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 Conditioning--
Your home will have a different environment than what
your plants are used to and sometimes this can lead to
plants losing foliage within a week or two after purchase
due to the plant not having been conditioned to the home
environment. Try to buy preconditioned plants if
possible.
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To
help condition your plants, initially expose your
plants to high amounts of light. This can usually be
done by putting plants in front of a south-facing window.
After approximately four weeks, reduce the light to the
light levels it would be receiving in the room you decide
to place it.
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Leach
the soil mixture after the four weeks of high light
levels. This can be done by allowing the water to filter
down through the soil and escape through the drainage
hole. This process can be repeated four or five times to
remove excess salts or fertilizer that can cause leaf
drop.
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Always
try to maintain the conditions needed for the
specific plant you are growing. Follow the guidelines
suggested from your retail store at the time of
purchase.
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Plants
can be revitalized if put outside during the
summer.
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Avoid
rapid changes in temperature from cold or hot air
drafts.
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Spraying
plants with clean water removes dirt from the leaves
and can increase humidity. Be sure to do this early in
the day so as to avoid leaf diseases due to leaves wet
overnight.
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Always
use pots with drainage holes.
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Media
in clay pots dry out faster than in plastic pots.
Water plants in clay pots more often than those in
plastic pots.
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Fertilize
every two months for actively growing plants. Don't
fertilize dormant plants.
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The
lower the light intensity, the less fertilizer
required.
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Water
plants with room temperature water.
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Carefully
inspect the leaves, stems, and soil of newly
purchased plants to detect any insects or
pests.
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If
infested leaves are found, remove and
discard them.
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To
help destroy any more pests, wash the plants with
soapy water two or three times a day, every five to
seven days. Always rinse the plants a few minutes after
treatment to avoid soap injury to foliage.
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Try
to keep all plant environments relatively dry to
help inhibit diseases.
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To
prevent disease, do not overwater, over-mist, or allow
insect injury.
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Purchase
plants that are healthy and vigorous at the retail
store.
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Beware
of bargain buys for plants.
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