It might seem that potted plants in the house have much better conditions in winter than those that stand outside all year round.Unfortunately, the lack of light, high temperature and dry air can seriously harm them.It is worth making sure that the specimens in pots withstand the dormant period well and look beautiful in the next season.
Light
The amount of light in the room is much less than outside. Moreover, its intensity decreases several times in winter.Therefore, plants should be provided with a properly sunlit position, because the lack of light, as well as its excess, is harmful. Lighting requirements can be judged by the appearance of the plants. Flowering species and those with colored, fleshy, fine or thorny leaves have a greater demand.
Large, leathery and dark leaves indicate a penchant for diffused light.Plant lighting is expensive, so it is worth rearranging at least some of the pots for the winter.Let's put as many flowers as possible on the southern windowsill. The plants should not be rotated. If possible, let's give up curtains, curtains and roller blinds.
The symptoms of light deficiency are easy to recognize.Plants bend towards the window, shoots elongate, leaves are smaller, colorful varieties turn green.With longer deficiency, leaves begin to fall and the plant slowly dies.
Temperature
Many plants (fig, onion) require winter rest for approx. 3-4 months cool (5-10 ° C). During this period, they drop their leaves or stop growing.Others need a reduced temperature at night to stimulate normal growth and development.It is not easy to create conditions similar to natural conditions for indoor plants, because in winter we maintain high temperature in our apartments.
However, you can use the following tips.Flowers should be placed far from heat sources (stoves, heaters), because the leaves may burn, turn brown and fall off.On a wider window sill, they will receive less heat from the radiator below. The pot also matters.
Water will evaporate faster from a ceramic container than from a plastic container. The best place is a cool room or a winter garden. Leaves that are in contact with the glass will freeze.Also plants standing on the windowsill behind the curtain are exposed to overcooling.
Lack of dormancy and uninterrupted plant growth can distort the shoots of cacti, cease flowering in the compact, limit the growth of myrtle and molin, and reduce the number of flowers in pelargonium and fuchsia. Before buying a plant, it is good to read its requirements.
Airing
Sudden changes in temperature during room ventilation may be dangerous for plants. It is advisable to first remove the pots from the windowsill or cover them with newspaper.The outside temperature should not be lower than 0 ° C, and the window should only be opened for a few minutes.Drafts cause discoloration, leaf fall, and even the death of the plant. We should also remember about sealing the windows.
Air humidity
Plants require air with adequate humidity. In a heated room, the air will be dry. The warmer and drier, the more water the plant evaporates.Too low humidity causes drying of the tops of leaves (e.g. in cyprinaceae and palm trees) and promotes the development of spider mites.Plants need to be sprinkled regularly. It is best in the morning so that they can dry before the night. We use soft water that will not leave white residues.
Moisten the top and bottom side of the leaf plate when the plant is not exposed to sunlight (burns). Avoid soaking flowers. Not all plants tolerate leaves soaking (e.g. African violet).Pots can be placed on stands or in larger containers filled with gravel or expanded clay flooded with water.The evaporating water will increase the humidity around the plant. We can also use electric humidifiers or containers hung on radiators.
Watering
The more light and the higher the temperature, the more water is required. If we provide the plants with appropriate conditions for rest, they will not require frequent watering.We water most species once a week.Flowers standing by the radiator will require more water.
Repotting and feeding
It is worth remembering that plants during the dormant period do not require fertilization. It's best to start transplanting in February, before growing.
Diseases and pests
The winter period is very favorable for the development of diseases and pests, especially scales, aphids and spider mites.Therefore, it is very important to monitor the plants (at least once a month) and react quickly in the event of disturbing symptoms.
- Every month it is also worth cleaning the leaves from dust, which limits access to light and breathing.
- To clean the large leaves, use a damp cloth or rinse the debris in the shower.
- Brush the delicate leaves covered with hairs. Do not get them wet.
- Every 14 days we remove dead plant parts (faded flowers, dry leaves). They look unsightly and are a place of disease development.
- Before the winter dormancy, it is worth shortening weakly branched or too large plants.
Solar position:aloe, Jameson's gerbera, araucaria, Blossfeld's kalanchoe, continuously flowering begonia, croton, 'Alii' fig, Benia fig tree.
Moderately sunny position:anthurium, Christmas cactus, cissus rombolistny, nephrolepis, dendrobium, sansevieria, diffenbachia, perennial, spring ficus, herbaceous plant.
Semi-shaded position:common ivy, arrowroot, cyclamen, rhododendron, dracaena, cheflodendron, spurge, calathea, herb.
Plants that feel comfortable in dry air:sanseweria, fig, spurge moss, grouse, herb, ceropegia.
Plants that like high air humidity:cordilin, calathea, croton, coconut palm, nettle, scheflera.
