“Gardening is the purest of human pleasures.”
Undoubtedly, Francis Bacon was right to echo the truth that taking care of plants brings one of the biggest kinds of contentment. It is a form of therapy that relieves physiological stress and psychological symptoms. However, not everyone got magic hands to naturally be able to keep plants fed and happy. If you have got houseplants and wish to know how to take care of these beautiful greens than regularly watering them, below are some tips to help you take care of indoor plants without much hassle. Take the guide:
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Watering
One of the basic requirements is watering the plant. However, different plants have different water needs. For instance, succulents need water only after the soil dries out completely whereas some plants need regular misting like orchids and Areca palms. Christopher Satch, a plant scientist at The Sill, explains a general rule, “the amount of water to use is always about 1⁄4 to ⅓ the pot’s volume of water.”
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Fertilization
Every house plant has specific needs when it comes to fertilization requirements. Usually, fertilizing is required every 8 weeks. Liquid fertilizers are used more frequently, that is bi-monthly or monthly. Granular fertilizers should be used once a month. Note that in winters, plants are dormant and do not grow much. So, fertilizing them can lead to fertilizer burn or brown leaves. However, in cold regions, fertilizing should be at half the strength and frequency.
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Airflow
Almost every houseplant needs a minimum temperature of 55ºF. The warmer the environment, happier the plants will be. So, keep the airflow and rotate the plant for maximum benefits as still air can cause a lot of ailments. You can run the ceiling fan for better air circulation. However, they should never directly face the plants. Air movement is essential for optimum growth and production as plants need to release water vapour during their growth process regardless of the temperature.
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Plant Selection
Another important rule is to choose a plant that will suit the environment of your home and will be able to give you healthy rewards. Decide where you would like to place the plant- whether it will be a dark corner of your room or the well-lit windowsill. Accordingly, select a plant that will be able to thrive based on the weather and lighting conditions of the place. However, in case of foliage plants, never get the ones with brown tips and margins. On the other hand, flowering plants need more deadheading to prolong the blooming period and make it tidier.
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Pinching & Pruning
It is another process to encourage lateral growth and achieve a uniform shape and compact look. Pruning means removing stem tips and cutting branches that have become wayward. Also, you should pinch your plants, that is, remove the tip of the stem using your thumb and forefinger for a fuller, bushier growth. Make sure you provide your plant with phosphorus-rich liquid feed more frequently since pinching and pruning encourages the plant to produce more flowers and leaves.
It is a bit of a job to take care of houseplants. However, the simple care practices will not only lend an aesthetic value to your space but also reward you with multiple physical, mental and spiritual benefits.