A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Got great bargains!

I had to run into my grocery store quickly, to pick up something for dinner this afternoon. On the way to the registers, I passed a shopping cart of plants with a clearance sign. Of course I had to stop... came home with a beautiful Anthurium plant in a 6 inch pot for 99 cents!!! It is loaded with blooms. The only problem was a few of the lower leaves were slightly yellow - no biggie - the employee said they were just underwatered.

I also got 7 small christmas cacti in 4 inch pots. A few have very small buds on them, which I know will probably fall off, but at 50 cents each I can live with that! I've already potted a few of them together to make a better presentation. They even had tags identifying the type, but I cannot seem to find these names anywhere online - know any good websites to search these on? Lynne

Hi Lynne, I know without a picture its hard to tell but does anyone know anything about "Hardy Jasmine."?

Hey Vikki~

The only jasmine I ever had was an upright bushy type that I bought at the end of a season from a local farm nursery. Little did I know that it was infested with mites deep within, I immediately threw the plant out after many attempts to get rid of them, and even though it has been several years later with many different types of treatments, the area of my familyroom and wood paneling where I had had the plant still gets any other plant I put there infested with these critters. Lynne

I like to use Plants Database for plant information. It's pretty helpful.

Hi Lynne,
I checked out the pic of your anthurium! Wow, you did get a deal. Mine has a bloom that is more on the pink side. It bloomed non-stop for about 8 months. Now I think it is resting. The leaves still look great.
Thanks for the info on the Jasmine. The one I bought is more like a shrub than a house plant. I've planted it outside. It has thick rather wirey stems that are growing from the middle of the plant and it kind of looks like a fountain. I still think it's a Scotch Broom.

Hey Boxmonkey, Thanks for the referral to plant Database. I checked out the Jasmine and since mine is not blooming now its hard to figure out if what I have is a Jasmine or not. If I ever get the right kind of camera I'll take a pic and then I'm sure someone here will be able to tell me what I have.

Lynne,

The lables may indicate the hybrid name. Because there are so many hybrids, they are not all listed. If you can send me a sample or two of the names you are trying to research, I might be able to help.


Vikkie,

There are over 200 different Jasmine species, some of which are shrub-like, rather than vining and many of which are "hardy" because they can withstand winter freezes. Jasmine nudiflorum (winter Jasmine) is one example.

Will,
Thank you..thats it!!! Jasmine nudiflorum!!! Searched for that name on Google and sure enough I could tell by the pic's that was the plant I bought.
Here is a picture if anyone wants to take a look.
http://www.gardenseeker.com/Calendar%20Jan/Jasminum%20nudiflorum.htm
From what I have read so far it sounds like a good plant and it will provide some much needed winter color.
Thanks again Will, you'r sooooo smart

Hi Will~

There are actually only 2 types that I got in all 7 plants - "Christmas cactus Thor Ritt" and "Christmas cactus Madsoline". I have heard that Thor Ritt is a fuschia color - do you know if that's correct? Someone on another forum said that Madsoline is orange-red flowering? That's what it says on Bob Smoley's list, but I have no idea who he is.

I'm curious as to what kind of interior landscaping you do? Do you do public buildings? private homes? Sounds like a really nice way to spend your day.

Vikki~ that jasmine plant is great! Wonder if it would hold up in my zone 6 winters outside, or if the deer would like it too? Any ideas about that, Will?

Thanks for your offer of help...
Lynne

Lynne,

Those Christmas cactus names are hybrid names. Because there are so many different hybrids and because many of them are recent introductions, it is hard to find specific information about them. If you can locate a nursery that specializes in growing Christmas cactus, they can probably give you the particulars. As an alternative, you can wait until they bloom and then be surprised.

Jasmine nudiflorum will grow in zones 6-9.

I do have a great time working as an interior landscaper, particularly since I have my own business and I am my own boss. I help select, install, and care for plants that are used in offices, building lobbies, and private residences. I visit most of my clients weekly and do everything necessary to keep the plants healthy and looking good. I also make housecalls to help people solve specific plant problems or to advise them on how best to care for their plants.

It is a real challenge in locations where the light is minimal, the air is dry, heat and AC get turned off on weekends, and people pour coffee and worse into the soil. But earning a living caring for plants is terrific, as is the freedom to move about and to meet lots of people sitting at desks who are envious of my job.

Thanks for the answer, Will. I guess I'll play wait and see, as I don't know a nursery that specializes in these plants.

Your job sounds terrific. I always said I could never sit behind a desk all day, or stay in one room most of the day.

Do you have any jobs out in Queens, or do you stay mostly in NYC? My husband works in the old Bulova building in Jackson Heights across from LaGuardia airport. It's quite a schlep for him coming from Rockland County, but he leaves at 5a.m. and works out at the gym in his office building before work - not too bad.

Looking forward to learning more from you...
Lynne

Hi Lynne,

I limit my clients to Manhattan. Otherwise I have to charge for my travel time and that usually makes it prohibitive for the client. There is an excellent indoor landscaping company in Long Island City called plant Specialists that covers all of Queens.

The Bulova building is a beautiful building. I hope they never tear it down!

Where in Rockland are you located? My mother-in-law lives in Nyack and we go there regularly to visit.

Will

Hey Will~

Smart of you to stay locally for your business.

I live on the other end of Rockland County - in Montebello, which is just north of Suffern. I love to go into Nyack and shop and/or eat. We also spend a lot of time in Piermont just south of Nyack - do you ever go to the restaurants there? They have a few really good ones. As a matter of fact, we had our daughter's bat mitzvah there last June -
at The View on the Hudson -
it was fantastic! Lynne

Lynne,

We take the bus up to Nyack from the city and go through Piermont along the way. I have also been to Pasta Amore for dinner there several times.

Speaking of Hudson views, my apartment in lower Manhattan overlooks the Hudson and has some spectacular views that change hourly with the light and also seasonally.

Will