18th Issue Vol. 3 No.

03 ISSN 2094-1765 March 2010

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 64th POS

ANNUAL ORCHID SHOW
By Norberto R. Bautista

The Philippine Orchid Society’s 64th Annual Orchid and Garden Show opened last February 25,
2010 to March 8, 2010 at the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation Compound, EDSA corner
Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines. The POS, like a prodigal son, has returned to this
garden area after more than 20 years! The POS had selected before other places like the
Quezon City Hall area or the Quezon Memorial Circle as its regular venue, but now has decided
to come back.

Cutting the ribbon during the opening of the 64th POS Orchid and Garden Show were (from left to
right) TV Host Ms. Bernadette Sembrano, Mr. Lucito Bertol of the Manila Seedling Bank
Foundation, Philippine orchidologist Dra. Helen Valmayor and POS President Kelvin Neil
Manubay.(Photo by Art Serbio) At the background are POS Officers, members, and guests.

The opening was attended by POS officers, members and invited guests from the other garden
clubs. Guests of Honor during the ribbon cutting includes Mr. Lucito Bertol of the Manila Seedling
Bank Foundation, TV Host Ms. Bernadette Sembrano, and well-known Philippine orchidologist
Dra. Helen Valmayor of the University of the Philippines Los Banos.

With the theme: “Protecting our Philippine Orchid Species from Climate Change”, the society
aims to teach that most orchids, specially those which has pseudobulbs (a modified storage
stem) could store water and food for the plant, thus, orchids can survive even watered once only
every 3 days. In addition, growing areas can be modified to have plastic roofing during the rainy
seasons to prevent rotting. Thus, a modified cultural measure can be applied in orchids in order

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to protecting our treasured plant collections from climatic changes like drought and prolonged
monsoon rains. With this, climate change will not actually be a problem for orchid growers and
gardeners alike as long as you know how to protect your plants. The society is also actively
advocating and promoting orchid growing and gardening among city and rural residents as a
leisure activity at the same time as a potential form of livelihood.
Some of the orchid winners includes: Best Phalaenopsis -- Phalaenopsis Sogo Twinkle x Dtps.

Ching Ann Bell exhibited by Mr. Kelvin Neil Manubay; Best Cattleya – Brassolaeliacattleya Chia
Lin of Malvarosa orchids; and Best Other Genera - Phaius Dan Rosenberg of Purificacion
Orchids and Plants.

Along with the show is a plant and landscape booth competition. In this year’s Annual Show,
Atty. Nani Perez of Malvarosa Orchids got most of the awards, winning the Best Landscape
Booth, with his orchid Grammatophyllum scriptum winning the Best in Show, Best Philippine
Orchid Species and Best Cultured Plant. His Cattleya orchid – Brassolaeliacattleya Chia Lin –
also won the Best Cattleya. Other winners include: Best Dendrobium / Best foreign species --
Dendrobium lasianthera and Best Oncidium Alliance – Oncidium Sharry Baby ‘Tricolor’, Best
Paphiopedilum – Paphiopedilum roebelenii and Best Other Genera – Phaius Dan Rosenberg --
all exhibited by Cora &
Anna Ruth Purificacion;
Best Phalaenopsis –
Phalaenopsis Sogo Twinkle
x Dtps. Ching Ann Bell
exhibited by Mr. Kelvin Neil
Manubay; and Best
Vandaceous Alliance –
Kagawara Christie Low by
First Bloom Orchids

Hundreds of plant lovers

and gardeners flocked and
visited orchid and garden
show, either buying plants,
taking pictures or attending
the free orchid and plant
lecture series.
Grammatophyllum scriptum ‘multiflorum’ of Malvarosa
Orchids won Best in Show.

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 Growing Indigenous Vegetables:
Answer to Rural Malnutrition and Poverty
Poverty. Malnutrition. Philippine indigenous Vegetables. What is the connection?

