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Posted on 7:05 PM by Wanto and filed under
By Aspley Nursery
Generally speaking there is only one criterion for all house plants, permanent or temporary. The question we should ask ourselves is `Is it still decorative?' If the answer is yes, then keep the plant. If it is no, then either discard it completely or send it to garden, potting shed or greenhouse for treatment.
The only possible exception to this rule is where a plant has sentimental value, perhaps because it was given by a special friend, perhaps because it was grown from a cutting or because it was once rare or so beautiful that there exists a burning determination to bring it back to perfection again.
The provision of water to the roots of a plant provides both moisture and food to the plant. But note that when water is applied to the soil at the top of the pot it quickly disappears down through the soil.
Temporary plants in particular can be so strikingly attractive when at their best that there exists a strong temptation to retain them longer than is wise. Resist this and be quite ruthless in your decision to harbour only those plants which are in their peak of condition. There is little difference in cost between a house plant and a bunch of cut flowers, yet when flowers die in their vases they are thrown out while too often the value of the plant is given as a reason for holding on to it after it has passed its prime.
Unfortunately with many plants the symptoms of over-watering are almost identical with those shown when the plant is dry, a frequent cause of fury and frustration to the newcomer to the house plant world.
It should be obvious, however, that just as humans tend to perspire more in hot weather than in cold, so plants lose moisture most when the temperature is high and the relative humidity low. So all plants should be watered more heavily on hot sunny days than during winter.
The only possible exception to this rule is where a plant has sentimental value, perhaps because it was given by a special friend, perhaps because it was grown from a cutting or because it was once rare or so beautiful that there exists a burning determination to bring it back to perfection again.
The provision of water to the roots of a plant provides both moisture and food to the plant. But note that when water is applied to the soil at the top of the pot it quickly disappears down through the soil.
Temporary plants in particular can be so strikingly attractive when at their best that there exists a strong temptation to retain them longer than is wise. Resist this and be quite ruthless in your decision to harbour only those plants which are in their peak of condition. There is little difference in cost between a house plant and a bunch of cut flowers, yet when flowers die in their vases they are thrown out while too often the value of the plant is given as a reason for holding on to it after it has passed its prime.
Unfortunately with many plants the symptoms of over-watering are almost identical with those shown when the plant is dry, a frequent cause of fury and frustration to the newcomer to the house plant world.
It should be obvious, however, that just as humans tend to perspire more in hot weather than in cold, so plants lose moisture most when the temperature is high and the relative humidity low. So all plants should be watered more heavily on hot sunny days than during winter.
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The size and shape of the potted houseplant in your garden gives little or no indication of its eventual size and shape.
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