Winter Care Tips for Plants

gets accustomed to a new flowerpot. Transplant the plant only when it

has out-grown its last flowerpot. Carefully take the plant out of the

flowerpot, cut all the rotten roots out and transplant to the new pot.

There is a group of plants that require low temperatures, about 8-10 C

in winter. They originate from the countries with subtropical climate

where the winters are cool, therefore they grow best when the temperatures

are lower. This group contains cyclamens, myrtles, laurels,

oleanders, and different citruses

and coniferous plants. The majority of cactuses

need even lower winter temperatures and very little watering.

Some plants are in a “rest period” during the winter months

-– they shed leaves and stems in autumn and only the tubers remain

in the soil during the winter months. These are ahimenes

(“magic flower”), gloxinia, tuber begonia, amorphofallus

and sauromatum with the only slotted leaf on the petiole

standing straight vertically and covered with brown spots. Tubers may

be kept in soil the entire winter and should be placed in a dark cool

place (10-12 C). To keep them moist, you may place flowerpots inside plastic

bags and firmly tie them. Sometime in February or March you should remove

the tubers from the soil and plant them in fresh soil; place the flowerpots

on window sills and begin to water the plants carefully.

Each month during the winter has its window care peculiarities.

DECEMBER

During December the days are short and the sun does not shine very bright.

The air inside is also very dry for window plants. It is best to use a

humidifier to increase the humidity inside your home.

To add color during the dreary month of December, add red and green

poinsettias to you indoor plant selection. In addition you can also add

red amaryllises, ardisias with red berries and plants with dark-green

bright leaves. To make things more interesting you may also want to add

exotic fruit seeds (date-palm and citruses) in your mini-greenhouse.

You may want to heat water for watering your indoor house plants. If

you have moved plants closer together so that they have more light, allow

enough room between them so that the air passes freely.

The sticky spots under your wax plants are congealed nectar -- not the

result of plant pests. You can remove it by wiping the plant with a wet

sponge. Remove dry or yellowish leaves regularly; cut weak sprouts so

that your plants remain healthy and beautiful.

Once a month refurbish thick, varnished leaves with the help of special

aerosol. Allow fresh air into the room, moving the plants so that they

do not feel cold. Increase air humidity and do not moisten the leaves

too much.

If the bulbs sprouted, place them closer to the light. Lower the indoor

temperature at night to allow your plants to rest.

JANUARY

The majority of plants are in vegetation rest. Water them infrequently

and decrease the amount of water. 20 minutes after watering remove any

excess water from the tray.

Cactuses and succulents should be watered

every 10-12 days in a warm room and once every three weeks in a cool room.

Use botanical scissors or a small garden shears to cut any dry sprouts.

Cut stems that have became too long because of the lack of light. Cut

dry or brown leaf endings but do not touch the green part of the leaf,

otherwise it will start to rot.

Air humidity should be increased -- spray the plant leaves with warm

water. Place all the flowerpots together on a haydite layer, which is

in turn placed on a water tray; this will help reduce the harmful impact

of central heating.

Allow fresh air in your home, never allowing the plants to be placed

in the drafts.

Fertilize plants that are flowering or beginning to flower. Sprinkle

blooming plants leaves regularly, but do not allow moisture to sit on

the flowers.

FEBRUARY

Window plants begin to awaken after a long winter nap. This is the time

to get them in order by changing the soil and flowerpots.

Remove the dust with a wet sponge or rinse in the shower.

For cactuses, succulents, downy-leaved plants

remove the dust by gently shaking the plant or using a small soft brush.

Spray both sides of palm leaves to wash them, preventing the emergence

of red spiders. Leaves should be dry before night falls.

Polish sick leaves of rubber plant, philodendron, and monstera.

It’s time to get ready for spring transplanting. Purchase necessary

flowerpots or tubs, substrates (soil mixtures), haydite for drainage,

trays, piers and fertilizers.

Get rid of mealy bugs with the help of special mixtures. Cut dry branches

that have been affected by powdery mildew. You may purchase azaleas,

primroses, or cyclamens -- they will add color and will

continue to bloom for a longer period of time if you place them in a cool