All Year Round Houseplants Care – Fertilizer and Watering Tips
Caring for your houseplants all year round can seem a little confusing. Just like outdoor plants, indoor plants have an active growth period throughout the seasons of spring and summer and a tapering off period during the fall. In addition, they can also become dormant during the winter season even though they are inside and the temperature remains at a steady degree.
The variation of care your plant requires during the seasonal changes stems from the changes in the abundance of sunlight as well as generations of genetic development derived by the species origination in the wild. Although many varieties are not insensitive to the constant controlled temperatures of the indoors, they still retain their original drivers that in turn keep their natural cycle in tact.
This cycle must be kept true. This means that the care provided must adhere to the plants specific cycle.
During the active growth period of spring, plants require a specific amount of fertilizer. When the warm days of summer arrive, the time has come to taper off the amount of fertilizer administered. Finally, as the cold chill of winter arrives, plants will require no fertilizer at all as this is their dormant cycle. Flowering plants require less fertilizer as well when their blooms begin to fall.
The application of fertilizer at the proper times is essential in the health of your plants. For instance, administering fertilizer during the dormant phase can lead to a chemical related burning of the roots and will result in the death of the plant. Moreover, not administering fertilizer during the cycles your plant requires it can lead to a sickly plant that can not produce fruit or blooms.
The responsibility of watering your plants also follows a similar pattern in regards to the plants cycle. Watering your plants is an essential process as it allows the plants to transport needed chemicals in the soil to the roots, up through the stems and branches and finally out to the leaves. Water also helps directly in many biochemical reactions. Just as excessive watering can be harmful to animals, the same is also true for plants especially as they are stationery.
With all the different varieties of houseplants, it is very important to research the proper amount of watering for your species. All plants for the most part require watering during the spring and summer months, however there are a few who require no watering at all. Other factors contribute to the amount of water your plant requires such as soil composition and pot size just to name a few.
Most plants will close their pores during the sunlight hours of the day and open them up during night time. This is a water saving feature that has evolved over many generations. Watering your plants is an essential part of their care, so adjusting the amount to this schedule will help ensure a healthy plant.
One of the most common mistakes plant enthusiasts make is over watering. Even though these plants are not outside and the temperature has only changed a few degrees, their biological make up allows them to know what season it currently is. This means that a proper adjustment to the regular watering routine to adhere to the season is necessary for the health and beauty of your houseplant garden.
Indoor Houseplant Care
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