Houseplants

Caring for houseplants Watering signs of improper watering drooping leaves - lack of water

Watering yellowing - too much water

Methods of Watering drench and let dry drench and let dry slightly keep media constantly moist

Temperature recommended temperature 50-85 F daytime night - drop 10-15 below daytime temp locate plants away from air-conditioners and drafts

Lighting natural or artificial measured in foot candles direct sun partial shade or weak sun - less than 50% natural sun light

Lighting indirect or filtered light - no direct sun light

Artificial Lighting root cuttings more easily start seeds grow tropical plants with greater ease

Humidity % of moisture in the air varies with seasons low in the winter

Increase humidity by: spraying with fine mist fill water tight tray with water and pea gravel, set containers in it

Increase humidity by: use a humidifier place plants in the part of the house with the highest humidity

Fertilizers slow release small beads applied to the soil nutrients are steadily released

Fertilizers - slow release plant absorbs nutrients as needed avoids over feeding

Soluble fertilizer liquid or solid dissolved in water before applying

Soil Mixture varies with each plant organic matter helps to improve water holding capacity perlite helps to keep the mix loose and easily drained

Containers drainage should be available use well drained soil mix put saucer under pot to protect furniture from water

Potting plants select appropriate container and soil mix provide drainage - put rocks or put shards in the bottom of container

Potting plants add potting mix to cover rocks place plant in to check soil level should be 1/2 inch below top of pot

Potting plants fill remainder of container with media

Repotting repot plants when they become root bound if roots are growing around the root ball roots appear at the top of soil

Repotting separate roots to allow re-growth If plant is blooming, wait until after flowering is completed

Repotting select pot or container of the next larger size than the one the plant was planted in.

General Care leaves clean occasionally with a fine spray of water wipe top and underside of leaves

Leaves helps to remove dust and insects do not use leaf shine products clogs the stomates makes it hard for plants to breathe

Disease and Insects control pests by recognizing and controlling them on the plant

Common plant pests aphids white flies mealy bugs mites scale

Aphids small green insects with piercing mouths called plant lice suck plant juices from the plant

Aphids work on stem and underside of leaves leaves become sticky with “honey-dew” causes growth of black sooty mold

Aphids leaves curl, disfigure, turn yellow use Orthene

White Fly small white, winged, sucking insects works on underside of leaves

White Fly heavy egg producers infestation can occur quickly eggs laid on underside of plant leaves

White Fly cause plant to turn yellow have mottled appearance - spotty White Flies will leave the plant when the leaves are moved

White Fly use Orthene

Mealy Bugs white , woolly mass, like a ball of cotton sucking insect works on the underside of the leaves

Mealy Bugs sucking juices gives plant a faded yellow appearance control by swabbing the insect with a q-tip dipped in alcohol removes insect from plant

Mites small spider like insects on bottom side of leaves suck juices causing plant to turn yellow cannot be seen easily with the naked eye

Mites hold a white piece of paper under leaf and tap the leaves look for spider like insects moving on the paper

Mites wipe across the paper with your finger if mites are present, there will be a red smear control with Kelthane or Orthane

Scale when mature, attack stems in a cluster small white gray lumps - oval shape plant turns yellow, loses vigor

Scale sticky sap appearance on plant remove with soapy water spray with Malathion or Orthane

Botrytis common disease leaves turn black and develop a gray mold and will eventually rot off

Botrytis provide good air circulation use a fungicide - Benlate

Mildew common disease leaves get a heavy white coating fungicide - Benlate

Insecticides can be purchased in most stores read the label for applications and directions