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When “The King” Came To TownThe year was 1957 and hip, handsome Elvis Presley was dominating the American music scene. An excerpt from a brand-new book by legendary promoter and radio personality Tom Moffatt recalls the king of rock-and-roll’s first concerts in Hawaii. Helping Hands, Caring HeartsVolunteer work requires a little time and a lot of compassion. We spotlight five community leaders and their favorite causes, and explain how you too can brighten the lives of people in need. |
DEPARTMENT:
Gardens in the Sky
Gardening is easier in a yard so don’t blame yourself if you’ve had casualties since you’ve moved into a high-rise. Maintaining an indoor garden often is a trial-and-error process, but your odds will be better if you have some background.
For example, if the interior of your condo is too dark, plants will barely grow and will be more likely to fall victim to pests such as mealybugs and aphids. Air conditioning and the strong winds that whip through some towering complexes also are tough on plants.
Potted plants must be watered more often than plants rooted in the ground because of the restricted area for the roots to grow. Most plants, especially epiphytes like orchids, also need good drainage.
What are some greenery options for people living closer to the clouds?
Orchids are gorgeous; fairly inex-pensive; and usually available at farmers’ markets, craft fairs, garden shops and nurseries. Because they’re long-lasting, easy to care for and bloom multiple times, Dendrobiums and Epidendrums (“popcorn” orchids) are good choices.
Anthuriums also do well in indoor conditions. They’re sturdy, come in dozens of nice Hawaii-bred varieties and make impressive flowering potted plants.
Fragrant Spathiphyllums (peace lilies) are related to Anthuriums and taro. They range in size from petite (six to 12 inches high) to large (three feet high). Amazingly, they can thrive without much sunlight, like the humidity of bathrooms, and can sit in a tray of water and pebbles for awhile and be fine.
Poinsettias are easy to care for and can last for more than six months after Christmas. The key is wind protection and watering once or twice a week. Also, like orchids, they don’t like “wet feet.” Carry them to the sink, let water flow through the potting soil and drain them.
Many palms are adapted to low-light rain forest conditions and therefore do well indoors; consider the Raphis (bam-boo palm) or Caryotas (fishtail palm). The golden-fruited Areca likes bright conditions and will do well on a hot sunny lanai.
Cactus and succulents are other wonderful possibilities. Aloe is a winner in any home garden. It is pretty, can bloom in winter, and its clear gelatinous flesh provides a soothing salve.
Ficus (banyan) and Ficus Benjamina (weeping fig) are two other favorites that can endure for many years if you follow a few simple rules. Keep them indoors in a bright but cool spot. They will drop some leaves at first but keep watering them. After awhile they will acclimate to the light and will be happy.
Don’t
take them outside “for some sun.” Ficus leaves adapt to
the light they are in and don’t like change.
Some herbs do very well in condos while others will not grow at all; it depends on the amount of light and wind in the environment. Experiment with the ones you love and see what grows best in your home, keeping in mind that they need well-drained soil and as much sunlight as possible.
Heidi Bornhorst, the Hale Koa Hotel’s Landscape Director, is a horticulturist, cer- tified arborist and sustainable landscape consultant. She has written the Honolulu Advertiser’s “Hawaii Gardens” column for 12-plus years and is the author of Growing Native Hawaiian Plants. Her second book, The Friendship Garden, will be released in December. Contact her at heidib@hawaiirr.com.