What plants can you put on the balcony in late summer and fall?

[pianowolfi]

I am planning to make my balcony a bit more beautiful and would like to know if there are some people who can recommend me some plants for late summer and fall. Now there are actually no plants at all anymore on it and I somehow thought I would like to change this

[m]

I am planning to make my balcony a bit more beautiful and would like to know if there are some people who can recommend me some plants for late summer and fall. Now there are actually no plants at all anymore on it and I somehow thought I would like to change this

I'd highly suggest herbs... for practical reasons.
Very soon you'll pay attention your food tastes better and you look happier (of course, providing you don't eat all your meals out)

[pianowolfi]

I'd highly suggest herbs... for practical reasons.
Very soon you'll pay attention your food tastes better and you look happier (of course, providing you don't eat all your meals out)

Where did I look unhappy? . Thanks marik . So far I avoided herbs because I live on a VERY busy road and I always thought herbs that grew here wouldn't be very healthy . I am more thinking of something blooming

[pianistimo]

i have some purple asters that have a bunch of blooms and hardly need watering.  maybe every other day instead of every day.  what i like is that if you forget to water - they don't die right away.

[cmg]

Herbs are a great idea.  Also, orchids.  Yes, orchids!  But be sure to bring them inside when nighttime temps dip to 54 F.  Most orchids like bright-ish light that can be found on a shaded or partially shaded balcony.  They love fresh air (well, sort of fresh air is okay, too).  In the winter just plunk them down on windowsills with any exposure except northerly.  (too little light there).  

Look for phaleonopsis, epidendrum, dendrobium, phragmipedium, oncidium.  They are sold almost everywhere and to learn how to raise them just go to www.aos.org (American Orchid Society) for free downloads of culture sheets and experts/hobbyists on their forum for all kinds of help and advice.

Also, marijuana is a lovely, leafy plant with many medicinal purposes.  Pianistimo grows it behind her garage.  (That parttime job she was looking for . . . )  

[pianowolfi]

Don't lead me into temptation   . But I really *love* orchids and asters. Of course especially purple asters. I always thought orchids were something really difficult to cultivate.

[cmg]

Don't lead me into temptation   . But I really *love* orchids and asters. Of course especially purple asters. I always thought orchids were something really difficult to cultivate.

Oh, no, wolfi.  Once you determine their needs, they are really easy.  The blooms last for weeks and months and are often scented.  I had a neighbor here in NYC who, a few years ago, threw four of them away.  There were still alive, but had bloomed out.  I couldn't let  them sit in the trash, so I rescued them.

Now, I have 60 with a little greenhouse on my rooftop.  They're like rabbits, you know.

[G.W.K]

I don't know much about this but I agree with placing herbs (I grow a lot: mainly because I am a trainee chef) my Gran also used certain types of Lillies, bamboo and cacti. I don't know if they were certain types and I only like the lilly ones out of three I have just mentioned.

But everyone has different tastes.

G.W.K

[m]

They're like rabbits, you know.

Do you mean they... 

[pianowolfi]

rabbits? lol cool I'll try that. I like phalaenopsis during my study time I used to work for a florist for a while and they had a lot of phalaenopsis there. And something very cryptic that was called "chamaecyparis obtusa nana gracilis" which I liked very much because of its very intense green colour and wonderful soft leaves. Very slow growing though.

[pianistimo]

great ideas, there.  a neighbor had i believe a calla lilly - and it was looking good the last time i looked.  i'm not sure if you can miss watering them, though. 

cmg, surpringly - in the retaining wall behind where i live i had planted some tomatoes and basil, potatoes, carrots, etc. the year before.  well, i went to pick weeds this year - and i almost fell over.  someone HAD planted some marijuana amongst the weeds.  not about to be accused of planting it - i pulled them all up.  bad, i know -for whoever planted them.  probably some kids.  somehow - when you hear nowdays (what children weren't told 20 years ago) that sustained marijuana use can actually cause certain psychosis. 

i suppose whomever planted them may be disappointed when they go to collect the weed.

pianowolfi, african daisies will withstand more that 1-2 days without water.  just in case you travel.

[G.W.K]

well, i went to pick weeds this year - and i almost fell over.  someone HAD planted some marijuana amongst the weeds.  not about to be accused of planting it - i pulled them all up.  bad, i know -for whoever planted them.  probably some kids.  somehow - when you hear nowdays (what children weren't told 20 years ago) that sustained marijuana use can actually cause certain psychosis. 

You must have some life eh? LOL

G.W.K

[pianistimo]

well, what i find enjoyable is knowing what is happening around me and how i actually feel.

[pianowolfi]

I don't know much about this but I agree with placing herbs (I grow a lot: mainly because I am a trainee chef) my Gran also used certain types of Lillies, bamboo and cacti. I don't know if they were certain types and I only like the lilly ones out of three I have just mentioned.

But everyone has different tastes.

