GIVE HOUSEPLANTS A BOOST
Bring lacklustre plants back from the brink
WHEN I was in my early 20s, I spent an entire year looking after houseplants. I studied interior landscaping and during that time I cared for plants in office blocks, shopping centres and hotels. It quickly became clear to me that so many of us are guilty of expecting houseplants to put up with neglect and harsh growing conditions. Dracaenas watered with coffee dregs, ficus mulched with cigarette ash and dieffenbachias placed in dark and draughty corners are quite the norm in many commercial locations.
In our homes we tend to be more determined to offer our foliage friends the right conditions. However, there is often cause to give them a boost. There are many reasons why houseplants start to flag, but the most common include too much/little sunlight or water, lack of feed, disease and temperature.
If it’s a new houseplant that looks under the weather, then is it very likely to be fluctuating temperatures that are to blame. Carrying unwrapped plants to the car on a chilly day can be all it takes to set them back. When buying a new plant, go armed with wrapping and research the conditions it requires before placing it to avoid long-term problems. Some plants prefer high humidity while others need protection from direct sunlight – the same windowsill won’t suit all!
Spring care
The performance of plants you have nurtured for months or years will be greatly improved by repotting into fresh compost this spring. Choose a generalpurpose houseplant compost or one specifically designed for a plant type.
Once potted on, food is your next consideration. No, not for you – the plants! Foliage plants with yellowing leaves could be in urgent need of a feed high in nitrogen. Most generic houseplant feeds contain plenty of nitrogen and can be bought as a slowrelease liquid or pellets. Follow the instructions on the bottle and cease feeding in winter. For flowering plants, you need a feed high in potassium, with orchids appreciating a specialist feed. To make life simple you can’t go far wrong with the traditional Baby Bio – but avoid feeding cacti and carnivorous plants as they don’t need the extra help.
Once plants have been potted on and fed, it’s time to clean the foliage. A damp cloth is perfect for removing dust and debris. If a leaf is covered in dust, it will hinder the plant’s growth. Once clean, remove damaged leaves using a pair of sharp scissors. A light shake of a plant with plentiful small leaves will quickly remove faded
foliage. If leaves have damaged edges, then you can cut this part of the leaf away – but try to leave a natural shape. Avoiding pests and diseases Healthy plants are more likely to avoid pests and diseases. Those positioned too close together and in stress will be easy prey, and, if left untreated, it is almost certain death for plants. In an environment with poor air circulation and high humidity, pests will breed quickly and disease will spread from plant to plant.
Common pests include the tiny but vicious red spider mite – its silky webbing is easily spotted. Mealy bugs cover foliage with a sooty fungus, and the white bugs can be found on the underside of leaves. Scale is also a common pest. These reddish-brown insects leave a sticky residue on plants.
To treat both pests and diseases, quarantine the unhealthy plant, remove any very badly affected leaves, and wipe them down with a damp cloth. Try repeating this technique often before turning to expensive houseplant insecticide and fungicides.
To ensure your plants thrive, make their care part of your routine. After all, they are house guests and should be made to feel welcome!