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| Sunday, 24 November 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Gardening : Specimen plants are ideal for interior decor by GWEN HERAT How many of us make the most of our indoor plants or realise the impact of colour and harmony in plants to bring each room alive. Using plants to define and transform the living space is not only an art but a passion for many. Specimen plants are the first choice for interior decor since they can be placed as focal points to block or hide an odd spot. As specimen plants are the shorter ones, they are adaptable to fit any particular corner as a single plant or in groups. The taller varieties such as the date palm, rubber plant or the wax palm is irresistible in any corner or as a centre piece. These tapering plants with their unruly branches, can even steal the show when placed among the best of furniture. A drab and dull sitting room will spring into life no sooner these plants are placed there. If you do not have these plants in your garden, they can be obtained from any garden centre. However, the very attractive red wax palm is very costly when purchasing as a full grown plant. The three colour in this particular variety are red, yellow and green. If your drapes are red, the red wax palm will blend spectacularly and bring the sunshine in. Along with these the small specimen palms too can be grouped in nooks and corners to create a rhapsody. Specimen plants are show-off plants and they produce better results when placed in ornamental containers. Large plants are basically plant-varieties that can grow comfortably in Sri Lanka. Infact, there are so many species from which large house plants can be obtained from. Even the avocado plant that grows luxuriantly outdoor, can be placed in pots for interior decor. However, as they need sunlight, the containers must be taken outdoor on a regular basis. Group plants look more striking than plants set individually. This creates a healthier plant environment, but, plants must be of same habits and adaptability to the surroundings. They must be able to adjust to artificial light and blend when grown and placed together. One thing to remember when placing group plants indoor is the fact that humidity in the air around a cluster of plants is greater than that around a single plant. If your sitting area has a filtering of morning sunlight when doors and windows are open, take advantage of it by placing the indoor plants to trap such sunlight. By this method the vibrancy in the foliage can be maintained. There are varieties of ferns that will be happy to habitat indoor but you must be able to identify them. Among these, there may be some that need to be supported so that when they grow tall and straight, they do not fall and bend over. Let your stakes be inconspicuous as possible so as not to draw attention away from the plant itself. You can use wood, cane, plastic or wire but remember to paint it green so that it will harmonise with the green of the foliage. The stake will need a hardy base. For this, you will have to push the stake right down to the bottom of the pot taking care not to damage the roots in the process. Gently tie up the stem to the stake with a soft string avoiding nylon strings. The strings too should be green. Tall plants that need to stand erect have to be supported by a pole wrapped with moss. Remember to turn them regularly so that the same side does not benefit from the light source. If you fail to do so, you may find that the leaves too tend to slant on to the side of the light source. This is not good for the plant because it will gradually feel the weight on one side and result in an unsightly structure of the plant. By turning the container often, the plants will grow tall and straight. Because of the lack of sunlight and a natural outdoor environment, indoor specimen and large plants have to be tended carefully and fed with nutrients. Moisture is very necessary but too much of water will kill your plants. Try watering with a small can and do not forget to wipe the leaves with a sponge at least thrice a week. Hygiene is another requirement of indoor growing. If there are young children and pets, get them to stay away from indoor plants and see that no cigarette buts nor little throw-away item are deposited in the pots. Clip off dry twigs and pick out yellow leaves immediately. Since plants have to harmonise with your interior decor, match them with your drapes and furniture before they are brought indoor. Examine the backdrop or the colour of the walls. If your sitting room is white, you have nothing to worry but multicoloured walls that are dark will not bring out the beauty of palms or for that matter, dark foliage. Placing specimen plants and large plants as interior decor is an art and will help bring out the individuality of the person. Some varieties of specimen plants that are popular i.e. Dieffanbachia, Calathea, Chaerops humilis, Dracaena draco, Mostera delicosa, Maiden hair fern, Begonia, Caladium bicolor, Hypoestas phyllostachy, Dragon plant. |
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