I never think a house can feel like a home without house plants. The rooms tend to look bare without fresh living foliage. They can be incorporated into a room design or just dotted about as you please, as long as they have sufficient light and the room stays at a temperature that suits the plant. There is no point trying to grow a fern that requires a moist environment in a hot, dry centrally heated room as it just won’t be happy. I have plants in every room of the house but I sometimes have to swap them around rooms as the seasons change depending on their individual likes. As they grow larger they may need re-potting or even split and re-potted. This is a great opportunity to make new plants to give away to friends and family or to charities to sell on. I take lots of cuttings from large plants, split the peace lilies many times to make new plants and pot-on the chicks from the sempervivums to sell at Duddingston Kirk Plant Sale. I have been given a few plants (that have needed a bit of TLC) recently from friends and I am waiting to see if they come through or not. Steph gave me an Easter cactus that was very old and had split leaves dead leaves,old woody leaves etc so I gave that a good trim and potted up the cuttings. I don’t have a before photo but I did take a snap after I had given it a haircut.
![](https://www.cardesque-garden.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/stephsEasterCactusSml-300x225.jpg) |
Steph’s Easter cactus after it’s trim |
![Steph's Easter cactus in bud Easter cactus in bud](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6axYKbo0WZ6YIPofxhuN4IJJ4otEo7pKK6fK-O12giqnrlLVv7dMWK69i-kaWALVBPRdK_fP3CRuisw6Udze-SgM3My4SoqiE8MDhlitK0AoMmTfziMGB9DzHTPR7SI2lKNvp9LTYYPH3pS5FXnyhN8GPFQxqymTAb8v7JMfpNs5TjQslffc9Byfi/w320-h196/stephsEasterCactusAfterSml.jpg) |
Steph’s Easter cactus in bud |
Steph also gave me palm which had been very neglected so I trimmed off the dead leaves and re-potted it and it is looking much better.
![Steph's palm before Steph's palm before a trim](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBJh5EVlOkLa1PLRJA8yQIBuaiTOfJW2gG01jMGchzUMc_y7NaxdLl9CwNR-tR2Em66iFNwUGwIZGhC6fdTH4yrS_e8K91EZExgY4Y3iOEENjdTBljZR6CcrAkwoDwd8ZNSbuX9j6Y2Ore4sE3ulygprK3Qj8GfdI0bkhq37pHZqmeD79t7xQiAdp/w240-h320/stephsPlamBeforeSml.jpg) |
Steph’s palm before |
![Steph's palm after Steph's palm after a trim](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXpNMf7kTOeDVW8pJRqPlH2xM-OIv7sggAmf-s9RvMHf6xwvWPAptZj4f2ijFj8f7H8nrWaoHv3NxgDoFeRCGZBm_lpKNxdCTaSk6Fs_9BZEtbeGFXSbiT-r4u3NgO6-y5G8hk8b1u0h44mhLrQW-zmDBFyd3mxYGMogxFaNfkwJvkTbxexEjleSi/w253-h320/stephsPalmAfterSml.jpg) |
Steph’s palm after |
I have been given a few plants of Kate’s (who passed away recently) and it was quite a difficult decision to make, whether or not to alter anything about them or leave them as they were. The Echeveria hybrid was looking very leggy and distressed so I cut the heads off it and a few single leaves too. These were left to dry out until the ends calloused over, then were planted in a free draining compost mix. I have left the rooted plant stumps in the hope that it may get new growth from the stumps bottom part. The leggy bit in the middle I have just placed on compost to see if it will root from the stem (just an experiment). Hopefully one of these will take and I can keep it going. She also had a Christmas cactus which was growing mainly in one direction so I trimmed off a few bits and left them to dry for a few days and potted then up, and hopefully I can get some new plants from it. Kate’s Petrocosmia had been very over-watered so I re-potted that and it is trying to dry out, I took some damaged leaves off it but I don’t know if it will survive. I will take a photo if it survives. I really hope I can keep them all alive for Kate’s memory.
