I will add to this list as I think of other things. I will re-post every season with the updated calendar, so just because you've read it here before, doesn't say it's current!
Anyway, here we go for AUTUMN and your indoor plants!
HUMIDITY and your plants
- Remember that humidity drops when the heat goes on!
- Most indoor plants are tropical and NEED humidity.
- If you don't have a mister-get one and use it occasionally. You do need to be careful not to overdo this because mold and mildew can become a problem.
- You can also put the plants on a dish with pebbles in the bottom. Add water, being sure to have the pots above the water level.
- The same thing can be accomplished by standing a vase of water right by the plants. As the water vaporizes, it will humidify the plants.
- NEVER mist an African Violet. Those hairy leaves will NOT like it at all!!!
- Keep the leaves of your plants shiny and clean (Again-NOT African Violets). The dust that accumulates on leaves will block the pores, stopping them from absorbing that needed humidity.
- If it get's below 60* (F) African Violets will stop blooming.
- Poinsettias and Christmas Cactus need temperatures between 60*-75* (F) if possible.
- Cool nights will force dormancy, so don't expect much activity if it pretty cool in your home.
- Avoid drafts for all your plants (especially COOL drafts)
- The angle of sunlight shifts in the autumn, so be sure to give lots of light.
- Turn your plants so they don't begin to lean toward the light.
- Poinsettias and Christmas Cactus need 14 hours of darkness every day beginning in October in order to have bloom by Christmas.
- Plants do not need as much water since life has slowed considerably, so cut back on watering!
- Always check soil before watering. If it feels moist or damp, resist!
- Never allow your plants to sit in water. The roots need air as well as water. If the soil is wet at all times, no air gets in and your plant will be weakened. This may lead to disease or insect infestation due to it's frailty.
- Another way to check whether the plants need water is to lift the pot. If it feels heavy-don't water; on the other hand if it feels quite light-give it a drink!
- It's possible a particular plant won't need to be watered more than once or twice a month.
- Try to use air temperature water. Plants don't like a cold bath any more than we do!
- A good way to deal with the temperature of the water is to place water in your watering can and let it just sit until the plant needs water. That will also allow any harmful chemicals (like chlorine) to dissipate.
- MISTING is a refreshing boost for most of your plants, except for African Violets whose leaves must stay dry at all costs. If they get wet, they'll brown.
- You can lightly fertilize any flowering plants.
- STOP fertilizing other plants! The plants are struggling just to stay alive in this difficult season. Adding fertilizer at this time is rather like spurring on a tired horse in the desert! Fertilizing at the wrong time can actually kill the plant. So resist.
- If the soil gets crusted, you can break that up gently with a fork.
- For larger plants you can scrape off the top layer and discard, replacing it with fresh potting soil.
- You may receive plants as gifts during the holidays. Enjoy them, but don't be discouraged if they die. Most of these plants are considered TEMPORARY and are expected to die off after a few months. If you want to work at keeping them, go for it, but don't be discouraged if they don't make it.
- Insects and disease strike most plants at some point. As a gardener, don't become discouraged. A few little bugs can often be picked off before trouble starts. An infestation, on the other hand could spell trouble for ALL your plants if it get's out of control If you think that's happened, and treatment doesn't work? THROW them out in the garbage!
- Have you re-potted your plant lately? Most plants will benefit from a re-potting every other year or so. If your plant seems sickly looking, or crowded, try re-potting. That will often work miracles!
- Remember to choose your plants wisely (if YOU are the one getting them). If you get a LOT of sunshine, don't pick a plant that loves shade, or vice versa.
- The best kind of watering pot, or can, is one with a long skinny spout. It can reach in-between stems and leaves to do it's watering without dousing the entire table where your plant stands.
- Have a tray or dish under your plants that is IMPERVIOUS to water. You don't want to have rings on your furniture or window sills. ALWAYS check the bottoms of those trays or saucers. If they are unglazed...DON'T use them!
