Indoor Plant Care
WATERING
Over-watering is the greatest cause of plant problems. Too much water literally drowns the roots by closing off the
oxygen supply in the soil. First sign of trouble is yellowing of the lower leaves.
A simple way to find out if a plant needs watering is to poke a finger about an inch into the soil. If it is damp,
no water is needed. For more accurate measurement, use a water gauge or meter.
Container drainage affects moisture retention. All pots, regardless of material, should be "crocked" or have small
pieces of clay or gravel over the drainage hole. Crocking allows excess moisture to escape without losing the soil and
permits watering from the bottom of the pot.
POTTING
Prepared planting mixtures usually consist of vermiculite, peat moss and fertilizer plus small amounts of sterile
soil. They also are free of diseases and weed seeds and hold moisture well. For add-on sales, promote vermiculite, peat
moss, ground limestone, 5-10-5 fertilizer and 0-20-0 (high phosphate) fertilizer.
HEAT AND HUMIDITY
Heat and humidity do much to shape plant growth and vitality. Too much heat causes soft, weak plant development.
Touch the leaf surface; if it feels hot, move the plant further away from light.
Humidity prevents plants from drying out too fast. Generally 40 to 60 percent relative humidity is adequate. Most
tropical plants like high humidity; humidifiers and misting help keep them happy.
ACCESSORIES
Pots - The most important factors in selecting the correct pot are size, drainage and
construction.
Clay pots are porous, allowing air and moisture to pass through. Plastic is lighter and more colorful, but depends
entirely on drainage holes to relieve excess moisture.
Plants must be transplanted to bigger pots as they grow. Re-potting is indicated when roots creep up to the top of
the soil. Other indications in a seemingly healthy plant are shedding of lower leaves and new leaves failing to develop
normally.
Terrariums are another form of potting, but require special attention; plants must be small, compatible and inclined
to a moist environment.
More information on pots and potting can be found in houseplant books.
Plant Food - There are a number of prepared fertilizers in liquid, granular or
time-release tablet form for indoor plants. Urge customers to read the directions carefully and follow them explicitly.
The old saying, "If one drop is good, two will be even better", does not hold true in gardening.
The amount and frequency of fertilizing depends on light, water, soil and level of plant growth. Many houseplant
books have specific plant feeding instructions.
Pest Control - Most common houseplant pests are red spiders, aphids, scale, gnats and
mealy bugs. There are commercial sprays to get rid of these pests. Be sure to follow instructions carefully.
For best results, spray tips of plant shoots, underside of leaves and junction of leaf and stem.
Grow Lights - Plants depend on good light for growth, but they can't always get it year
round. Sunlight, of course, is the best light source, but proper artificial light is a good supplement.
Grow lights can be fitted into bookshelves, into hanging planters, etc., providing light heretofore unavailable.
To determine exactly how much light a plant needs, consider the amount of light it gets in its natural surroundings
and then simulate it.
Lights should be placed 2' to 6' above the plant and left on about 16 hours per day. In order for the plant to
maintain its natural shape, light should be evenly distributed from above.
Grow light systems are available, or you may choose to make your own, using a pair of 40-watt fluorescent bulbs.
Plant Hardware - To help display indoor plants, hooks and brackets are available in a wide
variety of styles, sizes and finishes, including vinyl-coated, rustproof items.
In recent years, brackets in decorator colors, wood and brass have expanded the offering. Besides being decorative,
many plant hardware items include special features such as rotating hooks or swivel brackets, allowing you to take the
best possible care of plants.
Hangers, in macrame, plastic or metal chain designs, and vinyl-coated stands suitable for outdoor use are good
suggestions for add-on sales. These items can be matched to most home decors.
