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Caring for Devil's Ivy
By Brenda Hyde
Scindapsus aureus, also known as devil's ivy or pothos, is a
carefree, low light plant perfect for the top of a cupboard, shelf,
refrigerator or cabinet. This is actually a very good location for
pothos, since it is considered poisonous to humans and pets.
I've grown it for years with no problems on the top of my china
cabinet, but again, it's out of reach. There are many plants
that we grow inside and outside that are toxic on different levels,
so it's always important to watch the kids especially and teach
them never to chew or play with plants. I grow a lot of herbs and
other edible plants but my kids always ask me before picking
anything in the yard. It's a good habit to start very early on
with children.
Back to pothos, it needs medium to bright light, but not direct
sunlight. It will tolerate low light, but grows better with at least
medium light. The soil should be kept evenly moist, but a little
drying is fine for the winter, and mist often. It's comfortable in
60-85 degree temperature range.
Pothos makes a great hanging
plant as well, just remember to put it up a little higher and out
of reach. I also found out that it will work as an aquarium plant!
They are usually quite expensive when bought from a tropical fish
store, but if you clip off the plant above the dirt level and wash it to
remove any pesticides the store may have used, you can float it in
your fish tank.
Root cuttings can be taken at any time and placed in a glass of
clean water, which you should change every few days. When a
good set of roots form, plant in regular soil with a little sand
added. I've also seen people grow pothos in a glass vase with
marbles in the bottom for a decorative look. My mother-in-law
added goldfish to her vase! Remember, especially with these
methods, to keep the vase or glass out of the sunlight.
About The Author
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her husband and three kids. Stop by and visit her garden blog, Garden of Grace & Whimsy, and her photography blog, A Dance of Words & Photos.
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling Memorial Day signals the start of barbecue season. Everyone wants to light that fire and charcoal that first meal. A few tips might pre- vent your entree from becoming a "Burnt Offering."
Read these tips for plenty of grilling ideas, make this year's barbecue perfect!
Growing and Using Garlic Chives Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum, is a hardy perennial (Zones 3-9) that will grow to about 12 inches high. The stems are skinnier and flat, instead of hollow as are regular chives, with greenish white blooms that are about an inch wide and not as rounded. They bloom in the summer rather than spring. The bloom stalks grow much taller than the leaves, sometimes up to 30 inches.
The stems and blooms are both edible and have a mild garlic onion taste. I've noticed many writers will list this as primarily as an Asian herb, as they are also known as Chinese chives, Chinese leeks, ku chai (China) or Nira (Japan), but it has many other uses as well!
The Perfect Porch Swing Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times.
Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet.