There are a few insects that infect a plant that grows indoors. When the symptoms of these infestations become known you should take immediate remedial action because failure to do so will allow the infestation to spread to the other plants and lead to complete destruction in a short time.
The most common plant pest is the spider mites. These are a very serious problem for plants as they multiply very fast, lead to defoliate and kill the plant.
These mites belong to the family of ticks and spiders. Spider mites are yellow or green in color and cannot be seen easily. To check for the presence of spider mites tap the leaf over a piece of white paper and check for very tiny movements on the paper. Remove them with an insecticide spray from your plant store.
Shell Insects appear like a small bump of wax on a stem or leaf. It is usually not possible to view these creatures without magnification, but when their numbers increase they make their presence known.
Shell insects stunt a plants growth and can even kill the plant in time. The only known solution is an insecticide spray.
Mealy Bugs are easily visible without having to magnify the pest. These insects look like they have come out of a sack of flour and have a long waxy protrusion from their tails.
These appear like small clusters of cotton on the plant. Check the underside of the leaves to notice these pests and when you do find them wash them off with water and spray with insecticide for plants. A couple of weeks of treatment and you will be rid of these pests.
Pests not only kill a plant in time, but they are also very unsightly. A beautiful plant will become ugly and the whole purpose of decorating the place is defeated
by plant pests.
Proper cleaning and regular spraying with insecticide will help prevent any kind of pest infection.
When it comes to choosing indoor plants there is no dearth of the variety you can select from. We will list some of the plants that can liven up your indoors and are easy to maintain.
It will pay, however, to keep in mind that any type of plant needs sunlight and will sooner or later begin to tilt toward the source of light. This will make them grow at an awkward angle and so you will need to rotate the direction so that the plant will grow straight up.
Some of the popular indoor plants include:
African Violets: These small potted plants are easy to grow and adapt well to the indoors. These plants blossom for about three weeks, however, they need a lot of sunshine, so keep them on a windowsill.
However, avoid the heat of the sun or they will wither. These plants also need special fertilizer made especially for them. All greenhouse stores keep a supply of it.
Begonias: You will find three kinds of Begonias; Tuberous, Perennial and Semperflorens. The most common of the Begonias are the Semperflorens and come in everblooming and wax finishes.
Begonias are available in red, pink, yellow and white varieties and all have a very attractive yellow center.
Ivy: This variety of indoor climber makes for a very attractive indoor plant. Though this plant can survive for quite some time in a dark corner of a room it will soon begin to demand its share of sunlight.
So if you plan to have this plant among your collection it is best to choose a place near a source of sunlight. Remember to add enough water to your ivy to make the water drip out of the bottom of the pot. Too little water will stunt the plant.
Some of the other popular plants are Cactus, Coleus, Amaryllis, Geraniums, Paper Whites, Poinsettia and a variety of rubber plants.
While all plants are quite apt to prosper indoors, they do need more or less the same conditions to grow as outdoor plants do. These conditions are a good supply of fresh air, proper sunlight, water and nutrients such as plant food commonly known as ‘fertilizer’.
We will include here a few tips that are sure to make your indoor plants grow healthier and add beauty to your surroundings.
Ever notice how plants will face the source of sunlight? This is because the sun is the main source of their nutrition. Plant leaves change water and nutrition from the soil to food through a process called ‘photosynthesis’.
A couple of hours of sunlight is a must for your indoor plants. If you do not have a place where you can have adequate sunlight, and cannot move the plants you should consider purchasing a couple of indoor gardening lights.
Ordinary lights will not do. Indoor gardening lights provide enough of ultraviolet light to nourish the plants.
Provide adequate water to your plants. Your indoor plants need ‘room temperature’ water to survive. Do not over water the plants, most plants die due to a lack of water or a surplus of it than they do of any other reason.
Follow a rule of thumb, like you test a cake you should pierce a knitting needle into a plant container. If the needle goes in with ease the soil is just the right dampness, if not increase the quantity of water a bit.
Fertilizers are also important, once a fortnight add a scoop of indoor plant fertilizer to your plant pot. Used tealeaves are also a very good supply of nutrition to your plant.
Follow these simple tricks and you will see your indoor garden prospering very soon.
