How do I learn to grow what I want, and not what I have to?

Question

Looking for something to grow indoors... that blooms and possibly (ha) flowers. Even a rose, but not red. I've only had silk flowers before.


YES, I know this is the site for seniors (but they know more!)

And YES I know that I may kill it.... but got any ideas? I'd love to try!

Thanks ALL of you.

And to Kayboff for spending all that time to look for me....

This is very helpful!

thanks, shortstuff....

Aw, Anjel, I can sympathize. You ought to have seen me one year when someone brought home plastic greenery. I thought they were real, and watered them all in an enclosed room. Thank God they were in a room that had a bare concrete floor. I watched as the water ran everywhere.

harley lady, slk2 and goldwing, grace.. sage seeker, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you...


As usual, this is a tough one. I thank ALL of you for your suggestions. It's always so hard to pick the best answer, when everyone has great ideas...

As for that south window, I have one, but it's not always a window I visit. So, I'm forgetful. I am now aware of part of my problem.... thanks!

Thanks, Kayboff. All had wonderful answers, but you're right. I need to do research.

(As for a south window, I have one, but it's not always a window I visit. So, I forget to water... I am at least now aware of part of my problem.... thanks!)

Answer 1

I'll be back.
EDIT:

There are many things that grow. You've just got to know where to start:

How stuff works it's good to know >
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-grow-plants-with-the-light-you-have.htm

How To grow Ice Plant (Lampronthus)
http://www.ehow.com/how_7084_grow-ice-plant.html

How to grow Bamboo >
http://landscaping.about.com/od/tropicalplants/f/how_grow_bamboo.htm

How to grow healthy tomato plants >
http://landscaping.about.com/od/tropicalplants/f/how_grow_bamboo.htm

How to grow your own garden plants >
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/159934/how_to_grow_your_own_garden_plants.html

How to grow plants from seed >
http://www.greendealer-exotic-seeds.com/seeds/HowtoGrowSeed.html

How To Grow & Care For House Plants & Indoor Gardening>
http://www.gardentimeonline.com/Houseplants.html

Enjoy!! The Sky's The Limit! If you enjoy plants and gardening this should help you to get started, independently.

Answer 2

YOu cannot kill African Violets...just put them in a North facing window, feed and water occasionally, keep soil just damp, and they will bloom their hearts out for you once a month...very pretty, very easy.
Gloxinia: treat as if they were African Violets, they will behave the same way.
Gardenia: Place in a North facing window, put about 1 tablespoon of vinegar per quart of water when watering, feed as directed, and they will bloom a couple of times a year.
All the rest that grow well indoors are tropical foliage. Roses, even miniature, need lots of light, so place them in a south facing window and pray...sometimes luck, sometimes not..and they don't stay miniature very long...they grow to about 3 foot in height around here.
Good luck Phil

Answer 3

Kalenchoe grows well indoors and flowers , it is a succulent and is pretty hard to kill. Wandering jew has very showey foliage, same as certain peperomias a;so crotens have brilliant colors and they are easy to grow. Miniature roses. I gad a really tiny plant and planted itoutdooes the following spring and it is 5 feet tall now and had lots of blooms

Some cactus blooms too

Answer 4

How about buying an African Violet? My fiance just bought me one that has white & purple flowers. Some people can't grow them, but maybe you'll have as much luck as I have. I would like to suggest that if you go that route, that you buy a book on African Violets, & buy a bottle of AV food. They can't be in the sun but can withstand light. Keep the soil damp at all times. I have always found that they do best if they get the southern exposure to light. See what works for you.

Answer 5

Peace lillies - green sumptious plant that blooms white tubular flowers...easy to keep, hard to kill, don't have to water every day

Any thing in the philodendron family - Indestructible!

Aloe plants - and handy to have for burns, cuts and scrapes

Answer 6

Christmas cactus and african violets are pretty. Depending on how old they are, asparagus ferns and swedish ivy (both very easy to keep) will also get pretty little flowers on them. You can also get spring bulbs and "force-bloom" them. The blooms on an amaryllis are gorgeous and last pretty long.

Answer 7

Sadly, when I had my house I planted the whole front yard with "fake" flowers :-( You would see me out there not watering, but dusting them once a week...I guess I couldn't answer you question

Answer 8

Christmas Cactus? Beautiful when they bloom and hard to kill.

Answer 9

I have grown begonias indoors and they seem to work good for me. And, the blooms are beautiful.