I have a few questions about plants????

ok, i have a plant called a desert rose how often does it bloom and for how long.


and i also have an african voilet, what would be some care instructions for that plant.


what are care instructions for a sago palm tree


what are care instrcutions for a minature rose plant


and a banana plant.


how big do those plants get and how long lived are they

I have a few questions about plants????
Ok. First the african violet. I grow them all year round.


1) Never get water on the leaves. They'll become soggy and fall off the plant and become infested with mildew. Only water the soil.





2) Repot the plant in a container twice the size of the one it's in now. That'll give it plenty of growing room.





3) Use potting soil especially for african violets. It has exactly the right amount of fertilizer and plant food.





4) Never put your violet in direct sun. It'll burn the plant up real quick. Find a spot with a lot of bright natural light but not in a direct sun spot.





5) Always pick off the old blooms once they turn brown. Mildew is a big problem with violets since they are mostly water. Squeeze one of the stem between your fingers, you'll see what I mean.





6) Only water it when it's DRY. They can go along time with out being watered as long as you get it good and wet when you do water it. Again, mildew is the concern here.





OK, Sago Palm. I have tons of palms, Sagos, Pony Palms, etc.





1) Sagos like smaller containers. If you get one too big, the plant will tip as it grows. You only need one big enough to surround the root ball by about 1 inch.





2) Palms grow from the top, so always pull off any dead, dry, or yellow leaves on the bottom.





3) Palms don't need much water. Yellow spots are a sign on over-watering. Water it every other week if you're not sure when it needs it, but don't totally soak the soil, just do a little more than dampen it.





4) Palms love direct sun. Put in a spot where the sun will hit it most of the time. Never put it outside though. Excessive heat will cause it to wilt and cold will put it into shock. Palms are Indoor Tropicals.





5) Fertilize with a basic (like Miracle Grow) liquid fertilizer once a month. You can buy some that doesn't need mixing, just open and pour. Too much fertilizer will burn the roots though. Good instructions are on the back of the bottle.





NOW, banana trees. Believe it or not, we use them as a border around our pool in the back yard and we live in Southeast Missouri. Since I'm assuming yours is smaller and inside, treat it exactly as you would a Sago except water it twice as often. When it gets big enough to move outside (never in winter though), find a sunny spot. They'll thrive in almost any type of soil, but we always always mix sand in the dirt before we plant. As long as you keep it watered, it'll grow like crazy. Before the ground freezes, dig it up, roots and all. You won't be able to bring it inside in a pot anymore though. You'll have to let it rest over the winter in a cool, dark place. It'll look like it's totally dead all winter, turning brown, etc. Don't worry. We dig ours up and put them in the basement. When you plant it back outside, you'll think you've killed it. It'll seem like forever before it shows signs of life, but once it gets going, watch out. The plants multiply too so eventually you'll have many of them. I know it seems like a lot of trouble, but they'll so cool when they get all big in the yard.





I know nothing about desert roses though.





Hope this helps.
Reply:The only thing I can help with is the African violet. African violets bloom the best when they are root bound. That's why violet pots are always the same small size. I made the mistake of re-potting mine in a larger pot and they quit blooming. They also sell specially made African violet pots that water from the bottom so you can avoid wetting the leaves which causes them to rot. There is also specially made African violet plant food that you can buy at just about any local Wal-Mart, Lowe's, or Home Depot. And they also have their own African violet potting soil that is made to retain moisture but provide well drainage. Have fun with your plants!!!
Reply:well, i dont have all your answers. i have a desert rose which is really a succulent called echiveria. also known as hens and chickens. lots of sun, hardly any water. if the leaves fall off, let them dry a day or two and plant wide side down and they will root and make another plant. african violets are a pain. you have to water from the bottom and not get the leaves wet. you can stick a leaf by the stem in moist soil and it will root and make a new plant. roses are members of the cactus family. water once a week and deep-trickle water. dont get the leaves wet. bury cornmeal around the roots to prevent black spot. bury banana peels in and around bush for lots of flowers. they need lots of sun. you got me on bananas and palms.
Reply:Ladies... wow, lots of caffeine flowing out their tonight. Lots of good answers. ...some not so good.





I wish I could cut %26amp; paste the good from the not so good. But I can't %26amp; the fellow asking can't tell the right ones from the wrong ones.





So I offer him a different way of getting what he needs %26amp; with the knowlege they are the right answer every time?





I suggest you contact the closest univ extension office %26amp; speak with a local MASTER GARDENER. That way you will have an expert sort out the good from the not so good answers. You will also get more details on each of your questions. And to make the answers easier to understand, I bet the MASTER GARDENER will send them to you in writing.





You can find your local extension service in the state government section of your phone book.
Reply:for the african violet... go here http://www.avsa.org/Faq.asp





and click on the 'basic violet care' under the references in the middle left part of the page.





hope that helps