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| Introduction |
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Houseplants
have a reputation for being difficult
to care for, and many people are
wary of having them in their house.
But with a little understanding
of the conditions their plants originated
in a large degree of success will
be enjoyed.
Many
houseplants originate in conditions
very different to the warm, dry,
and sometimes lightless atmosphere
of our homes.
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Bromeliads, ferns, ivies, orchids,
weeping figs, yuccas, Venus flytraps,
jasmine, Swiss cheese plant, cactus,
philodendron and lots of others
all originate in conditions very
unlike what is on offer in the standard
house today.
The trick is to recreate
the home comforts of the plants,
and not kill them with kindness!
And it is not difficult to
do.
And it starts in the…………… |
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| Garden
Centre |
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Always buy your plants, whether indoor or
outdoor, at reputable garden centers.
That way you know the plants have
been cared for in the right way by properly
trained staff.
When you are looking for a plant,
check that it looks healthy.
Check foliage for signs of mealy
bug.
Mealy bug are very small white insects,
which usually congregate around the lower
stems.
Also if the foliage is brown, or
drooping, don’t go there!
Talk to the staff…ask questions like
‘How long has the plant been in the store?’
Check the compost and if it is dry
ask why.
Most staff would be happy to talk
to you and advise you on the right plant
for your home.
Also ask if it would need repotting
and when you should do it.
And when you have chosen your new
plant, off you go to……………… |
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Tills |
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Taking your plant out of the nice, warm
environment of it’s previous home can cause
quite a bit of trauma.
Imagine being brought up in a warm,
comfy place, and suddenly taken out into
the interesting weather conditions enjoyed
by us in the UK!
Ask the till operator for a protective
bag for your plant.
Protecting your plant is very important
as cold conditions can cause shock and in
the case of ficus, leaf drop.
Make sure your plant is well protected
on the journey home.
In the summer it is not so bad…but
in the cold weather, protect them.
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| Your
plants new home |
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Do your homework.
Read up on what conditions your plant
likes.
For instance, if you have bought
a cactus, they like sunny conditions, with
restrained watering.
So putting a cactus in a shady room
and watering it every day will not make
it happy!
In fact, it will eventually kill
it!
One thing about houseplants, especially
the leafy ones, is that they generally do
not like draughts, as this will cause their
leaves to turn yellow.
Keep them out of draughts, and give
them plenty of light.
Some plants don’t like direct sun,
and dry heat, so try to keep them off south
facing windowsills with radiators under
them.
Many like humid conditions, so spraying
the foliage will help.
Also grouping plants together to
create a microclimate, and using pebble
trays topped up with water will raise humidity
too.
When watering, use tepid water, as
too cold or hot water will cause shock.
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Keep your plant away from heat sources such
as radiators |
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Finally |
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Playing a bit of classical music
to your plants is therapeutic. Mad
as it seems, some plant growers
claim it makes your plant healthy
& happy. Even the Prince of Wales
is known to play music to his houseplants! |
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