August 26, 2018
Plants that are fast rooters, such as angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia sp.), usually do just fine rooted directly into potting soil. They root before they rot.
PC: Leslie F. Halleck
While you can root your cuttings directly in potting soil, you can also use inert media (peat, coir, soil-less potting mixes). Bioactive soils may contain pathogens that can rot the stem of your cutting before it has a chance to produce roots.
August 25, 2018
Miltonia is a low light orchid (200-300 PPF) that sports impressive blooms and a nice fragrance. So if you want to grow orchids indoors, but suffer from only moderate light levels, you can give Miltonia orchids a try.
PC: Leslie F. Halleck
Some orchids will benefit from high light conditions in summer (or winter if you’re south of the equator) and may fall into two categories, depending on the season. Therefore, you will sometimes see Miltonia listed as a medium light orchid (300-600 PPF).
New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers
August 24, 2018
Basil is one of the easier herbs to grow, as long as temperatures are on the warm side. Plants should never be exposed to temperatures below 40 F. Basil needs bright light indoors, with direct full-sun exposure for 6 to 8 hours outdoors. Choose cool-spectrum HO T5, CFL, LED, MH/CMH grow lamps.
PC: Ball Horticultural Company
Basil does not require a lot of space and grows easily in containers. Some varieties are very compact, reaching only 8 inches tall, while others can get much larger. If you have limited space, choose dwarf cultivars.
New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers
August 23, 2018
Soilless seedling peat pellets, also known as seed plugs, are an easy seeding option. These are compressed dry disks of peat, plus a small amount of fertilizer, wrapped in a biodegradable film.
Compressed seed plugs in a seed-starting tray.
PC: Leslie F. Halleck
When you use pellets, seed plugs, or soil blocks, allow the seedling to grow in the small casing until the roots hit the edge of the netting or newspaper, then transplant it to a larger container.
August 22, 2018
You might be wondering, what exactly are microgreens? Are they the same things as sprouts? Microgreens are the seedling sprouts of many different types of vegetables and herbs, including spinach, kale, chard, beets, arugula, basil, lettuce, broccoli, cilantro, and others.
PC: Leslie F. Halleck
The difference between microgreens and sprouts is that microgreens are a bit older than sprouts and have developed at least a couple of true leaves and a small root system. You'll harvest and eat microgreens a little later, after they've developed true leaves - whereas sprouts are eaten right after they germinate.
New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers
August 21, 2018
You can grow many outdoor perennials--such as this 'Burgundy' Oxalis--on counters or shelves under cool-spectrum HO T5 fluorescents or on tables and desktops using full-spectrum LEDs. If you have a bright south-facing windowsill, it might even be happy there.
A purple oxalis growing as a houseplant under fluorescent T5 counter lights.
PC: Leslie F. Halleck
If you have low light conditions in your home, you can grow many foliage plants indoors without supplemental light; and there are plenty of books and resources available to teach you how to cultivate specific types. However, you'll find that many plants, especially any that typically grow in bright light or full sun outdoors, will need supplemental grow lighting when you grow them indoors.
New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers
August 20, 2018
You may have multiple stages of transplanting before your plant reaches its final pot. Once the roots of your seedlings or cuttings have grown to the edges of their seed plug or pot and have sprouted three or more true leaves, it is time to bump them up to larger containers. True leaves look like mature leaves.
A small lettuce in a seed plug is rooted and ready to bump up into a 4-inch pot. After the plant roots fill the new pot, you can move it to a 1-gallon container for its long-term home.
PC: Leslie F. Halleck
Once the roots system has filled in to reach the edges of the pot and is extensive enough to hold together most of the soil in the pot, your transplant is ready to be planted into your outdoor garden (if temperatures are right) or moved into a larger container for continued growth indoors.
August 19, 2018
Carnivorous plants are meat-eaters; they need to consume a few insects now and then to remain vigorous. Each type of trap will take about a week to digest a bug.
The unique flowers of an African pitcher plant.
PC: Leslie F. Halleck
You likely do not have enough insects flying about your home or inside a terrarium to supplement your plant’s diet. If you provide the insects, make sure you feed them live to your plants. If your plants are getting enough light and good general care, then you shouldn't ever need to feed them more than one insect per week. Feeding them more won't compensate for a lack of light - they need enough light to make the energy to digest the bugs!
New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers
