LADYBUG SAYS... INDOOR GARDENING: TIME OF YEAR PLANTS FAIL TO BLOOM HAS ARRIVED

"Why doesn't my African violet bloom?"

It is probably the most asked indoor gardening question, possibly because African violets are the most popular indoor plant. It is at this time of year that readers have many questions regarding plants.

Nine out of ten times, the failure of African violets to bloom is caused by too little light. Although they cannot take any direct sunlight without danger of sunburn, (except suffused morning sun), they will respond to as much light as you can provide.

African violets grow and bloom beautifully under fluorescent lights. They seem to be made for each other. Also, they like high humidity, and if the house is dry, as often occurs at this time of the year, set each pot on a saucer filled with gravel. There is now special food designed for this little plant from the hills of Tanzania in East Africa, and they enjoy being fed about every 14 days.

"Why doesn't my hibiscus bloom?"

Hibiscus likes the sun indoors as well as outside, since they are a tropical plant. The dwarf plants are well suited for indoor gardening and come in lush colors of red, yellow, rose, pink and salmon. Each bloom lasts only one day, but the plant is everblooming if given bright light and plenty of water.

Aphids are often to be found at the tips of shoots and on the buds. They cause uneven, curling leaves or lack of growth. One has to check the plant each time it is watered and if the hibiscus has these pesky things, spray with an insecticide.

"Why doesn't my clivia bloom?"

Possibly your clivia is not old enough to bloom. Clivia, named for the Clive family of England, is a tender bulbous plant that produces showing coral flowers on a firm stem in the spring. Once a plant reaches blooming size, do not repot for quite awhile. A relative of the amaryllis, clivia maintains its stiff, straplike foliage throughout the year. It likes bright light or full sun.

"Why doesn't my kalanchoe bloom?"

Your kalanchoe may be old and tired. They are usually found in florist shops in full bloom every fall. The hybrids are sold as seasonal plants, but they make excellent houseplants the year around. Their beautiful flowers come in many colors and open for months at a time. There was a gorgeous hot pink available this year at Valentine's Day. They also come in coral, red and pink. Their glossy foliage is attractive at all times.

"Why doesn't my gardnia bloom?"

As with many other houseplants, maintaining the necessary high humidity is often a problem. The solution is relatively simple. Pots may be placed on a tray of dampened pebbles and the moisture will supply the air with added water vapor, or the foliage can be sprayed frequently with water.

In order to initiate flower buds, the nightime temperature should be 60 to 65 and the daytime no higher than 70 degrees. This often is difficult to accomplish in our modern homes.

For many the gardenia is quite difficult to grow and flower and for others it is no problem. However, the one big plus is that the shiny leaves are most ornamental in themselves.

"Why doesn't my gloxinia blooms?"

Light is probably the most important factor to consider in raising gloxinias. Generally speaking, most gloxinias do best in a south or seat window where they can receive ever bit of sunlight possible, but not direct sun. The gloxinia requires much the same treatment as the African violet.

One of the many pluses of the gloxinia is their lovely flower shades from delicate pinks to vivid reds, and from the darkest purple to the purest whites. A well developed plant can have 40 flowers open at one time. No other houseplant offers such breathtaking reward for the effort spent in growing it. Water from beneath. When it is finished blooming, its leaves will die downand it will rest for a couple of months then revive.

"Why doesn't my begonia bloom?"

There are many different kind sof begonias, some that bloom and some grown just for their foliage, such as the Rex type, that adds a pleasing note of variety with its jewel-like leaf colors.

The wax begonias are almost always in bloom and there is not much one can do to them to keep them from blooming summer or winter. They are literally covered with pink, red or white single or double blooms.

The angelwing has drooping flower clusters and is most attractive in hanging baskets. Their large colorful leaves grow above the clusters of pink, red or orange flowers.

Rieger begonias have bright blossoms with great clusters of red, pink, rose, yellow or orange flowers that bloom for months at a time. Withhold moisture when the plants are dormant.

Many of these plants off a challenge, but isn't gardening in general a challenge?