For the vast majority of our potted plants, winter is the most difficult period. It is often a real attempt to survive for them, weakening their condition, which of course affects their appearance.In winter, the days are very short and the plants do not receive enough light to develop.The ideal solution would be to provide additional lighting, but it is not always possible.
How to care for plants at home?
The period of light deficiency would be much easier to survive if it were not for the fact that we heat our homes.We artificially raise the temperature, which causes the plants to produce new shoots that are pale, exuberant and chlorotic.House plants are weakened, they are more easily attacked by pests and diseases, not to mention that they do not fulfill their decorative role in the room.It is therefore worth knowing how to help our green favorites survive this difficult time.
Should the soil in the pot always be replaced after winter?
Winter is a dormant period for houseplants. Everything changes with the onset of early spring (March), when developmental processes begin. This is the time when you should inspect your plants, assess their condition and prepare them for the next growing season. This is also the best time to replant potted plants. The rule is simple, we overdo it if the plant stops to fit or the roots begin to grow out of the pot. Transplanting and replacing the soil means not only more space for growth, but also a new substrate with a better structure and greater abundance of nutrients.Young plants with strong growth are recommended to be transplanted every year, older plants once every 2-3 years, and large and heavily grown plants should be replaced or supplemented with the top layer of soil in a pot.
- says Dr. Eng. Tomasz Mróz
Although a large proportion of indoor plants come from tropical forests, they benefit from lower winter temperatures. During the day at 15-17 ° C, and at night 10-12 ° C.Unfortunately, we can rarely provide them with such conditions. However, if possible, store them in a lit corridor, staircase, porch.When we cannot provide a cooler room, move the plants away from all heat sources.
See also:Housing plants in autumn
Watering - the most important rules
Of course, there are species that are not bothered by the high temperature at home, such as succulent spurgeons, pachypodium (Madagascar palm), sanseveria and zamiokulkas.The decrease in the relative air humidity goes hand in hand with the heating of apartments. It results in browning of the leaf edges, their curling and drying up; plants are more often attacked by spider mites.Therefore, the warmer the room, the more care must be taken to maintain humidity around the plants.The easiest way is to spray it - with dry air every day. In winter, the plants require less frequent watering, once every 1.5 weeks. However, it is best to control the dryness of the soil with a wooden stick or by touching the soil.
Cleaning and care of potted plants
Plants have the added benefit of washing the dust off the leaves, making it easier for them to breathe through the stomata. In addition, clean leaves absorb more light. They can be cleaned with standing, filtered water. Thanks to this, white discoloration does not form on the leaves. Another way is to gently wash the leaves with water and lemon juice.If we sprinkle them with water, it is worth allowing the plants to dry before night.Damp leaves with a night temperature drop are more susceptible to the development of fungal pathogens.Exotic plants such as monsters or our native ferns like to maintain higher humidity in the room. For this purpose, you can use special air humidifiers, which, apart from their practical dimension, can be an additional decoration of the interior. The question of transplanting plants should be left in the spring. Then the plants are naturally stimulated to grow. The new soil, especially for the needs of the plant in question, is rich in nutrients. Each potted plant has different conditions in its natural environment. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to which plant needs peat, expanded clay or an orchid substrate.
Soil for potted plants
Fertilizers for potted plants
The issue of fertilizing potted plants should also be left in the spring.In winter, the plants should be dormant. However, it is difficult to achieve this when we heat our homes and the plants do not feel a drastic difference. In autumn and winter, you can use fertilizers intended for use at this time of the year. It is also good to use them in a higher dilution than the specifics used in spring and summer. This will give the plants the opportunity to fully grow.
The author of the text is Krzysztof Mielicki.
