intresting fact about the plant - Brilliant plant for the office a home Phalaenopsis are very effective in removing xylene (chemical emissions from adhesives, computer VDU screens, paints, stains etc) from the atmosphere.