Houseplants

1. Houseplants Wyandotte County Kansas State Research & Extension

2. Houseplants • Indoor plants to enhance the interior environment of a home • More than 250 commonly grown plants in the foliage industry • Most foliage plants are grown in Florida or South Texas

3. Houseplants • Most homes and offices are environments poorly suited to the needs of tropical plants. • Key to success  select plants that can best withstand the conditions of a specific indoor location

4. Houseplants Plant Selection • Choose a plant that fits your environment; LIGHT • Select plants which are free of insects and diseases • Select sturdy, clean, well potted, and shapely plants • Plants which have new flowers & leaf buds along with young growth are usually of superior quality

5. Houseplants Transporting Summer • avoid placing plants in a car that is shut up, as temperatures will rise and destroy the plant in a short time. • Shade the plant from direct sun while it is in the car Winter • Wrap plants thoroughly before leaving the store • Many foliage plants will be damaged if the temperature drops below 50 degrees.

6. Houseplants • Acclimatization – change in the internal structure of the leaves to adapt to changes in light intensity • Sun leaves – thick, small, and large in number; fewer chloroplast, less photosynthesis • Shade leaves – thin, large, and few in number; more chloroplast, more photosynthesis To reduce the shock which occurs when a plant with sun leaves is placed in shade, gradually reduce the light levels it is exposed to.

7. Houseplants Environmental Factors • Light • Soil • Water • Temperature • Humidity • Ventilation • Fertilization

8. Houseplants Light • The most essential factor for indoor plant growth • The one factor that isn’t economical to manipulate in the home • Light is necessary for all plants because they use this energy source to photosynthesize

9. Houseplants Light • Light influences the manufacture of plant food (photosynthesis), stem length, leaf color and flowering. • Plants are classified according to their light needs – high, medium, and low light requirements • Some plants are photosensitive – day-length or duration of light triggers flowering; Poinsettia, kalanchoe, Christmas cactus

10. Houseplants Light • Short-day plants - Poinsettia • Flowering is triggered by uninterrupted darkness – 12 hours for 6 weeks (Christmas cactus – 25 days) • Start in early October  flowers in 8 to 11 weeks after initiation of the uninterrupted darkness, depending on the variety

11. Houseplants Light What impacts light? • Where the light source is to the plant • Direction of the windows in your home - southern exposure has the most light - eastern & western exposure receive 60% of southern exposures - northern exposures receive 20% of southern exposures • Curtains, trees outside the window, weather, season of the year, and cleanliness of the window

12. Houseplants Soil • Good quality • Porous for root aeration & drainage • Capable of water & nutrient retention • Most commercially prepared mixes are “artificial” – contain no soil

13. Houseplants Containers/Pots • Houseplants should be slightly under potted • Pots should have feet and drainage holes • Clay vs Plastic - clay is more forgiving of watering; porous for air exchange - plastic gives more uniform moisture and temperature for the root zone. NEVER place gravel in the bottom of the pot!!

14. Houseplants Artificial Lighting • Incandescent or fluorescent lights Must be placed close to the plant surface to be effective • Photosynthesis  blue & red spectrum • Incandescent lights (typical light bulb) produce a great deal of heat produce mainly red light • Fluorescent lights produce mainly blue light

15. Houseplants Water • Over watering & under watering account for a large percentage of plant losses • How much – thoroughly saturate the soil; NEVER give a light watering • How often – after sufficient time for the soil to dry down; feel the soil with your finger; if damp, don’t water • Water should be room temperature

16. Houseplants Temperature • Indoor foliage plants grow best between 65 – 75 degrees • Many foliage plants will be damaged if the temperature drops below 50 degrees.

17. Houseplants Humidity • Most plants don’t care; except African violets and orchids • Misting doesn’t help, as its not frequent enough & may cause salt build-up on foliage

18. Houseplants Ventilation • Indoor plants are very sensitive to drafts or heat • Avoid placing plants near heating registers or on top of the television

19. Houseplants Fertilization • Use commercial fertilizers labeled for indoor plants (Follow label directions) • Frequency of fertilization Mar – Sept – every two weeks Oct – Mar – ½ strength of fertilizer less frequently

20. Houseplants Winter Care • Most critical and difficult time to grow indoor plants due to light deficiency • South window is best • Do NOT turn plants – sun leaves/shade leaves • Clean windows • Clean leaf surfaces • Use ½ strength fertilization; only want to encourage healthy plants, NOT growth • Don’t repot or cut plants back; encourages growth when light levels aren’t adequate

21. Houseplants Pests • Spider Mites Use insecticidal soaps Wash off with water

22. Houseplants Pests • Spider mites • Mealybugs Use cotton swab soaked in alcohol Use Merit stakes

23. Houseplants