MY COMPENDIUM
A brief account of some analects
in Interiorscaping
Katie Clark
ANALECT 1:
FINDING PLANTS AND
INTERIORSCAPING COMPANIES
Whether you are looking for
plants or looking to have a
space’s potential reached:
interiorscaping is the answer.
They help find plants, take care
of plants and design things that
appeal to the human eye.
Common Questions
What is the difference between a
wholesaler and a grower?
What do interiorscapers do, compared
with growers?
 grow·er ɡrō(ə)r/
noun
1. a person who grows a particular type of
crop
 wholesaler
1. A wholesaler is an intermediary entity in
the distribution channel that buys in bulk and
sells to resellers rather than to consumers. In
its simplest form, a distributor performs a
similar role but often provides more complex
services
 Interiorscapers: Design, take care of
and help improve the air quality and
appearance of businesses.
 Growers: Grow the plants that are
used in design and other ways in the
plant market
WHAT ADDITIONAL
PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THE
INTERIOR PLANT INDUSTRY
CAN I GAIN FROM THESE SITE
VISITS?
These sites are created and updated by people
who have been in the industry for quite sometime.
Their opinions and perspectives can offer a wide
variety of options that can help with whatever
aspect of Interioscaping you are a part of or look
to be involved in.
WEBSITES: FOR THE BEGINNER
Discussion/Networking
Growers
Interiorscapers
http://www.interiorscape.co
m/about.php
http://www.floridaplants.co
m/
http://www.growinggreen.c
om/services/outdoor.asp
http://specimenhouse.com/
http://interiorscapenetwork.
com/locate-a-partner-/#UT
http://www.palmsandtrees.c
om/al_purchase.html
(also designs/installs)
http://gddi.com/
http://horticulturalsales.com
/index.html
http://www.cipaweb.org/
http://www.zone10.com/ab
out
http://www.ambius.com/ind
ex.html
http://www.botanics.com/
http://www.plantdesigns.co
m/index.asp
http://www.plantranchco.co
m/tropicalplants/tropicalpla
nts.html
http://www.dracaena.com/
Wholesalers
http://www.vickerygreenhou
se.com/
ANALECT 2:
INDOOR PLANT IDENTIFICATION
| Parlor Palm
Chamaedora elegans
| Bamboo Palm
Chamaedora erumpens
| Fishtail Palm
Caryota mitis
| Reed Palm
| ‘King Maya’ Palm
Chamaedora seifrizii
Chamaedora Hooperiana
| Cat Palm
Chamaedora cataractarum
| Areca Palm/Butterfly Palm
Chrysalidocrpussyn
w/Dypsisuitescens
| Sago Palm
| Japanese Aralia
Cycus revoluta
Fatsia Japonica
| Kentia Palm
Howea forsteriana
| Pigmy Date Palm
Phoneix roebelenii
| Amstel King Fig
| Lady Palm
Ficus Binnedijkii Amstel King
Rhapis excelsa
| Pony Tail Palm
Beucarria Recurvate
| Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria Heterophyllia
| Weeping Fig
| Fiddle Leaf Fig
ficus Bemjamina
ficus lyrata
| Rubber Tree
| Willow Leaf Fig
ficus elastic
ficus maclellandii
| Yew Pine
| Umbrella Tree
Afrocarpus macrophleus
Schefflera actinophylla
| Hawaiian schefflera
Schefflera arboricola
| dumbcane
Dieftenbacia sp
| Janet Craig
| Red Margin
Dracaeria deteriensis
Dracena margihata
| Mass Crane/Corn Plant
Dracena fragrans
| Lucky Bamboo
Dracena sanderiana
| Song of India
| Africa Mask
Dracena reflexa
Alocasia Sanderiana
| Hawaiian Anthurium
Anthurium Andreanum
| Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema Sp
| Cast Iron Plant
| Mum
Aspidistra Elatior
Chrisanthemum Syn
Dentranthema Sp and
cultivars
| Spider Plant
Chlorophytum Comosum
| Croton
Codiaeum Variegatum
| Jade Plant
| Dendrobium Orchid
Crassula Sp
Dendrobium Sp
| Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe Sp
| Cymbidium Orchid
Cymbidium Sp
| Lily Grass
Muscari Liriope
| Moth Orchid
Phalaenopis Sp
| Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum Sp
| Boston Fern, Kiwi Fern ect.
