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Intro Mary Garden
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Dish Mary Garden Photos
Popular Plants for Indoor Dish Mary Gardens
Botanical Name Religious Name Common Name Country L T H Window
Adiantum tenerum Lady's Hair Maidenhair Fern Mexico L W H N,T
Asparagus plum. Maiden's Hair Asparagus Fern S.Africa P T A EW,N,T
Begonia fuchsioid. Mary's Heart Begonia Brazil P W A EW T
Begonia heracl. Lady's Fringe Star Begonia Mexico P W A EW T
Brassavola nodosa Lady-of-Night Lady-of-Night C.America L T H EW N,T
Caladium (hybrid) Angel's Wings Fancy Lf Caladium Trop.Amer.P W A EW N,T
Calceolaria herb. Lady's Slipper Pocketbook Plant Chile L C A EW
Campanula isoph. Mary's Star Star of Bethlehem Italy F C A S,EW
Ceropegia woodii Rosary Vine Heart Vine Natal P T D S,EW,N
Chrysanth. frut. Mary's Gold Boston Daisy Canary Is.F C A S
Crassula rupest. Rosary Plant Rosary Plant S. Afrlca F T A S,EW
Cymbalaria mural. Tears of Mary Kenilworth Ivy Europe P C A EW
Echinocerus pent. Lady's Finger Hedge-Hog Cactus Mexico F T D S
Euphorbia splend. Christ's Thorn Crown of Thorns Madagasc. F W A S,EW
Fuchsia magellan. Lady's Eardrops Fuchsia Peru L C A EW,N
Jasminum offic. (Mary's Purity) Jasmine Persia F C A S,EW
Mammillaria elon. Lady's Finger Gold Stars Cactus Mexico F T D S
Nereum oleander Rose of Jericho Oleander Mediter. F T A S,EW
Paphiopedilum Lady's Slipper Orchid genus Nepal L T H N,T
Passiflora caer. Passion Flower Passion Flower Brazil F T A S,EW
Pelargonum dom. Beautiful Lady Geranium S. Africa F C A S EW
Rhapis excelsa Lady-Palm Lady-Palm S. China P T A EW
Rhoeo discolor Christ-in-Cradl Moses-in-Bulrushs Mexico P T A S,EW
Rosmarinus offic. Mary's Bouquet Rosemary Mediter. F T A S,EW
Saintpaulia ion. Madonna African Violet v. Tanganiyk P W A EW,N
Saxifraga sarmen. Mary's Hair Strawberry Geran. China,Jap F C A S,EW
Scirpus cernuus Lady's Hair Miniature Bulrush E.Indies P T H EW
Selenicereus mac. Queen-of-Night Queen-of-Night Argentina P T D EW
Vinca minor (Virginity) Pertwinkle C. Europe P C A EW,N
Rosa (hybrids) Mary's Thorn Miniature Rose - F T A S,EW
L - Light (Average intensity over normal day)
F - Full 4000 - 8000 foot candles - Direct South
P - Partial 1000 - 3000 " " - Direct East or West
L - Low 50 - 500 " " - Full North; Filtered East or West
T -Temperature
W - Warm 75 - 80 F daytime; 50 - 55 F night
C - Cool 55 - 60 F. " " ; 4 - 45 F "
H - Humidity
D - Dry 10-30% - Dry House
A - Average 30-60% - House with misting, water pans or ventilation
H - Humid 60-80% - Humid Terrariums Conservatory or Greenhouse
Indoor Window Location.
The light, temperature and humidity shown for each plant are those
preferred for best growth as found in its native habitat. In
practice plants are sufficiently adaptable to permit cultlvation in
one or more window locations in the average house, as indicated.
