2. `Houseplants

3. `Caring for houseplants `W`Watering `s`signs of improper watering `d`drooping leaves - lack of water

4. `Watering `y`yellowing - too much water

5. Methods of Watering `d`drench and let dry `d`drench and let dry slightly `k`keep media constantly moist

6. Temperature `r`recommended temperature `5`50-85 F daytime `n`night - drop 10-15 below daytime temp `l`locate plants away from air- conditioners and drafts

7. Lighting `n`natural or artificial `m`measured in foot candles `d`direct sun `p`partial shade or weak sun - less than 50% natural sun light

8. `i`indirect or filtered light - no direct sun light

9. Artificial Lighting `r`root cuttings more easily `s`start seeds `g`grow tropical plants with greater ease

10. Humidity `%`% of moisture in the air `v`varies with seasons `l`low in the winter

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

12. `u`use a humidifier `p`place plants in the part of the house with the highest humidity

13. Fertilizers `s`slow release `s`small beads applied to the soil `n`nutrients are steadily released

14. Fertilizers - slow release `p`plant absorbs nutrients as needed `a`avoids over feeding

15. Soluble fertilizer `l`liquid or solid `d`dissolved in water before applying

16. Soil Mixture `v`varies with each plant `o`organic matter helps to improve water holding capacity `p`perlite helps to keep the mix loose and easily drained

17. Containers `d`drainage should be available `u`use well drained soil mix `p`put saucer under pot to protect furniture from water

18. Potting plants `s`select appropriate container `a`and soil mix `p`provide drainage - put rocks or put shards in the bottom of container

19. `a`add potting mix to cover rocks `p`place plant in to check soil level `s`should be 1/2 inch below top of pot

20. `f`fill remainder of container with media

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

22. `s`separate roots to allow re- growth `I`If plant is blooming, wait until after flowering is completed

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

24. General Care `l`leaves `c`clean occasionally with a fine spray of water `w`wipe top and underside of leaves

25. Leaves `h`helps to remove dust and insects `d`do not use leaf shine products `c`clogs the stomates `m`makes it hard for plants to breathe

26. Disease and Insects `c`control pests by recognizing and controlling them on the plant

27. Common plant pests `a`aphids `w`white flies `m`mealy bugs `m`mites `s`scale

28. Aphids `s`small green insects with piercing mouths `c`called plant lice `s`suck plant juices from the plant

29. `w`work on stem and underside of leaves `l`leaves become sticky with honey-dew `c`causes growth of black sooty mold

30. Aphids `l`leaves curl, disfigure, turn yellow `u`use Orthene

31. White Fly `s`small white, winged, sucking insects `w`works on underside of leaves

32. `heavy egg producers `infestation can occur quickly `eggs laid on underside of plant leaves

33. White Fly `c`cause plant to turn yellow `h`have mottled appearance - spotty `W`White Flies will leave the plant when the leaves are moved

34. `u`use Orthene

35. Mealy Bugs `w`white, woolly mass, like a ball of cotton `s`sucking insect `w`works on the underside of the leaves

36. `s`sucking juices gives plant a faded yellow appearance `c`control by swabbing the insect with a q-tip dipped in alcohol `r`removes insect from plant

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

38. `h`hold a white piece of paper under leaf and tap the leaves `l`look for spider like insects moving on the paper

39. `w`wipe across the paper with your finger `i`if mites are present, there will be a red smear `c`control with Kelthane or Orthane

40. Scale `w`when mature, attack stems in a cluster `s`small white gray lumps - oval shape `p`plant turns yellow, loses vigor

41. `s`sticky sap appearance on plant `r`remove with soapy water `s`spray with Malathion or Orthane

42. Botrytis `c`common disease `l`leaves turn black and develop a gray mold and will eventually rot off

43. `p`provide good air circulation `u`use a fungicide - Benlate

44. Mildew `c`common disease `l`leaves get a heavy white coating `f`fungicide - Benlate

45. Insecticides `c`can be purchased in most stores `r`read the label for applications and directions