G.W.K

So you are a craftsman, can you tell me if herbs that grow on a very busy street are still consumable? It's pretty radical here you know. For instance, if you don't clean up the balcony table every other day there is a grey-black film on it, really disgusting. I even have no balcony table anymore. (only an ashtray for adult students who want to smoke )

[G.W.K]

As far as I know: yes.

Wash them thoughly in fresh, clean water and if your cooking them...the heat would also kill bacteria. If you are still unsure...I think there is some sort of device or chemical found in most garden centres that tells you if something is safe or not.

Sadly, I have forgotten the name. If I remember however, I will tell you straight away.

Hope this helps,

G.W.K

[pianowolfi]

As far as I know: yes.

Wash them thoughly in fresh, clean water and if your cooking them...the heat would also kill bacteria. If you are still unsure...I think there is some sort of device or chemical found in most garden centres that tells you if something is safe or not.

Sadly, I have forgotten the name. If I remember however, I will tell you straight away.

Hope this helps,

G.W.K

Well I worry less about bacteria than about heavy metals and particulate matter.

[G.W.K]

OK

G.W.K

[pianowolfi]

Okay thank you anyway

[G.W.K]

Okay thank you anyway

Your welcome. 

G.W.K

[cmg]

Do you mean they... 

Heavens no!  They just hop about a lot.

[pianistimo]

heavy metals?  wow.  this thread is cool.

[pianowolfi]

heavy metals?  wow.  this thread is cool.

I don't refer to this sort of music, I refer to the harmful substances. plumb, cadmium, mercury, etc...

[pianistimo]

perhaps you can buy a little latch down greenhouse.  of course, that might defeat the idea of aesthetics.  herbs could be grown in there and your flowers outside.

[pianowolfi]

perhaps you can buy a little latch down greenhouse.  of course, that might defeat the idea of aesthetics.  herbs could be grown in there and your flowers outside.

cool idea thanks

[pianistimo]

sure.  we have had a terrible year for japanese beetles.  my hollyhock is eaten to shreds,but the giant sunflowers haven't been touched.  this whole bug thing is very interesting to me - as you don't want to attract too many unwanted bugs to your doorstep.

[elspeth]

Lavender should be quite happy on a balcony, I've got it growing in pots on my windowsill at the moment and it's trying to take over my flat... like a scented version of Day of the Triffids. Or possibly Burnham Woods. I have found - could just be the company I bought a lavender plant from - that the nursery-raised lavender I bought died within a fortnight but the plants I've grown myself from seed are doing really well.

Just make sure you don't name any pot plant Audrey, because then you really will have problems...

[pianowolfi]

Lavender should be quite happy on a balcony, I've got it growing in pots on my windowsill at the moment and it's trying to take over my flat... like a scented version of Day of the Triffids. Or possibly Burnham Woods. I have found - could just be the company I bought a lavender plant from - that the nursery-raised lavender I bought died within a fortnight but the plants I've grown myself from seed are doing really well.

Just make sure you don't name any pot plant Audrey, because then you really will have problems...

No I would name them Gregory ---but lavender has had its bloom already I thought?

[elspeth]

It's getting on for the end of their flowering season it's true... but there's still plenty of nice foliage and they smell lovely.

Why Gregory? Am I missing a reference there?

All my pot plants have masculine names, not quite sure why... but talking to them is compulsory. If I don't they start thinking I've forgotten them and they get all upset. Hmm, possibly I've just lived alone for too long...

[G.W.K]

but talking to them is compulsory. If I don't they start thinking I've forgotten them and they get all upset.

LOL...I don't know about calling them names but I have heard that if you talk to them they are supposed to grow better. LOL...however I wouldn't, neighbours would think I've gone mad! Also, how would you know how the plant feels?

G.W.K

[elspeth]

They seem to wither and die if I don't talk to them!

I gave up long since on trying to pretend to my neighbours I'm not strange... they know my strangeness doesn't tend to manifest itself in anything noisy or destructive so they just smile indulgently and leave me to it...

[G.W.K]

Mmmmmm

 

G.W.K

[pianistimo]

elspeth knows how her plants feel because she has gardner's empathy.  you can tell people  who have this because they also show empathy for people by yawning with them.   with plants - it's more subtle.  they might hear voices 'help! i'm out of water. or, 'feed me plant food.'

[pianowolfi]

Why Gregory? Am I missing a reference there?

Well during my flight back from the US I watched a movie with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck: "Roman Holiday". That's all

Hmm, possibly I've just lived alone for too long...

So i might start to talk with my plants too, then like:
 
" Hi Lavenda, how are you today?   You miss phalaenopsis? Oh I'm sorry, he's out today. He's visiting Tutmosis. NOOO don't get jealous that's a guy and phalaenopsis is straight. No no calm down now, it's okay, everything is okay, believe me! Lavenda!! don't cry, really, please! You will make your sister Philodendra sad, i told you that many times. Please guys be happy and glad, for the sun shines and phalaenopsis will be back soon."