S - South Window - Full Sun, Warm, Dry
EW - East or West Window - Partial Sun, Temperate, Average humidity
N - North Window - Low Light, Cool, Average Humidity
T - Terrarium - Low or Partial light, Temperate, Humid
Suggested Mail Order Source For House Plants (specify small plants):
Logee's Greenhouses, 55 North Street, Danielson, CT 06239
INDOOR DISH MARY GARDEN PLANTING & CARE
Growth. Plants grow by manufacturing food (sugar and starch) from
absorbed water, nutrients, carbon dioxide and light in daytime, and
by utilizing this food at nights at lower temperatures, with
absorbtion of oxygen.
Air provides carbon dioxide to plant leaves, oxygen to leaves and
roots, and nitrogen (through the agency of water and soil bacteria)
to the roots.
Soil provides plant roots with support, water, nutrients and air.
Outdoors, fine clay soils are preferred where it is desired to
retain and draw up moisture, and coarse sandy soils where it is
desired to drain off moisture and let in air. Indoors, where
watering can be controlled closely, a medium textured soil is
desired which will retain moisture for at least a day and also
permit good air penetration while moist. A good basic soil mixture
for indoor dish gardens is 1/2 fine sand (salt free) and 1/2 milled
sphagnum moss.
Nutrients required for plant growth can be provided in a
water-soluble fertilizer supplied every several weeks during
watering; in a slowly soluble dry fertilizer blended with the basic
soil mix; or in organic loam, compost or humus mixed in with the
basic soil mix in a proportion of 1/3. Nutrients include nitrogen,
potassium, phosphorus and, in lesser amounts, calcium, iron,
sulphur and magnesium. Also required are trace elements, normally
present in sufficient amounts in water, soil and the other
nutrients: boron, zinc, manganese, copper, molybdenum, chromium,
cobalt, nickle, aluminum and sodium.
Planting. Select a small figure of the Virgin or Virgin and Child
and a dish or other container at least 3" deep, of a size suited to
the figure. Decide whether you will place your garden in a north,
east, south or west window, and, using the list of House Plants of
Our Lady, above, choose and procure plants suitable for this
location which can be composed in artistic and symbolical unity
with the figure. Then place a 1/4" layer of charcoal chips or
pellets at the bottom of the container for absorption of excess
toxic amounts of nutrients or other salts which may accumulate.
Fill with soil mixture to 5/6 the height of the container (to 1/2"
below the trim of a 3" container), position the religious figure,
and plant the plants, allowing a soil space around each of 1-1/2
times the diameter of its root mass. Firm the soils; water once;
and keep in the shade for 3 days. Then move to the planned window
location and tend daily.
Watering. Add water by filling the space fully from the top of the
soil to the rim of the container whenever the soil is found to be
dry on inspection at morning or early afternoon. When tapped with
a hard object a container will respond with a "rap" when the soil
is still moist below the surfaces and with a "ring" when it has
dried. Inexpensive indicators are available to show soil moisture
and dryness. Wash and brush off any insects with spray at sink.
Watching. The best available conditions of light, temperature and
humidity in your house (and outdoors in warm weather) for your
House Plants of Our Lady must be found by watching growth and
making changes it is judged will help it. Favorable conditions
will result in vigorous, healthy growth and blooms. Unfavorable
conditions can be recognized as follows: insufficient light causes
rapid but pale and spindly growth; low light, few blooms; and
excessive light, burning of foliage (brown or white patches).
Insufficient humidity and/or soil moisture causes wilting or drying
of foliage; excessive humidity, flabby growth; excessive soil
moisture, slow root growth or rotting of root tips (causing
browning of foliage tips). Freezing usually kills; insufficient
heat retards growth; end excessive heat produces distorted or
accelerated growth.
Rest. Most plants require 8 to 10 weeks rest period each year,
corresponding to the cold or dry periods in their native habitats.
When plant growth slows and stops, reduce temperature, light,
moisture and nutrients for 8 to 10 weeks. Then resume normal care
for a new cycle of growth. Prune roots and shoots, as required at
start of growth period to retain desired size.
For suggested use in devotion, prayer and meditation, see
My Garden Prays
Also,
Dish Mary Gardens for the Blind
Introduction and Poem