Houseplants
Caring for houseplantsWateringsigns of improper wateringdrooping leaves - lack of water
Wateringyellowing - too much water
Methods of Wateringdrench and let drydrench and let dry slightlykeep media constantly moist
Temperaturerecommended temperature50-85 F daytimenight - drop 10-15 below daytime
templocate plants away from air-
conditioners and drafts
Lightingnatural or artificialmeasured in foot candlesdirect sunpartial shade or weak sun - less
than 50% natural sun light
Lightingindirect or filtered light - no
direct sun light
Artificial Lightingroot cuttings more easilystart seedsgrow tropical plants with
greater ease
Humidity% of moisture in the airvaries with seasonslow in the winter
Increase humidity by:spraying with fine mistfill water tight tray with water
and pea gravel, set containers in it
Increase humidity by:use a humidifierplace plants in the part of the
house with the highest humidity
Fertilizersslow releasesmall beads applied to the soilnutrients are steadily released
Fertilizers - slow releaseplant absorbs nutrients as
neededavoids over feeding
Soluble fertilizerliquid or soliddissolved in water before
applying
Soil Mixturevaries with each plantorganic matter helps to
improve water holding capacityperlite helps to keep the mix
loose and easily drained
Containersdrainage should be availableuse well drained soil mixput saucer under pot to protect
furniture from water
Potting plantsselect appropriate containerand soil mixprovide drainage - put rocks or
put shards in the bottom of container
Potting plantsadd potting mix to cover rocksplace plant in to check soil
level should be 1/2 inch below top of
pot
Potting plantsfill remainder of container with
media
Repottingrepot plants when they become
root boundif roots are growing around the
root ballroots appear at the top of soil
Repottingseparate roots to allow re-
growthIf plant is blooming, wait until
after flowering is completed
Repottingselect pot or container of the
next larger size than the one the plant was planted in.
General Careleavesclean occasionally with a fine
spray of waterwipe top and underside of
leaves
Leaveshelps to remove dust and insectsdo not use leaf shine productsclogs the stomatesmakes it hard for plants to
breathe
Disease and Insectscontrol pests by recognizing
and controlling them on the plant
Common plant pestsaphidswhite fliesmealy bugsmitesscale
Aphidssmall green insects with
piercing mouthscalled plant licesuck plant juices from the plant
Aphidswork on stem and underside of
leavesleaves become sticky with
“honey-dew”causes growth of black sooty
mold
Aphidsleaves curl, disfigure, turn
yellowuse Orthene
White Flysmall white, winged, sucking
insectsworks on underside of leaves
White Flyheavy egg producersinfestation can occur quicklyeggs laid on underside of plant
leaves
White Flycause plant to turn yellowhave mottled appearance -
spottyWhite Flies will leave the plant
when the leaves are moved
White Flyuse Orthene
Mealy Bugswhite , woolly mass, like a ball
of cottonsucking insectworks on the underside of the
leaves
Mealy Bugssucking juices gives plant a
faded yellow appearancecontrol by swabbing the insect
with a q-tip dipped in alcoholremoves insect from plant
Mitessmall spider like insects on bottom
side of leavessuck juices causing plant to turn
yellowcannot be seen easily with the naked
eye
Miteshold a white piece of paper
under leaf and tap the leaveslook for spider like insects
moving on the paper
Miteswipe across the paper with your
fingerif mites are present, there will be
a red smearcontrol with Kelthane or
Orthane
Scalewhen mature, attack stems in a
clustersmall white gray lumps - oval
shapeplant turns yellow, loses vigor
Scalesticky sap appearance on plantremove with soapy water spray with Malathion or
Orthane
Botrytiscommon diseaseleaves turn black and develop a
gray mold and will eventually rot off
Botrytisprovide good air circulationuse a fungicide - Benlate
Mildewcommon diseaseleaves get a heavy white
coatingfungicide - Benlate
Insecticidescan be purchased in most storesread the label for applications
and directions