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Purchasing; When buying house plants remember that they may be vulnerable to changes in their surroundings, i.e. previously they have been nurtured in a controlled environment.
For example; tropical plants dislike sudden fluctuations in temperature, so cover/wrap plants up well before taking them out of the nursery.
Location; Read up, or ask the supplier for cultural requirements before positioning it.
If in doubt, place it in a well lit coolroom and avoid over watering.
Plants may require a period to acclimatise to their new surroundings.
Some plants may shed a few leaves or flowers as they settle in.
Avoid under / over watering, too hot/cold or dry atmosphere.
Do not place near direct heat sources, such as radiators as this might lead to excessive leaf loss.
Week 7; Tidy up houseplants that are beginning to look a little winter worn.
Remove dust from large shiny leaves using a moist cloth or tissue
Overhead misting/spraying of many plants may counter dry air conditions in centrally heated rooms.
Straggly growth can be cut back to encourage strong growth and maintain a good shape, but if plants are beyond repair, use strongest shoots as cuttings.
Trim off unwanted stems/branches just under a leaf joint, remove lower leaves and insert into compost, place in plastic bag and keep warm.
With such plants as Tradescantias, that have long lengths of bare stem, it is better to use strongest shoots as cuttings and dispose of the old plant.
Feed plants to boost flowering and growth, and begin re-potting where necessary.
Week 24; Plants will need regular supplies of water and fertiliser.
Ensure plants don't dry out at the roots or in the atmosphere.
Plunge pots into larger containers filled with moist peat or moss to increase humidity or spray overhead tepid water.
Boost growth by feeding, and keep large glossy foliage clear of dust and other unwanted deposits
If you find it difficult to gauge wetness of compost, use one of the numerous moisture meters that are on the market.
Keep plants healthy by applying a suitable pesticide at the first sign of trouble.
Week 43; Move houseplants nearer to a light source if new growth shows signs of becoming weak and straggly.
If you need to stand pots on a windowsill, remember to move them into the room at night otherwise they may be chilled by cold air trapped between glass and curtains.
Also avoid placing your plants directly above radiators, fires or any other dry heat source that creates a leaf-shrivelling hot draught.
Don't place plants on electrical appliances.
Week 46; Ensure plants get adequate light
Week 48; Only plants in flower will require regular watering and feeding.
Foliage plants should be allowed to rest through the winter, so keep the compost drier, and slop feeding.
Air humidity is important for most houseplants.Mist the foliage and stand the pots on trays of moist gravel
Check for red spider mite in central heated houses.
Week 50; Don’t be tempted to cut back shoots of trailing house plants, as this may result in an unbalanced growth habit.
A better plan is to train the stems up moss-covered poles.
Soak moss poles thoroughly before inserting them alongside the plant's root ball, (re-pot into a larger pot if necessary).
Alternatively slip the moss pole over the bamboo cane that is already pushed firmly into the root ball.
Train shoots up the moss pole and secure in position with nylon thread, hairpins or pegs made out of stiff, fine wire.
Space stems out as evenly as possible to achieve a more balanced effect.
Plants may look unnatural at first, but leaves will soon turn towards light source and form an attractive living column.
Regularly, mist over the plant to moisten the moss and encourage aerial rooting.
Week 52; Keep on growing houseplants just moist at the roots, taking special care not to let tender ferns become completely dry.
Once delicate fronds of ferns like maidenhair (adiantum) and brake (pteris) ferns become shrivelled, they will never recover, so cut back stems almost to compost level and soak to initiate new growth.
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