Can leeks stay in the ground? What are orange spots on oxalis? Read on…
HOUSEPLANTS
Q Why is my cyclamen going yellow and flopping?
MANDY FLETCHER, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE
A Cyclamen, often bought for Christmas, need cool and bright conditions in the home. Awindowsill is the ideal spot. If placed in awarm and dark room, the leaves will ‘stretch’ and the new flowers will be paler in colour. Old leaves and flowers should be removed by twisting them and tugging them so they are removed right to the base. Water from below to avoid water accumulating in the base of the foliage and allow plants to almost dry out between waterings.
Weed it or feed it?
Q When does Swiss cheese make holes?
GEORGIE HARRIS, GLOUCESTER
A Monstera (Swiss cheese plant) is once again hugely popular. It is an easy houseplant, provided it’s not overwatered and is kept in a minimum temperature of 15C, ideally around 20C. It also grows better if well fed and in enough light. When starved and in a spot that’s too dark, the stems remain thin and the leaves small. When plants mature and are growing strongly the leaves become larger and wider and start to develop holes as well as the typical slashes around the edge.
Q Can you name this houseplant?
SUSAN BAXTER, BY EMAIL
A Haemanthus albiflos, also called the shaving brush plant. It is native to South Africa and is an easy houseplant. It forms clumps of thick, straplike leaves and is evergreen. It prefers a bright spot out of direct sun and tolerates some neglect and drought, so avoid overwatering. It usually flowers in winter and should bloom every year once established. If it doesn’t bloom, it might be too dark or is being divided or repotted too often.
Q What caused pink leaves to turn green?
JEREMY GILES, CHESHIRE
A You probably have a ‘painted’ echeveria –an ‘ordinary’ echeveria sprayed with paint. As they grow, the new leaves will be the natural colour. These plants, and the majority of succulents, need bright light; in poor light their new leaves will be longer than normal. They need to be kept in good light and in cool conditions in winter so they do not make much growth. They also need little water.
QWhat are these heart-shaped leaves on long creeping stems?
JODIE RAYNER, NEWTOWNARDS
A These are the attractive leaves of hardy Cyclamen coum that will grow larger and may develop pattering and a silver sheen before the pretty flowers with upswept pink or white petals appear in early spring.
SHRUBS
