Your plants are sagging

By the time the holidays are over and day after day of gray clouds and cold weather seem endless, it could be understood why spirits tend to sag. It’s at that point that some people turn to seed catalogs, known by many as “fictional reading.” Others turn to their houseplants to “maintain their sense of humus” but houseplants can also be having a case of the blues and sun deprivation.

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Don’t look now but “your plants are sagging.”

Before I give you some pointers on “pulling up your plants” let me say I am happy to see the resurgence in interest for indoor plants. Indoor “tropicals” can improve the quality of indoor air and improve the mood of people around the home and office. This “green” attitude has been “growing” of late, with indoor plants (turning things outside-in so to speak) a strong gardening trend for 2009.

Now back to your “sagging plants.” houseplants-002 When they begin to mope because they too are tired of winter weather, don’t over water them! A few drooping leaves or a couple leaves that drop does not mean you need to water. You’ll speed up decline by saturating roots that are not calling for water. Many depressed plants have developed “drinking problems!” In addition, over watering can create the frustrating and endless visitation of fungus gnats indoors. Learn to water based on the weight of the pot (pick it up) or use a moisture meter. In winter, keep them a little on the dry side. Don’t allow foliage to press against windows which is the coldest surface along a wall. Rotate the plants a quarter turn weekly to maximize what precious little natural light we get in the dead of winter. Consider some supplemental lighting. Remember also that humidity is our friend and dry furnace heat is the enemy. Group your houseplants together and place them on pebble trays  with water to help improve humidity.

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