Lesson 4: Tools of the Trade: Care and Feeding of your Indoor Garden
For the beginner, it's a good idea to start slowly, a few plants at a time. By now know which plants you are going to buy. Chances are good these plants won't need an awful lot of attention from you. In fact, too much love might kill them. But there's still some things you need to know, the nuts and bolts, HOW TO, of plant care.
Besides sunlight, a plant needs water and soil, in varying amounts. They need some kind of pot, for a home. It's nice to feed them, too. None of these things are hard to provide, and interacting with your plants can bring a great sense of satisfaction and joy to your existence.
Here's how to get a handle on keeping your indoor garden alive and well...
Pots
A Plant in Every Pot
There are a lot of pretty containers out there, and a lot of very basic pots. Beginners should avoid porous terra cotta clay pots, which often develop salty, mineral-laden rims (and even algal growth). Plants in clay pots need watering more often as well, since the clay breathes. An enamel or coated clay pot, however, will avoid these problems. If you like this look, go ahead and buy one.
The easiest solution: choose a nice plastic container with a few drainage holes in the bottom. Several holes are better than one big hole. Some pots come with attached saucers, or you may need to buy one separately. It is perfectly acceptable to use a kitchen saucer or plate from home, however.
DO NOT USE: Pots without drainage holes are nothing but trouble for the beginner, believe me. Most plants simply HATE sitting in their own water. Excess water will rot their roots in no time, and then your best option is to chuck your prized plant into the compost heap.
There IS an alternative here.You can use containers without holes as 'cache pots.' Place your 'ugly' pot (the one with drainage holes) into the cache pot. Then you've got the best of both worlds, and the cache pot acts like a saucer, as well. Bonus.
TIP - For those crafy folks: here's another creative thought; pick an ugly plant pot and make it a hand-painted work of art through stenciling or faux finishing. Browse these interactive, hands-on courses from Suite University's School of Arts and Crafts:
Stenciling 101
