Troubleshooting…
Common symptoms of indoor plants are leaf yellowing, browning on the edges of leaves, leaf dropping, branch dieback, and wilting. These common problems are most likely due to one of the following:
Overwatering is the most common source for indoor plant problems. Be sure your plant is not sitting on water and that your pot drains water well.
Signs: yellowing leaves.
Underwatering can also be a problem for indoor plants. Understanding when your plant needs water can be a bit of trial and error at first. Determine the right amount of water for the particular plant (we can help you). Some plants require very little water. Other plants will tolerate being constantly watered. Most plants, however, fall somewhere in the middle. Most of these plants prefer the soil to dry some between waterings.
Signs: browning on edge of leaves, wilting, branch dieback, leaf drop
Pot bound plants will show signs of stress when they are old and have lived in the same pot for many years. The plant’s pot is full of roots and has very little soil to help the plant retain moisture and nutrients.
Signs: browning on edge of leaves, wilting, branch dieback, leaf drop.
Insect pests. Indoor plants under stress are more susceptible to pests. Making sure your indoor plant has proper light, water and soil will reduce the amount of stress and susceptibility to insect pests. If you believe this is a problem with your indoor plants, bring a leaf to us and we can help you address it. See below for products that help feed and protect your plants.
Signs: leaf yellowing, leaf spots, browning on edge of leaves, wilting, branch dieback.
Feeding and Protecting your indoor plants…
Neem Oilis an all purpose Organic insecticide, miticide, fungicide for organic gardening. Derived from the Neem seed, Neem Oil is an excellent choice for use on virtually any plant, including roses, flowers, vegetables, herbs, spices, houseplants, trees, turf and shrubs. Kills all stages of insects – eggs, larvae and adults.
Systemic Houseplant Control is a convenient, ready-to-use granule product that provides effective, long lasting insect control for 8 weeks. Excellent indoor no odor, no spray, no mess formula. Systemic action moves throughout the plant, even protecting new growth. Kills tough houseplant pests like fungus gnats, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips and aphids.
Insecticidal Soap is a great organic option that is easy to use, safe and effective for killing spider mites, aphid, mealybugs and other listed pests.
Understanding your plants Water Needs…
Understanding how often you need to water is the most important part of caring for your plants. It depends on so many variables. The easiest way to tell if it’s dry is to stick your finger in the soil. The temperature and humidity in your home will affect how quickly the soil dries. After a few weeks, you’ll have a sense of how often that happens, and then you can get on a schedule. It is important to water consistently, and pay extra attention if it gets hot in the Summer, or if you have the heater on in the Winter, as you may need to adjust your schedule.
Using a Moisture Meter can help with this process. Once you know your plants moisture requirements, you can use this tool to actually measure how dry or how wet your plant is and water accordingly.
Choosing the right pot…
Choosing a pot for your plant is a partly how it will look in your home and partly what is best for your plant. It is where your plant will be living so it should look nice and feel nice on its roots.
Selfwatering pots are pots that have a reservoir for water for plants to take in when they need it. There is a plate or separate pot that protects the roots from sitting in water. These pots are especially good for African violets, spathiphylliums, cyclamen and other plants that prefer very regular watering and to take in water from their roots.
Orchid pots are pots that have many holes throughout the container. These pots are perfect for orchids and other epiphytes that derive its moisture and nutrients from the air.
Protect floors and furniture with saucers and plant caddies. We carry a variety of sizes and designs to suit your plant containers.