PLANTS

CARE TIPS FOR AROIDS

Aroids are from the Araceae family. Aglaonemas, philodendrons, monsteras and pothos and ZZ plants belong to the Araceae family. They are known to be understory plants as they grow beneath the tropical rainforest canopy where they receive only partial, indirect sunlight. Aroids are common houseplants  because of their ease of care and tolerance to shady condition.

LIGHT
Place your plants under bright, indirect sunlight as they are understory plants. 

WATER
Aroids love humidity. However, do not overwater them as they do not require a lot of water. Always ensure that the top 2 inches down the soil is dry before the next watering. One way to check whether the soil is still damp is to poke a toothpick into the soil. If the toothpick is damp, then that indicates that the plant is still hydrated. The pots holding the aroids should have drainage holes, to avoid root rot as a result of excess water sitting in the soil. The frequency of watering should be adjusted according to the weather and your environment. 

POTTING MEDIA
Aroids prefer to be potted with porous media mix like coconut chip, perlite, coco peat and pumice. 

CARE TIPS FOR HOYA/DISCHIDIA

Hoya is a genus of tropical plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Hoya are mostly native to countries of Asia and there are approximately 200-300 species. They are vines/creepers that often grow epiphytically on trees or terrestrially. Hoya is commonly known as "wax plants" as they possess waxy, succulent leaves. The flowers of hoya are beautiful, star-shaped, porcelain-like and fragrant. The flowers appear at the tip of peduncles, usually in ball-like clusters but there are a few species with individual flower. The interesting foliages and flowers of Hoya attract many new plant parents wanting to grow Hoya in Singapore.

CARE TIPS FOR BONSAI

Bonsai is a plant that is potted and trained to grow into an artistic shape. There are a variety of plants that can be grown as bonsai. Some of the popular choices of plants include Serissa Foetida, Murraya, Araucaria Cunninghamii and Maple. The humidity and hot weather in Singapore are conducive for growing most bonsai. 

LIGHT
Bonsai prefer a bright spot, preferably near the window or at the balcony where there is sunlight. If you are keeping your bonsai indoor, there must be daylight during the day. If the indoor lighting is insufficient, grow light can be used for about 8-10 hours.

WATER
The soil must be thoroughly watered about 2 to 3 times a week. It is advisable to water once the soil is dry. The frequency of watering should be adjusted according to the weather.

PRUNING
Pruning away unruly sprouts or leaves will help strengthen your plant and encourage new growth. This will allow better air flow and sunlight for pre-existing leaves. You can cut the stems of your bonsai to maintain its shape. Please ensure that scissors used for pruning is clean and sharp to avoid damaging the plant.