Pre-Autumn Porch -

sunamakeup Mayıs 30, 2022

OK, if I have to stay here for autumn's arrival I can at least start on a little

decorating to cheer up the now so tired summer look. All was looking dead,

dreary and downright boring!

It didn't take much effort this morning. All I did was pull on the new

golden IKEA pillow covers, and go to the potting shed and sort through

out-of-season stuff tucked away at the back of shelves. I found the pretty

china Italian pitcher and the glass light in fall colors. This ball is filled with

mini lights and is battery operated with a 5 hr. timer. Set just as dusk falls,

the evening hours on the porch are brightened.

My Christmas cactus has spent summer on the porch. It was doing nothing

on the dining room table, seemed in a state of dormancy with never a bloom.

Now it appears to have some new growth and looks a lot healthier so will

stay there until cold weather arrives, perhaps in October.

The new plant, picked up yesterday at LIDL for just $6, is a Petra Croton.

I've never owned one before but seeing the display of perfect colors for

the porch, I grabbed one! Crotons are interesting plants and can grow

really tall as houseplants. I'm only planning to use it outdoors through

the fall months, perhaps hide it in the potting shed over winter and see

if it survives.

Have you ever grown a croton?

"What makes homeowners love Petra Croton is its incredible coloration—deep green leaves with variegated, multicolored veins in bright red, orange, and yellow. If you have room to fill, the Petra Croton houseplant will make that space shine, growing 6-8' high. You can also keep shorter by topping it in spring. This plant will only need water when the soil begins to dry out. Otherwise, it likes humid environments and an occasional misting of its leaves. Be sure to keep in a warm spot in the winter time, and be careful when moving it. Too much motion causes it to drop some leaves, but don't panic, just stick to the watering and lighting requirements and it'll bounce back fast. Petra doesn't only add mood-lifting beauty to your home. As it grows, it helps purify the air, too! " Michigan Bulb Co.