Nephrolepis Sp
| Birds of Paradise
| Bromeliad
Strelitzia Sp
Bromeliad Various
| ZZ Plant
Zamioculcus Zamifolia
| Grape Ivy
Cissus Rhombifolia
| Pothos
Epipremnum Aureum
| Wax Plant
Hoya Carnosa
| English Ivy
Hedera helix
| Split Leaf Philodendron
Monstera Deliciosa
| Philodendron
Philodendron Sp
| Silver Vine
Scindapsus
| Arrowhead Vine
| Staghorn Fern
Syngonium
Platycerium Bifurcatum
| Aeonium
| Agave
Aeonium
| Ponsettia
Agave
Euphorbia
| Snake Plant
Sanseveria
| Yucca
Yucca
ANALECT 3: PESTS AND DISEASES OF INDOOR
HOUSE PLANTS
There are 3 main categories that fall under this analects. The following website is a
good source and has a lot of links to describe and fix any problems with the many
pests and diseases an indoor plant could have.
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/indoor/hgic2252.html
Mealybug
Scale Insects
Spider mites
INFECTIOUS DISEASE LINKS
•http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/common-plant-diseases-anddisorders
•http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/66180000/Fletcher%20et%20al_20
10_%20Emerging%20Infectious%20Plant%20Diseases_%20ASM%20Press%20ch1
8.pdf
•http://ipm.ncsu.edu/InteriorScapes/DISEASE.html
NONINFECTIOUS DISEASE CAUSES
oAir Pollution
o Light
oNutrients---Nutrient Deficiencies, Nutrient Toxicities.
oPesticide Phytotoxicity
oTemperature
oWater
More info??
http://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Pages/Houseplants.aspx
COMMON HOUSEPLANT PESTS
Aphids
Aphids are tiny, sucking insects about 1/8-inch long. They can be black, red, orange, green, yellow or tan in color. The foliage of damaged plants loses its green color and can appear
stunted, distorted or curied. Aphids secrete a sticky substance called honeydew which gives the plant a shiny appearance and leads to the growth of black, sooty mold.
Mealy Bugs
Mealy bugs are slender, flat insects covered by a waxy substance. They form a white, cottony-mass. Adult mealybugs inhabit cracks and crevices of buds, stems and branches, weakening the
growth of the plant. Mealybugs secrete honeydew.
Scale
Scale insects are about 1/4-inch long. The scale is actually a covering that serves to protect the scale insects. Females lay eggs under the protective covering. When the young hatch, they
are transparent, oval and flat. The first growth stage is the crawler, susceptible to insecticides. Check for scale along leaf veins and on stems. Infested plants exhibit poor, stunted growth
and often you will see the small, raised, brown shells of the scale insects.
Whiteflies
White flies are tiny, snow-white insects. Adult females can lay up to 100 crescent-shaped eggs per month on the undersides of leaves. Whiteflies breed continuously in interior environments,
rapidly creating large populations. Infested plants become weak, deformed and pale, and eventually die. Whiteflies secrete honeydew.
Fungus/Gnats
Fungus/gnats are small, slender, black flies. They are commonly found in highly organic soils or unsterilized soil and rarely cause damage to plants. Any damage that does occur will be in
the form of chewing injury to feeder roots.Larger roots, seedling and succulent stems.
Two-Spotted Spider Mite
Spider mites produce fine, spiker-like webs on the undersides of plant leaves. The web protects both the mites and their eggs. Mites are wingless and usually pale yellow to red in color. Mite
damage first appears as whitish or yellowish speckled areas. Leaves may take on a bronze appearance and may die and fall from the plants. Warm, dry conditions favor mite infestations.
Mites can be very hard to control because they reproduce rapidly in high temperatures, building up large populations quickly, and they can develop a tolerance to miticides.
Thrips
Female thrips insert their eggs into host tissue. One week later, the eggs hatch and within two to four weeks their life cycle is completed. Thrips suck plant juices and in doing so, rasp and
shred the leaf. The injured plant turns white and shows signs of black secretions. Thrips are usually found in blossoms and in the axils of leaves.
ANALECT 4: PLANTS CLEAN THE AIR
How do they do it?
http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html
Top 11 household plants that remove most common pollutants1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Bamboo Palm
Chinese Evergreen
English Ivy Hed
Gerbera Daisy
Janet Craig
Marginata
Mass cane/Corn Plant
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
Pot Mum
Peace Lily
Warneckii
FLOWERS GENERATE HAPPINESS
The last slide listed some benefits of flowers and plants in people’s environments no
matter where or what or who they are. Click on the link below if you want to learn
more.