WHEN TO SPRAY
| EARLY SPRING (late Feb., early March, before green starts to show) |
| SPRAYING JOB | PESTS CONTROLLED | SPRAYERS TO USE |
| Dormant Spraying: Pests overwinter on shrubs, trees, and other woody plants. A dormant spray stops
many
damaging insects before they have a chance to develop and infest new growth. | Scale, insects, mites, aphids, leaf curl, anthracnose, mealy bugs, hibernating caterpillars and
various insect
eggs. | Slide Pump Sprayer: High-pressure sprayer provides long-range spray to reach tops of 25-ft. trees. Can also be
used for low-growing plants. |
| Compression Sprayer: For lower growing trees, shrubs, bushes and woody plants. |
| Power Sprayer: Ideal for big jobs such as many fruit trees or plantings. Either gasoline or electrically
driven, power sprayers can reach high into 25 to 30 ft. trees. |
| SPRING |
| SPRAYING JOB | PESTS CONTROLLED | SPRAYERS TO USE |
| Vegetable And Flower Gardens: Insects: Keeping your garden clean will help prevent insect problems. Remove all
weeds and dead plants. Check plants regularly for insect damage. Apply spray as needed. | Aphids, leafhoppers, Colorado potato beetles, lace bugs, thrips, cut worms, mites and many other pests. | Compression Sprayer: Versatile; provides precise application and proper control. For small gardens: a 1 1/2- to
2-gal. size is recommended. For average to large gardens: a 3- or 4-gal. size is best. |
| Plant Disease: Disease-causing organisms overwinter in garden refuse. Remove all weeds and dead plants and
begin a regular spraying program. Spray susceptible plants before there is evidence of damage. Repeat every week or 10
days. | White powdery mildew, wilt, rust, and other leaf and stem disease organisms. | Dusters: When a dust is preferred or recommended, apply dust in a uniform cloud or small puff where
needed. |
| Roses: Check roses carefully, looking for a black spot on the upper surface of the leaf. Remove and burn any
infected leaves, and begin a regular spray program, continuing until Summer. | Black spot, mildew, etc. | Power Sprayer or Knapsack Sprayer: For very large gardens. |
| SUMMER |
| SPRAYING JOB | PESTS CONTROLLED | SPRAYERS TO USE |
| Outdoor Areas: Eliminate mosquito breeding places (garbage, standing water, weed patches, etc.)
Then, spray resting places (flowers, shrubs, dense foliage, etc.) | Mosquitoes | Compression Sprayer: Offers a controlled, precise spray. No drenching or waste. |
| Power Sprayer: Good for a very large yard and a lot of spraying. |
| LATE SUMMER - EARLY FALL |
| SPRAYING JOB | PESTS CONTROLLED | SPRAYERS TO USE |
| LAWN PESTS: Insects: Your lawn may be troubled by two types of insects. The first lives in the soil damaging
the grass root, while the second attacks from above the ground. You can correct insect problems with a spray program
and proper care of your lawn. | Sod, webworms, grub, lawn chinch bugs | Compression Sprayer: Provides a precise, on-target non-drift spray good for soil and lawn pests.
