Watering Plants:
Not every plant has the same needs when it comes to watering, but there are some
basic rules one should follow:
Wet the soil thoroughly, and the water should be able to drain out of the bottom of the
pot. How much you water, and how often purely depends on the type of plant, so one should
read the seeds or ask the person selling the plant, as to how much water does this plant
require.
Over watering kills most plants. If the soil is too wet constantly it will lead to
problems with the roots. This will lead to the leaves becoming yellow, that's because
there is not enough oxygen in the soil because it is too wet.
When watering the plants, try to use water that is the same temperature as the room. This
will ensure that the plant doesn't have any shock from too cold or hot water.
Temperature:
As with watering, different plants will thrive under different conditions, one of which is
the temperature. As a general rule, temperatures between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit, during
the day and 10-15 degrees cooler at night. Though this range does not cover all plants, it
still can be said as the range for most of the house plants. Here are a few more tips to
follow:
The temperature can go up or down by 10 degrees from the ranges above, it will not kill
the plant.
Rapid changes in temperature, either colder or hotter, can cause damage to your plant.
If a plant is grown at a hotter temperature than is needed, it will be small, weak. If it
is grown in a too cool temperature the leaves will have a yellowish look and will fall
off.
Pots and Containers:
Make sure that the pot can adequately allow the water to drain out of it. Also, before
putting a plant in a pot that has been used for another plant, make sure it has been
cleaned. This is a precaution taken to protect the new plant just in case some disease had
affected the earlier plant.
Humidity:
The level of moisture in the air can also effect how a plant grows. Low humidity, in most
plants, not all, will cause dry leaves and curling. Increase the humidity of the room with
a humidifier, especially during winter when the heat is on and the humidity drops. You
could also spray the leaves with water, but do it in the morning, if done overnight the
leaves can rot.
Fertilizing:
Once again, this is one of those tips that is based purely on the type of plant that you
have, different plants need different levels. Other factors include, how fast do you want
the plant to grow, how much sunlight there is, how many times it is watered, etc. As a
general rule, for plants that are growing very quickly, fertilize every 2 to 3 months, but
for dormant plants, dont fertilize at all. Since these are indoor plants, that receive
less sun than normal, they don't need fertilization too often. If there is burned or dried
leaves, it is an indication that plant has been over fertilized.
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