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Indoor Plants Need Winter Care

By 250 News

Growing houseplants over the winter months is different than in the summer. Over the winter months there are shorter daylight hours so plants go into a semi-dormant state, which slows the growing process, this in turn means different requirements.
 Also, air in the home tends to be drier and houseplants prefer a high humidity and some plants may need a little extra attention. 

When a plant slows in its growth it does not need as much fertilizer or water. A general rule is to cut down on the fertilizer by half, so when during the spring/summer you would fertilize every 4-5 weeks you would now fertilize plants every 8-10 weeks. Still use the same all-purpose fertilizer such as 20-20-20. How often to give a plant water depends a lot on the environment it is in as well as the type of plant. Cactus and succulents for example prefer a dry environment and so over the winter months may only need to be watered once or twice during the entire winter depending on where they are located in the home. Remember that if grown in their natural habitat they are used to growing in very dry conditions. Tropical plants on the other hand come from warm humid climates and enjoy a moister environment. They should be given water when the top of soil is dry to the touch and then given a thorough soaking removing any excess water after 15 minutes so that the plants roots are not sitting in water for any length of time. Flowering plants such as ‘African Violets’, ‘Gloxinia’, and ‘Cyclamen’ prefer to be watered from the bottom. This is done by placing room temperature water, (always use room temperature water when giving plants water) in the plants saucer or in a pail, sink, etc. and allowing the plant to soak for 10-15 minutes and then dumping out the extra water or placing the plant back in its spot.

Humidity is another problem in winter homes. Dry air also promotes unwanted pests such as red spider and scales, which enjoy a dry environment. Misting plants increases humidity but is only a short-term solution, as it needs to be done several times during the day. (It is a good idea to give plants a soft shower periodically as this will clean the leaves of dust.) An easier solution would be to fill large saucers with rock and then pour water in it so that the water level is even with the top layer of rock. Place the plant on top of the rock and this will create a microclimate as the water slowly evaporates around the plant leaves giving it a higher humidity. This is very good for orchids, which need a high humidity. Also placing plants in areas of the home where humidity is higher such as the kitchen where there is steam from cooking and a bathroom where baths and showers occur is helpful but you have to ensure that there is enough light.

Light is another important factor in a plants healthy growth. Daylight hours are shorter and not as strong so make sure that, a plant gets a minimum of 6 hours of daylight each day. Also rotate plants around so that the same side of the plant does not always face the window giving it more light than the side of the plant facing the inside of the room. This will eventually cause uneven growth as a plant always grows towards the light.

As we finish one year and begin a new year, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! 

-Jos 

Jos Van Hage owns three Art Knapp's Garden Centres in the Prince George area:
-Highway 97 North
-Highway 97 South at the old Cariboo Highway
-Highway 16 West




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