Give Houseplants a Late Winter Grooming

Generally, as growing conditions improve outdoors, growing conditions improve indoors as well. Days become longer, the sun moves higher in the sky and is brighter, and there are more sunny days. All these factors mean better light for plants indoors. As temperatures outdoors become milder, the furnace runs less and humidity in the house is improved. This too, benefits houseplants. Mild days may mean open doors or windows. With new movement of fresher air, houseplants are also furnished an improved environment.

Since natural conditions around the plants are improving, it becomes important for us to provide other optimum growing conditions for our plants. They are now reaching a time when they can heal their injuries from a hard winter indoors. Under normal home conditions, houseplants grow very little in winter. Now, however, as they approach a time when growth should start, fertilization should begin on a regular basis. Specially prepared houseplant fertilizers are available from many stores, nurseries and garden center. They are easy to use and provide a good balance of nutrients when used as directed.

Apply these fertilizers at about 3 to 4 week intervals as growth begins. When and if growth becomes rapid, increase the frequency of fertilization to about every two weeks. If prepared soluble fertilizers are not available, a common garden fertilizer such as 5-10-10 or 12-12-12 may be used. These materials are not totally soluble in water, so some sediment will remain. Use about one teaspoon of these garden fertilizers per quart of water.

When applying a liquid fertilizer of any type, pour on enough to fill the top of the pot to the rim, as you would a normal watering. Remove any excess that may drain into the saucer beneath the pot. Never fertilize a plant that is wilted, dormant or diseased. Do not fertilize needlessly. Too much fertilizer is often worse than no fertilizer at all. Too much can kill, too little produce a weak plant. Just as people need regular meals, so plants need regular fertilizer feedings.

Plants that have produced tall, spindly growth during the winter may be pinched back. This will help promote development of side branches. Spring and summer growth should be fuller and produce a bushier plant. At the same tie, groom plants by removing any leaves that have browned or become scorched along the edges. If plants have become too tall, this is a good time to cut them back or root the tops. Many plants, such as rubber plants, dieffenbachia and dracaena, may be air-layered at this time. With this method, roots are formed on the top while it is still attached to be parent plant. This normally takes 6 to 8 weeks. After rooting, tops may be removed and potted for the development of a fresh young plant for next season.

Houseplants for Dummies, by Larry Hodgson.