Poverty and malnutrition are two big words. We often hear them being cited as two of the most
emerging global issues we face today. For a developing country like the Philippines, these issues
have already become a humdrum to the ears. We witness and feel them mostly in the rural areas
where livelihood opportunities are scarce and nutrition advocacy programs of the government fail
to reach those in the far-flung areas of the country. Indigenous vegetables, on the other hand, are
accessible and often ignored.

These three issues don’t seem to rhyme nor make a significant combination to literature, but they
play a crucial role in the “Promotion of Indigenous Vegetable for Poverty Alleviation and Nutrition
Improvement of Rural Households in the Philippines,” a project implemented by Asian Vegetable
Research and Development Center (AVRDC)The World Vegetable Center. AVRDC is the
principal international center for vegetable R&D, which is based in Taiwan.

The project aims to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved
production and consumption of vegetables. It aims to strengthen food security and to improve
nutrition and the income-generating capacity of the rural poor, and at the same time conserve the
biodiversity of Philippine vegetables.

The project is coordinated by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) of the Department of
Agriculture (DA) in collaboration with DA-Regional Field Units (RFUs), the National Nutrition
Council (NNC) and the local government units (LGUs).

INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES
According to the World Indigenous Vegetables (2006), indigenous vegetables (IVs) refer to
vegetable species native to or originating from a particular region or environment. It includes
species that are naturalized or varieties that have evolved from materials introduced to the region
from another geographical area over a long period of time. High-yielding vegetables as products
of scientific breeding are not indigenous.

Examples of Philippine indigenous vegetables are: alugbati, ampalaya, bavok-bayok, himbabao,

kulitis, labong, upo, malunggay, pako, saluyot, talinum, talong, amaranths, cucurbits, radish, luffa,
wax gourd, snake gourd, squash, jute, basella, kangkong, ivy gourd, basil, lablab, rosella, okra,
yardlong bean, winged bean, cucumber, tomato, and vegetable soybean.

These vegetables are easier to grow, more resistant to pests, and acceptable to local tastes. Due
to these reasons, IVs are suitable as cash crops in periurban systems, source of vegetables for
daily sustenance in home gardens, source of new crops, and source of variation for diversification
of production systems and diet.

Unfortunately, these vegetables are at risk in many countries. This is because traditional varieties
are being replaced by high-yielding commercial varieties, which arc more proficient and are
preferred by most producers.

WHY INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES?

Vegetables are cheap sources of food and are also the most sustainable. IVs are rich in vitamins
and minerals and other health promoting factors such as high antioxidant activity.

IVs can play a major role in the diversification of Filipino diet leading to a more balanced source
of micronutrients. AVRDC studies showed that the diversification of diets increases nutritional
content. Although the production of IVs is challenged by the extensive cultivation of high-value

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commercial vegetables, the value and desirable traits of IVs are comparable and sometimes
better than the commercial varieties. They are resistant to pests and diseases, easier to cultivate,
and acceptable to local taste.

Moreover, integrating IVs in the backyard garden and in other production systems and
intercropping to it major crops could provide livelihood opportunities and increase the income of
the resource-poor households thus, addressing the issue of poverty.

Despite the recognized importance of IVs in supplementing food and nutritional need of the
people, they are underutilized The possible reasons are lack of available germplasm for
widespread use, lack of seeds, inadequate information on use and importance, lack of
information about their performance and input requirements, and insufficient information on how
IVs can fit into production systems.

Through this AVRDC project, introduction and selection of indigenous vegetables is promoted
through technology demonstrations on proper cultivation and utilization in selected rural areas in
the Philippines. The priority areas include those with high prevalence of malnutrition and poverty,
specifically the poorest provinces in Regions V, VI, and X. Likewise, the project promotes the use
and benefits of cultivating IVs in home gardens and in the production of seeds.

