Summer Care Crucial For Your Indoor Plants
by Gail Hirst
December 15th, 2010 01:03 PM
As the weather turns hot, you may be tempted to think that your interior plants are protected from the intense sun and heat outside. But conditions change inside, too. Here are some of the ways you can keep your indoor plants thriving:
• Rainy spring weather giving way to steady sunshine means your plants will be transpiring more quickly, so when you do your weekly checks for water, be sure to give each plant a slightly bigger drink than you’ve been used to giving.
• Remember you are not only watering the plant but also the planter -- for all plants in ceramic or clay. Both materials breathe, thus drying out more quickly than when planted in plastic.
• Keeping foliage clean is the first defense against any pest infestation. Wash surface and undersides of leaves to remove egg sacs and dust, and give them a good shake to remove leaf sheaths and strengthen root systems. (Be like a wind in their natural environment – hey, they don’t call me “Gail” for nothing…)
• Pest checks are crucial. Spider mites, aphids and mealy bugs -- oh no! Control, control, control is the best you can hope for. Wash undersides of foliage with soapy (no detergent) water. Then toss the sponge so pests are not spread around. Fresh plant, fresh sponge. Do not wash any foliage that is “hairy” like the African Violet foliage. Do not wash ferns.
• Most fertilizing instructions are written for the States; we recommend using any fertilizer at half strength. Too much of a good thing results in leaf and root burn, with a long and difficult recovery, so please don’t go there. Also, never fertilize a dry plant, as you’ll end up with a nasty case of burnt roots.
• Remember that plants like to be cozy in their planters, so don’t feel obligated to repot just because you can. A nice soil amendment like Wonder Worm worked into the soil can work, well, wonders.
• You don’t have to kiss all your plants good night, but if you want to read a story, that’s fine. My plants think it’s important for people to read, and would probably suggest “The Secret Lives of Plants” or “The Jungle Book” … if they could.
Enjoy this lovely season, and remember to bloom wherever you are planted.
Gail Hirst is an Interior Landscape Specialist. 604-984-6341 plantpal@telus.net
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Jun - Jul 08
• Rainy spring weather giving way to steady sunshine means your plants will be transpiring more quickly, so when you do your weekly checks for water, be sure to give each plant a slightly bigger drink than you’ve been used to giving.
• Remember you are not only watering the plant but also the planter -- for all plants in ceramic or clay. Both materials breathe, thus drying out more quickly than when planted in plastic.
• Keeping foliage clean is the first defense against any pest infestation. Wash surface and undersides of leaves to remove egg sacs and dust, and give them a good shake to remove leaf sheaths and strengthen root systems. (Be like a wind in their natural environment – hey, they don’t call me “Gail” for nothing…)
• Pest checks are crucial. Spider mites, aphids and mealy bugs -- oh no! Control, control, control is the best you can hope for. Wash undersides of foliage with soapy (no detergent) water. Then toss the sponge so pests are not spread around. Fresh plant, fresh sponge. Do not wash any foliage that is “hairy” like the African Violet foliage. Do not wash ferns.
• Most fertilizing instructions are written for the States; we recommend using any fertilizer at half strength. Too much of a good thing results in leaf and root burn, with a long and difficult recovery, so please don’t go there. Also, never fertilize a dry plant, as you’ll end up with a nasty case of burnt roots.
• Remember that plants like to be cozy in their planters, so don’t feel obligated to repot just because you can. A nice soil amendment like Wonder Worm worked into the soil can work, well, wonders.
• You don’t have to kiss all your plants good night, but if you want to read a story, that’s fine. My plants think it’s important for people to read, and would probably suggest “The Secret Lives of Plants” or “The Jungle Book” … if they could.
Enjoy this lovely season, and remember to bloom wherever you are planted.
Gail Hirst is an Interior Landscape Specialist. 604-984-6341 plantpal@telus.net
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Jun - Jul 08
