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Houseplant Care 222 W. Lake St. Bloomingdale 2400 Randall Rd. Carpentersville 630-529-9394 847-428-6767 HouseplantCare, Feeding and Growth Learning to Water Lighting The water needs of most houseplants are quite simple. Most plants like bright light in the home. East and • Don’t wait until the plant wilts, it is hard on the west windows have excellent lighting for plants. Be plant. cautious of plants in direct light as they may dry out • Do not let the plant sit in water. The soil will remain quicker from being in the sun. When situating plants, soggy causing the roots to rot. consider the outdoor landscape. A large tree may shade • Roots need air too, so be cautious not to keep plants south windows making it bright light in summer and too wet. direct light in winter. To check soil moisture insert your fi nger about an inch into the soil. Check plants weekly. As a general guide- Every plant has specifi c requirements, and are best line if the soil feels dry, you need to water. However, placed by light requirements rather than how the plant some plants prefer the soil wetter than others. Cactus looks in the spot. only need water when the soil dries out. Never allow Repotting watering to become a weekly “Saturday” routine. The Repotting is the topic of much speculation and myth. frequency of watering will change with the season and Most houseplants do not mind being root bound, and the plants growth. Most plants will only need to be some actually won’t fl ower unless they are. House- watered every 7 to 10 days in winter, while in summer plants in general should be repotted about once every they are actively growing and may need watering once two or three years. or twice a week. Increase the pot size by no more than 2”. Putting the Humidity plant in a larger pot does not promote faster growth. In Humidity refers to the moisture level of the air. Most fact, the excess soil only holds water resulting in root plants need a more humid atmosphere. Low humidity rot. can cause leaf tips to brown, buds and fl owers to fall Temperature prematurely, and general decline of the plant. Higher Houseplants are tropicals and they like warm humidity can be achieved by occasional misting, temperatures. Most houseplants will tolerate grouping plants together, and setting plants in pebble temperatures that range from 55ºF to 75ºF; trays. Pebble trays hold excess water and allow it to however, they do not appreciate rapid temperature gradually evaporate creating a small humid micro- fl uctuations. Heating and air conditioning vents can climate. Ferns and Norfolk Island Pines are the most rapidly dry out or burn foliage, so be aware of this common houseplants that prefer high humidity. when placing plants around the house. Drafts from Fertilizing windows and opening doors in winter can damage There are many types of fertilizers to be used, but the plants. important aspect is when to fertilize. Feed the plant ac- When transporting houseplants outdoors cording to label directions when it is actively growing, during cool temperatures, be sure to enclose them in a which will most often begin in spring. As the plant paper or plastic bag. Even short periods of cold (40ºF begins to slow its growth in fall, begin to reduce the and below) can damage buds, leaves and stems. fertilizer applications to once a month. Slow release and water soluble fertilizers are both ef- fective. Ask us. We are here to answer all you gardening questions! 222 W. Lake St. Bloomingdale 2400 Randall Rd. Carpentersville 630-529-9394 847-428-6767 HouseplantCare, Feeding and Growth Flowering Plants SPOTTED FOLIAGE can be caused by These plants offer great color for a couple weeks to a over watering, over exposure to the sun, or month or more. Most should be considered temporary bacterial or fungal infection. houseplants since it is diffi cult to get them to refl ower BROWNING LEAF TIPS can be caused by as well as when grown in greenhouse conditions. low humidity, excess fertilizer, or hard water. Mums, forced bulbs, cineraria, poinsettias and kalanchoe are examples of short lived fl owering COTTONY MASSES ON STEMS AND LEAVES are houseplants. caused by mealybugs. These insects often leave a sticky residue on leaves. Peace lily, lipstick plant, goldfi sh plant, Easter or Christmas cactus, cyclamen and African violet are ROUND OR OVAL SHAPED BUMPS ON STEMS some plants that will refl ower reliably. OR LEAVES are scales. These insects leave a sticky Troubleshooting residue on leaves or nearby tables and furniture. RAPID DEFOLIATION can be caused by SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECTS that seem im- extreme changes in temperature, changes in possible to eliminate are fungus gnats. They are harm- light intensity, over watering, under watering, less to plants, but annoying to humans. or exposure to the cold. Houseplants for Low Light GRADUAL DEFOLIATION (lower leaves yellow and Cast Iron Plant Chinese Evergreen fall) can be caused by over watering (root loss), under Peace Lily Philodendron Pothos watering (lack of water to support full foliage), lack of Snake Plant suffi cient light, or lack of fertilizer. Swedish Ivy Wandering Jew NEW GROWTH WILTED, BURNED OR ZZ Plant BLACKENED can be caused by too much fertilizer, cold drafts, hot drafts, lack of water, sunburn, excess Houseplants for Medium Light heat or damage from freezing. Arrowhead Plant Cast Iron Plant Dumb Cane English Ivy WILTING OF THE ENTIRE PLANT can be caused False Aralia Ferns by lack of water, too much water (roots rotted away), Spider Plant too much fertilizer (roots burned), or damage from cold temperatures. Houseplants for High Light Aloe Bird of Paradise Cactus Croton Ficus Grape Ivy Hoya Ponytail Palm Rubber Plant Succulents Ask us. We are here to answer all you gardening questions!.
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