Houseplants

1. Houseplants Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office June, 2002

2. Caring for houseplants • Watering • signs of improper watering • drooping leaves - lack of water

3. Watering • If yellowing of the leaves occur - too much water

4. Methods of Watering • drench and let dry • drench and let dry slightly • keep media constantly moist

5. Temperature • recommended temperature • 50-85 F daytime • night - drop 10-15 below daytime temp • locate plants away from air-conditioners and drafts

6. Lighting • natural or artificial • measured in foot candles • direct sun • partial shade or weak sun - less than 50% natural sun light

7. Lighting • indirect or filtered light - no direct sun light

8. Artificial Lighting • root cuttings more easily • start seeds • grow tropical plants with greater ease

9. Humidity • % of moisture in the air • varies with seasons • low in the winter

10. Increase humidity by: • spraying with fine mist • fill water tight tray with water and pea gravel, set containers in it

11. Increase humidity by: • use a humidifier • place plants in the part of the house with the highest humidity

12. Fertilizers • slow release • small beads applied to the soil • nutrients are steadily released

13. Fertilizers - slow release • plant absorbs nutrients as needed • avoids over feeding

14. Soluble fertilizer • liquid or solid • dissolved in water before applying

15. Soil Mixture • varies with each plant • organic matter helps to improve water holding capacity • perlite helps to keep the mix loose and easily drained

16. Containers • drainage should be available • use well drained soil mix • put saucer under pot to protect furniture from water

17. Potting plants • select appropriate container • and soil mix • provide drainage - put rocks or put shards in the bottom of container

18. Potting plants • add potting mix to cover rocks • place plant in to check soil level • should be 1/2 inch below top of pot

19. Potting plants • fill remainder of container with media

20. Repotting • repot plants when they become root bound • if roots are growing around the root ball • roots appear at the top of soil

21. Repotting • separate roots to allow re-growth • If plant is blooming, wait until after flowering is completed

22. Repotting • select pot or container of the next larger size than the one the plant was planted in.

23. General Care • leaves • clean occasionally with a fine spray of water • wipe top and underside of leaves

24. Leaves • helps to remove dust and insects • do not use leaf shine products • clogs the stomates • makes it hard for plants to breathe

25. Disease and Insects • control pests by recognizing and controlling them on the plant

26. Common plant pests • aphids • white flies • mealy bugs • mites • scale

27. Aphids • small green insects with piercing mouths • called plant lice • suck plant juices from the plant

28. Aphids • work on stem and underside of leaves • leaves become sticky with “honey-dew” • causes growth of black sooty mold

29. Aphids • leaves curl, disfigure, turn yellow • use Orthene

30. White Fly • small white, winged, sucking insects • works on underside of leaves

31. White Fly • heavy egg producers • infestation can occur quickly • eggs laid on underside of plant leaves

32. White Fly • cause plant to turn yellow • have mottled appearance - spotty • White Flies will leave the plant when the leaves are moved

33. Mealy Bugs • white , woolly mass, like a ball of cotton • sucking insect • works on the underside of the leaves

34. Mealy Bugs • sucking juices gives plant a faded yellow appearance • control by swabbing the insect with a q-tip dipped in alcohol • removes insect from plant • Control with Orthane

35. Mites • small spider like insects on bottom side of leaves • suck juices causing plant to turn yellow • cannot be seen easily with the naked eye

36. Mites • hold a white piece of paper under leaf and tap the leaves • look for spider like insects moving on the paper

37. Mites • wipe across the paper with your finger • if mites are present, there will be a red smear • control with Kelthane or Orthane

38. Scale • when mature, attack stems in a cluster • small white gray lumps - oval shape • plant turns yellow, loses vigor

39. Scale • sticky sap appearance on plant • remove with soapy water • spray with Malathion or Orthane

40. Botrytis • common disease • leaves turn black and develop a gray mold and will eventually rot off

41. Botrytis • provide good air circulation • use a fungicide - Benlate

42. Mildew • common disease • leaves get a heavy white coating • fungicide - Benlate

43. Insecticides • can be purchased in most stores • read the label for applications and directions