Indoor Plants

[Nessie]

I am thinking of getting a few indoor plants and would like to continue the edible native theme of my garden indoors. Does anyone have any experience in growing edible natives indoors?

[clare_b74]

Hi Nessie,

I've currently got aniseed myrtle, native ginger, fingerlimes and round limes growing indoors, mainly due to the frostiness of my garden in the Adelaide Hills.

All are in high-light, high daytime temps but relatively low ambient humidity. Humidity/microclimate is improved, I guess, but having them in those water-well pots...

All are growing well, except one fingerlime but I don't think that's related to its indoors-ness. At risk of meandering off topic yet again, ddoes anyone know why my fingerlime's skeletonised, for the want of a better word? All leaves now go and the little branch tips have died back... The other one had it to a lesser degree but has gone off like a rocket of late. Though it might be a soil acidity thing, but iron sulphate hasn't seemd to have helped any.

Anyway, I hope this has been of use Nessie. Other species that might be worthwhile trying to grow inside are davidsons plums (cos they seem to like more shady spots) and similar rainforest plants.

Cheers,
C

[Nessie]

Thanks for the suggestions Clare. If I can get my hands on your suggestions I'll give them a go and post my results.

As for the problems with the finger limes, citrus usually do that when they are stressed. if they're not in too big a pot you could try placing them in a tub of weak fertiliser. The boot may pirk them up enough to recover. Also, I've noticed over the years that while citrus like regular watering they seem to hate wet feet. Does the pot ever get a chance to dry out a little?

[clare_b74]

Does the pot ever get a chance to dry out a little?

I'm the world's worst at remembering to water indoor plants!

The fertiliser's a good suggestion though, thanks I'll try it. I've been thinking lately that I need to curtail my natives+fertiliser=bad mentality - the poor things are probably starving! Would you suggest something basic like BnB or citrus food or something a bit more native-specialised?

As for where to source your new indoor forest, if pushed to on-line order, Daley's nursery should have a decent selection if you've the bucks for a whole carton-load. But there may be better places - there's definitely a thread somewhere abouts on people's favourite nurseries

C

[Nessie]

Any sort of liquid fertiliser should do. I've been using Charlie Carp lately (It was on special when I needed some). For longer lasting fertiliser I use BnB or Dynamic lifter, they're a bit too smelly for indoor use though.