1. The Care of House Plants and Landscape Plants Prepared by Mr. Eddie McKie South Region Area Horticulture Teacher Georgia Department of Education For the Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office May 2002 Modified by the GA Agriculture Education Curriculum Office July 2002

2. Caring for House Plants To care for house plants properly, the following questions must be answered for each type of plant being grown. 1. What is the proper way to water the plant? 1. What is the proper way to water the plant? 2. How much light does it need? 2. How much light does it need? 3. What is the best temperature for optimum growth? 3. What is the best temperature for optimum growth? 4. What type of soil mixture is necessary? 4. What type of soil mixture is necessary?

3. Watering  To be sure that houseplants are watered properly, there must be careful observation of the plant’s behavior.  There are several signs to improper watering: 1. Drooping leaves or leaves that do not seem as full as they should may indicate a lack of water. 1. Drooping leaves or leaves that do not seem as full as they should may indicate a lack of water. 2. Too much water can cause leaves to wilt or turn yellow and finally drop off. 2. Too much water can cause leaves to wilt or turn yellow and finally drop off.

4. Factors Affecting Watering of Houseplants 1. Growing media --drainage --drainage 2. Humidity 2. Humidity 3. Heat 3. Heat 4. Plant size 4. Plant size 5. Light 5. Light 6. Plant type 6. Plant type

5. Lighting  Interior plants can be grown under natural or filtered sunlight, and incandescent, fluorescent, or high intensity discharge lights.  Proper lighting is necessary for the plants to receive enough energy for photosynthesis (process of manufacturing food).

6. Light Meters  Light meters (small meters which measure illumination or light) can be used to determine if the location selected for the plant is suitable.  Light meters are sold at florists, garden centers, and department stores with plant shops.

7. Light Intensity Requirements Light intensity requirements, which vary from plant to plant, are classified into the following groups. 1. Direct sun- Plant should receive full intensity of natural sunlight. 1. Direct sun- Plant should receive full intensity of natural sunlight. 2. Partial sun or weak sun- Plant should receive less than 50% of natural sunlight. 2. Partial sun or weak sun- Plant should receive less than 50% of natural sunlight. 3. Indirect of filtered light- Plant should receive no direct sunlight at all. 3. Indirect of filtered light- Plant should receive no direct sunlight at all.

8. Availability of Light  In general, the more light that is available, the greater the variety of plants which can be grown.  In most cases, foliage plants require less light than flowering plants.

9. Artificial Lighting  The advent of the fluorescent light greatly influenced the art of growing interior plants. The fluorescent light enables the horticulturist to: 1. Root cuttings of interior plants more easily. 1. Root cuttings of interior plants more easily. 2. Start seeds of new and different interior plants. 2. Start seeds of new and different interior plants. 3. Grow tropical plants, cacti, and succulents with more ease. 3. Grow tropical plants, cacti, and succulents with more ease.

10. Temperature  The recommended daytime temperature for interior plants is from 50 ° F. to 85 ° F.  The night temperature can generally drop 10 ° to 15 ° degrees below the daytime temperature without damaging the plants.

11. Air Conditioning  The use of air conditioners in homes and offices can be a source of trouble for plants.  The plants can be protected, however, by locating them away from drafts and direct air flows.

12. Humidity  The percentage of moisture in the air is an important factor to consider when growing house plants. Humidity is lower than usual in the winter, therefore additional moisture is needed in the atmosphere.Humidity is lower than usual in the winter, therefore additional moisture is needed in the atmosphere. Humidity is usually higher in the summer than it is in the winter.Humidity is usually higher in the summer than it is in the winter.

13. Humidity  Humidity around interior plants can be increased by: Spraying a fine mist of water on the foliage of the plant.Spraying a fine mist of water on the foliage of the plant. Using a water tight tray filled with small pea gravel to hold the potted plants. Water is added to the tray to come to the top of the gravel and plants are set on top of the gravel.Using a water tight tray filled with small pea gravel to hold the potted plants. Water is added to the tray to come to the top of the gravel and plants are set on top of the gravel. Use a humidifier to provide moisture in the air.Use a humidifier to provide moisture in the air. Placing plants in a part of the house that has the highest humidity.Placing plants in a part of the house that has the highest humidity. – i.e. bathroom or kitchen above the sink

14. Fertilizers  Slow-release fertilizers are in the form of small beads  The small beads are coated with plastic and dissolve over a period of time  This compound is applied to the soil mixture.