Among the 10 priority IVs for promotion are: alugbati (Basella alba), ampalaya for leaves or ha
yok-bayok (Momordica charantia), himbabao (Allaeanthus luzonicus), kulitis (Amaranthus spp.),
labong (bamboo shoot), upo or bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceria), malunggay (Moringa spp.), pako
(fern), saluyot (Corchorus spp.), and talinum (Talinum triangulare).

These IVs were chosen based on nutrient content, medicinal, and health benefits, non-food uses,
and volume of production and food preparation.

These vegetables are considered “indigenous” to the Philippines because they grow abundantly
in the rural areas, although not everybody is aware of their value as food and as an affordable
and alternative sources of essential nutrients.

GROWING GINGER
Ginger is one of the most popular and widely use spice in Filipino dishes.. It is used in making
chicken tinola, Pinakbet, Escabeche, Bachoy, Fish Paksiw, and Fish Sinigang. These are only a
few of the many Filipino dishes which generously use "luya" as a Major food spice.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscae), locally known as "luya", is one of the most important spices
and flavoring, not to mention its medicinal properties. Traditional medicine use crushed ginger
roots roasted in charcoal is often used to cure arthritis and muscle ache in old people. Boiled
ginger tea or salabat is also a popular beverage among Filipinos, including singers to relieve soar
throat.

There are 6 types of giner in the Philippines. They include the (1) Native, which has very small
rhizomes and the most hottest flavored; (2) Red Native ginger is similar in appearance to the
Native, but red in color; (3) Imugan ginger is an improved native variety, medium in size, and
very resistant or immune against the attack of soil borne diseases; (4) Hawaiian, a foreign
variety; has a bulky and rounded appearnace, pale yellow in color with a little tint of red, and is
often exported abroad; (5) Jamaica "Oya" is another foreign variety; moderate in size, often
powdered and processed to be mixed in softdrinks; and (6) Chinese Ginger, another foreign
variety; the biggest rhizome, often weighing 121grams or more per segment, yellow in color, juicy
and not too hot. The Chinese ginger is the one often used for atchara (pickled papaya).

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It is common to harvest about 10,000 kg to 20,000 kg of ginger per hactare every 8 – 10 months.
Ginger thrives well almost anywhere in the country. The Philippines is a ginger exporting country
because of the country’s ideal climate and land for ginger cultivation.. Ginger is exported in
Canada, Hongkong, Japan, Singapore, USA, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia at Brunei Darrusalam.

Cultural Requirements

Light. Ginger plants are usually grown in full sun, but may tolerate partial shade conditions.

Watering. The plants require sufficient amount of water during its growing stages, but can
tolerate less rainfall during its maturity.

Pest and Diseases. Follow proper soil sterilization or application of fungicide to control
occurrence of fungal diseases.

Soil and Fertilization. Ginger grows well in a fertile, well-drained sandy soil. The crop will
require about 400 kilograms of complete fertilizers (12-24-12) per hectare if the soil is sandy, and
300 kilograms if the soil is clay type. The fertilizer is applied as a side dress after planting.. Clay
soils will need more fertilization, thus, there is a need to add an additional 400 kilograms of
fertilizers on the third and forth month after planting per hectare..

Propagation. Ginger is propagated by rhizomes, or underground stem segments. Choose good

types of ginger rhizomes, usually, those without diseases or bruises. Cut into segments, wherein
each segment should weigh 20-50 grams, with 2-3 eyes on its nodes. Do not expose the rhizome
to direct sun. A one hectare farm would require 3,000 kilograms of planting materials.

Place ginger propagules or rhizome segments in fungicide solution for 15-30 minutes, using a
plastic tray in order to prevent rotting. The fungicide solution is about 3-5 tablespoonful of
Benlate W.P.. Always follow the instructions in the label of the pesticide. S

After soaking the planting materials in fungicide, place it in a shaded area for the wound to dry,
before planting them in the field. Plow and cultivate the soil, and remove any large stones, weeds
and garbage. Make beds or plots about 6 inches high and 1 meter in width. Sterilize soil by
burning ricestraws over it at least three times, to remove any soil-borne diseases.

