|
Indoor HousePlants
Which Plants are Suitable For Indoors
Is a plant a candidate for your
indoor climate. Houseplants receive much less sunlight than
outdoor plants, so plants that thrive in full or partial
shade are good candidates. Obviously, very large and
spready plants with extended root systems, would not be good
candidates for transfer indoors. Indoor conditions are
usually cooler and drier. Observe the plant you are
considering and determine if it is doing well in similar
conditions outside.
Look for Disease and Bugs on the
prospective Plants
Selecting healthy plants is a
key to success.. A good sign of a healthy plant is vigorous
growth. Ensure there are no insects on the plant or in the
soil. Do you see holes in the leaves that suggest insects
chewing on the plant? Maladies and disease will promote slow
growth. Look for wilting leaves and visible signs like
powdery mildew.
If your plant is shows some of
these signs, then it is likely a poor choice to move
indoors. If insects are present, but have not yet done
serious harm eliminate them, or find another plant.
Selecting Pots:
Select containers that are large
enough for the root system and allow for some growth over
the winter months. Choose pots with drainage holes in the
bottom of the pot or container. Some pots do not provide
drainage holes. Many plants are drowned by too much watering
when there is no place for excess water to go. Place a small
dish underneath to capture any excess water that drains
out.
Transplanting and Pruning:
Once you have selected your
plant, give it a pruning into the shape you want. It’s
alright to be fairly aggressive here. This aggressive
pruning will help direct the plant’s resources to the root
system. Once a good root system re-establishes, additional
resources from the roots are then sent to establish new leaf
and flower systems.
Transplant to quality, sterile
potting soil and center your plant in the pot.
Arrange and cover the roots with
soil. Firm down the soil.
Water thoroughly, using a
diluted solution of liquid fertilizer. Add more soil if that
appears to be necessary.
Conditioning:
During the growing season
outdoors, your plant received lots of sunshine. Through the
fall and winter months, available sunlight diminishes. When
moving a plant indoors, condition it by slowly reducing the
available light it receives. Initially, give it as much
sunlight as possible by placing it in the sunniest window.
Gradually move it away from the light. After several days,
move it to it’s final location.
A Few Tips
With indoor heating during the
winter months, warm air circulating through the heating
system reduces the moisture content and
humidity even more than outdoors.
Locate plants to provide correct
light and temperature exposures. Humidity can be maintained
by adding a power humidifier to your furnace or placing a
portable humidifier near the houseplants.
Keep in mind that if you place
plants on a very cold windowsill that the cold will be
transmitted into the plant’s soil and will inhibit growth. A
bench or small table with warmer materials (wood
construction) will allow the plant potting soil to stay
warmer.
The intensity of sunlight coming
through glass can be extremely high. This will require
caution and observation on your part to maintain required
water and humidity conditions.
Some plants such as split leaf
philodendron, monstera, wandering Jew and dumbcane, do best
under indirect sunlight. Place these plants next to a light
colored wall that will reflect ambient sunlight onto
them.
Warmer, south and even western
exposures are best for cacti, succulents and some flowering
plants, such as geranium. These plants thrive in the sun and
will tolerate hotter, brighter exposures.
Some flowering begonias will do
well in west windows because they tolerate brighter light
but could be lightly screened from direct sun with lace
curtains.
To do well, flowering plants
should receive the stronger light of a southern
exposure.
Good choices for houseplants
include figs, rubber plants and fiddle-leaf fig, English
Ivy, spider plant, Jade will tolerate relatively low light,
but seems to thrive in most locations. It might, however,
sunburn in an extreme south exposure.
African violets are best in an
east exposure. During the winter, they may need supplemental
light. They may not flower without longer days.
Watering
Water houseplants thoroughly so
soil is saturated. Discard water that accumulates in the
overflow tray as it will accumulate an excess of water
soluble salts.
With the exception of ferns,
coleus and a few others that require frequent watering, it
is best to let the plants become a bit dry before watering
again. This slows plant growth during winter months, reduces
plants' needs and compensates for lower humidity.
Houseplant
and gardens
|