Plants
are the most natural and cost-effective means of
decorating one's home. They provide a warm, snug
and comfortable ambience and a home is almost incomplete
without them.
However,
indoor plants need to be taken care of much more
than the soil growing plants as they grow in both
lesser space and lesser soil.
These
are the factors that must be kept in mind while
keeping indoor plants
Plants die mostly due to excess of water than the
lack of it.
The thumb rule is to clinch the plant with a wooden
hammer, and if there is a hollow sound, then its
time to water. Dip a finger into the soil and if
it comes out wet, then there is no water requirement.
No
general schedule can be used for watering all houseplants.
Size of plant, pot, light, temperature, humidity
and other conditions influence the speed with which
the soil mass dries out.
Another
common mistake is that too little water is given
too often: it is better to water well and less often
in most cases, allowing the soil to dry up a bit
before watering.
Warm
conditions also demand more water. Most plants grow
very little in winter due to lack of light, and
therefore they should be watered less in winter.
Never
allow plants to wilt, and never allow them to stand
in water for long periods of time.
Kinds
of water: Ordinary tap or well water is usually
satisfactory for plants. Chlorine and fluorine often
added to city water do not harm plants. Rain water
or melted snow are excellent. Water run through
most water softeners, however, should not be used
continuously for watering potted plants.
Potted plants should always have good drainage.
Occasionally the drainage hole may become clogged
by roots.
According
to Mr. H D Gautam, horticulturist with Hotel Taj
Palace, "A proper drainage in the pot is very
crucial for its growth and well-being. These days
we put something known as the croax layer from where
water gets drained off from the pot."
There should be seasonal re-filling with fresh soil
and manure. Plants to be kept on in the home should
be put on a regular fertilization program.
When
to fertilize: Fertilizing once a month is usually
adequate for most houseplants that are producing
new growth or flowers. During midwinter (December,
January) when no new growth is apparent, fertilizer
should be withheld.
Do
not use fertilizer to stimulate new growth on a
plant located in poor growing conditions. Lack of
growth is more often due to improper light or watering
than to nutritional deficiencies. In such cases
adding fertilizer may actually cause additional
injury.
Foliage plants are generally divided into those
suitable for low light areas, moderate light areas
and high light areas. According to H D Gautam -
"Only a few plants can tolerate dimly lit room
interiors.
How
much light is present will
determine to an extent the choice between variegated
(multi-coloured) or dark green plants. The rule
of thumb with many is that the variegated forms
need a lot more light than the green varieties of
the same species."
Improper
light intensity ranks close to improper watering
as a frequent cause for failure with houseplants.
A plant in proper light is better able to withstand
the high temperature and low humidity of many homes.
Plants
in bloom should be kept out of direct sunlight since
the flowers will heat excessively and collapse more
quickly.
Light
in the average room, away from windows, is not bright
enough for most flowering plants, even when ceiling
fixtures are kept on.
Air in most modern homes is extremely dry during
the winter. A furnace or room humidifier can help
plant growth. If one cannot be used, watertight
trays placed beneath the plants and filled with
constantly moist sand or gravel help increase humidity
around the plants. Pots must be placed on, not in,
the wet sand or gravel. 
Misting
over the leaves daily can help a plant overcome
the stress of low humidity. A relative humidity
between 40 and 60 percent is best for most plants
but is difficult to attain in the house.
Temperature
is in most cases not crucial, room-temperature will
do for most common plants. Never expose the plant
to a heat source such as a fire in a fireplace,
which can do extensive damage.
Proper
temperatures for plants are often hard to find in
the house. A hot, dry atmosphere shortens the life
of flowers.
Do
not put plants at windows that have hot air registers
or radiators directly below them. Hot air blowing
on the plants often causes leaves to brown on the
edges and occasionally to drop or die.
Watch new plants carefully for development of insect
or disease problems. If detected early, these problems
often can be corrected easily before serious damage
is done. If ignored or unseen, they may become difficult
to control. The three most common and difficult
houseplant pests are spider mites, scales and mealy
bugs.