Burrow seed pieces or rhizomes at about 5 centimeters deep in the soil, following the triangular
patter of planting, with each rhizome or seed piece is about 30 centimeters apart in the bed.

Once planted, irrigate the beds thoroughly. Cover the beds with dried rice straws or coconut leaf
fronds to prevent the growth of weeds and to keep the soil moist. Apply leaf mulch when the
sprouts comes out of the soil.

Harvesting and Post Harvest. One maturity index in ginger is that the leaf usually turns yellow
on the eighth month, and by this time, it is ready to harvest. Harvest ginger by making the soil
loose using a spading fork. Pull the plants including the underground rhizome and cut the leaves
from the base, including the shoots and roots. Wash rhizomes several times in water to remove
dirt. Gather and air dry the ginger roots in a cool shaded place to prevent rotting and fungal
diseases. Afterwards, they can be placed on sacks, stored or sold in the market,

In Batangas, ginger is usually stored under the soil, at a depth of 2 meters, where they store
2,000 kilograms of ginger and this storage will last for 1 year.

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 The Highly Fragrant Ylang Ylang
A sampaguita necklace, usually sold
in churches during Sundays will not
be complete without the Ylang Ylang
flowers. Ylang-ylang is a common
name for the Cananga tree, or
scientifically known as Cananga
odorata. The three is valued for its
highly fragrant flowers, wherein an
aromatic essential oil is derived.
Ylang Ylang oil is widely used in
aromatherapy, and is a major
component of most perfumes and
fragrances.

The name ylang-ylang is derived from

Tagalog, either from the word ilang,
meaning "wilderness", descriptive to
its natural habitat, or the word ilang-ilan, meaning "rare", suggestive of its exceptionally delicate
scent. A more widely accepted translation is "flower or flowers". The plant is native to the
Philippines and Indonesia and is commonly grown in Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.

Ylang Ylang is a fast-growing tree of the custard-apple family, or Annonaceae, wherein our atis
and guyabano fruits also belong. The tree’s fast growth exceeds 5 m per year and can attain an
average height of 12 m. It can grow in full or partial sun, and prefers the acidic soils of its native
rainforest habitat. The evergreen leaves are smooth and glossy, oval, pointed, with wavy
margins, and about 13–20 cm long. The flowers are drooping, long-stalked, with six narrow
greenish yellow petals, rather like a sea star in appearance, and yields a highly fragrant essential
oil.

One variety, Cananga odorata var. fruticosa, is dwarf ylang-ylang, which grows as a small tree or
a compact shrub with highly scented flowers.

Ylang-ylang has now been cultivated in temperate climates under conservatory conditions
because of the high demand for its essential oil. Its clusters of black fruit are an important food
item for birds.

Ylang Ylang fragrance is rich and deep, with notes of rubber and custard, and bright with hints of
jasmine and neroli. The essential oil of the flower can be obtained through steam distillation of the
flowers and separated into different grades according to when the distillates are obtained. The
main aromatic components of ylang-ylang oil are benzyl acetate, linalool, p-cresyl methyl ether,
and methyl benzoate, responsible for its characteristic odor.

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The main use of Ylang-Ylang’s
essential oil is in
aromatherapy. The oil is
believed to relieve high blood
pressure, normalize sebum
secretion for skin problems,
and is considered to be an
aphrodisiac. According to
Margaret Mead, it was used as
such by South Pacific natives
such as those in the Solomons
where she did much of her
research. The oil from Ylang-
Ylang is widely used in
perfumery for oriental or floral
themed perfumes, like Chanel
No. 5. Ylang-ylang blends well
with most floral, fruit and wood
smells.