Many families have grown up with an aloe vera plant in the kitchen. This succulent plant is great for indoor gardening as it is hardy and easy to care for. Moreover, they are great for skin care and minor cuts and burns that can happen in the kitchen while cooking. To use as a first aid item cut a portion of one of the leaves and squeeze the inner gel onto the hurt area. With repeated use, the aloe vera will aid in healing and soothe the pain.
In addition to the aloe vera plant, there are other helpful plants that are good to have around the house. An herb garden is a convenient way to add flavor and natural ingredients to many dishes. From fresh dill in a homemade tzatziki sauce to chives mixed in with cream cheese for a delicious bagel.
Many herbs can be dried and used for loose leaf teas not only a relaxing beverage, but some herbs are also known for their medicinal qualities too. Some herbs that can be used as tea leaves or as part of a mixture are peppermint and ginger.
There are many edible plants that you can grow indoors to aid in digestion. They can be broken off the plant as needed or some may need some preparation first.
*Anise is a popular and widely used for aiding in digestion and easing colic in infants.
*Coriander in addition to helping with digestion it is also a tasty addition to salsa.
*Fennel oil is used to ease upset stomachs too. It is also used for increasing the amount of breast milk produced in mothers.
This is just a brief look at some of the other uses for houseplants. It is recommended to research your plants before ingesting any to ensure they are safe.
It is inevitable that insects or another infestation will make its way to your plants at one point or another. If you are dealing with pests in your indoor garden you may want to find a natural way to eliminate them especially if you have young children or pets in your home. There are ways to do this and most of them require ingredients that you can get at the grocery store.
When you find insects or another disease that is making your plant sick. Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the problem from spreading to the other plants inside your house. Depending on the type of problem the solution will be different.
If your plants are being eaten by spider mites, you can eliminate the problem by making a solution of buttermilk and water. Put the solution into a spray bottle, put the plant in the bathtub and give a thorough once over. A mix of 50-50 is recommended if this is too thick to use with the spray bottle, add more water for a thinner consistency.
You may be able to control aphids with a thorough washing of the plant leaves with water. Another recommendation is to kill a couple of the aphids and leave them in the bottom of the pot. They then emit an odor that lets the other aphids know that danger is near and they abandon the plant. If this method is used, do it outside so they can find another home that is not inside yours.
The natural and organic methods available for the wide variety of problems your plant can encounter are too numerous to list. These are the two most common pests, but with some research, there is a natural solution to many more different insects or diseases that can affect a plant’s health.
Those wishing to grow indoor herbs, a sill sanctuary filled with flowers or a simple resting place for healthy, veggie sustenance can bank on this craft-idea to bring joy to their homes - or that of loved ones (should you wish to gift it).
Here’s what you need: a drill machine, a store-bought or home-made window box with drainage provided, drainage tray, sand-paper, compost and soil (or mixture bought from a nursery), favorite seasonal flowers, acrylic white and colored paints, overcoat of clear gloss to hold in the colors, a 2 inch paint brush and turpentine.
Method: Rub the sand-paper over the outside of the window box to smoothen out the rough edges; in smooth strokes, apply the base coat of white paint, wait for it to dry fully before applying the second coat.
When completely dry, paint in colored designs you like - hearts, leaves, lattice and stripes are some popular choices - and wait for the colors to dry before going
ahead with the overcoat of clear gloss. Let dry in sunlight overnight.
Fix the painted window box to your chosen spot by the window after machine-drilling holes into it, placing drainage tray and an inch-thick layer of pebbles at the bottom, then before covering these with compost and soil mix and sprinkling the plant seeds.
Lavender and Geranium grow well in small areas as do chives, mint and sage.
Whatever plants you choose, take care to water them regularly and treat them with adequate fertilizers (even slow release ones are available, so do find out about these) to keep from withering.
If opting for different varieties of plants, sow the tallest at the back, bushy ones in the middle and trailing kinds towards the front of the window box to give it an aesthetic look that’s peachy keen for the outsiders - looking in.
(Yeah, you’re sure to have plenty of those too - with such a great garden idea decorating your home!)
The homeowner who wants to start a home garden that is light on the maintenance needed may decide to buy cacti. This is a good plan because they need less water than most plants and are quite hardy. Although there are still care instructions that need to be followed to increase the life and longevity of a cactus.
