-
Conservatories:
If you have a sunny conservatory which is south facing your plants will
need much more water, shade especially in summer and an area of wet pebbles
to keep up the humidity. Many tropical plants grow beneath the jungle
canopy where it is damp, shady and humid.
- Dying
Plants:
Cut yellowing or dead leaves and flower heads off. If you have many
yellowing leaves check that you are not over or under watering, that
the plant is not in a draught or excessively cold or hot. Neglect is
the main houseplant killer so if yours is dying give it to a friend
who loves plants before it is too late.
- Fertiliser:
Feed
with an organic fertiliser once a week from March through to September.
- Holidays:
If you cannot find anyone to look after your plants whilst you are on
holiday, use this tip as a last resort. Put the plug in the bath, lay
an old towel (if you dont have one go to a car boot sale) on the bottom
and saturate with water being generous, although the plants should not
stand in anymore than 1cm. Place your plants on top make really sure
that your taps are turned off securely and have a good holiday.
- Sunlight:
All plants need plenty of light but check the individual plant page
as to whether the species you have can tolerate direct sunlight.
- Repotting:
Repot one size up each year, if you feel that this is not possible it
is important to put some fresh houseplant compost round the top of the
pot, this is called top dressing.
- Radiators
& Plants:
Do not place your plant near a radiator or in a draught.
- Repotting:
Repot one size up each year, if you feel that this is not possible it
is important to put some fresh houseplant compost round the top of the
pot, this is called top dressing.
- Repositioning:
Plants seem to get used to certain position in a room and do not like
being moved around. So if you are having problems with a plant you have
been moving about often try keeping it in one place for at least 6 months
to give it a chance to recouperate.
- Seaweed:
is very good for foliage colour.
- Shedding
Leaves:
Dont be shocked if a plant you have had for years suddenly starts shedding
leaves especially if your care regime has been consistantly good. Check
all the above but dont panic, it might just be those leaves are old
and will be replaced with new ones. In winter a particular problem can
be too much water.
- Showering:
Give your houseplant a shower in the bath every 6 months during the
period spring-summer or better still leave it out in the rain for an
hour or two, but not in the winter. Plants do take in water and fertiliser
through their leaves.
- Standing
in Water: Never let your plant stand in water for any length
of time, as it will rot the roots.
- Soil:
Compost can sometimes become very dry especially on the top, if this
happens water the plant a little and often spreading the area of water
to completely cover the top. The aim is to saturate the compost and
give it back its water holding qualities.
- South
Facing Windows:
Generally houseplants do not like a South facing window as the leaves
can become scorched and the soil can dry out too quickly. However if
the window is near a kitchen sink or in the bathroom it is easy to keep
an eye on the plant to watch for wilting or brown leaves, if it is not
happy move it.
- Watering:
In
Winter water once a week. In Summer water twice. Set the same time every
week so you dont forget to use
tepid water for your plants as cold straight from the tap can be too
much of a shock.
- Most
of all enjoy and love your houseplants.
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