In Indonesia, Ylang-Ylang
flowers are spread on the bed
of newlywed couples. In the
Philippines, its flowers,
together with the flowers of the
sampaguita, are strung into a
necklace or lei, and worn by
women, graduating teenagers,
and most commonly used to
adorn religious images. The
trees have also its value in
landscaping, wherein they are
planted in esteros to mask foul
smells.
A botanical drawing of Ylang Ylang
Cultural Requirements.

Light. This fast-growing tree thrives in full sun or partial shade conditions, usually along with
other forest trees.

Watering. The tree can tolerate flooding, and are usually found in areas where seasonal floods
occur. Ylang Ylang requires sufficient irrigation for it to properly grow and bloom, though it can
tolerate occasional drought conditions.

Pest and Diseases. The tree does not have major insect or diseases problems.

Soil. Ylang Ylang thrive in deep, fertile alluvial soils, usually found in lowland forests. It favors
acidic, humus rich soils, which is typical of most lowland forests. In cultivation, it may produce
more flowers if the soil is supplemented with commercial or organic fertilizers once a year.

Propagation. Ylang Ylang can be successfully propagated through seeds. Its black berry fruit is
a favorite of birds, which help in seed dispersal. Propagation of this species is encouraged as it
is a major dollar earner, and is valued abroad.

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Flower Harvesting. Harvesting of flowers can be done through hand-picking by climbing the tree
or the use of ladders to reach flowers. It is important to maintain a good branching system in the
trunk for flower pickers to effectively climb the tree.

Growing the Red Passion Vine

The Red Passion Flower or scientifically called
Passiflora coccinea, is an evergreen, fast
growing, flowering vine from South America
that climbs by tendrils. It belongs to the
Passifloraceae plant family, and all of its
member species are climbing vines. It has
spectacular scarlet to deep orange flowers,
each with a width of 3 - 5 inches. Each unique
flower lasts about one day appearing during
summer till the rainy season.

Since it is a fast grower, it easily spreads easily

on the structure where it climbs on. The plant
has an invasive and aggressive tendency to
spread across. However, the plant can be
trained and pruned. Thus height and spread of
the vine can be controlled, and its size will
depend on what structure it climbs on. For the
potted ornamental plant business, the vine can
be trained small with a bamboo trellis mounted
on a 10-12 inch pot.

The plant also have evergreen leaves, which

are obovate in shape and have doubly serrated
margins. The attractive fruits of the Red
Passion Flower are ovoid, orange or yellow in color, and are mottled green. They are about 2.5 -
3.0 inches in diameter

These plants are surely attractive and can be used as accents along walls or in trellis.

Cultural Requirements.

Light. The plant grows in full sun, and it needs light for it to flower profusely.

Watering. The plant prefers its potting medium to be occasionally wet, however it can
moderately tolerate draught. It cannot tolerate soils with high salt content. If planted along rows,
it is recommended that they be spaced 36 - 60 inches apart.

Potting Medium. The plant prefers fertile, humus-rich, acidic to slightly alkaline soil. It may
thrive either in sandy, loamy or clay soils.

Fertilization. Though the plant will grown on any soil type, it is recommended to use soil rich in
organic matter, iand to fertilize the plants for vigorous growth at two to three times each year.
Fertilization maybe applied before and after the rainy season, using complete 14-14-14 fertilizers.

Pest and Diseases. Its long term health is usually not affected by pests. However, nematodes
can be a serious problem, however they can be controlled by Furadan insecticide sprays if severe

8
infestation occurs. Caterpillars on the otherhand, can slow down growth by eating foliage. They
can be controlled by insecticide sprays.

Special Cultural Requirements. Since the plant is a vine, it should be supported on a fence,
trellis or arbor. Regular pruning is required, especially when the plant grows out of the ideal area,
and may escape cultivation, spreading to surrounding landscapes.

