Exotic as the dictionary would define it in this context with plants is something introduced from a foreign country meaning not native to the country in which you may reside. To further define these plants, they are usually imported from very warm and frost-free environments and placed in your home in pots or larger containers where climates are much harsher than the native land.
This requires artificial creation of those elements that will result in the exotic plants ability to survive in the environment of your home or place of business. It will, in some cases, test your ability as a gardener because some of the these exotic plants need more tender loving care than do others. To others decor maybe more important for a short period of time than providing a place in your home or garden for a long period of time. This will be up to you to decide.
I am going to assume here that you are the enthusiastic gardener and it will necessitate some close requirements to be followed. This is especially true if you have the desire to raise orchids, bromelaids or exotic hoyas. Exotic Plants are usually from much warmer climates and this relays the impression that they will require intense temperatures. This is actually a misnomer and you will be quite surprised to find that the requirement for cooler almost cold nights are required to process sugars from the leaves to the roots.
One of the real dangers to an exotic plant is the lack of humidity. In the outside world it is dripping with moisture and the humidity is close to 100% but bring it into a heated home and it experiences only a small amount of the moisture it can usually hold. Here there is more evaporation then the plant can possibly replace. This is sure death to your exotic plant. It requires the existence of saucers filled with pebbles and water placed under your exotic plant. It may also require you to mist your plant at least once a day to continue the existence of a higher humidity then would normally exist in the room.
Light is of extreme importance in the ultimate survival of your exotic plant. If you have an exotic plant which is a bloomer then the intensity of light must be close to that of its native land. Even the daylight length is important to some flowering exotics and may require you to provide some type of artificial light to extent the time necessary to flower properly.This is especially true of such plants as gardenias,Amaryllis and holiday plants. Windows without sun will not support flowering plants but strictly foliage plants including tender tropics will do well in north windows with full light.
Temperature is a major element in the life of your exotic plant. A constantly high temperature will induce the plant to use up its stored food during the daytime hours there by bringing exhaustion to the plant. This is the reason a period of such temperatures must be followed by a period of lower temperatures to regain its energy. It is vital that you don't over heat the area in which your exotic plant is located and you would be advised to follow the instructions that accompanied your plant.
Watering is another important element in the growth of your plant. You would think the tendency would be to under water your plant. It is found that most people actually are guilty of over watering their exotic plant. The rule of thumb here is not to water until the surface of the soil is dry. A tropical plant with very coarse roots and growing in heavy very loamy soil should be left to "dry out" and then water by soaking the pot until water appears through the drain holes in the bottom. However these plants will need additional watering in a heated room some possibly daily. I have a vine that constantly dries out and needs water on a daily basis. In the summer months this maybe cut back depending on the sun exposure and summer heat.
A word about soil composition. Some of these exotic plants having hair fine fibrous roots will require a more humus soil like leaf mold, peatmoss, sphagnum, shredded fir-bark or a humus compost with sand or perlite for proper drainage. This gives you the advantage, in most cases, no need for plant fertilizer as the above matter will provide all the nutrients necessary as it breaks down. You might want to add a little fish fertilizer for nitrogen and also some bone to add phosphate. As in the case of watering,there is a tendency to over play this necessity and the plant can meet an untimely death from too much "tender loving" fertilizer.
The answer to the question: Exotic plants in the home? I would vote yes because these plants add so much to the decor and beauty of your surroundings. They are such excellent conversation pieces for your visitors and brings great pleasure and satisfaction to your gardening experience.
By:Frey Myers
