Watering Plants

Water is the source of life for all living things including plants.  However over-watering is just as bad as under-watering.  Plants have different watering needs according to where they are grown.  Outdoor plants can be watered everyday or every other day because they are exposed to the elements.  Indoor or patio potted plants should be watered based on their need.  A good indicator is to place your finger to a depth of about two inches in the pot to test for moisture.  If moisture is detected, do not water.  If dry, water until liquid runs through the holes of the pot.

Fertilizing Plants

Fertilisers are chemical compounds which contain essential nutrients which plants need to grow and develop.  The primary nutrients are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous which encourage growth and development, are important for good flowering and fruiting and are essential for good root growth respectively. 

Plants respond to several small doses rather than one or two large doses.  Know your plant; apply fertilizer at the time needed (i.e. apply fertilizer to boost blooming just before blooming time NOT at planting).

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Plants and Light

Light plays a very important role in the life of a plant.  It is necessary for the plant to manufacture its food (photosynthesis).  How long a plant is exposed to light each day (day length) determines how much food is manufactured and whether the plant grows well and produces flowers.  Tropical plants are day-neutral i.e. the day length has no effect on whether they flower.

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Pests & Diseases

Pests and disease are present in every landscape - no plant is immne to them.  It is therefore important that you regularly examine tops and undersides of plants to detect insects or diseases.  Examine new shoots for distorted growth and for yellowing or discoloured leaves.  Isolate infested plants arid treat for at least a month. For insect infestations, wait a few weeks before returning the plant to its usual location, to ensure no eggs are hatching a new generation of pests.

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Soil & Repotting   

Plants should be repotted periodically as their roots outgrow the container and they become pot-bound.  Potting mix should be loose and well-drained: sand, coconut-fibre and perlite all help to improve drainage.  Some plants require special conditions for repotting:

• zebra plant, staghorn fern, maidenhair fern, English ivy, spathiphyllum, Radermachera prefer a potting mix that is acid
• nolina, fittonia, chlorophytum grow best when pot bound
• clivia and hoya bloom best when pot bound

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Pruning & Cleaning Plants   

Most indoor plants need pruning, dead-heading and cleaning.  

Pruning encourages fresh growth and improves overall health and vigour. 

Dead-heading removes areas of the plant which can attract fungus, removes dead leaves and flowers, and keeps the soil surface free of debris. 

Wiping plant leaves with a soft cloth or sponge moistened with room temperature water removes mites and insect eggs.  Plants with hairy leaves should NEVER be wiped.

Removing algae, scum or dirt from the outside of the container should be done with a sponge and hot water.  This removes bacteria and any fertilizer salt.