Propagation. The Red Passion Flower can be propagated by seeds or by cuttings. Seeds can
be collected from its edible fruit and can be sown in seedling boxes with sterile fertile soil
composed of equal amounts of soil, coconut coir dust and compost. Once the seeds germinate,
seedlings can be directly transplanted on areas where the plant will be grown to maturity or
planted in 10-12 inch pots. For stem cuttings, six to eight - inch stem segments, usually with
three nodes, can be cut and planted on moist soil. Stem cutting technique can be done in a semi-
shaded nursery, and when the plant becomes rooted established, the seedlings can be placed in
brighter light for the vine to grow vigorously. Usually, three bamboo stakes 3 feet high with 3
circular wire is fitted on the pot for the plant to climb on.

Uses: The plant is used as an accent, usually trained to cascade down a wall or climb a trellis. It
is also used to attract butterflies and hummingbirds in botanical gardens.

The Elusive Jade Vine

The jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) is a native of the tropical forests of the Philippines with
a local name "tayabak". It belongs to the I Leguminosae family. Its flowers are the color of a jade
ranging from blue green to mint green, depending on the variety of the vine. hybrid jade vines are
longer measuring up to 0.90 meters to 1.5 meters. The vine blooms in grape like structure
amounting to 75 or more. The blooms come out from pruned and mature vines only. Each bloom
resembles the form of a stout bodied butterfly with folded wings or the head of an angle with
crown if not the head of an Indian chief with a long beard and a longer ornate head dress. It is
native to the Philippines. The jade vine's flowers are pollinated by a fruit bats, wasps and some
butterflies.

S. macrobotrys is prized in tropical and subtropical gardens for its showy flowers which are a
highly unusual blue-green. It is usually grown over an 8 foot tall pergola so that the flowers may
grow longer as they hang down below to be immediately seen. Once vine maturity is reach after a
period of two years or depending on the habitual pruning, the vine becomes generous in produce
its blooms.. Though exquisite, the elusive blooms can camouflage itself in the sunlight and could
be undetectable if not for the fallen blooms on the floor from where it hangs. On the floor the

9
blooms still change color as it dries up, turning mint green to bluegreen to purple. In South Africa
the jade vine is mainly restricted to the warm humid strip of coastal Natal but grows in a few frost-
free spots inland.

The Jade Vine also has a fruit, which can be a source of seeds for propagation

Cultural Requirements.

Light. The plant grows in full sun, and it needs light for it to flower profusely.

Watering. The plant prefers its potting medium to be occasionally wet, however it can
moderately tolerate draught.

Potting Medium. The plant prefers fertile, humus-rich, acidic to slightly alkaline soil. It may
thrive either in sandy, loamy or clay soils.

Fertilization. Though the plant will grown on any soil type, it is recommended to use soil rich in
organic matter, and to fertilize the plants for vigorous growth at two to three times each year.
Fertilization maybe applied before and after the rainy season, using complete 14-14-14 fertilizers.

Pest and Diseases. Its long term health is usually not affected by pests. If there will be insect
infestation problems, they can be controlled by insecticide sprays.

Special Cultural Requirements. Since the plant is a vine, it needs to be planted near a tree
where the vine will cling. It is also recommended to be planted beside a pergola where it will
climb, and produce flowers within it. Regular pruning is required, especially when the plant
grows out of the ideal area, and may escape cultivation, spreading to surrounding landscapes.

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Propagation. The Jade Vine can be propagated by seeds. Seeds can be collected from mature
fruits and can be sown in seedling boxes with sterile fertile soil composed of equal amounts of
soil, coconut coir dust and compost. Once the seeds germinate, seedlings can be directly
transplanted on areas where the plant will be grown to maturity or planted in 10-12 inch pots.

Uses: The plant is used as an accent, usually trained to climb pergolas, or tall trellishes or climb
trees. It is also used to attract butterflies, bats and bees in botanical gardens.

