Lesson 4: Tools of the Trade: Care and Feeding of your Indoor Garden
Water, Watering Cans and Misters
Water
Plants need water. Well, duh. You knew that. But what kind of water? This might be more challenging to figure out. Here are the absolute basics:
- First off, tap water is just fine. In fact, many experts say it's better than distilled, because of the helpful extra nutrients dissolved in plain old water from the sink. But some tap water is harder than others. Hard water can create deposits on the soil or rims of pots. This is not harmful, but may be unsightly. If this happens, remove the crusty white soil and add fresh potting mix, from time to time.
If you have water that has been softened by adding sodium ions, this will present a problem.
- Water temperature is another concern. Cold water, right out of the tap, can shock your plants. Don't stress them by pouring cold water all over their roots. Fill your watering can, them let it sit awhile (even overnight if necessary) to reach room temperature.
- Chlorine is not so good for plants either. In most places, our water supplies have a small amount of this chemical added to kill off pathogenic microbes.
If you let tap water sit overnight, as suggested above, the chlorine will evaporate, and you can safely water your plants. Letting your water sit out, this is called aging the water.
- When you DO water, do it well. It's better to give a complete watering once a week than several little waterings every day. Pour enough aged water into the pot that it drains through into its saucer. After a half hour or so, dump excess from the saucer.
- Most plants need less water in the winter, during their resting season. It's better to err on the side of too dry, than too wet at this time. When plants are actively growing - in the spring and summer - they will need their regular, book-recommended amounts.
- Confused about what part of the plant to water? You're not alone. Here's the answer: water the soil. Applying water to the leaves might help increase the humidity, but it does not bring the water to where plants need it the most - on the roots. Watering the foliage is just a waste of your effort.
- Some plants like to be watered from below, which means, simply, sticking your pot in a bowl of aged water and letting the roots suck up the fluid from underneath the plant. Houseplants with hairy leaves benefit from this the most (water spots can damage hairy leaves). Page 231 offers a good illustration of this immersion method.
TIP: This is also a great trick for plants with soil that has been allowed to dry out for too long. If your plant is looking really sad, and the soil is bone dry, immediately immerse the pot in a bowl of water. Let it drink its fill, then hope for the best. It's a good emergency technique, but plants are only so resilient. Don't let this happen too often.
Watering
By now you realize that many houseplants die from overwatering. Do not underestimate the potential for root rot - soil fungus can act on roots quite quickly, if your houseplants have to sit in their own excess water.
There are plants that like wet soil, moist soil, damp soil, dry soil and very dry soil. So each plant requires it's own, individual watering schedule. Stick your finger right in the dirt, at least an inch deep, to see how dry the soil is. Train yourself to check on a regular basis - and make yourself a reminder note if necessary.
TIP: Write down the watering requirements for each plant on a popsickle stick. Stick that right in the dirt of each pot! Then there's nothing to try to remember later. If your plant isn't looking too good, maybe you aren't watering it correctly. Take the guesswork out and watch your plants thrive!
Misting
Most plants, even most cacti, benefit from a good misting on a regular basis.
Not only does this raise the local level of humidity for a little while, but it also helps keep plants dust and pest-free.
Misting bottles can be fancy types from speciality stores, or the simple types you can find at supermarket or department store.
I like to fill my misting bottles and let them age overnight, with the screwtop off, before misting. Alternatively, simply add WARM water - not hot - to your misting can.
TIP: Do not mist plants while they are exposed to direct sun - this can burn their leaves. Water droplets can act like a prism and focus the sun's rays. Interesting, huh?
Making a jungle in your own home
- You can increase humidity around your plants by grouping them together so that their combined transpired moisture humidifies the surrounding air.
- You can also place them on a tray filled with pebbles and shallow water. Let the plant pots rest on top of the pebbles above the water. As it evaporates, the air around the tray becomes more humid. Pebble trays are even considered crucial for the healthy care of some plants - like the African Violet.
- Lots of plants will enjoy a good shower! First, make sure your shower water is at a comfortably warm - but not hot - temperature. Place your potted plants right in the stall or tub and let the air become humid by closing windows and doors. Allow the plants to experience a nice 'rainstorm', and allow them to remain in the bathroom until the pots have completely drained through.
This also cleans plant leaves of accumulated dust, which is unsightly. Plus it makes it harder for plants to breathe through a coating of nasty micro-particles. A shower is an easy-clean technique. Your plants will appreciate the experience!
- Finally, you can always plug in a good humidifier. Turn the setting to 50-60% humidity levels - incidentally, this is considered optimal for humans, as well, and adds beneficially restful negative ions to the air.
Still confused? Okay, here's an essay with super-creative tips on turning your home into a moist jungle: Moisture Balance by Ruby Bayan
For yet some more information
You can find some pretty watering cans and misters at: http://www.avalongarden.com/avalon/tools...
