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 Which plants do you use miracid on? Also, I have two cordyline plants that are indoors. The leaves are starting to turn brown. What can I do to bring these plants back to the beautiful plants they once were?
Answer Dear Cheryl,
Miracid is used for plants which are lime hating. The plants which immediately spring to mind are azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, heathers, witch hazel and some alpines.
Ref your cordyline plants I wonder if the surrounding air is too dry for them? Most of the varieties do not like dry air so you should mist the plants frequently and keep the compost moist at all times - don't let the compost dry out even in the winter when you reduce watering.
Have you been feeding them regularly since the Spring? If it is just lower leaves which have turned brown and are therefore dying this could be due to aging, however if you have been watering regularly perhaps the plant has a disease - can you see anything unusual on the leaves apart from them being brown? If you can then I would take a leaf to your garden centre and ask their advice.
I have a couple of dracaenas at home which need similar treatment to Cordylines - both of them, although in different rooms, are in a light position but not in direct sun. The climate is very hot here at the moment [southern Spain ] so I am watering them every two to three days and feeding them twice a month and, touch wood, no problems. I sponge the leaves frequently to help keep them cool and clean.