10 Best Plants For The Home

Norberto R. Bautista

Plants are nice to have inside the house. They provide a sense of life and distinct character in
the home and office, instead of the clean, cold, and barren corners, table tops and shelves.
Aside from the fact that plants clean the air inside the home, sequestering carbon dioxide and
then replacing it with vital oxygen, plants also provide a wholesome background and aesthetic
beauty in the home, Plants provide an organic presence to an environment that is packed full of
lifeless objects.

Plants are like pets. Although plants do not require as much love, care, and attention as house
pets, like dogs and cats, however, they are still living creatures sharing our space and should be
treated as such. Most house plants would probably thrive more if they were thought of in these
terms – by providing them regular watering, sufficient light, occasional fertilizing, and shower
cleaning..

Providing them the Right Location. Figuring out where to position your house plants so that
they best fit in with your decor is an important task.
However, your first concern should be finding the best
spot in your home that gives them the proper amount of
exposure to sunlight. You may also want to be sure that
your plant is not exposed to too much heat from gas
range or too cold and drying exhaust from an air-
conditioner. A healthy plant will be strong and green. It
is easy to tell if a particular spot is not working for your
plant if it begins to wilt or its leaves begin to yellow. If
the architectural design of your home simply does not
allow for a plant to get enough sunlight, you may
consider adding an artificial light to help supplement its
growth. Plants should not also block pathways or in the
way along activity areas, so that their leaves does not
get bruised, or the plants do not accidentally get
knocked down.

A Blooming Phalaenopsis Orchid Plant

Plant Feng Shui. Incorporating the belief of Feng Shui into house plant decorating can be
extremely beneficial. Plants are said to energize the room and clear the air both mentally and
physically. Plants such as Candle tops (Spathiphyllum), cacti, and peperomias are believed to
absorb EMF emissions from computers, televisions and other electronic devices. This is why
these types of plants are often found in office spaces. One of the basic principles of using plants
in Feng Shui is to soften the effects of corners in rooms. Trailing and hanging plants are often
used for this specific purpose.

Bedrooms and other rooms that are commonly used as resting or relaxation rooms, including the
bathroom should not be outfitted with spiky or spiny plants. Avoid plants such as cacti, bromeliad,
and dragon trees (Dracaena) in these rooms. Instead, soft and rounded-leafed plants like Ficus,

11
Philodendrons, and Aglaonema in your bedroom, and for the bathroom, consider plants such as
Boston Ferns or Baby's Breath.

On the other hand, rooms that are used for mental stimulation, such as the living room, family
room, office, or kitchen, should contain the more spiky or spiny plants. Consider house plants
such as snake plants, palms, aloe, and yuccas for these rooms.

As much as possible, replace dying and sickly plants.

Here are some selected plants ideally used as a decoration inside the home and office.

A Phalaenopsis orchid (left) usually placed atop tables in living rooms and offices. Boston ferns
are usually used as backgrounds in living rooms or as accessories in comfort rooms.

Accents can be in the form of Red Aglaonema (left), bright colored Cattleya orchids (center) or
anthuriums (right).

1. Orchids – Potted orchids like Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Oncidium and Vanda are
often placed in the living room as an accent plant due to their large colorful and sometimes
fragrant flowers. They are placed as a centerpiece atop the living room table, dinning table,
on the piano or in shelves. After a week or two, replace with plants with fresh blooming
flowers

2. Ferns – Ferns have delicate foliage and require a humid environment. These includes the
Boston fern, Bird’s Nest Fern, Maiden Hair Fern and other forms. They are often placed
inside a terrarium in the living room, in the kitchen near the sink or in the bathroom. Ferns
need to be watered regularly or misted with water everyday to prevent drying of foliage.

