WATER
Most plants like to bewatered only after dry out, or to be more precise, their soil dries out.TOO much water causes root rot, which causes the plant to decay, so always be sure to wait until your plan is truly thirsty before you water it.Plants absorb water from the soil,through their small,hair-like root.The water moves into lager roots and from there to the stems and finally to the leaves.Too little water is the cuse of wilting of leaves & flowers which first droop and later become crisp and brown.
Plants are individual in their need for water ,some requiring more than others.Large plants need more water thansmall ones.Also, plants need less water in winter than in summer,because in winters the soil remains moist for a longer period.So,in winters the plants may need no watering for a number of days,whereas in summers, the watering may have to be as frequent as twice a day.Whenever watering is undertaken,it must be thorough.Frequent inadequate watering draws surface roots to the top,causes rapid transpiration and exhaust the plant.Watering must be done in the early morning or in the evening when the soil around the pot is not hot. Should watering become necessary during the bright sunshine, the pot should be removed to shade the soil allowed to cool down, before the plant is watered.A plant needs generous watering when buds are forming and it is in full bloom.
Judging If A Plant Needs Water
More houseplants die through being excessively or insufficiently watered than from any other reason. To judge if a plant in a pot needs water rub a finger or thumb on the potting soil to assess its moisture content.Howeve, repeated pressing compresses the compost.
Another simple way of understanding the plant’s need for water is by seeing the colour of the soil in the pot. When the soil is dry it becomes pale and crumbly,but if wet, it is dark.Eventually, most houseplant enthusiasts use this method to assess if water is needed. farm mechanisation in India speedier. Thus the future seems to be bright.
FOOD AND AIR
The soil of plants must be “well enriched” ,which means that the soil should be rich enough for the growth of the plant and able to retain moisture.The soil may be enriched by adding organic and inorganic manures.Organic manure is a manure made from wastes of plants and animals(decomposed leaves and cow dung). An inorganic manure is made chemically and is, therefore also known as chemical fertilizer.These are available in small packets.The manure is added to the soil in the plants,three to four times in a yer-once before winters, then before the onset of summers and again before the rainy season.The soil is loosened a little by digging and the manure is put around the plant on top of the soil.While digging the soil, take care not to damage the roots.The day you loosen the soil, do not water the plant that same day.The interval between loosening and watering of soil, helps in the aeration of roots and absorption of water from a greater depth.
Rooms with indoor plants placed in it, should let some fresh air into the rooms,even if it’s only through the wire mesh (jaalis) on the windows.
Top-Dressing Large Houseplants
When plants inpots become too large to be re potted, they are top dressed in spring.Allow the surface soil to dry slightly, then use small trowel(tool for digging)to scrape away the top 1-1.5 inches.
Replace the surface soil with potting soil. Leave a space between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot,so that the plant can be watered without the water over flowing, when the soil in the pot becomes dry.
LIQUID FERTILIZERS
Concentrated fertilizers are diluted in clean water snd applied to the potting compost at ten to fourteen-day intervals during summer.
If the potting compost is dry, first water it.This is because when it is dry there is a risk of the fertilizer damaging the roots.Also ,if it is dry the soil-ball contracts and leaves a gap around the inside of the pot, through which water and fertilizer will escape and be wasted.
Throughly agitate the water, ensuring that the fertilizer is completely mixed.Use before the plant food has had time to settle.
Do not apply liquid fertilizers to dry compost as it may then damage roots or run out of the gap between the soil-ball and inside the pot.
HUMIDITY
Most houseplants are tropical plants and come from places where the humidity (the amount of moisture in the air) is as high as 70,80 or even 90 percent.The amount of moisture in the air influences the health and growth of plants Deserts cacti in hot regions have thick outer layers that reduce the amount of moisture they give off.Most plants however ,need a humid atmosphere to prevent their leaves and stem becoming dry. Spraying them regularly with water from a spray bottle or sprinkling water on the leaves;or setting them on a tray or a plastic saucer filled with pebbles and water, will increase the humidity around the plants together helps raise the humidity, too , because when they transpire, or breathe, they give off humidity to one another!
Don’t Spray Water
1) When the sun is shining.Water globules act as lenses,intensifying the sun’s rays and burning leaves . 2) During evenings, especially in autumn & winter .Instead, mist-spray in the morning, so that the moisture has a chance to dry before the onset of night.
Grouping Of Plants for Humid Atmosphere
Placing plants in groups creates humid micro-climates (a small area with high humidity)around them. Moisture given off from the surfaces of leaves is trapped. When a plant is diaplayed on its own, moisture soon disperses.
Keeping The Atmosphere Humid
Regularly mist-spray smooth-surfaced leaves in summer.However, take care not to spray water on flowers, as they then soon decay.Place a piece of card in front of the flowers.Afew plants suchas philodendrons and the Swiss Cheese PlantThese must be mist-sprayed in summer to prevent them from becoming dry and hard.
Excessive Humidity
1) Soft leaves soon decay, especially if hairy. Moisture becomes trapped around the hair on the leaves.
2) Leaves that are close to the stems create traps for water.
3) Flower petals,especially when tightly packed together, become covered wirh a furry mould.
4) Plants with masses of soft leaves closely packed together become infested with decay.
Dry Atmosphere (Less Humidity)
1) Tips of leaves shrivelled,curled and brown.The whole plant wilts if the temperature is very high,with leaves eventually falling off.
2) Flowers fade and discolour, with flower buds wilting and eventually falling off.
3) Surfaces of leaves become dull.
4) Tips of shoots wilt,then shrivel.
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