User:Aeong/Indoor Gardening: Difference between revisions
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'''(This part has improved but it still feels a bit unnecessary, find a way to slim it down just a bit more, listing the local ways you can buy indoor plants is the most important thing)''' | '''(This part has improved but it still feels a bit unnecessary, find a way to slim it down just a bit more, listing the local ways you can buy indoor plants is the most important thing)''' | ||
== | == Determining Plant Health == | ||
When you see a plant for sale in a physical space, observe it. How healthy do it's leaves look? Are they turning yellow or brown? If the tips of it's leaves are brown, or its leaves have holes, this may indicate problems, but can be normal on some types of plant. Sagging plants are problematic, but depending on the species they may just bounce back after being watered. Finally check the soil. How dry does it feel? Unless it's a cactus or succulent, most plants wont be happy with dry soil and can indicate the level of care the plant has received. If it's roots are popping out of the soil the soil that is often a sign that the plant will need to be repotted very soon. It's a great idea to consult the seller or search the internet when you see things like this | |||
== Plant Toxicity Levels and Other Safety Hazards == | |||
Plants sold in any store can vary in levels of toxicity and are often not advertised as such. This toxicity usually involves oral contact with the plant, which often makes them a hazard for pets and young children. Always search the internet to find the toxicity of any plant you buy. Don't assume anything based on the species of plant, because some plants of the same type can vary in levels of toxicity. Other plants are misclassified with deceptive names. For example: Most palm trees are non-toxic, but the "Sago Palm" is a Cycad, not a real palm tree, and it can cause liver failure in adult humans if any part of it is ingested. Some plants like the Pothos are only mildly toxic, and will most likely cause discomfort long before enough of it is ingested to cause serious issues. It's important to use your own personal judgement. '''(this was originally about toxicity, talk about other safety hazards as well)''' | |||
== | == Lighting == | ||
Different types of houseplants need different levels of light. If a plant doesn't require much light, you may be able to keep it several feet away from a window, but some plants marked as "low light tolerant" may grow better with more light than advertised, so always check each individual plant. Some plants can have different colored leaves, or parts of them that are not green. This is known as "variegation", and it's a general rule of thumb that the less green a plant is, the more light it will need, as the green parts of a plant are the only parts that can perform photosynthesis. '''(separate variegation into a subsection)''' | |||
Different types of houseplants need different levels of light. If a plant doesn't require much light, you may be able to keep it several feet away from a window, but some plants marked as "low light tolerant" may grow better with more light than advertised, so always check each individual plant. Some plants can have different colored leaves, or parts of them that are not green. This is known as "variegation", and it's a general rule of thumb that the less green a plant is, the more light it will need, as the green parts of a plant are the only parts that can perform photosynthesis. '''( | |||
=== Grow Lights === | === Grow Lights === | ||
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If you bought the plant from a store, The first thing you will want to know is what type of pot your plant is in before watering it. A good majority of these plants are sold in pots with no drainage, but contain a secondary (often black colored) container inside that contains the plant and its soil, and has drainage holes at the bottom. This allows the plant to be pulled out of the pot and watered. Some plants are only sold with this black container, and are intended to be put in a proper pot after purchase. Others will already be in a pot that has drainage holes and can be watered with no extra steps. Finally, some plants will be in a "self watering" pot that has no drainage at all and is intended to keep the plant constantly hydrated. They will often have a water gauge near the bottom of the pot. While some plants may benefit from these, self watering pots are often harmful to many of the plants they are sold with, as they tend to rot the plants roots and attract pests that love moist soil. | If you bought the plant from a store, The first thing you will want to know is what type of pot your plant is in before watering it. A good majority of these plants are sold in pots with no drainage, but contain a secondary (often black colored) container inside that contains the plant and its soil, and has drainage holes at the bottom. This allows the plant to be pulled out of the pot and watered. Some plants are only sold with this black container, and are intended to be put in a proper pot after purchase. Others will already be in a pot that has drainage holes and can be watered with no extra steps. Finally, some plants will be in a "self watering" pot that has no drainage at all and is intended to keep the plant constantly hydrated. They will often have a water gauge near the bottom of the pot. While some plants may benefit from these, self watering pots are often harmful to many of the plants they are sold with, as they tend to rot the plants roots and attract pests that love moist soil. | ||
One last thing to keep in mind is that the type of material the pot is made of can impact how long it retains water. The most common pot types are Plastic, Ceramic, Metal, and Terracotta. The main thing you want to know here is that Terracotta pots are renowned for how little they hold water, and thus are often recommended for Cactuses and other plants that don't want wet roots for long periods of time. | One last thing to keep in mind is that the type of material the pot is made of can impact how long it retains water. The most common pot types are Plastic, Ceramic, Metal, and Terracotta. The main thing you want to know here is that Terracotta pots are renowned for how little they hold water, and thus are often recommended for Cactuses and other plants that don't want wet roots for long periods of time. '''(There has to be a way to coherently organize this with Repotting instructions below)''' | ||
=== Proper Watering === | === Proper Watering === | ||