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3. Philodendrons – These are trailing or creeping vine plants with nicely shaped green or
yellow-green leaves. There are many cultivars with different shapes of foliage. They are
often grown 3-5 plants in a pot with a 2 feet moss-coated pole for them to cling on as they
grow taller. Stems which exceed the length of the pole are cut off. These are often placed in
wall corners, in bedrooms and living rooms.\
.
4. Aglaonema and Dieffenbachia – These are nicely colored or spotted foliage plants, size
ranging from 1 foot to 2.5 feet. They have large, oval-shaped leaves and quite live well inside
the home..They are often used as a background or corner plants in the living room, family
room, library or bedroom.

Palms (left) are nice backgrounds in corners of rooms, while the red Poinsettia (right) is used as
accents usually during Christmas season.

5. Rubber Tree – These are the Ficus or the

“Balete”, which are grown in a pot like a small
woody shrub or small tree inside the house.
These plant can tolerate semi-shaded conditions,
with its shinny leathery leaves. The plant is ideal
as a corner plant in the living room, bedroom and
library.

6. Bromeliads – These are pineapple like plants

with rosette foliage and with a flower pike in the
middle. This group includes the Guzmania,
Crypthantus, They have attractive reddish or
pinkish centers in the leaf rosette and their unique
long-lasting flowers.. They are often used as
accent in living rooms only, and are NOT placed
inside the bedroom or in the bathroom as their
foliage has spines.

7. Palms – Palms have graceful coconut-like

shaped foliage, and they are favorite house and
office plants, like the Ficus. They can tolerate

Candle-top and fern plant

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 shade and are easy to grow. There are many available species and cultivars, like the Rattan,
Manila palm, Red palm, and Raphis, . They are often used as a corner plant in the living
room.

8. Anthuriums –
These are
herbaceous plants
with heart shaped
leaves with red
heart-shaped flowers
with a yellow spathe,
though there are also
foliage types
nowadays. There
are also those that
are large 2.5 tall
ones and the
miniatures (less than
a foot in size) with
lots of flowers.
These are often
placed in the living
room.
Raphis palm and a Sanseviera snake plant

9. Poinsettia – This is the Christmas plant, which is often used during the Christmas season up
till Valentines Day. They have bright red modified leaves as flowers, while there are also the
white and yellow ones. They are also used as an accent in the living room.

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10. Flowering Annuals -- these are short lived, colorful flowering plants that are first grown
outdoors from seeds, usually group planted in a pot, and later on placed indoors when they
bloom. These includes Chrysanthemums, Begonias, Coleus, Cosmos, Dianthus, Impatiens,
Lantana and Marigold, among others. They are used as accent plants in the living room,
either on the table, in corners of other plants and in book shelves,

House plants can be planted singly in a pot or in a group as in a dish garden or terrarium. .They
can be group together to provide a much surprising effect, choosing a variety of color, shape and
sizes. When grouping plants together for appearance, be certain that they share the same light
and watering requirements. Plants are dynamic and they create better effects when they are in
contrast with one another.. Use plants with colorful foliage or flowers for centerpieces. With this
tips, why not try this in your home.

An oriental Japanese pocket garden
(above) with bonsai, rocks and sculptured
stone garden ornaments exhibited during
the 64th POS Orchid and Garden Show at
Manila Seedling Bank, Quezon City. This
garden design is ideal in the home. Each
part of the design is easily replaceable or
movable where ever the home-owner wish
to put it. Garden design or landscape
depends on the creativity and
innovativeness of the gardener.
The Urban Gardener is an official electronic publication (in
PDF Format) of the Plant Biotechnology Project, Research &
Development Center, Rizal Technological University, Boni
Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It is published
monthly. For more information, please inquire thru email:
rdc_rtu@yahoo.com or plantbiotech_rtu@yahoo.com and
landline (+632) 534-8267 Local 135 or Fax (+632) 534-9710.
Edited by N.R. Bautista © March 2010
The Plant Biotechnology Project Committee is composed
of: Alexander B. Quilang, Norberto R. Bautista, Jovita A.
Anit & Carnette C. Pulma.

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