Mothers Day (Peace Lily)

Member Name: gill1960

Product:	Peace Lily
Date:	26/03/03 (382 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Attractive

Disadvantages: none

Mother's day is just around the corner..I usually buy my mum a bunch of flowers, but this year I'm branching out and buying her a plant.

Flowers die after a while, but hopefully if I buy her a plant it will last a little longer, and every time she looks at it she will think of me (Not a nice thought) Joking.

I bought myself a peace lily a couple of years ago and it has always brightened up a small part of my lounge, whether it is in flower or just displaying its beautiful lush green leaves.

So a peace lily it is for my mum on mother's day.

This plant is a tropical evergreen perennial. The long shaped dark green leaves sprout from the soil in abundance.
Every few months the plant flowers, the flower starts off green like a leaf and turns a beautiful soft white colour when in full bloom. If you smell the flower up close you will notice that it has a peppermintish aroma. The flowers last for weeks on end, when they are due to finish, I just cut them off as close to the bottom as possible.

These plants are supposed to help clear the air and are very popular in offices etc.
The plant likes to be kept in moist but not overly wet soil. If you don't water it enough you will notice that the leaves start to wilt and turn yellow/brown. When you water it use tepid water. Now and again you may need to fertilize the plant, I just use an ordinary houseplant fertilizer every 3 months or so.

Do not put the plant in direct sunlight or in a very dark corner, just put it in a place that gets average light. These plants also enjoy warmer conditions so don't put it in a room with a cold temperature. The average lounge temperature should be ideal.

PROBLEMS

Mealybugs sometimes affect the peace lily; they are small, pale insects that suck the plant sap, causing growth problems or even the death of the plant. If you notice this insect on your plant, I suggest that you wash the leaves in soap
y water. Failing th
at a pesticide may be necessary.
Over- watering usually causes root and stem diseases. So ease up on the water and double check on the drainage.

To keep your plant looking extra healthy and shiny, wipe the leaves over every few days. I use spray on leaf shine for that extra special shine.

You can buy this plant at most garden centres. E.g. Homebase/ B&Q. Plants range from £6 upwards. The bigger the plant the higher the price.

Just a little word now to young couples who are starting out with their first home. Money can be tight, you may not be able to afford all of the furniture you would like, well do what I did plonk a large green leafy plant here and there it sure fills a corner.
In my early years though it was aspidistras that filled my empty corners.

Happy mothers day to all mothers from gill.

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