Cactus plants are used to the heat and being dry, for this reason putting them in a
windowsill with full sunlight is optimal. Depending on the cactus and the amount of heat it is getting you may not have to water it for weeks at a time (once a month is the recommended watering schedule). Cacti like coarse soil, it is recommended to use a soil that is meant specifically for a cactus instead of a generic mix. When a fertilizer is needed you should also purchase a fertilizer that is just for cacti.
When watering a cactus, you want to be careful not to over water it. A good tip to prevent this from happening is to place the cactus pot in a shallow dish full of water. The plant will soak up all of the water it needs through the drainage hole in a period of 1-2 hours. Complete this task and don’t worry about it again for another month unless the plant is starting to get a shriveled look.
When handling your cactus, be careful they can hurt. If the pot is not large enough to hold onto without your hands getting to close to the prickly part of the pant use a folded newspaper and place it around the plant. This will protect both your hands and the plant when moving it. If you do get a piece of a cactus in your finger, remove gently with a pair of tweezers or a piece of strong tape.
Ficus is a genus in the Moraceae family. The genus contains around 800 species; from vines and shrubs to woody trees. A majority of the ficus species originates from the tropical regions, but some also grow wild in subtropical and temperate zones.
One of the most well-known ficus species is the Ficus carica, a plant known as the Common Ficus. This ficus produces a fruit called a fig that is an appreciated fruit in many parts of the world. The Ficus carica is therefore commercially grown and the figs harvested and exported. Many other ficus species will also produce edible fruits, but they are less popular and rarely grown commercially.
The fruits of the fig trees develop from a specially adapted flower. The fig fruits are so-called accessory fruits; syconiums. The fruit is globular and has a small opening located in one end. This opening is named ostiole. Inside the fruit, you will find a hollow area that is outlined by small edible seeds. The colour of the seeds is red.
Ficus plants come in two sexes: female plants and hermaphrodite plants. They relay on wasps to pollinate them, and the small ostiole is an opening developed especially for the wasp to crawl through. The hermaphrodite plants are sometimes called caprifigs since they are less tasty and “only goats will eat them”. It is inside these caprifigs that the pollinating wasps grow up, sheltered by the fruit.
Another popular ficus species is the Sacred Fig, Ficus religiosa. The Sacred Fig is found in many parts of the world and is therefore known by many names. In regions were Sinhalese is spoken, the tree is named Bo. In other regions, commonly used names are Pipal, Peepul and Ashwattha. The Ficus religiosa originates from the region from India to southwest China, and from Indochina to Vietnam. The Sacred Fig grows very large; up to 30 meters. The trunk can reach a size of 3 meters in diameter. It is a semi-evergreen or dry season deciduous species.
The Sacred Fig is considered sacred in many parts of Asia since it is hallowed by followers of the Buddhist, Hindu and Jainism religions. Some Muslims will also consider certain Ficus trees sacred. According to legend, Siddhartha Gautama sat under a Sacred Fig when he became enlightened and turned into Buddha. Ascetics and yoga practitioners still like to meditate under Sacred Figs. Two of the most famous Sacred Figs are the Bodhi tree and the Sri Maha Bodhi.
The Bodhi tree is probably a clone descendant of the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama is believed to have received enlightenment. It is growing at the Mahabodhi Temple in the state of Bihar in India. Today, it is a very large and ancient tree. Pilgrims flock around the Bodhi tree and it is one of the most important holy sites for Buddhists.
Sri Maha Bodhi is another famous Sacred Fig. Just like the Bodhi tree in India, this tree is believed to originate from the Sacred Fig under which Siddhartha Gautama sat. Sri Maha Bodh grows in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and was planted there in 288 B.C. This makes it one of the oldest living trees that we know have been planted by humans, and also one of the oldest with a known planting date.
Cats and dogs love dirt, they dig in it, play in it and if a cat’s litter box isn’t clean they may find a backup location in your potted plants. Some pets will leave the dirt alone but are irresistibly drawn to the leaves, either to nibble on or bat at. There is no fail-safe plant but there are some tips and tricks you can follow to make your pets leave the plants alone.
The biggest problem and the most damaging to an indoor plant is a cat deciding to use the dirt as a litter box. Once a cat has done this once, the odor is there and it is going to be hard to stop them from going back. To prevent this from happening in the first place, cover the dirt in larger pots with lava rock or wood chips. A cat will not like the feel of either of these materials on their paws and will not feel comfortable using the pot as a bathroom.
