About Diana Hamilton Expertise I can answer questions related to flowering and non-flowering house plants, and herbs. I do not know very much about cactus, orchids and bonsai
Experience For 20 years I owned a florist where I sold cut flowers and all types of house plants and accessories and gave advice to my customers.
Publications I have not had any writings published but I have presented gardening programmes on television, showing viewers how to care for their plants, giving them ideas on suitable plants, discussed problems with experts in different fields and given practical demonstrations on growing seeds, planting tubs and hanging baskets, watering, feeding, pruning etc.
Education/Credentials I am completely self-taught
Awards and Honors I have exhibited plants and flower arrangements in many Flower Shows winning many prizes.
Question QUESTION: I was given a cutting off of an unusual violet plant that was a friend's great grandmother's plant. I work in a greenhouse and it's not a Gloxinia or an Africian Violet. My friend told me that it's blooms close at night and reopen in the morning. The leaves are abundantly fuzzy brown on both sides, oval, about 3-4 inches long, the underneath is a purplish color, top part is green, with a orangish tone. She said it's a violet but had know idea what type. Can you help me so I know how to correctly take care of this plant?
Thanks.
ANSWER: Dear Karen,
Your plant sounds lovely - can you possibly send me a photo so I can try to identify it?
Meanwhile when you water it be careful not to let water splash onto the stems and leaves - water it from the bottom. I should put it in a light position out of direct sun.
You say you work in a greenhouse - is that part of a garden centre? Is there no-one there who can help identify it? Alternatively you could contact, with a photo, the equivalent of the Royal Horituculural Society in England who would be willing to help.
It may be a plant which is popular in the States but virtually unknown elsewhere like the Pony Tail Palm which we rarely see in England.
I look forward to hearing from you again,
Diana
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QUESTION: The plant I found out is called a Siderasis Fuscata. Can I propogate it from the leaf like I do from the violet?
We have loads of Pony Tail Palms! Some people decorate them as Christmas trees by tying their ornaments in the frawns.
Answer Dear Karen - will be in touch within a day or two - afraid cannot concentrate right now as was in a car accident earlier today. Just wanted to let you know you are not being ignored.
Diana
Hello again Karen,
Well done for finding out the botanical name of your plant! Now that I know what it is the care instructions vary from the previous advice I gave you.
This is a native plant from Brazil which is happy in the home or greenhouse as long as the temperature does not fall before 50F. It likes high humidity and should be misted frequently with warm water.
It will enjoy full sunlight - when watering when the soil is moderately dry you should give it a good drenching and then let it almost dry out between waterings - warm water again. Feed your plant monthly.
To keep the shape bushy pinch back the tips and when you want to propagate the plant this should be done by division in the spring.
Should love to see those pony tail palms decked out for Christmas - must be quite a sight!
Hope your violet plant goes from strength to strength.
