IntroductionSelecting an indoor plant

• select only healthy plants• check underside of leaves for insects• avoid plants with leaves that are damaged• purchase plants that will suit the home environment

Transporting indoor plants• keep out of hot summer temperatures• keep out of cold winter temperatures• do not expose to heavy winds

Acclimatization• place plants according to their light requirements• if different, move to new environments slowly

Environmental Needs

Light

Water

Humidity

Temperature

Fertilizer

Soil Mix

LightLight is probably the most essential factor in house plant survival. Light can be classified as to:

• Low light - 25 - 75 foot candles or 8 ft from a

light source

•Medium Light75 - 150 foot candles or 4 to 8 ft

from a light source

• High Light150 - 1,000 foot candles or within

4 ft of a light source

LightLight requirements of each houseplant should be matched with the area it will be placed:

• Plants needing high light intensities grown in low light areas will have smaller leaves, less color, more open growth and leggy. Pruning will be needed to keep the plant compact. These plants will need less fertilizer and water and will survive for only several years.

• Low light plants grown in high light areas will show leaf yellowing and scorch or burn.

Light

Other light considerations:

• time of year

• window direction

• external factors ie. window treatments, overhangs other buildings, awnings etc.

• day length

• artificial lighting

Water Improper watering is often a cause for indoor plant failure. To determine when a plant needs watering use the following:

• Potting mixture - heavy potting mixtures or those that contain a high percentage of peat hold more moisture.

• Pot - water will evaporate from porous clay pots faster than those that are glazed.

• Plants - large thin leaf plants will require more water than plants with thick succulent leaves.

• Plant size - a large plant with many leaves grow in a small pot will need more water that a small plant in a large pot.

Water • Location - plants in warm, sunny locations will need more water than those in cool, low-light areas.

• Growth stage - plants that are dormant or slowly growing need less water.

When to Water • Touch - feel the soil to about one inch, if it

feels dry then irrigate thoroughly.

• Tap the pot - if there is a hollow the plant needs water. If there is a dull sound the plant does not need water.

• Estimate pot and plant weight - as the pot dries, a decrease in weight will be seen.

• Soil color - as the soil mix dries, the soil will change from dark to light.

When watering is needed, irrigate until water runs out the drainage holes at the bottom of the plant. Use water that has come to ambient temperature.

Temperature Most indoor plants are

tropical in nature and will survive freezing temperatures or even cold temperatures. For ideal plant, keep plants at a daytime temperature of 70 to 80 degrees and night temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees. Plants close to windows can be damaged by outside freezing temperatures even though indoor temperatures are moderate.

Fertilizer Indoor plants, as with all plants will thrive when fertilized properly. This includes the major nutrients as well as secondary and micronutrients. These can be applied in several forms under many different trade names. These fertilizers should be applied according to label directions, chosen as to what type of plant is being grown and time of year.

• liquid fertilizers

• water-soluble granules

• slow-release granules

Soluble SaltsSoluble salt build up can cause damage to household plants. This occurs with heavy fertilization coupled with poor watering practices. To avoid salt problems, fertilize when needed and water plants until drainage is seen from the weep holes at the bottom. Salt damage can be seen as:

• reduced growth

• brown leaf tips

• dropping of lower leaves

• small new growth

• dead root tips

• wilting

• white or yellow crust at the top of the potting media

Humidity Humidity is expressed as the percentage of moisture saturated in the air. Plants will live well in humidity levels between 20 to 40%. Dry air, less than 15%, will cause poor plant growth. This will occur with central air and heating systems. Symptoms will include dropping of flower buds and tip browning.

Potting MediumThe selection or creation of a

potting mix can be a key factor in plant survivability. A good quality container mix has the following characteristics:

• dense enough to support plant growth

• good nutrient holding capacity

• drains freely but yet retains nutrients

• free of disease, weed or insect problems

Preparing an artificial potting mix:

• peat moss

• vermiculite

• perlite

• bark

RootsRoot problems are generally caused by overwatering, poor soil mixes or improperly designed pots.

Symptoms will include:• weak growth

• yellowing

• tip browning

• salt accumulation

• wilting

• musty soil odor

Environmental Problems

Insects

• mealybugs

• spider mites

• aphids

• scales

• whiteflies

• fungus gnats

•Control of plant insects should be started by preventing the insects from entering the house.

•Quarantine all plants before bringing them in

•use systemic insecticides

•use least toxic insecticides such as soaps