Basic Care for House Plants
Indoor plants create a pleasant atmosphere in homes and offices. It adds to the total aesthetic theme of a place. A lot people, though, worry about the maintenance of these indoor plants. Many assume that caring for these plants require a lot of time attention. Indoor plants are very easy to take care of. It only needs a few minutes of attention several times week. Here are some basic tips on how to take care of indoor plants:
WATER HOUSEHOLD PLANTS ONLY WHEN NEEDED
Like any type of garden, watering is required to keep plants growing strong and healthy. You will need a watering pail to water indoor plants. Choose one that has a narrow spout to avoid spillage of water on floor and yet can pour in enough water on the soil. Most indoor plants are not exposed to direct sunlight so daily watering might not be required. To test whether your plants need watering, insert your index finger into the top soil, just right about the first joint of the finger. If the soil still feels damp, then your plant may not need watering and you may wait a day or two before watering it again.
FEED YOUR PLANTS
Foliage plants, such as ferns, need adequate an adequate supply of nitrogen while flowering plants need plenty of potassium oxide. You can mix slow release fertilizers with compost to feed your plants with the right supply of nutrients needed for their growth. Cactus and orchids however need special types of feeds or fertilizers. Apply these fertilizers during the peak of their growth.
LIGHTING NEEDS
There are plant species that require very little light. These plants may be placed in corners and dark areas of the house that cannot be reached by natural light. Other plants require a dose of sunlight, place these plants near windows and well lighted areas.
TEMPERATURE FACTORS
There are plant types that can survive in temperatures that are relatively higher or lower that conditions outside of the home or office. Drastic changes in temperature though may affect the plant’s health.
CHECK FOR HUMIDITY
All or most plants need a humid environment to thrive. To create a humid environment for your house plant, place the pot of the house plant inside a larger pot. Fill the big pot with pebbles and compost to build and keep moisture around the plant. Grouping plants together may also help create a moist environment for these indoor plants. If you have time, an occasional spray misting of the leaves and top soil will keep these plants moist.
SCHEDULED REPOTTING OF PLANTS
There are plants that need to be repotted every once in awhile to allow them to reach their maximum potential growth. There are plant species however who have very delicate rooting system and repotting may not be required. For species that require repotting, you can determine it its time to repot when the bottom of the pot is almost filled up or occupied with roots. To repot plants, simply turn the pot upside down, gently tap the bottom of the pot, the plant will release easily and you can transfer the plant to a bigger pot. Allow a few days or a couple of weeks for the newly repotted plant to adjust to its new environment.
Caring for indoor plants is quite easy, and the rewards to having indoor plants are plenty. These indoor plants provide an added beauty homes and offices.
