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Houseplants

Houseplants. Master Gardener program. Class Objectives. Understand basic growth requirements of houseplants Understand how various aspects of light affect plant growth Know how to water indoor plants Know what containers and soil to use Become familiar with insects/diseases of houseplants.

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Houseplants

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  1. Houseplants Master Gardener program

  2. Class Objectives • Understand basic growth requirements of houseplants • Understand how various aspects of light affect plant growth • Know how to water indoor plants • Know what containers and soil to use • Become familiar with insects/diseases of houseplants

  3. Beauty Why Grow Houseplants?

  4. To nurture a living thing Why Grow Houseplants?

  5. As part of our interior design Why Grow Houseplants?

  6. To live with green plants year round Why Grow Houseplants?

  7. To clean the indoor air Why Grow Houseplants?

  8. To provide fresh food (herbs) year round Why Grow Houseplants?

  9. To use your creativity Why Grow Houseplants?

  10. Tropical Plant Desert Plant Annual/Tender Perennial Plant There Is No Such Thing as a Houseplant!

  11. Goal: Replicate Natural Conditions

  12. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS • Light • Water • Humidity • Soil • Nutrients

  13. LIGHT—MOST CRITICAL Brightness and intensity vary by: • Exposure (North, South, East, West) • Distance from the light source • Window coverings, film/dirt on the window • Dust on leaves • Time of year • Artificial light

  14. LIGHT • Intensity/brightness • Duration: hours of light • Quality: color or wavelength

  15. WATERING Factors that affect frequency of watering: • Type of plant • Type of Container • Temperature • Humidity in the air • Potting medium

  16. WATERING METHODS • Water when the plant needs it • Feel the soil • Water thoroughly • Use water at room temperature • If water is chlorinated allow it to stand 24 hours • Improve oxygen level by using Enki watering can

  17. DIFFERENT WATERING METHODS • Some require consistently moist soil • Some require soil to dry out between watering • Avoid water on foliage • Let water run through

  18. TOO WET/TOO DRY Overwatering symptoms: • Lower leaves turn yellow and drop • Oedema can develop • Adventitious roots on stems • Root rot Under watering symptoms: • Dry or brown leaf tips/margins • Leaves that turn brown and die • Plants become stunted or woody

  19. Basic rule of watering ? If in doubt. . . don’t

  20. HUMIDITY • Desert natives prefer dry air • Tropicals miss their rainforest

  21. INCREASE HUMIDITY • Place plants in pebble filled trays • Group plants together • Place plant in a bathroom or near a kitchen sink • Running a humidifier • Move plants away from heat vents • Grow plants that require high humidity in a terrarium • Allow plants to spend time outside in the summer • Select plants that tolerate low humidity

  22. CONTAINERS • Large enough to hold sufficient soil • Allows for proper watering – headspace • Non-Toxic • Provisions for Drainage • Attractive

  23. CLAY POTS • Heavy, prevent tipping • Porous – good aeration • Overwatering less of a problem • Soil dries out faster • Mineral salts and algae may collect on exterior • Breakable • More expensive than plastic

  24. PLASTIC POTS • Light-weight and easy to handle • Less expensive • Easily cleaned for reuse • Overwatering may be a problem • Often tip easily • Variability in aesthetic appearance

  25. SOIL Soil provides both nutrients and physical support for the plant

  26. ALL-PURPOSE POTTING SOIL • May be soil-less • Must be sterile • Is made of peat moss, compost, bark, perlite, sand, loam combinations

  27. SPECIALTY POTTING MIXES • Orchids • Cacti • Palms • Bromeliads • Azaleas

  28. FERTILIZATION HINTS • Fertilize every two weeks March through September with water soluble fertilizer at ½ the label rate. • Never fertilize when plants are dry • When using liquid solution make sure some runs out of the pot

  29. Fertilization Symptoms of insufficient fertilizer: • Pale foliage (especially if Nitrogen is lacking) • Leaf loss • Few flowers • Stunted and unhealthy looking plants Symptoms of over fertilization: • Hard, stunted growth • Burned leaf margins • Poorly shaped leaves • Wilted leaves (when soil is wet)

  30. Insect and Disease Control • Examine plants closely before purchasing for insects or disease • Isolate purchased plant for 2 weeks • Prune out any bug/disease infested portion of the plant • Treat plant for specific insect or disease • Never apply any chemicals to a moisture stressed plant • Avoid misting plants!

  31. Credits and Thank You to: • Presentation content and pictures provided by Sue, Hennepin County Master Gardener • Presentation formatting completed by Amy Johnson, Hennepin County Master Gardener • Information on container types and fertilizer signs/symptoms used from Carl F. Hoffman, Extension Horticulturalist for “Indoor Gardening” presentation

  32. Discover more atextension.umn.edu

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