Houseplants

LIGHT

Full Sun = 5 hours or more of direct sun.
Some Direct Sun = Brightly lit all day or less than 5 hours of direct sun.
Bright Indirect Sun = As much light as possible, without any direct sun.
Medium Light = 5-8’ away from windows; receiving no direct light.
Low Light = Poorly lit area away from windows; receiving no direct light.
Artificial Light = At least 16 hours daily from a GroLight or fluorescent bulb.

SOILS MADE SIMPLE

Soil should drain evenly and quickly, distributing the water efficiently throughout the roots of the plant.  Sterile potting soils are available for cacti, African violets, and general purpose. Bark mixtures should be used for certain types of orchids. DO NOT USE NATIVE SOIL, MUCK OR GARDEN SOIL FOR HOUSEPLANTS.

TEMPERATURE

The ideal temperature range is 70-80°during the day and 60-65° at night. Bring plants inside when the evening temperatures drop to 55°.

WATERING

Overwatering is the #1 reason houseplants die. Roots that sit in soggy soil cannot move the needed oxygen throughout the plant, causing the plant to deteriorate. It is best to use a “pot within a pot.” DO NOT PLANT DIRECTLY INTO A POT WITHOUT DRAINAGE HOLES.

Using a “water meter” device can take much of the guesswork out of “to water or not to water.” Ask Dutch Garden Center the specific requirements of your plants if you are uncertain.

HUMIDITY

50% relative humidity can be achieved by placing pots on gravel or pebbles in a large tray and filling with water just below the top of the stones or by misting the foiliage of the plants. However, plants with “hairy” or “fuzzy” leaves (like African Violets) should not have their foliage misted.  They should be watered from below.

FERTILIZING

Water Soluble types:
Once a month, March - September.
Every 6 to 8 weeks, October – February.
Granules, sticks, or spike applications: As directed by manufacturer.

CLEANING AND PRIMPING

Dusty plants inhibit the plants’ ability to breathe, and the dust gives insect eggs excellent camouflage in which to hatch. Several products are available to make your leaves glisten, but you should buff off the excess with a soft cloth. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on any product. Always trim off fading flowers or any discolored foliage to encourage new growth.

COMMON HOUSEPLANT PROBLEMS TO WATCH FOR

Overwatering:
Symptom - Soft or “mushy” stems
Solution – Check drainage or container; cut back on watering practices
Mealy Bugs:
Symptom – Cotton-like masses under leaves or on stems
Solution – Hot Pepper Wax Spray or Isotox
Scale:
Symptom – Sticky, rock candy-like residue on leaves
Solution – Isotox or diluted horticultural oil spray
Spider Mites:
Symptom - Webbing on and under leaves; leaf discoloration
Solution – Hot Wax Pepper Spray, Isotox, or diluted horticultural oil spray

COMMON PLANTS AND THEIR LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

FULL SUN
Agave Asparagus Fern Bird of Paradise	Lithrop (Living Stone) Old Man Cactus Opunita Cactus
SOME SUN
Aloe Anthurium Aralia Australian Tree Fern Christmas Cactus Citrus Trees Clivia Croton Cymbidium Orchid Episcia Ficus Bejamina Gardenia Grape Ivy Haworthia Hoya Jade Plant Jerusalem Cherry	Kalanchoe Lipstick Plant Narcissus Palm, Areaca Palm, Fishtail Peperomia Poinsettia Rieger Begonia Roses, miniature Schefflera Steptocarpus Stetocarpella Swedish Ivy Vanda Orchids Venus Fly Trap Wandering Jew Yucca Dracaena
INDIRECT LIGHT
African Violet Alocasia Bamboo Palm Bird’s Nest Fern Bromeliad Calathea Creeping Fig Cryptanthus Dieffenbachia Dracena Ficus, Ali Ficus, Nitida Homalomena Iron Cross Begonia	Ivy, Pothos Ivy, variegated Maidenhair Fern Norfolk Island Pine Phalaenopsis Orchid Philodendron Hybrids Pleomele Piggy-back Plant Ponytail Palm Prayer Plant Rabbit’s Foot Fern Spathiphylumm Spider Plant Zebra Plant
LOW LIGHT
Cast Iron Plant Chinese Evergreen Dracaena , Janet Craig	Ivy, Pothos Kentia Palm Monstera