at HOME | plant this
House Plants
4-1-1
Purdue Extension’s Rosie Lerner and Brian Young of Young’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop offer some advice for where to start. “Keep in mind,” Lerner wrote, “that sound cultural methods, preventive care, knowing your plant’s requirements and careful attention are the best substitutes for a green thumb.” Young encouraged us to dive right in. “The best way to learn is to do it,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to try it.” While the individual plant and its variety should be considered, the most common light source for house plants is natural light, coming through a window. Should your verdant friend become spindly or grow yellow leaves, it likely needs more light. One warm and one cool fluorescent bulb, 10 to 14 inches above the plant, could remedy the issue, or even a standard reading lamp may help. Whatever the source, rotating the plant once a week will prevent lopsided growth toward the source of light. The source of the humidity enjoyed by our likely tropical growers is not at issue, but the presence of that moisture in the air is. Lerner wrote that “many modern heating systems have built-in humidifiers.” Non-mechanical options do exist, though. One could try putting plants together in a terrarium or adding water to a gravel-filled tray (not permitting the pot to enter standing water), placing potted specimens on the stones to bask in the evaporation. While it may be tempting to simply apply water to the leaves, the act is described as futile by Extension. Your concerns about the proper amount of water to give your friend can evaporate with a few simple guidelines to keep in mind. Giving both too much and too little water can result in leaf drop or yellowing. Young offered an easy trick to determine if your plant needs to be watered: “Stick your finger into the soil to the first knuckle. If the soil is moist, there’s no need to water. If it is dry, it’s time to give your plant a drink.” This leads to his next bit of advice: “Make sure the pots you choose have proper drainage, which is key to keep your plants healthy,” he said.
12 Home Living | November 2020
By Bethany Beebe
This month reminds us to be thankful. For many, family, health or dinner on the table come to mind first. As the days get shorter and chillier, though, many find themselves thankful for houseplants, giving a shot of green to the days that long ago saw the first frost. With a few basics in mind, just about anyone can enjoy this simple pleasure. Lerner added, “When a few drops begin to flow from the necessary drain hole in the bottom of the pot, stop for a quick break to allow the soil to soak up the liquid and repeat. Water should not pool for more than a few seconds at the top of the pot; mix sand or perlite in the soil for better drainage if this occurs.” Plants can be watered through placement directly in water but should never be allowed to soak for extended periods of time and should be given their moisture from the top-down at least once a month to prevent salts or minerals from forming deposits. “I like to put my plants in the shower and let them enjoy the flowing water,” Young said. “This is also a good way to keep them from gathering dust.” For more information, see Purdue Extension’s HO-39-W or the many other Extension-prepared resources.
According to Brian Young, co-owner of Young’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop, these are some houseplants for novices because they are hardy and require medium natural light. • Peace Lily • Snake Plant • Rubber Trees
Resources: Purdue Extension- Allen County, Fort Wayne, 260.481.6826, extension.purdue.edu Young’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop, Fort Wayne, 260.245.0012, youngsgreenhouseandflowers.com
