|
Tropical and Houseplant Care Houseplant care is the act of growing houseplants and ensuring they have the necessary conditions for survival and continuing growth. This includes providing soil with sufficient nutrients, correct lighting conditions, and adding the right amount of water. Watering houseplants on a regular basis is necessary for the plant to remain healthy and thrive. They should not, however, be watered on a scheduled basis, because different plant species need different amounts of water and sunlight so it is important to know the specifics for the particular plants that are being grown. Houseplants sometimes also need to be cleaned of dust and greasy films that collect on the leaves when they are indoors. Dusty, grimy leaves can be inhibitive for plant growth. Temperature requirement Most plants grown as houseplants are selected because they are already adapted to growing at typical house temperatures, between 15° and 25°C. Exceptions do occur, and some plants require chilling periods at lower temperatures (down to 5° or 10°) in winter when less light is available. Humidity
Humidity can affect different plants in different ways. Indoor humidity is often low and constant and can cause some plants to suffer. Grouping plants together can often help increase the humidity a bit in the immediate area. Misting is not a perfect solution, as it only slightly raises the humidity and needs to be done frequently. Also, keeping some plants drenched can make them more vulnerable to disease. Water requirement The amount of water a particular houseplant needs is influenced by several factors. Not only is the individual plant size and species important, but also the growing conditions. Light, temperature, humidity, container type, container size, and soil type all influence the speed of growth and therefore the amount of water needed. General Guidelines The Society of American Florists provides these additional general guidelines to keep most green houseplants thriving:
Orchid Care Light Giving your plant the right amount of light is essential when taking care of orchids. Giving too little light will likely stunt growth and cause other health problems. Giving too much light will also cause problems, mainly damaged leaves. Plants should be grown in an east, south, or west window, but should be protected from direct midday sun. Temperature Another important aspect of caring for orchids is providing the appropriate temperature. Most species are found throughout tropical or subtropical areas of the world. Therefore, you will need to provide higher temperatures than for those found in cooler climates. Warm- growing orchids, like Phalaenopsis, Doritis, and some Paphiopedilum and Dendrobium, grow best in temperatures between 65-80 degrees (F). Cool-growing orchids, like Cymbidium, Odontoglossum, Miltonias, and some Paphiopedilum and Dendrobium, prefer temperatures between 55-70 degrees. Most of the remaining varieties require intermediate temperatures of 60-75 degrees. Humidity Humidity is also a big factor when growing orchids. Some plants like to be kept very moist. Others like to stay dry. Therefore, it's important to identify your specific orchid species so you can proper care of the plant. Typically, a relative humidity level of 40-80% is suitable. A gravel tray containing water can be placed under the plants to increase humidity levels around the plants. Make sure the bottoms of the pots are above the level of the water. Daily misting is also helpful. Water Frequency of watering depends on the size of the plant and pot, type of pot (plastic or clay), potting medium utilized, relative humidity, and amount of misting. Orchids generally prefer to dry out well between waterings where the plant and potting medium are soaked thoroughly. The potting medium should remain fresh enough to allow water to drain freely. If the roots are kept wet for more than a few days they may rot. |