Give houseplants a summer treat
IF YOUR houseplants are looking a bit unhappy, give them a summer airing in the garden.
Higher light levels will encourage lots of healthy growth, and a fresh breeze will discourage a flare-up of fungal diseases. As a bonus, the odd shower will wash off dust, helping to improve photosynthesis.
As they are used to low light levels, indoor plants often suffer from scorch when immediately set in a bright position. So acclimatise them to a spell outdoors by putting them in a shady sheltered spot and gradually moving them to lighter areas on a daily basis.
But make sure you give plants the right amount of light to avoid a check to growth. Succulents, scented-leaf pelargoniums, citrus plants and Chinese hibiscus like a sunny spot. Spider plants, Begonia rex, Swiss cheese plants, Cape primroses and peace lilies will thrive in a shadier position.
Feed occasionally to ensure they produce lush, healthy growth and check often for slugs, caterpillars and other pests. Houseplants will require regular watering when they are outside, as their compost will dry out quickly during sunny spells and in breezy weather.
Move plants to a sheltered spot during prolonged wet periods.
Many houseplants come from tropical parts of the world and flourish in humid conditions. An easy way of raising humidity around them is to mist regularly with a hand-held sprayer – simply spritz until it looks like a fine dew has settled on the leaves.
It’s best to treat plants first thing in the morning, so they enjoy the benefits of misting during the day and leaves are dry when evening arrives – plants that are damp overnight are more prone to diseases.
Keep houseplants in great shape by dead-heading fading flowers and pruning damaged growth. Get rid of tatty leaves by cutting off close to the stem. Sometimes leaves will turn brown at the tips but the damaged part can be removed with a straight cut across the leaf.
If a stem starts to die, cut back into healthy growth.