“When the house gets cooler, a person puts on a jacket. But what to do with indoor plants? In order for flowers to survive healthy and beautiful until the holidays, you need to follow the rules of care,” advises the head of the laboratory of tropical and subtropical plants, Master of Biology This is Gudrupa.
The main reason for plant death in winter is overwatering.
The main rule for owners of indoor plants is to check the condition of the soil in the pot before watering. It is advisable to even touch the substrate a little with your finger, since peat soil can dry out on top, remaining very wet in the root zone.
Mistake 1: Pour water into the tray over and over again, thinking that the plant is “drinking”
In fact, it is the substrate that absorbs water, not the plant. Peat has the ability to accumulate moisture. If the plant does not have time to use it, the roots begin to rot, especially if the room is cool.
Mistake 2: Droopy leaves are a sign of thirst
Both overdrying and overwatering manifest themselves in the same way – with lethargy of the leaves. In winter, this is most often a signal of waterlogging.
Moderation is the key to success
For a prosperous life, plants need three components: light, heat and moisture. These factors must be balanced. The temperature on the windowsills is noticeably lower than in the room, and there is very little natural light in winter. Therefore, you need to reduce the amount of water. To prevent waterlogging, it is helpful to add more gravel to the soil.
If the room is consistently warm and dry, watering can be a little more intense.
Mistake 3: Watering on schedule
Many people water their flowers ritually, for example, every weekend. However, if the temperature has dropped, the plant may require watering every 10-14 days. It is better to slightly dry the soil than to overwater it.
We organize a “wash day”
Clean leaves transmit light better. In addition, it is worth cleaning the windows. Each leaf blade is carefully wiped with a soft cloth, avoiding the use of sponges and abrasive materials that can damage the surface.
Showering is a great solution for plants, but you need to be careful. After the shower, the plant should dry in a warm place before returning it to the windowsill.
Mistake 4: Direct shower without potty protection
The stream of water can wash the soil out of the pot and clog the drain. Before showering, the potty should be wrapped in a bag.
Plants resistant to conditions
Different plants have different adaptations to rooms. Exotic plants often require special conditions that are difficult to provide at home, so they quickly die.
Now the so-called “grandmother’s flowers” are again popular, which tolerate cool weather well, for example:
– sansevieria,
– clivia,
– ficus,
– aspidistra,
– Japanese fatsia,
– aloe.
Cyclamen, camellias and azaleas also bloom beautifully in cool rooms.
Succulent plants, such as money tree and aloe, like minimal watering and cool conditions.
Mistake 5: Overwatering succulents
It is believed that plants with fleshy leaves require more water, but this is a myth. They need less moisture than plants with thin leaves.
Getting ready for the holidays
After washing the leaves, you can apply a special plant varnish. It’s worth doing this a couple of times a year, for example, during the holidays. The varnish gives the leaves shine and protects them from dust.
We monitor pests
In winter, in dry and warm air, pests often appear on plants, which can be determined by sticky marks on the leaves. Green soap and regular preventative washing help in the fight.
Pests feel less comfortable in cool rooms.
Phalaenopsis orchids love warmth and light
These popular orchids do not tolerate heating savings well. If the temperature drops below 16–18°C, they begin to wilt. They need bright and warm rooms. If the house is cool, it is better to choose other plants.
We fertilize minimally
In winter, feeding is not so important. Experts recommend fertilizing plants from spring to autumn. Excessive fertilization in winter is harmful, since it is difficult for plants to absorb nutrients in low light and cool conditions.
Source: www.gorod.lv
