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Winter Wisdom Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State University Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners. Each week we feature interesting topics for winter reading. |
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Week of 1/27/03 Many questions we receive deal with the care of indoor flowering and foliage plants. Of particular interest are plants which spent the warmer months outdoors on decks, patios or terraces, and were brought inside for the winter. Many of these are subtropical natives and are welcomed into our temperate-zone homes for winter survival, and for the color and interest they add to our interiors during the winter months. Some basic reminders concerning these seasonal visitors may be in order. After a season or two spent outdoors you will simplify things for yourself considerably if these plants are carefully scrutinized before they are brought into the house. This scrutiny should include both sides of the leaves, stems and branches for scale or other insects or diseases with which the plant has been visited while outdoors. Follow a good cleaning with an appropriate insecticide spray, if your inspection has disclosed the presence of pests that may become a problem in the house. You may also wish to consider the use of systemic insecticides on plants that do not bear edible fruit. Some of these systemics are available in the form of easy-to-use spikes that may also contain a plant fertilizer and moisture regulators. If you do find scale, depending on the extent of the infestation, you may want to remove them physically or dip a swab stick in alcohol and apply to them. Scale and white flies are probably the most vexing problems you will encounter. Both will rapidly infest other houseplants, so it is best to address the problem as soon as possible and isolate the affected plants until they are pest free. Remember that any plant brought into a new indoors environment will require time to adjust or acclimate to new light, air movement, moisture and temperature conditions. The effect may be noted in leaf discoloration and dropping. Some plants react more drastically than others to relocation. My own experience includes a four-foot Ficus which flourished on the terrace through spring, summer and early fall. When brought indoors, it proceeded to drop every one of its leaves, seemingly overnight. A strong desire to trash it was overcome by my mother’s counsel of patience. Within three weeks, it had survived the change, and a full set of new leaves had emerged to mark the fact that it had acclimated to the new conditions. Relocations like these require the plant to experience real physical change in it efforts to maintain an adequate level of photosynthesis vital to its continued life and vigor. Artificial light is seldom a substitute for natural light levels, and often generates more heat than light. Research and experience cast doubt on the efficacy of more expensive “grow lights”. Satisfactory results are usually obtained by locating the plant in a bright spot where it is not exposed to excessive heat. It should be protected from drafts, but will appreciate normal air movement. Many failures with indoor plants are due to incorrect watering. In most cases, this means over watering. Combined with inadequate drainage, it is a fatal combination. Plants will often show discolored leaves with brown tips. It is suggested that most plants be allowed to dry out to the top one to two inches of soil before a thorough rewatering. Potting soil with good moisture retention is very helpful. Care should also be used to avoid excessive fertilization. Use fertilizers intended for indoor plants in the frequency and concentration recommended on the product label. One last reminder, don’t be in a hurry to repot your plants. Many plant varieties do better when moderately root bound. If you do move a plant to a larger pot, select one that is only one to two inches larger in diameter. It’s best to increase the pot size gradually. Take advantage of this opportunity to inspect the roots for any damage, insects or pathology, and deal with them before completing the repotting process. Don’t be reluctant to prune off any roots that appear rotted or diseased. Sound new healthy roots should be white, light yellow or tan in color and firm to the touch. Information on care and culture of specific varieties like succulents, orchids, etc. is available by consulting your County Extension or Outreach service, visiting their reference libraries, or their internet web sites.
Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension
Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent. * Winter Wisdom is an information service of the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners. Research-based responses are provided by Extension Master Gardener volunteers weekdays from March 1 through October 31, from 9:00 am to 4:30pm . To telephone, call (913) 764-6306 or visit the Extension Office at 13480 South Arapaho Drive, Olathe, Kansas. Visit their website at www.oznet.ksu.edu/Johnson
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