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Horticultural HelpInsiders' Plant Information |
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Weekly Plant Tips |
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What are the best low light
plants? Subscribe to Indoor Plant Bulletins or send a request
for a copy of Indoor Plant Bulletin #9. Not sure how to care for your Ficus tree? Subscribe to Indoor Plant Bulletins or send a request for a copy of Indoor Plant Bulletin #12. Planning to move your houseplants outside this spring? Before you do, subscribe to Indoor Plant Bulletins or send a request for a copy of Indoor Plant Bulletin #10. About to repot your plant? Did you know that unnecessary repotting is the single most common cause of plant failure? Before you repot you better read Indoor Plant Bulletin #18. Not sure how to re-bloom your poinsettia, Christmas cactus or amaryllis? Subscribe to Indoor Plant Bulletins or send a request for a copy of Indoor Plant Bulletin #6. For a complete list of Indoor Plant Bulletin topics, email your request to wcreed@HorticuturalHelp.com Week of 8/23/09 When pruning, remember this one guiding principle: New growth always starts at the END of the stem. So always prune back to the point where you would like to see new growth emerge.
Week of 8/16/09 Big pots don’t grow big plants, but they do sabotage small plants. Overpotting almost invariably leads to root rot. Many people are hesitant to prune a plant out of fear of damaging it, yet they don’t hesitate to repot that same plant without realizing that the risk of damage from repotting is far greater. Learn when and how to repot by subscribing to Indoor Plant Bulletins.
Week of 8/9/09 Plants use very small quantities of nutrients from the soil. They cannot be forced to use more and grow faster. In fact, extra nutrients gradually build up and reach concentrations that can damage plant roots and discolor foliage. That is why over fertilizing is a more common source of plant woes that is under fertilizing. Subscribe to the Indoor Plant Bulletins to get the complete lowdown on fertilizing your plants.
Week of 8/2/09 Never fertilize or feed an ailing plant. Fertilizer is not medicine and it will usually make a sick plant even worse. Fertilizer is a supplement needed by healthy plants growing vigorously in soil that has been depleted of nutrients. Subscribe to the Indoor Plant Bulletins to learn everything you need to know about fertilizing your indoor plants.
Week of 7/26/09 An easy plant and an impossible plant: A ZZ Plant is an easy plant to care for because it thrives on neglect and does well in low or very bright light. Don’t repot, fertilize or overwater it and you will have it for years. The commonly sold Majesty Palm is a terrible plant that falls apart within a few weeks of bringing it home. It is big and cheap, but it rarely survives for a year in the typical household. Avoid this plant! Week of 7/19/09 Thinking about repotting your plant? Think again before you do. Unnecessary repotting is the number one cause of plant failure. The plant that you think needs a larger pot probably does not. In fact, potted plants thrive when they are quite potbound. To learn more about when plants should be repotted, subscribe to Indoor Plant Bulletin or send an e-mail to wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com.
Week of 7/12/09 Soil replacement and root washing are very common plant care mistakes with terrible consequences. Such treatment often damages the tiny root hairs that do most of the work and it takes the plant many months to recover. If you are thinking of doing this to eradicate soil pests or to dry out the soil – don’t. There are other solutions for these problems.
Week of 7/5/09 Potted plants do best when 80% of the soil ball is filled with roots. Premature transplanting can cause root rot and prevent flowering plants from blooming. Subscribe to the Indoor Plant Bulletins to learn how to avoid the hazards of repotting.
Week of 6/28/09 I am away this week. Look for more Plant Tips next week.
Week of 6/21/09 Commercial pesticides are usually no more effective than safer alternatives and they are potentially more hazardous. Subscribe to the Indoor Plant Bulletins to learn all about common indoor plant pests and how to treat them safely and effectively.
Week of 6/14/09 Soil replacement and root washing are very common plant care mistakes with terrible consequences. Such treatment often damages the tiny root hairs that do most of the work and it takes the plant many months to recover. If you are thinking of doing this to eradicate soil pests or to dry out the soil – don’t. There are other solutions for these problems.
Week of 6/7/09 Recommended rates on fertilizer labels are based on plants living in optimal conditions. If you have less than ideal light for your plant, then reduce the recommended rate accordingly. In general, that means using fertilizer at half the recommended rate. For everything you need to know about fertilizers and plant foods, subscribe to the Indoor Plant Bulletins.
Week of 5/31/09 Garden soil, topsoil, and compost are poor choices for potting indoor plants. They are a source of plant pests, fungi, and odors that you do not want in your home. Sterilized peat-based soilless potting mixes are best for indoor plants. To find out why, subscribe to the Indoor Plant Bulletins and learn all about the importance of using proper potting mixes for your plants.
Week of 5/24/09 Spring is a good time to consider serious pruning. Many houseplants are overgrown, leggy, and sparse in their center areas after a long winter indoors in reduced light with shorter days. Most plants benefit from regular pruning because it keeps them compact. Spring is a good time to prune because the longer days signal renewed growth for the coming months. The new growth will soon replace the leggy stems that you have removed. Don't know how to prune? Email a request for Indoor Plant Bulletin #24.
Week of 5/17/09 You can’t tell if a plant needs a larger pot based on how it looks. Repot a plant only when it needs water again within a few days after a thorough watering. Subscribe to the Indoor Plant Bulletins to find out more about proper repotting techniques.
Week of 5/10/09 If your plant has been overwatered, do NOT fix it by replacing the soil. If the plant was recently repotted, then remove only the added soil and return it to its original pot. Otherwise, only light, warmth and time will allow the soil to dry out properly. HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY!!
Week of 5/3/09 Avoid so-called “moisture controlled” potting soils for your indoor plants. These soils contain special moisture retaining supplements that keep the soil moist for too long and lead to root rot. Potting soil needs to dry out at frequent intervals, preferably every 7-10 days or less. Read more about repotting and good indoor potting mixes by subscribing to Indoor Plant Bulletins.
Week of 4/26/09 Here are some things that don’t matter much to the health of your indoor plants:
Subscribe to my Indoor Plant Bulletins and learn the surprising reasons why these don’t really matter and may actually cause some damage to your plants.
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