AS the weather closes in for the winter we are having to look increasingly indoors for our floral pleasure. While it is true that there are ever-more suitable plants for flowering outdoors at this time of the year, the greatest enjoyment is still derived from plants which flower in the home. Cyclamen, chrysanthemums and the many traditional Christmas plants like poinsettia, Christmas cactus and winter cherries are all reliable and good value, but the keen gardener usually likes to try something a bit different. If you look around the larger garden centres and florists during the next week or two you are likely to come across a number of interesting indoor plants.

Aroids are becoming increasingly popular. We have always grown a limited number of flamingo flowers, spathiphyllums and philodendrons, but in the last couple of years there has been an influx of dwarfer varieties and new colour forms. Many of these have originated in the United States where they are big business. Not all aroids are clump-forming plants though, many are tuberous-rooted, one of the most bizarre being the voodoo-lily or sauromatum. The large potato-like tubers of this curious purple flowered plant are often to be found for sale in garden centres during late autumn. Voodoo lilies are easily grown, for all that they require is standing in the light and warmth of a window ledge. The food reserve within each tuber will ensure that a strong flower is produced. However, in order to keep it happily growing from year to year, immediately the flower fades it should be potted up in a good potting compost in order to ensure the proper development of foliage and the re-charging of the tuber with energy.

Freesias are a complete contrast. Excellent winter flowering houseplants which should be treated as annuals. Rarely are their corms any good for a second year. Growing plants can be purchased now, but there is still the opportunity of raising your own from corms planted during the next few weeks.

They will not flower until early spring, but providing that you can give them plenty of light and cool conditions they are unlikely to present any difficulties. Poor light results in elongated plants of sickly appearance. Browallias like a cool well-lit position and the common form has bright blue flowers, but there is also a pure white one.

Philip Swindells

WHAT'S NEW

Juliette is a second early creamy-white salad potatoes.

Brinjal Hybrid is a mixed coloured banana-shaped aubergine.

Sunspot is a mixed orange and yellow flowered strain of dwarf African marigolds.

Q The lettuce in my greenhouse are all going mouldy and furry looking. What is causing this and how do I get rid of it?

A Your lettuce is suffering from botrytis or grey mould. This is a fungal disease which proliferates in damp stagnant air. You can try spraying with a contact fungicide, but it is unlikely to completely control the problem. Good ventilation and air circulation are likely to be the most effective.

Q My amaryllis looks very sick. It has a lot of red stripes on what are stunted leaves. How do I cure this problem?

A Your amaryllis has fire disease for which sadly there is no cure. I am afraid that you will have to get rid of your bulb and start afresh in a new pot with fresh compost.

Q I have bought some Jerusalem artichoke tubers from the greengrocer. Can I plant these and grow my own?

A Yes, but it would be best to wait until the soil has dried out in the early spring before doing so. In the meantime keep them in the cool in a box with a covering of peat to prevent drying out.