15. Fertilizers continued  Soluble fertilizers are available in liquid or solid form.  Solid fertilizers must be dissolved in water before being applied to houseplants.  Soluble fertilizers in liquid form are concentrated, requiring that water be added to the mixture before application.

16. General Care  The leaves should be cleaned occasionally with a fine spray of water at room temperature.  Wipe the leaves on both the upper and under sides.  This helps to remove dust and insects, to maintain humidity, and to keep the plant fresh looking and attractive.

17. Controlling Indoor Plant Diseases and Pests  Interior plants have few problems with diseases and insects.  The secret to controlling these pests is to be able to recognize them and control them on the plant.

18. Controlling Indoor Plant Diseases and Pests continued  Some of the most common insects affecting interior plants are aphids, whiteflies, mealy bugs, mites, and scale.  Botrytis and mildew are two common diseases of indoor plants.

19. Care of Landscape Plants  The two main considerations in the care of landscape plants are watering and fertilizing.  The timing of water and fertilization applications is usually more important than the application itself.  Timing may make the difference in the life or death of the landscape plant.

20. Watering  Water is the basis for life. 1. Hydrogen in water (H 2 O) is a key nutrient in the photosynthetic process. 1. Hydrogen in water (H 2 O) is a key nutrient in the photosynthetic process. 2. Water is the carrier of dissolved nutrients from the soil into the roots. 2. Water is the carrier of dissolved nutrients from the soil into the roots. 3. Water also sustains plant cells and keeps them turgid. 3. Water also sustains plant cells and keeps them turgid. 4. Life processes in plants shut down when water is unavailable. 4. Life processes in plants shut down when water is unavailable.

21. Factors Affecting Watering  Weather -- Cloudy, rainy, and cool conditions reduce the need for water. -- Cloudy, rainy, and cool conditions reduce the need for water. -- Sunny, hot, and windy conditions increase the demands for water. -- Sunny, hot, and windy conditions increase the demands for water.  Soil Type -- Water drains quickly from sandy soil, whereas heavy clay soils hold water. -- Water drains quickly from sandy soil, whereas heavy clay soils hold water.  Plant Type -- Its important to know the growing conditions in which the landscape plant is adapted. -- Its important to know the growing conditions in which the landscape plant is adapted.

22. When to Water  Observation skills and experience help people to determine when and if plants need additional water.  Wilting is the first plant symptom of insufficient water.  Another early symptom of insufficient water is a loss of color or dullness of leaves.

23. How to Water  The key to watering is getting the water into the soil where the roots can absorb it.  Water slowly so that the water will soak the soil rather than run off. Popular methods of watering include sprinkling, soaker hoses, watering bags, micro- irrigation systems, and soil needles.Popular methods of watering include sprinkling, soaker hoses, watering bags, micro- irrigation systems, and soil needles.

24. Fertilizing  Most landscape plants never need fertilizing. They extract the nutrients they need from the soil.  However, due to housing construction practices and landscape maintenance, fertilizers are sometimes very beneficial.

25. When to Fertilize  The best time of the year to fertilize is in the spring when the buds begin to swell.  Woody plants in need of fertilization respond best if fertilized every three or four years.

26. How to Fertilize  Fertilizer can be applied to woody landscape plants in several ways. 1. Dry fertilizer can be applied in the root zone ( area in which roots are growing ). Dry fertilizer can also be broadcast on the ground. 1. Dry fertilizer can be applied in the root zone ( area in which roots are growing ). Dry fertilizer can also be broadcast on the ground. 2. Soluble fertilizer can be injected into the root zone. Soluble fertilizers can also be sprayed on the foliage. 2. Soluble fertilizer can be injected into the root zone. Soluble fertilizers can also be sprayed on the foliage.

27. Mulching  The practice of spreading material over the surface of the soil.  Mulch reduces water loss, prevents weed growth, and keeps soil temperatures uniform.  Quality mulches also contribute to an attractive landscape.

28. Pruning  The term used for selective removal or reduction of certain plant parts.  Proper pruning contributes to the desired appearance of an ornamental plant.