Positive Affects on Health
http://ellisonchair.tamu.edu/health-and-well-being-benefits-of-plants/#.VHAaLvnFKI
Sick Building Syndrome (It’s a real thing, get rid of toxins = put a plant in it)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/sick_building_factsheet.pdf
ANALECT 5: NUTRITION, SOIL, SOIL
ENVIRONMENT, WATER RETENTION
Things about dirt I feel like are necessary to know for the beginner
Testing pH levels in your soil:
When to Fertilize
Houseplants respond to fertilizer during periods of active
growth. This is usually from March until October. Reduced light
and temperatures throughout the winter months often render a
plant inactive and it is generally recommended that plants not
be fertilized at this time.
The labels on most water-soluble fertilizers recommend monthly
applications. Since these nutrients are easily leached from the
potting mix, your plants may benefit from more frequent dilute
applications. If one teaspoon per quart of water is
recommended for monthly feedings, you could feed bimonthly
using only one-half a teaspoon per quart or weekly using a
quarter teaspoon per quart. This gives the plant a steady,
continuous supply of nutrients. This type of regime is often
recommended for flowering plants like African violets.
When fertilizing houseplants always follow the directions on the
label. More is not better and excess nutrients can harm roots
and leaves. Always apply fertilizer to an already moist potting
soil to avoid root damage.
http://www.howtogardenadvice.com/soil_prep/ph_soil_testing.
html
How to change the soil in your plants:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/change-soil-indoor-plants40033.html
Leeching your plants:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FGXrkkcKHk
Everything to know about dirt:
https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/dirt-dirt-potting-soil
The DL on Miracle Grow:
http://www.miraclegro.com/smg/goprod/miracle-gro-pottingsoil/prod70332
RECIPIE
Gayle Taylor's Potting Soil for Indoor or Outdoor Plants:
3 parts peat moss or coconut fiber
2 parts perlite
2 parts bagged potting soil
1 part vermiculite
1 part course sand
¼ part charcoal
To 1 gallon of mixture add:
1 cup bonemeal
5 Tablespoons Dolomitic lime (used to balance the acidity of soil
mixture)
14-14-14- Osmocote time released fertilizer (follow directions on
package)
TYPES OF DIRT (FROM BRO. ROMNEY)
Top Soil:
Soils are the combination of organic materials, microorganisms and spaces filled with water and air. All soils have different compositions. The proportion of large and small particles affects
how well the plant grows.
Garden Compost:
An organic material rich in decomposed plant and animal remains.
Peat Moss:
Sphagnum peat moss is the result of ground up reeds, mosses and grass found in bogs. Its moisture-retentive nature is important for good soil. Although peat absorbs water well, it is nearly
impossible to re-wet. It is also a prized natural resource and should be used sparingly. Good Gardeners interested in preserving peat bogs should use coconut fiber, ground bark or coir dust
instead. Coir dust will not help acidify soil as peat does.
Perlite:
Perlite is derived from volcanic glass that has been heated to temperatures over 1000 degrees. Perlite is used to provide aeration, (provides the air spaces necessary in a growing medium),
increases drainage and lightens the weight of potting mixtures. It does not absorb water. The white substance that floats to the surface of wet soil is perlite.
Pumice:
Pumice is a crushed form of volcanic rock. Pumice insures good drainage and aeration. Like perlite it lightens the weight of mixtures. Pumice is heavier than perlite and does not float to the
top of wet soil.
Vermiculite:
Vermiculite is derived from mica by heating it to more than 1000 degrees. Like perlite it helps with aeration, but unlike perlite, vermiculite absorbs water readily. Due to its sponge-like
nature, vermiculite needs to be replaced, as it will eventually become compacted. Vermiculite is chemically reactive and binds and releases minerals.
Sand:
Sand adds weight to mixtures and stabilizes pots. Sand also improves drainage and aeration. Only use coarse sand in potting mixtures, as fine sand does not allow air and water to flow
through potting mixtures.
Fir Bark:
Redwood bark is aged and then chopped into chips of varying sizes. Fir bark holds water well, and therefore, easily enables the delivery of water and air to plant roots.
Charcoal:
Only use horticultural grade charcoal. Charcoal is used to absorb salts found in water and fertilizer.
Macronutrients and Micronutrients:
Bonemeal, bloodmeal, lime etc. These chemicals are often added to soils in small quantities. They either contribute to the pH balance or provide essential minerals. Time released fertilizers
such as Osmocote, will provide a slow release of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potash) that fertilize the plant over a period of time.
