tropical plants Archives - Hydrangea Guide

5 Reasons Your Swiss Cheese Plant is Drooping and How to Fix It

December 19, 2022 John

In general, I find that my Monstera plants are very forgiving and it takes a lot of neglect before they start showing any signs of ill health. However, if you notice that your Swiss cheese plant is drooping or wilting, maybe looking a little sad, the most common reason behind this is that you are actually overwatering or underwatering the plant. If you know that this is not the case then other reasons include the wrong size pot for your…

Read More Read More

Learn how to keep your Monstera swiss cheese plant thriving with these expert tips! From watering and fertilizing to pruning and repotting.

Discover the Secret to Keeping Your Swiss Cheese Plant Healthy and Happy

December 19, 2022 John

Swiss cheese plants originally became popular in the 1970s and they are enjoying a revival now because, as a houseplant, swiss cheese plants are very easy to care for. These plants quickly grow and will easily become tall plants. They are also good air purifiers for your home. I actually have several Monstera, with my biggest plant currently being around 6ft tall. Swiss cheese plants are incredibly easy to look after, and it all starts with providing them with the…

Read More Read More

Learn how to propagate Monstera Swiss Cheese Plants using my favourite method, stem cutting and 2 other ways that can be just as fun.

Discover the Joys of Swiss Cheese Plant Propagation with These Three Easy Methods

December 19, 2022 John

You can choose from three ways of how to propagate a Swiss cheese plant – by stem cuttings, my personal favourite and probably the easiest, air layering or by seed which I don’t really recommend. The easiest method is by using bits of the stems that you cut off as they’re really easy to get to root. All three methods are straightforward but takes time for the new plants to grow. I cover how to carry out all three processes…

Read More Read More

6 Easy Steps to Repotting Your Swiss Cheese Plant

December 19, 2022 John

To repot a Swiss cheese plant (Monstera) isn’t really any different from repotting other house plants. The keys are to choose a pot that’s large enough and has plenty of drainage holes; to use the right potting mix, and to not pack everything in too tightly. Here’s my step-by-step guide to doing all this to get the most out of your Monstera plant. I have personally done this to plants up to 6ft, so I have experience with both repotting…

Read More Read More

When and how to prune orchids

December 8, 2022 John

There are two occasions when I tend to prune my orchids. The first is after they’ve flowered to encourage new growth and often a second flush of blooms or prepare them for a cooler period ready before they naturally bloom again. The second is to remove diseased or dead flowers and foliage to help prevent the spread of diseases or rejuvenate a dying orchid. Here’s how I go about pruning my orchids. After flowering Some orchids bloom just once a…

Read More Read More

How to identify and prevent root rot in orchids

Preventing and treating orchid root rot and crown rot

December 8, 2022 John

The key to preventing and treating orchid root rot and crown rot is regulating the amount of water the orchids receive. Over-watering, which often leads to root and crown rot, is the number one cause of death of orchids kept inside the home. As its name suggests, orchid root rot starts in the root and can then move further up your orchid stem; then, it becomes crown rot. Here’s how from my own experience, I have managed to prevent and…

Read More Read More

How to identify and treat spots on orchid leaves – brown or black

November 29, 2022 John

It’s worrying when you find spots on your orchid leaves. The spots may be brown or black or in transition between the two colours, with a few more thrown in. Here are three of the primary diseases – Botrytis, Black rot and Bacterial brown spot – that cause spots on orchid leaves, how to recognise them and what to do about them. Botrytis on orchid leaves What is botrytis? Botrytis is a fungal disease that affects many plants. If your…

Read More Read More

How to propagate an orchids – dividing, cutting and growing from seed

November 29, 2022 John

As with most plants, orchids can reproduce sexually through seeds and asexually through vegetative options such as dividing plants and, my favourite taking cuttings. As it’s difficult to propagate an orchid through seeds, I usually recommend people propagate by division and taking cuttings. I’ll start this article with the latter two methods as they’re easier and more likely to produce new orchids. Division Division is the easiest method to propagate an orchid. But unfortunately, not all orchids can be divided….

Read More Read More

Why is my orchid wilting?

November 28, 2022 John

The two main reasons for your orchid wilting are water and heat – either an excess or shortage of each. Plus transplant shock from repotting your orchid plant can lead to its leaves wilting. Read on to determine which problem is plaguing your orchid and what to do about it. Water and moisture Over- and under-watering can both cause wilting Both over-watering and under-watering your orchid have the same effect on the plant. The leaves turn yellow, become wrinkled and…

Read More Read More

Why is my orchid stem turning brown?

November 28, 2022 John

There’s nothing to worry about if your orchid stem is turning brown after the blooms fade away. This signals that the stem has finished supporting the life of the flower and it’s entered a period of rest. This is part of the natural life cycle of the orchid plant. Here’s what to do about the brown stem, and when it becomes a problem. Blooms have faded What to do with the brown stem Cut the brown, dried out stem back…

Read More Read More