Tips of the Week

Keep houseplants healthy

Houseplants can't stay healthy in the same containers indefinitely.

When the roots fill the pot or the soil dries out very quickly, it is time to move the plant to a larger container. This is known as potting-on.

The first step is to find another pot about 2-3 inches wider in diameter.

If you are moving a plant into a previously used container, be sure to scrub it out thoroughly first. Water the plant in its current container and wait about an hour.

Then lay the pot on its side and gently rap it against a hard surface to loosen the plant. It may be necessary to run a knife around the inside of the pot to get the plant to release. Then remove it from the old pot.

Now take the cleaned, bigger pot and cover the drainage hole with broken clay pottery pieces or gravel. Add a layer of potting soil and place the plant on top of this.

Fill in around the plant with more potting soil, patting it down gently with your fingers.

Water your plant to help settle the potting soil. Your plant now has a more favorable place in which to grow and thrive.
                            Joann Adair,
Smith County Master Gardener

Make the transition easy

Houseplants can make a healthy transition from indoors to outdoors. To prevent sun damage, first place your plants in a protected shady spot such as under a tree, hedge, or north side of your house. Over a two-week period, gradually move your plants into a sunnier location.

Cool-temperature plants can be moved out as soon as danger of frost is past. Tropicals need to stay inside until night temperatures are above 55 degrees F.

As the temperature rises, container plants will need more water. You should check the dryness of the soil and water before the plant dries to the point of wilting. The higher temperature and increase of water will tend to leach nutrients from the soil, so you may need to fertilize each week. For blooming plants, you can alternate between a high-nitrogen fertilizer and a bloom booster.

Potted plants can be buried in the ground for the summer, but make sure that one inch of the pot rim is above ground. For water conservation, cover the soil with mulch.
                      Joan Matthews,
Smith County Master Gardener