Adjust the sprayer for a coarse drenching spray, one that penetrates the ground. Then sprinkle the lawn thoroughly. The
size of the sprayer will depend on the size of the yard. |
| Weeds: This time of year, many weeds are noticeable, while others are simply regrouping for the attack next
spring. Both types can be eliminated now with a spray program. | Crabgrass (grassy weeds), dandelions (broadleaf weeds) |
| Lawn Disease: Lawns that are shaded, watered at night, watered too frequently, or tend to remain wet for long
periods are most likely to have disease problems. A spray program will help stop the spread. | Fungi, powdery mildew |
| FALL |
| SPRAYING JOB | PESTS CONTROLLED | SPRAYERS TO USE |
| Foundation Spraying: Spray the foundation around you house, especially in the fall. Crawling insects are less
likely to cross this pesticide barrier. Spray just to the point of runoff and spray all the way around the house. Also
spray a 2" to 4" band of soil alongside the foundation. | Ants, centipedes, spiders, crickets and water bugs | Compression Sprayer: This applicator, with its control features, places the spray exactly where it should be in
just the right amount. |
| YEAR-ROUND |
| SPRAYING JOB | PESTS CONTROLLED | SPRAYERS TO USE |
| Houseplants: Insects: If you find the signs of insect attack, you need to apply the proper spray
material. | Aphids, cyclamen mites, mealy bugs, millipedes, scales, spider mites, white flies. | Small Compression Sprayer: A lightweight polyethylene compression sprayer with a capacity of around 1/2-gal. is
ideal for houseplants. |
| Source: H.D. Hudson Mfg. Co. |
MATERIALS USED FOR COMPRESSION SPRAYER TANKS
| MATERIAL | RESISTANCE TO CHEMICALS | RESISTANCE TO RUST |
| High-Density Polyethylene | Highly resistant to pesticides, acids such as used in sanitizing solutions, alcohols and petroleum naphthas.
Moderate resistance to softening by concentrated oils such as diesel and heavy aromatic solvents used in metal cleaning
and cement-curing compounds. | Cannot rust |
| Stainless Steel | Completely resistant to commonly used pesticides. Excellent resistance to solutions used in cleaning and
maintenance. Can be corroded by extended contact with solutions containing chlorine such as sanitizers. Retains
resistance if dented. | Will not rust |
| Epoxy-Coated Galvanized Steel | Epoxy coat is completely resistant to all commonly used pesticides and most chemicals used in spray
applications. Combined with the zinc coating of galvanized steel, it provides double resistance to corrosion. | Will not rust unless both epoxy and zinc coating are broken, exposing underlying steel. |
| Galvanized Steel | Not attacked by commonly used pesticides. Not recommended for strong acid solutions such as hydrochloric or
phosphoric acids used for cleaning or sanitizing. | Will not rust unless zinc coating is broken, exposing underlying steel. |
| Epoxy-Coated Plain Rolled Steel | If coat fractures, peels or chips, the bare, unprotected rolled steel underneath will corrode or rust rapidly.
Plain rolled steel is not rust-resistant. Possible to rust even when epoxy-coated. | Rusts rapidly if epoxy coat is fractured... even if only tiny area exposed. |
| Source: HD Hudson Mfg. Co. |
CARE AND FEEDING OF HOUSEPLANTS
| PLANTS |
| TYPE | LIGHT | WATER | TEMPERATURE |
| African Violet | Good | Heavy | Medium |
| Asparagus Fern | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Cactus | Good | Medium | Medium |
| Dieffenbachia | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Ivy | Good | Medium | Cool |
| Jerusalem Cherry | Good | Medium | Medium |
| Philodendron | Low | Moderate | Warm |
| Poinsettia | Good | Heavy | Medium |
| Rubber Plant | Medium | Moderate | Warm |
| Sanservieria | Low | Moderate | Medium |
| Schefflera | Medium | Moderate | Warm |
| Spider Plant | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Succulents | Good | Moderate | Warm |
| Wandering Jew | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| (Chart courtesy of Duro-Lite Lamps Inc., Fair Lawn, N.J.) |
| FLOWERS |
| TYPE | LIGHT | WATER | TEMPERATURE |
| Begonia | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Carnation | Good | Medium | Warm |
| Coleus | Low | Heavy | Medium |
| Forget-Me-Not | Good | Heavy | Medium |
| Impatiens | Good | Heavy | Warm |
| Marigold | Good | Medium | Medium |
| Nasturtium | Medium | Moderate | Medium |
| Pansy | Good | Heavy | Medium |
| Petunia | Good | Medium | Cool |
| Snapdragon | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Zinnia | Medium | Moderate | Medium |
| (Chart adapted from Basic Container Gardening Guide, Northrup King Seeds, Minneapolis) |
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Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions.
Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and
associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any
contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of
the information in this document.
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