Backyard Activities Articles
EASY TIPS ON HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PLANTS
Many people worry a lot when it comes to caring for their
plants. When talking about house plants, there is no need to
worry. There are just a few things you need to consider.
1. Watering
Overwatering kills most houseplants. Looks can be deceptive, so
to see if your soil is dry enough to water, try the finger
test. Insert your index finger up to the first joint into the
soil. If the soil is damp, don't water it.
2. Feeding
Foliage plants usually have high nitrogen needs, while
flowering plants, K2O is needed. Slow release fertilizers can
be mixed with the compost. However, certain plants like cacti
and orchids need special fertilizer. Feed plants during their
most active growth period.
3. Lighting
Plants like Sanseveria and Aspidistra require no sun. They can
be placed away from a window. Spider plants need semi-shade.
You can put plants like these near a window that does or does
not get sunlight. Check the label to see what your plant
needs.
4. Temperature
Houseplants can survive in cool or warm temperatures, but
drastic fluctuations of temperature may not be good for them.
One thing that most plants cannot survive is gas heating. If
you have a plant that likes warm conditions, don't put it near
an air conditioner in the summer.
5. Humidity
Some houseplants require a humid environment. One tip to
maximize humidity is to put the pot inside a larger pot and
fill in the gaps with stones or compost to keep in the
moisture. Grouping plants together often creates a microclimate
that they will benefit from. If you want, you can spray them
with water once or twice a day depending on the
temperature.
6. Re-potting
Some plants require re-potting for optimum growth but there are
others that resent having their roots disturbed. Or their roots
system may be small enough that they don't require re-potting.
One way to check if your plant needs re-potting is to turn it
upside down. Tap the pot to release the plant and check its
roots. If roots are all you see, then re-pot. Sometimes the
roots will come out of the pot. You should either cut them off
or re-pot the plant.
You just need to have a little care for your plants and in
turn, you'll reap the benefits. Indoor plants not only add to
the beauty of your décor, but also give much pleasure to the
indoor gardener.
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