User:Aeong/Indoor Gardening: Difference between revisions
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Grow lights are devices that emit a spectrum of light similar to the sun, and in some cases can be an imperfect solution to a plant for inadequate lighting. Grow lights come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of brightness. Some are merely bulbs that can fit into your existing lights. Grow lights are often overlooked because they may feel unnatural to the plant owner, but the health of your plant is much more important, and plants that require bright indirect light (like indoor palm trees and cactuses) will be much happier with them if your house cannot provide the bright indirect light they need. Not all plants will appreciate a strong grow light however. A Peace Lilly for example may receive burned leaves and miscolored flowers when receiving too much light, and will require a weaker light, or ones with low brightness settings. Grow lights may also help you during winter during the many days your plants don't receive much might. Grows light can even allow outdoor plants to grow inside your home with varying levels of success, and are most commonly used to grow seedlings indoors during colder months to eventually plant outdoors when they are in season. | Grow lights are devices that emit a spectrum of light similar to the sun, and in some cases can be an imperfect solution to a plant for inadequate lighting. Grow lights come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of brightness. Some are merely bulbs that can fit into your existing lights. Grow lights are often overlooked because they may feel unnatural to the plant owner, but the health of your plant is much more important, and plants that require bright indirect light (like indoor palm trees and cactuses) will be much happier with them if your house cannot provide the bright indirect light they need. Not all plants will appreciate a strong grow light however. A Peace Lilly for example may receive burned leaves and miscolored flowers when receiving too much light, and will require a weaker light, or ones with low brightness settings. Grow lights may also help you during winter during the many days your plants don't receive much might. Grows light can even allow outdoor plants to grow inside your home with varying levels of success, and are most commonly used to grow seedlings indoors during colder months to eventually plant outdoors when they are in season. | ||
=== Climbing | === Climbing Plants === | ||
Some plants will want to expand | Some plants will want to expand out and climb on objects in search of light (and in some cases nutrients), but not every plant does so the same way, and some have special needs. Some plants are only seeking light and will wrap themselves on to just about any safe object you give them. Other plants such as the Pothos and Monstera will have roots on their stems, and are looking for moist places to grow those roots in to, and will be in better health if allowed so. There are 3 solutions to this: Trimming the plant from getting too long (if possible), or providing the plant a moss pole or wood plank to climb on. Wood planks take advantage of these plants desire to cling to trees are the cheapest and lowest maintenance solution. But since they provide no solution for your plant to expand it's roots, they do not promote optimal health for your plant. Moss poles come in many types but the right ones are designed to be filled with sphagnum moss and have holes for your plant to root into as it climbs up them. They provide optimal health, but must be watered frequently, and certain pests love them. | ||
Moss poles - | Moss poles - | ||
== Common Beginner Friendly Plants == | == Common Beginner Friendly Plants == | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Snake Plants | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Snake Plants Moderately Toxic | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Small Non-Grafted Cactus's | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Small Non-Grafted Cactus's Non Toxic | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Aloe Vera | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Aloe Vera Non Toxic | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Cast Iron Plant. 60°F to 75°F Non Toxic | |||
=== Relatively Easy Plants With Special Needs === | === Relatively Easy Plants With Special Needs === | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pothos Plants | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Pothos Plants Moderately Toxic, Low to Medium light | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Peace Lily's, Highly Toxic, Low light | |||
<nowiki>*</nowiki> | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Spider Plants | ||
=== '''Common Beginner Trap Plants''' === | === '''Common Beginner Trap Plants''' === | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Majesty Palms | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Majesty Palms Bright Indirect Light, Love Humidity | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Ferns | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Ferns, Low Light, Non toxic | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Moon Cactuses | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Moon Cactuses bright light, prone to dying | ||
== Watering Your Plant == | == Watering Your Plant == | ||
The following information covers many beginner friendly plants. There is a lot of confusion as to how to water a plant, and how much water it needs. Often, plants will come in "self watering" pots, and inadequate if not detrimental instructions on how to water them. | The following information covers many beginner friendly plants. There is a lot of confusion as to how to water a plant, and how much water it needs. Often, plants will come in unhealthy "self watering" pots, and inadequate if not detrimental instructions on how to water them. Many corporations that sell these plants are more interested in making the plant appear as easy to maintain as possible, rather than the longevity of the plant. | ||
For many beginner friendly plants, it's not how much water you provide the plant, but it's how well the water drains from the soil after each watering. Most of these plants don't want soggy soil, and their roots need oxygen. Get them in a pot with drainage and water them until water pours out from the drainage holes. Let the water excessively drain until unfrequent drips are left. Water them again only after the the first few inches of top soil are dry. Try to feel the soil gently to keep in from compacting over time. Prolonged exposure to excessive watering can cause root rot which will keep your plant and attract pests. | |||
== Maintaining Your Plant == | == Maintaining Your Plant == | ||