Houseplant Care

I'm not much into houseplants. I do care about my orchid that my husband gave me several Valentine Day's ago. I am proud to say I have gotten it to re-bloom! It has a flower shoot starting now partially because it took a summer holiday on my front porch. Many people put their houseplants outside for the summer, well now is time to bring them back in. Of course though you don't want to bring in any unwanted critters. In the saucer of one of my staghorn fern was a frog! You also want to check for insects and control as necessary. One way to decrease pest problems on your houseplants once back indoors is to provide them the optimal growing condition for the houseplant you are growing. Light, greatly affects the health of houseplants. Low light levels can be satisfactory for the health maintenance of many plants if fertilizers are used sparingly and the plants are properly conditioned prior to being placed in these environments. Too much light (4 or more hours of direct sunlight on the foliage) can cause problems if fertilization rates or watering frequencies are not properly balanced. Most indoor plants prefer day temperatures between 60 degrees and 70 degrees F. Rapid temperature fluctuations (window drafts, exposure to air from fireplaces, etc.) will result in poor plant health. In most homes, winter air is far drier than summer air. Using room humidifiers, redirecting air currents, or growing plants in a saucer filled with gravel and a small amount of water in the saucer (but not touching the base of the container) may help. Containers should have drainage holes that are large and numerous. Use a saucer to catch water that drains through, but do not allow plants to sit in the water. Do not water plants via the saucer. The potting soil or planting media must be well aerated and able to retain moisture. Many inexpensive packaged growing media are too poorly aerated for use. Media used by local commercial greenhouse growers are generally satisfactory for maintaining healthy indoor plants. Avoid using garden soil for it is not porous enough for houseplants. Weekly watering is usually sufficient for plants in most indoor environments. But it is better to check the soil surface and if dry 1 to 2 inches deep the plant needs water. Each watering must thoroughly wet the soil and the entire root mass. Use room temperature water. (60 degrees to 80 degrees F) is beneficial. If soils have dried out and the water runs freely through the root mass you will need to soak the plant for several hours until it is re-wetted. Pot-bound plants and large plants in small pots will need watering more frequently. A complete soluble fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) should be used when the plant is actively growing (spring-summer). Learn to recognize insect and mite pests and take appropriate action to control them before their populations reach high levels. If infestations become to high it may be best to discard that plant so other plants near it will not become infested. Read and follow pesticide labels. Many houseplants are susceptible to bacterial and fungal leaf spots and blights, fungal root rots, virus diseases, and nematode diseases. However, these diseases will rarely be a problem if proper plant health management practices are being carried out. The dry atmosphere of most homes and lack of wet foliage prevents foliar diseases from developing. Over-watering can lead to fungal root rot. If you suspect a disease, remove diseased portions of the plant, and attempt to correct the problem (ie. over-watering, etc.). So keep your houseplants healthy to reduce pest problems. To find out more about houseplants or any gardening related questions call 237-0113 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1-3 PM and speak to a Master Gardener Volunteer or by email at wilsonmastergardener@hotmail.com.

Date Created: 12/10/2004.