1. Growing Houseplants

2. Introduction Selecting an indoor plant Transporting indoor plants
select only healthy plants
check underside of leaves for insects
avoid plants with leaves that are damaged
purchase plants that will suit the home environment
Transporting indoor plants
keep out of hot summer temperatures
keep out of cold winter temperatures
do not expose to heavy winds
Acclimatization
place plants according to their light requirements
if different, move to new environments slowly

5. Environmental Needs Light Water Humidity Temperature Fertilizer
Soil Mix

6. Light Low light - 25 - 75 foot candles or 8 ft from a light source
Light is probably the most essential factor in house plant survival. Light can be classified as to:
Low light foot candles or 8 ft from a light source
Medium Light foot candles or 4 to 8 ft from a light source
High Light ,000 foot candles or within 4 ft of a light source

10. Light
Light requirements of each houseplant should be matched with the area it will be placed:
Plants needing high light intensities grown in low light areas will have smaller leaves, less color, more open growth and leggy. Pruning will be needed to keep the plant compact. These plants will need less fertilizer and water and will survive for only several years.
Low light plants grown in high light areas will show leaf yellowing and scorch or burn.

13. Light Other light considerations: time of year window direction
external factors ie. window treatments, overhangs other buildings, awnings etc.
day length
artificial lighting

19. Water
Improper watering is often a cause for indoor plant failure. To determine when a plant needs watering use the following:
Potting mixture - heavy potting mixtures or those that contain a high percentage of peat hold more moisture.
Pot - water will evaporate from porous clay pots faster than those that are glazed.
Plants - large thin leaf plants will require more water than plants with thick succulent leaves.
Plant size - a large plant with many leaves grow in a small pot will need more water that a small plant in a large pot.

20. Water
Location - plants in warm, sunny locations will need more water than those in cool, low-light areas.
Growth stage - plants that are dormant or slowly growing need less water.

21. When to Water
Touch - feel the soil to about one inch, if it feels dry then irrigate thoroughly.
Tap the pot - if there is a hollow the plant needs water. If there is a dull sound the plant does not need water.
Estimate pot and plant weight - as the pot dries, a decrease in weight will be seen.
Soil color - as the soil mix dries, the soil will change from dark to light.
When watering is needed, irrigate until water runs out the drainage holes at the bottom of the plant. Use water that has come to ambient temperature.

26. Temperature
Most indoor plants are tropical in nature and will survive freezing temperatures or even cold temperatures. For ideal plant, keep plants at a daytime temperature of 70 to 80 degrees and night temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees. Plants close to windows can be damaged by outside freezing temperatures even though indoor temperatures are moderate.

27. Fertilizer
Indoor plants, as with all plants will thrive when fertilized properly. This includes the major nutrients as well as secondary and micronutrients. These can be applied in several forms under many different trade names. These fertilizers should be applied according to label directions, chosen as to what type of plant is being grown and time of year.
liquid fertilizers
water-soluble granules
slow-release granules

32. Soluble Salts
Soluble salt build up can cause damage to household plants. This occurs with heavy fertilization coupled with poor watering practices. To avoid salt problems, fertilize when needed and water plants until drainage is seen from the weep holes at the bottom. Salt damage can be seen as:
reduced growth
brown leaf tips
dropping of lower leaves
small new growth
dead root tips
wilting
white or yellow crust at the top of the potting media

34. Humidity
Humidity is expressed as the percentage of moisture saturated in the air. Plants will live well in humidity levels between 20 to 40%. Dry air, less than 15%, will cause poor plant growth. This will occur with central air and heating systems. Symptoms will include dropping of flower buds and tip browning.

36. Potting Medium
The selection or creation of a potting mix can be a key factor in plant survivability. A good quality container mix has the following characteristics:
dense enough to support plant growth
good nutrient holding capacity
drains freely but yet retains nutrients
free of disease, weed or insect problems
Preparing an artificial potting mix:
peat moss
vermiculite
perlite
bark

42. Houseplant Problems

43. Roots Symptoms will include:
Root problems are generally caused by overwatering, poor soil mixes or improperly designed pots.
Symptoms will include:
weak growth
yellowing
tip browning
salt accumulation
wilting
musty soil odor

44. Environmental Problems

45. Insects mealybugs spider mites aphids scales whiteflies fungus gnats
Control of plant insects should be started by preventing the insects from entering the house.
Quarantine all plants before bringing them in
use systemic insecticides
use least toxic insecticides such as soaps