Houseplants Honor
Nature Study
Requirements
- Cite at least 5 ornamental plants grown for their foliage.
Answer: Five foliage plants: pothos, snake plant (mother-in-law's tongue), fern, Swiss cheese plant (Monstera), and dracaena. (Also the philodendron, the ZZ plant, and the cast-iron plant.) — Foliage plants are grown for their beautiful leaves — like the pothos, the fern, and the snake plant.
- Cite at least 5 ornamental plants grown for their flowers.
Answer: Five flowering plants: African violet, orchid, rose, begonia, and anthurium. (Also the azalea, the gerbera, and the peace lily.) — Grown for their flowers, they delight with their color — African violet, orchid, rose, begonia, and anthurium are classics.
- Cite at least 5 ornamental climbing plants.
Answer: Five climbing plants: jasmine, bougainvillea, ivy, ornamental passionflower, and thunbergia. (Also the flame vine and the allamanda.) — Climbing plants climb up walls and fences, decorating them — like jasmine, bougainvillea, and ivy.
- What characterizes a plant as ornamental?
Answer: An ornamental plant is one grown for its BEAUTY and decorative purpose — for its flowers, leaves, fruits, shape, or fragrance — to decorate gardens, homes, and environments, and not because it serves as food or for practical use. — An ornamental plant is one grown for its beauty — to decorate, not to eat or use.
- Cite at least 5 plants grown for their fragrance.
Answer: Five aromatic plants: jasmine, lavender, rosemary, mint, and night-blooming jasmine (lady of the night). (Also basil and the rose.) — Some plants are grown for their fragrance — like jasmine, lavender, and night-blooming jasmine.
- Give the name of 3 houseplants adapted to:
- In direct sunlight
- Dry soil
- Very moist soil
Answer: 1) Adapted to direct sunlight: rosebush, sunflower, and croton — they like full sun and bloom or color better with plenty of light. 2) Adapted to dry soil: cactus, succulent, and snake plant — they store water in their tissues and withstand long periods without watering. 3) Adapted to very moist soil: peace lily, papyrus, and fern — they prefer constantly moist soil and environments with plenty of humidity. — Each plant has its own environment: full sun (rosebush), dry soil (cacti), or moist soil (peace lily) — respecting this is the secret.
- Most houseplants do well in temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees. Cite one that requires a colder environment (7 to 13 degrees).
Answer: A houseplant that prefers a colder environment (about 7 to 13 degrees) is the azalea. Other examples that appreciate mild/cold temperatures are the cyclamen, the primrose, and the chrysanthemum.
- Prepare a soil mixture including at least 3 different ingredients. Select 2 houseplants and cultivate them in this soil for 3 months.
- How much light does an African violet need? What place in the house is best for growing it? Cultivate 2 or more African violets. Indicate whether they are male or female.
- All geraniums need approximately the same growing conditions. Where did they originally come from? What kind of temperature, light, and humidity do they need?
Answer: Geraniums originate mainly from South Africa. They need plenty of LIGHT/sun (several hours a day), a mild to warm temperature (they do not tolerate strong frosts well), and little humidity — water moderately, letting the soil dry out a bit between waterings (waterlogged roots rot). — Geraniums come from South Africa and like sun, a mild climate, and little water — waterlogging rots the roots.
- Mention 2 houseplants that can be propagated from leaves, stems, or divisions. Germinate a plant using 2 of these methods and continue to care for its growth for at least 6 months.
Answer: Many plants multiply from a leaf, a stem, or by division — like the African violet (leaf) and the snake plant (division).
- What is humidity and how is it important for plants?
Answer: Humidity is the amount of water present in the air and in the soil. It is important because plants need water for photosynthesis, the transport of nutrients, and transpiration; the humidity of the AIR also affects the leaves (very dry air dries them out; overly humid air favors fungi). Each plant has its own need — balancing the humidity is essential for its health. — Humidity is the water in the air and in the soil — essential for the plant to live, but at the right point: neither too dry nor waterlogged.
- Cultivate at least 5 of the following plants:
- Saffron
- Begonia
- Anthurium
- Aspidistra
- Maidenhair fern
- Caladium
- Coleus
- Ficus
- Philodendron
- Geranium
- Gloxinia
- Iris
- Hyacinth
- Impatiens
- Daffodil
- Aluminum plant
- Fern
- Sword fern
- Bird's nest fern
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
- Climbing plants
- Tulip
- Violet