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The Botanic Designer is Markus Hamence with a team of industry folk.
An Interior Designer with a long standing love of Indoor Plants. Being self-taught ‘Plants’, Markus (a horticulturalist) has gathered his knowledge through study, trial, experimentation and exploration.
The Botanic Designer offers ‘tips & tricks’, video content, advice and plenty of inspirational Indoor Plant and Interior imagery. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the regular content.
The fusion of good Interior Design and Indoor Plants creates the perfect space to live in – a calming sanctuary that reflects the occupants needs & personality to feel at one with their environment.
Available for Interior Design and Botanic Design work at info@markushamence.com
(Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’) is a flowering plant species that is native throughout tropical Africa. One of the most popular and well-known indoor plants, the Happy Plant can breathe life into indoor spaces thanks to its variegated light and dark green look.
Strelitzia nicolai, commonly known as the giant white bird of paradise or wild banana, is a species of banana-like plants with erect woody stems reaching a height of 6 m, and the clumps formed can spread as far as 3.5 m.
Dracaena trifasciata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical West Africa from Nigeria east to the Congo. It is most commonly known as the snake plant, Saint George’s sword, mother-in-law’s tongue, and viper’s bowstring hemp, among other names.
Shangri-La… more like Shangri-LOVE! I’m even more luxurious than the hotel. Although my lush green leaves look good enough to eat, keep me away from pets; I’m a little on the poisonous side.
The deep green foliage of bamboo palm adds wonderful depth to a shade garden. It also makes a fantastic houseplant. With its exceptional shade tolerance, this rugged palm is perfect in a bright window, and can even do well in north-facing light.
A decorative and very hardy tropical palm with up to a dozen golden coloured trunks but no main trunk that curve out from the base. This is a popular plant with landscapers as they look stunning around pools, patios and is an ideal potted palm in a sunny to partly shaded position free from frost.
The Golden Cane Palm also make a very attractive indoor plant in a warm spot with filtered light.
During the year we pop up and give hour sessions to council town halls, schools and community groups. Markus speaks up a storm on all things plants: Tips, Care, current Plant Trends and More. We also bring a load of plants to the event that are all for sale after the workshop.
Upcoming workshop dates with links:
MOUNT BARKER COMMUNITY LIBRARY – Wednesday 5 May 2021
CITY OF PLAYFORD – Saturday 15 May 2021
BAROSSA VALLEY LIBRARY – Saturday 11 September 2021
To have us come and host an workshop with you, contact us below
If you are one of those aquatic lovers and have a tank or two, or even a goldfish bowl, when you do your water change don’t throw it down the drain, water your plants with it. Free of chlorine and other nasty chemicals and full of fish waste that your plants adore. Your plants will grow for you like never before.
Contrary to lore, squirting foliage with water is not an efficient way to increase humidity for houseplants. A humidifier works better, or you can set the plant on a dish of pebbles and add just enough water to touch the bottom of the pot. Misting does, however, help keep leaves clean and fresh, and it’s a good way to provide moisture to cuttings that are slowly developing new roots. Use soft water (water low in minerals) when misting, and make sure it’s no cooler than room temperature. Mist in the morning whenever possible, and never mist plants that are exposed to full sun.
Interior plants need less water in winter. A major cause of killing any kind of plant is over-watering. Air spaces in the soil get choked with water. Plant roots need air as much as they need water and nutrients.
Check for water before grabbing the watering can. The soil should be dry about 2” down, not just on the surface. Water thoroughly, letting it drain out the bottom of the pot into a sink or bucket. Don’t let the pot sit in a saucer of water when you are done.
Lighting & Humidity Calathea plants thrive in humidity and prefer indirect lighting, and will grow best in a shady room. Place your plants away from any open windows with sunlight. You can provide ample humidity by placing a humidifier in the room, or by placing the potted plants on top of a saucer filled with pebbles. Add water to the pebbles and the humidity will travel up through the pebbles and the pot to the plant’s roots
Watering & Fertilizing Calathea plants don’t like to be heavily watered. Feed them room temperature water when the soil an inch (2.5 centimeters) below the surface is dry. The plants require regular watering during the summer months and less frequent watering during the colder months. You can periodically give the plants houseplant fertilizer.
Maintenance Groom your calathea plant regularly to keep it looking beautiful. Wipe any dust off the leaves with a clean, damp cloth. Mist the leaves to ensure that all sides of the plants receive humidity and moisture. Remove any yellow leaves to keep your plant strong and growing.
Choose a spot indoors that is well lit but away from direct sunlight. Being a tall growing plant, an empty corner of a room is ideal for an umbrella tree.
Fill the pot (halfway) with Potting Mix.
Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any matted or tangled roots.
Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well keeping the water away from the leaves.
After the initial water, water each time after checking if the top 2-3cm of the potting mix has dried.
Feed fortnightly from spring to autumn with Houseplant Liquid Plant Food to promote strong root development and healthy foliage.
Choose a pot at least 250mm wide (or larger, depending on the size of your plant). Position in well-lit spot, away from direct sunlight.
Fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.
Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
Position in pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well afterwards.
Water when the potting mix feels dry – insert your index finger to the first knuckle, if it’s dry, water and if it’s moist, leave watering for a few more days.
Feed the plant fortnightly during spring and summer with All Purpose Liquid Plant Food. This fertiliser promotes strong root development and healthy foliage growth. No feeding is required during the winter months.
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Photo credits: Geoff Woodberry, Angus Black & Terri SA. Website developed and hosted ZenByte