Are your botanical buddies struggling or do you feel lost in caring for them? I once felt this way too but honestly, I didn't give myself much time to expand my skill set. I've had to teach MYSELF to love learning as I've aged, and one may say this may be why I became a teacher. Teaching others to love learning new things has helped me embrace it in my personal life as well.
Speaking of challenging myself in new ways, I have always loved plants but I un-alived a sunflower once when I was 18 and I closed the plant mom door as fast as it opened! Well, until I moved into my current house. I bought some hanging flowers for around the pool area and when the flowers dropped onto the deck it just made a huge mess of petals that I had to SCRUB off. Again, I was annoyed....... (flowers are obviously the problem for me.) None the less, I decided to try something different and I bought a snake plant/succulent combo and a "polka dot" Begonia (maculata) to start my houseplant journey. I couldn't figure out where to put them so I stuck them in the corner of my screened in patio, far longer than they should've been there, until I gained the courage (and time) to learn more.
Fake plants served their purpose and how many I actually had is quite comical. I had them everywhere and I hated that they were fake but it was my destiny (or so I thought). Now, I don't feel at all cluttered with my LIVE plants and they actually look better and help each other out when you clump them together. Not to mention fake plants are expensive and they NEVER CHANGE. That may be what one is into, but I get bored with my surroundings and enjoy changing things up. Almost too often and I'm getting tired of climbing in the attic to get my seasonal decor every year!
Here's how I take care of them!
1. Soil Mix
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Choose whatever potting soil you want. I like to use Miracle-Gro brand (moisture control, tropical plant soil, indoor potting soil, there are so many options and you really can't go wrong). No need to spend a ton of money on the soil. It's what you add into the soil that counts.
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Next I always add Perlite, this is my first step to making a "chunky" soil, since house plants will not loose water from their soil as quickly as an outdoor plant, this is important. I use my soil mix in my outdoor plants as well because most of them will come inside for winter and I live in Florida.... they get PLENTY of rain water and I don't want them sitting in soggy soil over summer with daily rains. Perlite improves drainage, reduces soil compaction, and creates aeration which helps grow strong roots because they can breathe!
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Most of the time I will add in Orchid Bark and this definitely makes a soil mix chunky.
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Finally, I like to add in LECA - lightweight expanded clay aggregate.... better known as clay pebbles. These clay pebbles retain moisture by absorbing water and releasing it slowly while also supporting aeration in the soil. You can grow plants directly in LECA as well so it's nice to have on hand.
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When you combine any of the above you quickly increase the volume (and health) of your soil.
2. Pest prevention
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Systemic Granules in the soil and/or Gnat Defense!
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Dead AF spraying every week if possible!
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Regular check ups - pests can pop up way faster than you think. They can be so tiny.
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Adding a layer of clay pebbles to the top soil to prevent gnats from laying eggs!
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If you are coming back from pests - support the plant if it needs. I use these clear stakes and dragonfly clips.
3. Leaf Maintenance
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Clean leaves with microfiber gloves and Leaf Wellness routinely. Less dust = more photosynthesis. More photosynthesis = faster growth!
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CUT OFF DEAD LEAVES, dying leaves, browning leaves.. the leaf will not come back but a new one can emerge (not all plants- so do your research). Don't cut right at the stem. Cut where you think a new leaf would come, sometimes you can see it... and cut at an angle!
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When pruning, make sure you use good scissors/shears, I love these. They don't rust and they are sleek looking effective scissors!
4. Adequate Light
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If you are serious about making sure your plants have what they need. Get a digital light meter. Most plants need over 700 foot candles for growth. Low light is considered 100-200 foot candles and even "low light" tolerant prefer more, especially for growth!!
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If you don't have enough light, supplement with a grow light. These Sansi grow bulbs can replace any bulb you have and they work so well. They produce plenty of foot candles - over 1000!!
5. Watering "Schedule"
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DO NOT HAVE A SCHEDULE! Just check your plants by sticking your finger in the soil or upgrade to a moisture meter.
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I water when the soil is dry. UNLESS, it's a plant that likes consistently moist soil (not soggy). And I make sure it stays at "normal" moisture with my meter or goes into a self-watering container.
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Fertilize appropriately. You CAN over-fertilize your plant. Some may even change color, so follow dilution recommends or stay on the less is more side.
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Bottom watering - I'll go on for days. Go to a local thrift shop and get a huge cake dish, pie dish, tray of some sort with a tall lip. Fill with water and prop plants in... they will get exactly what they need because the soil can only absorb so much water. Plus it goes right to the roots.
Lots of information to digest...most importantly, love the crap out of your plants! Your plants can live life with you as long as you wish to keep them healthy and happy. If you think there is a problem, there probably is! Just pay attention to how they look and what your habits are. They need more than just water.
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