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.
i've got a peace lily that was flowering but the flowers were dying soon after, new growth was coming through but nothing recently. Is it worth dead heading the old flowers, and how often can ii expect new growth with the flowers?
Cheers!
James (Complete novice!!)
Answer Dear James,
Because so many people ask me about peace lilies I bought one for myself a few weeks ago so I could experience any problems first hand!
I have found that it is very slow growing so I wouldn't worry about that. Yes, dead head the flowers. You will find that they turn pale green and will stay like that for some time before they die.
They flower in the Spring and, sometimes, if you are lucky, again in the autumn.
Do not put in direct sunshine as that will burn the leaves. I have mine in the kitchen beside an open door so it gets plenty of fresh air and bright light but no sunshine at all. In the winter I will have to move it or at least close the door as the plants do not like cold draughts.
Keep the plant clean by wiping over the leaves regularly and misting the entire plant which will help with humidity which it likes. Feed twice a month with a proprietary fertiliser - I use Phostrogen which is in powder form but it doesn't matter which brand you use as long as it is a good, well known one. You can dissolve the powder [or liquid depending on which type you buy] into water in your watering can and kill two birds with one stone!
As regards watering keep the compost moist, I have found I need to water mine twice a week but may have to increase this as the temp right now is very high. In the winter it will need far less watering.
The plant should be repotted in the Spring and if it has grown really well you might want to propagate it by division but, that's a long way off and when the time comes you can write to me again for some help.
By that time you will no longer be a novice!!! Once you have the plant/gardening bug there will be no stopping you!
All the best with your plant and when you buy more,as you will!, let me know if you need any help.