![Kate's Echevaria before Kate's Echevaria before a trim](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWobvUre_gTDpBkZ_w5WmEZvUKwsnwQx_OCYbwhrA24NLqmK_QkYqs7dSP1IE2KhGqmEurliCeQSNukN7KuZjcCyx7tHcX63tUi70liQ08jm3Bcd_UX0xoAGl7UWt7F1yU9hrkYGAN3jA7hdzOna1IcAm0idHmWUjjVdnvZ3JS3vuGMpHuDBZfu3Y/w320-h257/katesEcheveriaBeforeSml.jpg) |
Kate’s Echevaria hybrid before |
![Kate's Echevaria hybrid stumps after Kate's Echevaria hybrid stumps after being chopped](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArXA-mNXTw-1dF_PvK-gsNe1khs-I7h1P2CyQXClTMwlsr3J9b69y3Rmug4U1Q4JsETxdZ02g60plW6XX92pnBBAJ7MiOR5I7TEMULHX0okoktrQrxxkfC5RneVXkXrZ5NvWYoz89V3AezYYcohgDSkRR-MH7i7pYviwVTuDfyxgC0LzG-XlkAZ1b/w320-h214/katesEchevCutApril23aSml.jpg) |
Kate’s Echevaria hybrid stumps |
![Kate's Echevaria hybrid small head potted up Kate's Echevaria small head potted up](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFam4zdfSLDJ2HuOYrR_L0cwqontt5lDHThpgaLTzDoxzc5uGnmIbvXC4tDCvbFTNfH1p1z6WdAI9nuD8tiHPPIvoYekt9jxRdsLO3HIm6fUvaM-EwTFFsBNf1cc2cIfua6cC5nv_QojGG0CViHfxoX5oEim_vJ7pC-xhtdeyWq0w7UMgzCz2MuZQs/w320-h214/katesEchevCutApril23bSml.jpg) |
Kate’s Echevaria hybrid small head potted-up |
![Kate's Echevaria hybrid large head potted up Kate's Echevaria large head potted up](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NaS4djxZv12cUXJtF6UNo6H5VRbTuzHdxAPpxL11utMGe0ZJL6CZLJpQy2HqypI9-ROky-viUoMhkLKGcyfw6tma5J68WBklEVEvz7e7amslls1f7J38OP8rflYdwZfLN9pUcOdAqZnqdivdqOXoU4Dc1VPx-zBdTX6dseUhqXnmMsKCV0j7XxEv/w320-h219/katesEchivCutApril23cSml.jpg) |
Kate’s Echevaria hybrid large head potted-up |
![Kate's Christmas cactus trimmed Kate's Christmas cactus trimmed](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZhGkkBijFdofjzQnTsX3jksfgFmRmSex7aVxuKBBwkdNzPgNNRKWg1poeWCXgXQj8C5xSKs9zOUH30Y_pzeEP79sfiwleg7S0A8j-ONbzBJMgC-b3xUlTyc7pF1V26P_PL-LcuAOohqONDyTeafL6bv6suCd-EtD9FcrXwvXgfAhxtOeOuW-MPUx/w320-h240/KatesChristmasCactusSml.jpg) |
Kate’s Christmas cactus trimmed |
![Kate's Petrocosmia begonifolia before Kate's Petrocosmia begonifolia before](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM8-jviemK8vfWqo4HCt7us35n918lscVk3Zqq5na8p0LgVUlI9VyE0mNyTCvZNVg4bmrXL80QwbtsXlG0uoohMrj4zqvKaLH2fVwuwWsxjA6YZOJQzSL4TeV7Mc8mP8_sI30lV59xTIXhXRnpTXJavWOTLQmkR_lDIACT4c7yM0AzaZkEuP9BI6G/w320-h252/katesPetroBeforeSml.jpg) |
Kate’s Petrocosmia begonifolia before |
I am loving me Aeonium Voodoo just now as the colours are just fantastic! The top of the stem is bright green and these leaves go such a deep, rich, burgundy which contrast beautifully with the lime centre. I don’t know when I should take the head off to replant – I may leave it another year or so.
