Houseplants Caring for houseplants Watering signs of

`Houseplants

`Caring for houseplants `Watering `signs of improper watering `drooping leaves - lack of water

`Watering `yellowing - too much water

Methods of Watering `drench and let dry slightly `keep media constantly moist

Temperature `recommended temperature `50 -85 F daytime `night - drop 10 -15 below daytime temp `locate plants away from airconditioners and drafts

Lighting `natural or artificial `measured in foot candles `direct sun `partial shade or weak sun - less than 50% natural sun light

Lighting `indirect or filtered light - no direct sun light

Artificial Lighting `root cuttings more easily `start seeds `grow tropical plants with greater ease

Humidity `% of moisture in the air `varies with seasons `low in the winter

Increase humidity by: `spraying with fine mist `fill water tight tray with water and pea gravel, set containers in it

Increase humidity by: `use a humidifier `place plants in the part of the house with the highest humidity

Fertilizers `slow release `small beads applied to the soil `nutrients are steadily released

Fertilizers - slow release `plant absorbs nutrients as needed `avoids over feeding

Soluble fertilizer `liquid or solid `dissolved in water before applying

Soil Mixture `varies with each plant `organic matter helps to improve water holding capacity `perlite helps to keep the mix loose and easily drained

Containers `drainage should be available `use well drained soil mix `put saucer under pot to protect furniture from water

Potting plants `select appropriate container `and soil mix `provide drainage - put rocks or put shards in the bottom of container

Potting plants `add potting mix to cover rocks `place plant in to check soil level `should be 1/2 inch below top of pot

Potting plants `fill remainder of container with media

Repotting `repot plants when they become root bound `if roots are growing around the root ball `roots appear at the top of soil

Repotting `separate roots to allow regrowth `If plant is blooming, wait until after flowering is completed

Repotting `select pot or container of the next larger size than the one the plant was planted in.

General Care `leaves `clean occasionally with a fine spray of water `wipe top and underside of leaves

Leaves `helps to remove dust and insects `do not use leaf shine products `clogs the stomates `makes it hard for plants to breathe

Disease and Insects `control pests by recognizing and controlling them on the plant

Common plant pests `aphids `white flies `mealy bugs `mites `scale

Aphids `small green insects with piercing mouths `called plant lice `suck plant juices from the plant

Aphids `work on stem and underside of leaves `leaves become sticky with “honey-dew” `causes growth of black sooty mold

Aphids `leaves curl, disfigure, turn yellow `use Orthene

White Fly `small white, winged, sucking insects `works on underside of leaves

White Fly `heavy egg producers `infestation can occur quickly `eggs laid on underside of plant leaves

White Fly `cause plant to turn yellow `have mottled appearance spotty `White Flies will leave the plant when the leaves are moved

White Fly `use Orthene

Mealy Bugs `white , woolly mass, like a ball of cotton `sucking insect `works on the underside of the leaves

Mealy Bugs `sucking juices gives plant a faded yellow appearance `control by swabbing the insect with a q-tip dipped in alcohol `removes insect from plant

Mites `small spider like insects on bottom side of leaves `suck juices causing plant to turn yellow `cannot be seen easily with the naked eye

Mites `hold a white piece of paper under leaf and tap the leaves `look for spider like insects moving on the paper

Mites `wipe across the paper with your finger `if mites are present, there will be a red smear `control with Kelthane or Orthane

Scale `when mature, attack stems in a cluster `small white gray lumps - oval shape `plant turns yellow, loses vigor

Scale `sticky sap appearance on plant `remove with soapy water `spray with Malathion or Orthane

Botrytis `common disease `leaves turn black and develop a gray mold and will eventually rot off

Botrytis `provide good air circulation `use a fungicide - Benlate

Mildew `common disease `leaves get a heavy white coating `fungicide - Benlate

Insecticides `can be purchased in most stores `read the label for applications and directions