Urbanjunglebloggers – Botanical Zoom

Oh, it’s Urban Jungle Bloggers’ Thursday. today is all about botanical zoom. You might wonder what that is? All will be revealed.

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series, devised by Igor and Judith. The idea is to get some green into our homes, especially for us urban folks! Every month they invite bloggers to share ideas for creating an urban jungle through styling challenges, DIYs, green tips and tricks. Every month there is a different theme on the topic. You can follow and get more urban jungle bloggers inspiration on their Pinterest boards and Facebook page.

March’s theme is: Botanical Zoom.

So, basically, this month we are shining the focus on the actual leaves, flowers, cacti needles et cetera. We’re frankly zooming in! Let me show off some of my green gang.

This beautiful Medinilla Magnifica is magnificent indeed. I hadn’t ever heard of this plant before I bought it and I’m completely smitten.

Look at that gorgeous hanging bud! That colour…. yum!

For the curious amongst you. I took a yellow glass bowl – used to house my goldfish before I killed them:-( I then took a surplus cushion cover in missoni silk fabric and dropped the plant pot into it. I like the idea of the glass and fabric, it gives it another dimension.

Plant care: Medinilla Magnifica prefers being a bit dry to being too wet. Allow the plant to dry out and to be light when lifted before watering the soil thoroughly. It is recommended to water your Medinilla Magnifica once every 7-10 days. Do not allow any water to remain in the bottom of the pot. The preferred method of watering is from the bottom.

Fittonia argyroneura, from the Acanthaceae (Acanthus) family is a tropically found plant with striking leaves of pink and green, white and green, or green and red. Foliage is primarily olive green with veining taking on the alternate hue. I love the intricate veins, they look a bit like spider webs, don’t you think?

Plant care: Fittonia plant likes well drained moist soil, but not too wet. Water moderately and let the plant dry out between waterings. Use room temperature water on the plant to avoid shock.

I adore my Tricolore Maranta. Don’t you love it’s deep green, velvety leaves with yellow splotches down the midrib. Also I could swear the colours changes constantly.

The back of the leaves are a wine red velvety texture. I swear it changes with the light!

During the growth season, water frequently and never allow potting soil to dry out. They are very susceptible to drought. However, to avoid fungal problems, try not to get water directly on the leaves or let it sit.

I don’t actually know the name for this cactus. Can anyone help out?

Plant care: As with all cacti and succulents, in the winter hardly water at all. In the summer, use a pipette to give it some water drops from time to time.

This rather elegant and somewhat elderly cactus is called Copiapoa Humiles. I fell in love as soon as I laid eyes on it.

Plant care: As with all cacti and succulents, in the winter hardly water at all. In the summer, use a pipette to give it some water drops from time to time.

That’s it for this month. Hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my plants up close and personal.