Dogs are easier to train and keep away from plants but it is harder for other animals. Especially for cats - a deterrent may be necessary to keep them away. You can use a spray bottle of water to stop them from chewing on plant leaves or digging in the dirt. Since cats don’t like anything from the citrus family you can put fresh citrus rinds at the base of the plant too – their sensitive noses will stop them from getting too close.
Keep your soil nice and moist, not only is this good for the plant, cats will not enjoy digging in the wet dirt. Some trial and error may be called for until you find the right solution that works for your pets. If all else fails, buy hanging plants instead or put the plants in an inaccessible location.
Spring is creeping in, hallelujah, and it’s time for us to start digging in the dirt. For all of you frustrated gardeners that live in colder climes, I bet you can’t wait to start planting your garden beds with flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Over the long winter, you forget how much you miss those showy blooms and the riot of color a beautiful garden can supply.
If you live up north, there are a variety of ways to cope with the short growing season. Frost, which can happen as late as May or June, delays your plans for planting seeds. With the many quick growing plants this does not pose a problem but with vegetables and ornamentals, a little head start is very helpful for healthy lush plants.
Starting those plants indoors solves the problem of unwelcome frost. Getting an early start indoors will really make a difference for frost intolerant plants. Another benefit of starting seeds indoors is that as soon as the frost danger has passed, you can plant your seedlings into your garden giving you a good extra month of gorgeous blooming flowers.
When starting seeds indoors, you must simulate the same conditions as those planted outside. Your basics for all plant life, whether inside or out, our soil, water, and light. The difference is that your indoor seedlings will need a little more attention and each plant will have its own considerations.
Always start with sterilized soil, this is essential. There is a fungus known as Damping-off-Disease that can wipe out your hard work in a matter of days. For some reason the propagation of plants indoors allows just the right conditions for the spores of these fungi to grow rampantly.
You can easily avoid this plight by using sterile soil or a sterile medium. You can use your own soil but it involves a lot of work and may not be worth the effort when commercial mediums are readily available. To use your own soil, you must sterilize it in the oven after sifting out the clumps and debris. Most commercial mediums sometimes referred to as “soil-less” are usually a combination of peat moss and vermiculite. When using these mediums make sure it is clearly marked on the bag that they are sterilized.
After deciding the medium that you will use, there are a variety of containers available to start your seeds. I have used flats, peat pots, dixie cups, and even egg cartons successfully. As with any plant, the size of the container used is determined by the plant you are growing and only experience can guide you here.
Seedlings require an enormous amount of light, either sunlight or artificial light or a combination of both. If they don’t get sufficient light the plants will get “leggy” or “spindly”, denying them a healthy start on the way to your garden. Even in a bright window with a lot of sun, you may still need to use artificial light. If you do need to use artificial light, buy bulbs that are manufactured specifically for that purpose. Even though they are for the singular purpose of growing plants you still must keep them on for at least fourteen (14) hours a day. No artificial light can compensate for the intensity of direct sunlight.
The most important element of growing your seedlings indoors is watching the moisture. They must be kept moist but not soggy. The most advantageous way to water is from the bottom. Set your pots in a tray and pour the water into the tray allowing the pots to soak up all of the water. Never let your pots stand in water as this will cause them to rot. If you have your pots in a very sunny window place them in a tray with gravel. Keep the gravel “watered” just under the pots to keep them from drying out.
When you first start your seedlings cover them tightly with plastic wrap. This helps to maintain warmth and moisture, but be careful to uncover them when they begin to sprout so they don’t smother.
I know you may become anxious in January to start getting ready for planting season but it is important not to start your seeds indoors too early. If they outgrow your pots, you will have to thin them and transplant them to bigger containers. This is not the best scenario. For best results, you want to transplant them once outdoors as soon as they are large and healthy enough to survive. A good rule of thumb to start with is four to six weeks after sowing the seeds, making sure they have at least two sets of leaves. Right before transplanting your thriving seedlings, feed them with a very weak solution of a water-soluble fertilizer to give them strength through the transplanting process.
Keep a diary on what has worked for you, since experience is always the best teacher. Experiment a little each year with one or two new flowers, herbs or vegetables, this will add variety and spice to your garden. Go to gardening forums on the internet and join the group, the experiences of others is always helpful and the spirit of community is enjoyable and satisfying.
