This program is a result of a partnership between the Office of Human Resources and the Employee Wellness Committee.

March 18, 2021 " Care & Health Benefits" presented by Dr. Maja Klosinska & Dr. Ryan Wagner, Biology

Join Dr. Ryan Wagner for a 15-minute tour of the Biology Department greenhouse on March 18th. Timed tours will be scheduled from 9am-noon. Masks required and social distancing guidelines will be observed. The first 25 participants to register will receive a succulent upon tour departure!

Continue reading as Dr. Maja Kosinska and Dr. Christopher Hardy reveal plant care tips as well as an overview of the health benefits observed by raising in your home and office environment. Register Here

Contact [email protected] for assistance. Increase Well-being

Houseplants can be beneficial for our well-being, especially in stressful times, such as during the current pandemic. Houseplants have been shown to lower stress levels, increase mental well-being, remove some pollutants from the air, increase air humidity, improve the appearance of our living space and give us a sense of accomplishment. Caring for plants is not time-consuming and local garden centers provide easy access to affordably priced pots and , as well as and other houseplant care products. Though not quite the same as having a pet, plants are living organisms for us to care for, and if their needs are met, they reward us with healthy growth and blooms.

Here are some groups of plants which are popular because of their good looks and ease of cultivation:

Succulents – this group contains such plants as cacti, jade plants, zebra plants and more. They can be recognized by having stems or leaves that are swollen with - storing tissue. They make excellent house plants for people who forget to water. Succulents thrive in full sun, in well-drained, not too rich soil mixed with coarse sand or gravel. They need only sparse watering, once weekly during the growing season and less in winter. More information can be found here: https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Succulents. Figure 1. Jade plants by Doctress Neutopia, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Tillandsias (air plants) – this group of flowering plants does not have roots. They have special white, scale-like hairs on their leaves which allow them to absorb water which collects on them. In the wild they grow on other plants, the bark of trees, and rock faces. When grown at home, all they need is a stand, a weekly soak in water and occasional spraying with a . More information about caring for an air plant can be found here: https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Air-Plants-Indoors.

Figure 2. Tillandsia loliacea by HK James Ho, CC BY-SA 2.0. Orchids – these beautiful plants were long-considered difficult to cultivate. Modern varieties, espec ially in the Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) are, however, very easy to grow as long as their basic needs are met. Moth orchids grow well away from direct , in specially formulated soil based on bark, with twice-weekly watering and occasional addition of orchid fertilizer. The most important thing is to provide adequate drainage and not to let the plant stand in water, as this will encourage root rot. Plants, whose basic needs are met, tend to bloom for many weeks at a time and are highly decorative. More information about the care of moth orchids can be found at https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Phalenopsis-Orchids-%28Moth-Orchids%29.

African violets – these plants are very easy to grow. Their flowers are very decorative and come in a variety of colors. Propagating African violets through leaf cuttings is easy. Providing well-drained soil, (usually consisting of perlite, soil and moss, a mix formulated for African violets is available commercially), a moderate amount of sunlight and water will keep them healthy and blooming. More detailed information about African violet care can be found at https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-African-Violets.

Ferns – these plants are known for their fancy foliage and they will never produce flowers. They grow well in a well- drained potting mix with added fiber, sand, and organic content. They do best in moderate light, and a moderate amount of watering to keep the soil moist but not overwatered. Ferns do well in humid locations such as kitchen or bathroom windows. They can grow in dimly lit rooms, but occasional breaks in moderate light settings will be good for them. Fertilize them regularly (every 2-4 weeks) during the growing season with a dilute liquid fertilizer, and not at all during winter when they are not growing as much. More information about caring for ferns can be found here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ferns-houseplants/growing-ferns-indoors.htm. Plant Care

Selecting a house plant should depend on the type of space you have available, and your personality. If you have a very sunny spot, succulents may be your best choice. If you forget to water plants, then air plants or succulents will work well. If the area you’d like to keep your plant in does not have much natural light, consider getting a peace lily, which can do well with fluorescent lighting. Plants from a garden center usually come with growing instructions. A lot of information about houseplant can be also found on the internet.

If a plant is not thriving, it may be due to a wrong location. Do some research about the plant species’ preferences. Perhaps moving it to a sunnier location, or a cooler room will prove helpful. Getting the amount of water appropriate for your plant is also important. Overwatering is one of the main reasons plants die – excess water causes mold to develop and root rot take hold. It is a good idea to check how humid the soil is either by looking or by testing with one’s finger. If the soil is still moist – perhaps watering can be postponed. Remember, lower layers of soil inside the pot will be more moist than the soil’s surface. Proper application of fertilizer is also important. Some will help your plant grow, but too much can cause harm – always follow instructions that come with the fertilizer.

Pests are a serious problem when cultivating plants. When buying plants, always examine them for the presence of spider mites, scales and other pests. When you bring a new plant home, it may be a good idea to “quarantine” it for a while in a separate space away from other plants, if possible. Some pests are easier to control; fungus gnats, for example, can be controlled through not overwatering the soil.

Enjoy selecting and growing your plant!