![Aeonium Voodoo head Aeonium Voodoo head in summer colours deep burgundy](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMt76PiD0NiJR5f7hpobpHi6bBrOjwZtQ4PD83cOHBuI1rpd8AXxnBu7ua6MZOyxDOQU0UvhrC4zLPzR30GO_CwO4jcPPqd_SuZZNAEor7ESkZYixtnzwl7g6Mxt_C1HvrC6jrTFe_8gUjSUN4vl4jfSlTNZNiodnOGvM1Uh9hQYgIgRbg2xcXzC_/w320-h241/AeonVoodooApril23aSml.jpg) |
Aeonium Voodoo head |
![Aeonium Voodoo plant Aeonium Voodoo plant](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwjFTzg-qIxX3lrqh5j7F9oSxEt_pVHj9nemfhspZGvBQzIpSc1IjZH2XA6y-on1yzAEmYxEXfGEyziW1nga8x-yFECGW1UYblF2BoGt2d_8ZqQnwJc9iSXN4oWMBY8oybcN2vRr356DoJ3spi6frh533cosnJqoC36fGLdipoPNbbqgbwqArOhfo/w220-h320/AeonVoodooApril23bSml.jpg) |
Aeonium Voodoo plant |
![Aeonium Voodoo under leaves Aeonium Voodoo under leaves](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg7NTc4nHEvpETgyfcit7Jai8dvsnl36e2VK-9f5D9BvSWZaF8diDdXCO9F8x9qWeh-FDIlIsr9Qq3Ton7dggbAtuk7qeqEpv12mAnozCHq0a_wdy5MaaBREABLAcT2BD81AXCkLZzyA916S5rZV3M9eElTnK-mrlq8ic58u-4lDvP_d-PB-mkq3S/w320-h214/AeonVoodooApril23cSml.jpg) |
Aeonium Voodoo under leaves |
![Aeonium Voodoo stem and leaf joints Aeonium Voodoo stem and leaf joints vivid colours](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsk0IBfUbZwVrXgFCBbWeMEP4i0RInPMr9Ujf0bSL9ZmN-JE-eBPZFrbVdDH3NLeGKQ2Pp2nQdxyLuAkw6nU60dgsofI1TlKs-qiyV2vgWQc5SsUhkLm6hpJWTOi9Akt7lP8UDQezaC12pCWat8WXI2QUpV7QEGsgUHWdKYbDnI618An34O29u_Cg/w320-h217/AeonVoodooApril23dSml.jpg) |
Aeonium Voodoo stem with leaf joints |
And recently purchased are these fabulous living stones: Lithops. They can be tricky to grow so I am going to have to be very careful with my watering of them. I have potted them up in a very gritty, free draining compost and have given them one watering so far. Fingers crossed I can keep them alive.
![Lithops Lithops different colours](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJ9ogENNfrxSR58eylRGFvVFFPFdbEDcwiIgoJkEXSiDGt88qKNvvGySuH59w__knqDyIDsdSghGZI092EKkpNbCHMQdattGFO41fjsoBDO9YcqApepyg63oARPV0j2dq7wtCzDNpsV0LZFMP0fwABEAZ4OLsHmYcfC2cJie58Tnymn20SfEUt5WJ/w320-h270/lithopsApril23Sml.jpg) |
Lithops |
I do have a few air plants that I bought in 2020 but so far they have not flowered for me. As soon as they I will post a picture.
Just a few of the cuttings that will be on sale at Duddingston Kirk Garden Club plant sale on Saturday.
![Cuttings Cuttings](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXs2l-DvOp_AR_D55NUGbx40FATiYFkIjcTfw8WeqpG75o1jUkbVIAniQcTBHWR4VplDhUmYXA_76Zrw5a9HNvVsXnHxPZcbW3ut4GVSplyszf2mpwD-4dZVAzyCEbpDc_hYKvBVUHaLr7cUgT-kXrZCGzYmAFBaVWExipumbDYw3LIwxA1WCc2dc/w320-h214/cuttingsApril23Sml.jpg) |
Cuttings |