It is most likely that your indoor plants will be safe from hard other than the odd garden pest. But if you have young children or pets in the home, the danger can be for them. There are many plants that are not recommended for indoors (or outdoors for that matter) when children or pets are present. Some plants are poisonous, even fatal if ingested. Listed below if a few of the more popular plants that aren’t safe to have around.
The seeds of Rosary Pea and Castor Bean plants are lethal. Fatalities have been reported from the ingestion of just one seed. If a young child or cat chews on one of the leaves they are sure to get sick. You can purchase necklaces that are made from the seeds of this plant. These are not meant for children and can cause skin irritations in adults.
Parts of the Oleander plant (the leaves and bark) are also poisonous. It is not worth the risk to have these in the house. Even with due diligence children or pets are bound to get into a houseplant at one point or another. It is hard to safeguard against falling leaves or other unavoidable events.
The bulbs of certain flowering plants are considered poisonous too. Even if you are planning on planting the bulbs outside, be careful they are stored in a safe out of the way area that is not accessible to little heads. The flower bulbs in question are from the Hyacinth, the Daffodil, and the Narcissus flowers.
If you own any of these plants and don’t have little animals or children running around to get into still use caution. Be aware of what plants in your house are potential hazards to humans. In addition, be a considerate host or hostess and put the dangerous plants in a safe way when young visitors are coming over.
When winter sets in soon and nip at your toes, don’t let the blues get to your love for gardening outdoors...simply bring it in indoors!
Yes, we recommend an indoor window garden to boost your spirits and keep the gloomy winter feel out in the cold with sensibly chosen winter plants - some fragrant and colorful, others edible and flavorful for enhancing your winter menus. Try this wonderful winter gardening remedy today:
Your windowsill is the perfect place for starting a seasonal indoor garden that will sustain your wintry
gardener’s soul and warm your heart with perfect seasonings for tasty, nutritious and wholesome soups, broths and stews if you plant timely, healthful herb when ushering out autumn.
Along with the versatile herbs like basil, compact dill, and Greek Oregano, you can also consider thyme and parsley beside coriander that readily takes to windowsill gardening and is likely to fill your winters with fragrance, greenery and soothing, medicinal value when added to soups!
These only require regular watering and a few hours of sunlight to grow and so are easy to grow even for those not blessed at birth with a green thumb.
Perhaps, some eye candy - in the form of fresh flowers that are regarded as winter blooms - can be your daily delight with just a snip of a seed packet, pre-prepared potting soil that has been treated for fertilizer mix and contains the necessary peat moss etc. for helping indoor plants nasturtiums, pansies
and calendulas.
Sure to bring a smile to your face and color to the room, flowering indoor plants in your window garden, when tended with a little bit of sunshine, water, and right soil-mixture, are the best bet for beating winter blues!
Maceta con begonias rosas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When it comes to choosing indoor plants there is no dearth of the variety you can select from. We will list some of the plants that can liven up your indoors and are easy to maintain.
It will pay, however, to keep in mind that any type of plant needs sunlight and will sooner or later begin to tilt toward the source of light. This will make them grow at an awkward angle and so you will need to rotate the direction so that the plant will grow straight up.
Some of the popular indoor plants include:
African Violets: These small potted plants are easy to grow and adapt well to the indoors. These plants blossom for about three weeks, however, they need a lot of sunshine, so keep them on a windowsill.
However, avoid the heat of the sun or they will wither. These plants also need special fertilizer made
especially for them. All greenhouse stores keep a supply of it.
Begonias: You will find three kinds of Begonias; Tuberous, Perennial and Semperflorens. The most common of the Begonias are the Semperflorens and come in everblooming and wax finishes.
Begonias are available in red, pink, yellow and white varieties and all have a very attractive yellow
center.
Ivy: This variety of indoor climber makes for a very attractive indoor plant. Though this plant can survive for quite some time in a dark corner of a room it will soon begin to demand its share of sunlight.
So if you plan to have this plant among your collection it is best to choose a place near a source of sunlight. Remember to add enough water to your ivy to make the water drip out of the bottom of the pot. Too little water will stunt the plant.
Some of the other popular plants are Cactus, Coleus, Amaryllis, Geraniums, Paper Whites, Poinsettia and a variety of rubber plants.
