Transcript Houseplants - Glen Rose FFA

Houseplants
Caring for
houseplants
Watering
signs of improper watering
drooping leaves - lack of water
Watering
yellowing - too much water
Methods of Watering
drench and let dry
drench and let dry slightly
keep media constantly moist
Temperature
recommended temperature
50-85 F daytime
night - drop 10-15 below
daytime temp
locate plants away from airconditioners and drafts
Lighting
natural or artificial
measured in foot candles
direct sun
partial shade or weak sun - less
than 50% natural sun light
Lighting
indirect or filtered light - no
direct sun light
Artificial Lighting
root cuttings more easily
start seeds
grow tropical plants with
greater ease
Humidity
% of moisture in the air
varies with seasons
low in the winter
Increase humidity by:
spraying with fine mist
fill water tight tray with water
and pea gravel, set containers in
it
Increase humidity by:
use a humidifier
place plants in the part of the
house with the highest humidity
Fertilizers
slow release
small beads applied to the soil
nutrients are steadily released
Fertilizers - slow release
plant absorbs nutrients as
needed
avoids over feeding
Soluble fertilizer
liquid or solid
dissolved in water before
applying
Soil Mixture
varies with each plant
organic matter helps to
improve water holding capacity
perlite helps to keep the mix
loose and easily drained
Containers
drainage should be available
use well drained soil mix
put saucer under pot to protect
furniture from water
Potting plants
select appropriate container
and soil mix
provide drainage - put rocks or
put shards in the bottom of
container
Potting plants
add potting mix to cover rocks
place plant in to check soil
level
should be 1/2 inch below top
of pot
Potting plants
fill remainder of container with
media
Repotting
repot plants when they become
root bound
if roots are growing around the
root ball
roots appear at the top of soil
Repotting
separate roots to allow regrowth
If plant is blooming, wait until
after flowering is completed
Repotting
select pot or container of the
next larger size than the one the
plant was planted in.
General Care
leaves
clean occasionally with a fine
spray of water
wipe top and underside of
leaves
Leaves
helps to remove dust and
insects
do not use leaf shine products
clogs the stomates
makes it hard for plants to
breathe
Disease and Insects
control pests by recognizing
and controlling them on the
plant
Common plant pests
aphids
white flies
mealy bugs
mites
scale
Aphids
small green insects with
piercing mouths
called plant lice
suck plant juices from the plant
Aphids
work on stem and underside of
leaves
leaves become sticky with
“honey-dew”
causes growth of black sooty
mold
Aphids
leaves curl, disfigure, turn
yellow
use Orthene
White Fly
small white, winged, sucking
insects
works on underside of leaves
White Fly
heavy egg producers
infestation can occur quickly
eggs laid on underside of plant
leaves
White Fly
cause plant to turn yellow
have mottled appearance spotty
White Flies will leave the plant
when the leaves are moved
White Fly
use Orthene
Mealy Bugs
white , woolly mass, like a ball
of cotton
sucking insect
works on the underside of the
leaves
Mealy Bugs
sucking juices gives plant a
faded yellow appearance
control by swabbing the insect
with a q-tip dipped in alcohol
removes insect from plant
Mites
small spider like insects on
bottom side of leaves
suck juices causing plant to
turn yellow
cannot be seen easily with the
naked eye
Mites
hold a white piece of paper
under leaf and tap the leaves
look for spider like insects
moving on the paper
Mites
wipe across the paper with
your finger
if mites are present, there will
be a red smear
control with Kelthane or
Orthane
Scale
when mature, attack stems in a
cluster
small white gray lumps - oval
shape
plant turns yellow, loses vigor
Scale
sticky sap appearance on plant
remove with soapy water
spray with Malathion or
Orthane
Botrytis
common disease
leaves turn black and develop a
gray mold and will eventually
rot off
Botrytis
provide good air circulation
use a fungicide - Benlate
Mildew
common disease
leaves get a heavy white
coating
fungicide - Benlate
Insecticides
can be purchased in most
stores
read the label for applications
and directions