ANALECT 6: ACCLIMATIZATION
Like we talked about in class, plants
have feelings just like us. In the case of
acclimatization, they take time to get
used to a new environment. All plants
are different, but there are a couple of
principles to help guide the plant
caregiver to make the transition as easy
as possible.
The Basics| Leaves
and Weeks
Plants that grow in the sun have different
leaves that those that grow in the shade
because of the absorption of light via
photosynthesis. That being said, when a
plant is moved from a place of sun to shade
or vice versa it can be very hard on the plant
and it will react as such. That being said
when moved slowly or transition into the
change they do a lot better. Although avoid
the extremes (anything too hot or too cold
with kill the plant).
4-8 weeks is the suggested time frame to
gradually getting your plant ready for it’s
permanent new home.
http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publ
ications/houseplant/houseplant.html
 When applying fertilizer in a solution, make sure that some
runs out of the bottom of the pot
Tips | Helpful How To
•
When a plant gets too much direct light,
the leaves become pale, sometimes
sunburn, turn brown, and die. Therefore,
during the summer months, protect
plants from too much direct sunlight.
•
Water the pot until water runs out of the
bottom. When you test for watering, pay
attention to the soil. If your finger can't
penetrate 2 inches deep, you either need
a more porous soil mix, or the plant is
becoming root-bound.
•
Foliage house plants grow best between
70o and 80o F
•
Another way to raise humidity is to group
plants close together, they need a certain
amount of humidity and this helps.
ANALECT 7: SUB IRRIGATION, CONTROLLED
WATERING
Subirrigation:
In agriculture, subirrigation, also known as
seepage irrigation, is a method of irrigation
where water is delivered to the plant root
zone from below the soil surface and
absorbed upwards. The excess may be
collected for reuse.
Controlled Watering:
Watering your plants at the same time and
the same amount. Being very aware of your
plants and it’s needs.
THE BENEFITS AND THE
LIKEWISE
Do It Yourself Subirrigation System:
http://www.insideurbangreen.org/diy-sub-irrigation/
Or watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yph6NuSMvCU
•Eliminate watering guesswork
•Balanced watering reduces plants’ stress
•Fewer yellow leaves, brown tips and fungus
•No sprinkler, plumbing or drainage system
needed
•Provides a healthy growing environment
•Highly oxygenated root zone
•Enhanced root development
•Watering imitates nature
http://www.ipsplants.com/greenhouse-tour/themagic-of-sub-irrigation
ANALECT 8: ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGN, APPLIED.
Like any design, to be successful it needs to be appealing to the eye.
THE BASICS| ELEMENTS
THINGS WITHIN A DESIGN
Shape can come from the overall shape of the plant or the
shape that multiple plants make.
Form is the overall way a design is carried out, very similar
to form.
Space has to be included in your design. Space means
leaving some blank areas. Why would you want to leave
parts of the design blank? Sometimes a human's eye needs
a break, something to help them focus on what is most
important in your design.
Line defines the direction and position of your design. There
are many ways to form lines, whether that be in a plant that
contains many lines or in a group of plants that form lines.
Being creative is the most important part.
Texture helps add uniqueness and characteristics to an
interiorscape. This can be done with a pot or with the
Color: It is an easy concept but making sure
everything matches and is the right hues and
tones is important. Figure out what feel you
want and then go with it. Color is a impacts a
lot when it comes to design.
Value is the relative darkness or lightness of
a color. Just as said in the paragraph above,
make sure the colors you put on your design
are dark or light enough for the proper
mood.
THE BASICS | PRINCIPLES
THE LAWS OF DESIGN
Unity means to keep every aspect in
harmony with each other aspect.
Pattern simply means to keep you
Contrast sometimes helps the design build off each other's
aspects. To keep contrast involve things that are opposite,
but not taking it to the extreme.
Emphasis is the part of you design that is meant to have
most of the attention put upon it. With everything
else in your design as a
compliment.
design within the same format.
To have the same patterns used
with the whole design.
Movement means to create
within your design an illusion
of movement that keeps the
eye moving from one aspect to
the next quite easily.
Balance keeping accurate
measurements and making sure
the whole design has a balance
to it that pleases the eye.
Meaning to stay within the laws
that govern the design world.
Rhythm is the movement with your design, keeping it
upbeat or somber, whatever the mood for the design is. It
is important to keep that going throughout the whole
design, or room, whatever your location is.
http://paper-leaf.com/blog/2012/10/principles-of-design-quick-reference-poster/