Caring for your indoor plants

12 Jun, 2016 - 00:06 0 Views
Caring for your indoor plants

The Sunday Mail

INDOOR 2MANY people buy indoor plants but at times find that they do not do so well. Growing indoor plants is not quite the same as your outdoor plants. A few guidelines need to be adhered to for success.

It always starts with knowing which plant you are dealing with. Though a general guide can be applied, it is always best to deal with each specific group of plants. They can be bulbous plants, cacti, ferns, palms, bromeliads and orchids.

The first thing to consider with your indoor plants is the amount of light your plants receive. If the light is inadequate your plants will grow towards the light source, so study your plants. Turn your plants around often so that they do not look lop sided.

However, remember that direct sunlight scorches most indoor plants. Open your curtains early and let light into your house. Do not suddenly move a plant from a dull spot to one receiving direct sunlight or vice-versa. Variegated plants will loose their variegation if kept in shady position. Also remember that leaves will be smaller and lower leaves will turn yellow if the plant is in poor light.

Adequate light alone is not enough, but make an effort to ensure that the temperature in your house is favourable. Some houses are naturally cold, so consider placing heaters. Most plants will grow satisfactorily if the temperature hovers above 16 to 24 degrees Celsius.

However, remember that hot dry air will kill your plants, but rather aim for warm humid air. Again if the air is too cold, leaves will curl, turn brown and fall off. Sudden air temperatures will cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off.

Humidity is an essential part of growing indoor plants. Position your plants in trays with water, to mimic the rain-forest environment from which most indoor plants originate from.

Misting your plants regularly helps as well, but remember that water droplet in direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. Over watering your plants will result in a lot of problems. Flowers, leaves and roots will start to rot. Wilted plants can be revived quickly by placing the pots in a tub or bucket filled with water.

Use tepid water as opposed to freezing water. Water your plants less in winter as compared to summer time.

Feed your plants regularly with liquid organic manure as it rarely burns your plants. You can also purchase liquid, soluble powders and pills to feed your plants. Try to use the recommended rates. Feed your plants during the summer months.

Foliar sprays can be beneficial especially for those plants with few roots such as bromeliads.

A recommended potting mix includes one or two parts of soil to one part compost and one part coarse sand. You can also sterilise your soil by baking it for at least half-an-hour. Your plants will also need re-potting, usually when they are pot bound, that is, when roots are tightly packed. Indoor plants can offer you an opportunity to enjoy nature right where you are, so do it right and the rewards are excellent.

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