Original source : http://www.totallytop10.com
Posted : August 2012
Author : Kelli
Posted : August 2012
Author : Kelli
Indoor house plants can be a great addition to your home
décor as well as improve the air quality in your home. Being surrounded by
elements of nature can help you feel more calm and at ease. Caring for indoor
plants properly takes dedication and you must educate yourself on how to keep
them thriving. Here are some important things to know about taking good care of
your house plants.
If you keep a saucer on the bottom of your house plants to
trap water, make sure you get rid of any excess sitting there. You can also
place some gravel or stones on the saucer to prevent the plant from making
contact with the water. The plant will absorb all the water it needs within an
hour of being watered.
Use Room Temperature Water
Room temperature water is best for indoor plants - 68 degrees
Fahrenheit or 20 degrees Celsius. Using water at other temperatures may cause
problems such as unsightly spots on the leaves. Sticking to this temperature
range is especially important for tropical plants.
Let Water Sit for 24 Hours before Watering
Some plants may be sensitive to fluoride and other chemicals
in tap water. Set the water out in a dish for at least 24 hours before you plan
to water your plants to allow for the dissipation and evaporation of these
potentially harmful chemicals.
Watering Frequency
Plants that require low water levels may only need to be
watered every one to two weeks; soil should be dried completely through and
through before watering again. Plants that require moderate levels typically
need watering every week; if the exposed soil feels dry, it is time to water it
again. Plants that require large amounts of water typically need watering every
five days or so; soil should be slightly moist at all times and never allowed
to fully dry out.
Examples of Plants and Watering Needs
Here are some examples of plants from each category. Plants
that require infrequent watering include aloe vera, bromeliads, cactus, cast
iron plants, jade, majesty palms, orchids, poinsettia, ponytail palms, sago
palms and spider plants. A partial list of plants requiring moderate
levels are elephant’s ear, asparagus ferns, birds of paradise, Chinese
evergreens, Christmas cactus, corn plants, any variety of dracaena, English
ivy, fiddle leaf fig, flamingo flower, heart leaf philodendron, lady palms,
polka dot plants, pothos and Swedish ivy. Some plants that need heavy watering
include areca palms, arrowhead vine, Boston fern, Chinese fan palms, fishtail
palms, croton, miniature rose, rubber plants, peace lily and staghorn ferns.
Clean Plants Regularly
Keeping plants clean not only helps them look better, it
keeps insects at bay and makes them healthy overall. Use a damp cloth on each
side of the leaf or rinse them in the shower. Use a soft cosmetic brush for
plants with hairy leaves.
Lighting Needs
Lighting needs depend on the type of plant. Plants with high
light needs should ideally be placed right near windows or glass doors
with western or southern exposure. Plants with medium needs can do well placed
at least a few feet away or near windows or doors with eastern exposure. Plants
with low light needs can be placed near doors and windows with eastern or
northern exposure.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer
Choosing the right fertilizer for indoor plants is crucial
to proper growth. Ideally, there will be a balance 20-20-20 of nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium for foliage. Flowering plants should have a balance of
15-30-15 respectively.
When to Use Fertilizer
Generally, plants should be fertilized in their active
phases during the summer when there is a lot of sunlight. Winter is usually a
rest phase, unless the plant happens to be getting a lot of artificial light,
and you should not use fertilizer during this time.
Signs of Overfertilization
Overfertilizing plants can lead to root damage, which in
turn, affects the plant negatively in many ways. Signs include a white film on
the soil, the rim of the container or around the drainage holes.
~Blog Admin~
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