Day 186 -
Ranunculus is a large genus of about 600 species of plants in the
Ranunculaceae. Members of the genus include the buttercups, spearworts, water
crowfoots and the lesser celandine. All Ranunculus species are poisonous when
eaten fresh by cattle, horses, and other livestock, but their acrid taste and
the blistering of the mouth caused by their poison means they are usually left
uneaten. Poisoning can occur where buttercups are abundant in overgrazed fields
where little other edible plant growth is left, and the animals eat them out of
desperation. When Ranunculus plants are handled, naturally occurring ranunculin
is broken down to form protoanemonin, which is known to cause contact
dermatitis in humans and care should therefore be exercised in extensive
handling of the plants.
Day 187 -
Today, carnations can be found in a wide range of colors, and while in general
they express love, fascination and distinction, virtually every color carries a
unique and rich association. White carnations suggest pure love and good luck,
light red symbolizes admiration, while dark red represents deep love and
affection. Purple carnations imply capriciousness, and pink carnations carry
the greatest significance, beginning with the belief that they first appeared
on earth from the Virgin Mary’s tears – making them the symbol of a mother's
undying love.
Day 188 - The
Prayer plant is really a quite amazing plant. Its foliage is mainly a dark
green with red variations of veins running through them. The amazing part of
the Prayer plant is that at night, the leaves fold up. Just like it's praying!
This plant is available in many varieties including Herringbone and Rabbits
Tracks. The main foliage colors vary depending on the variety. This plant is a
nice small, compact houseplant, perfect for windowsills! It adapts very well to
indoor temperatures, making it a great addition to your room.
Day 189 -
Prayer plants prefer moderate to low indirect light levels. If the leaves on
your plant begin to curl and turn brown, your plant is receiving too much
light. Providing this plant with too much direct sunlight can burn the foliage.
Prayer plants require moist but not soggy soil. This houseplant also is one of
the few houseplants that does not like its soil to dry out between watering, so
try to keep the soil consistently moist at all times. The biggest need for this
houseplant is humidity. It requires high humidity levels to flourish, so a
daily misting will go far. If the tips of the foliage begin to brown your plant
may not be getting the humidity it needs. By providing high humidity levels,
you help in ensuring beautiful flowers bloom. This plant is also very
temperamental when it comes to temperature changes. It prefers a range of 65 to
80 degrees, however it does not like fluctuations in temperature. Do keep it
away from drafts.
Day 190 -
Croton plants are known for their bright tropical foliage, which is
multi-colored and exotic in appearance. The foliage contains stiff leaves
pointing upward and has a wax-like feel to them. The Croton plant requires
moderate to bright light, so keep the plant within 3 - 5 feet of a window
receiving sunlight. Croton plant varieties require heavy watering as well as
high humidity. Misting the plant once or twice a week appears to be sufficient
for accommodating the Croton's humidity needs if you live in an area with low
humidity levels. Keep the plants soil moist at all times. If leaves begin to
fall off or slope downward, you are probably not providing the plant with
enough water. If the leaves edges become wilted, this may be an indication that
you are over watering the plant. Try cutting down on how often you water and
see if that improves the leaves appearance. The Croton also prefers warm
temperatures up to 80 degrees F.
