Great Plains Gardening
March 7, 2003
These cold winter days do not really make for the proper setting to discuss gardens, so this week I will focus on indoor plants. It was mentioned to me at Kiowa Co. Fair that a column on houseplants and their care to would something that would be of interest.
I do not have many houseplants simply because I do not have sufficient light available for good growth. My plants consist of aloe vera, sansevieria, and philodendron, which can be grown in light from my north windows. Years ago when I had east, west, and north windows in my plant growing area, I had beautiful violets and other plants.
I will have to be very general in discussing houseplants simply because there are so many different varieties being grown. If you have a particular plant or problem about which you would like information please give the Extension Office or me a call and I will be glad to address it in a future column. In fact, my next column will discuss some houseplant problems; their possible causes and what can be done to control the situation.
All the information I am passing on to you comes from the IPM Series: Houseplants bulletin, Home and Garden Information Center, Maryland Cooperative Extension. I would like to thank our own Extension Office for obtaining the information for me.
"When selecting houseplants consider plants that can withstand the particular conditions in your home. It’s easier to purchase a plant requiring the same environmental conditions your residence has to offer than to alter the environment of your home or office to suit the plants. Pay particular attention to the plants’ light requirement."
"Select plants which appear to be free of insects and diseases, and show healthy foliage. Avoid those having yellow or chlorotic leaves, brown leaf margins, wilted foliage, spots or blotches, or spindly growth, or ones having new flowers and leaf buds along with young growth."
"Move and transport your houseplants with care, especially in extreme temperatures. They are affected by changes in light intensity and duration, and changes in air temperature. Shade the plant from direct sun while it is in the car, as the sun shining through the window can damage foliage. During winter months, wrap plants thoroughly with paper bags or newspapers before the short run to the car. Warm them with the heater in the front of the car. Don’t transport a houseplant in the car’s trunk. Place a newly purchased greenhouse plant first in a high light area of your home. Later move it to a spot that meets its light requirements."
"Light is probably the most essential factor for houseplant growth. The plant’s growth, the length of active life, and energy derived from photosynthesis depend on the amount of light it receives. Houseplants can be classified according to their light needs—high, medium, or low light requirements. Low light spaces are north-facing windows or rooms that are artificially lit. Medium light is available in east or west-facing windows. High light is found when south-facing windows receive at least six hours of light. Factors that can influence the intensity of light are the presence of curtains, trees outside the window, weather, seasons of the year, shade from other buildings and cleanliness of the window. Reflective, light-colored surfaces inside the room increase the intensity of light. Most foliage plants do well with l2 hours of light. Red, far-red, and blue wavelengths are most important for plant development. For healthy plants, supply all three wavelengths. White fluorescent tubes provide blue light. Incandescent bulbs provide predominantly red or far-red light. Metal halides provide predominantly blue and sodium vapor provide red to far red light."
"In general, foliage houseplants grow best between 70 and 80 degrees during the day and a minimum of 60 degrees at night. Most flowering houseplants prefer the same daytime range but grow best at nighttime temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees. A good rule of thumb is to keep the night temperature 10 to 15 degrees lower than the day temperature to induce physiological recovery from moisture loss, intensify flower color, and prolong flower life. Indoor plants, especially flowering varieties, are sensitive to drafts or heat from registers. Protect them from sudden, brief changes in temperature. Do not locate houseplants near heat or air conditioning sources."
"Most indoor environments lack sufficient humidity for healthy houseplants, particularly in the winter. Place pots on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase humidity in the area around the plants. Plants grouped together will collectively raise the humidity in their area. An automatic humidifier can provide extra humidity."
"Plants should be watered when needed. Factors influencing plant watering include type of potting media, stage of growth, type of pot (i.e. clay or plastic), humidity and temperature. As plants use water, the potting mix will dry out and become lighter in weight. Periodically lift the pot for changes in weight and compare to when it was watered. On large containers insert a stick or dowel (long enough to reach the bottom of the pot) into the pot. Moist soil will stick to the dowel or discolor it slightly. Water plants thoroughly so that water comes out of the bottom of the pot. Discard the water that has drained from the pot. Plants that have dried to the point that the media has pulled away from the sides of the pot may need several applications of water to rehydrate the potting mix."
"Symptoms of soluble salt buildup include reduced growth, brown leaf tips, dropping of lower leaves, dead root tips, and wilting. In addition, a ring of salt deposits may crust around the pot at the soil line, around the drainage hole, or on the exteriors of clay pots. To prevent mineral buildup, water with clear water to leach houseplants every 4 to 6 months. Apply at least 3 times the volume of the pot of fresh water on the potting soil and let it drain completely. If a layer of salts has formed a crust on top of the potting soil, repot with fresh potting media. If a crust forms on the outside of a pot, the pot should be replaced with a fresh one. The old pot can be soaked and cleaned in fresh water before reuse."
Until next time…