Indoor Gardening Tips: Success in Five Steps

When it's nearly 40 degrees below outside, like it was here the other day, a little bit of greenery goes a long way. However, those winter blues nearly hit the bottom if you kill that plant. Not many things are worse that those pitiful dried sticks with their ring of shriveled leaves scattered around them.

I've killed my share of plants and have finally come up with a system that has reduced the mortality rate to 0 % Now plants don't shriek in terror when they first arrive. What follows are the basics of my "System." I certainly hope they work for you as well.

1. Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink! Watering is the Number 1 killer of plants. Either too much water or not enough. Too much water drowns the plant and yet often has symptoms like wilting, so you add more water. The roots are swimming, so they shut down the transfer of water trying to save themselves, so you get the wilting. That second watering also cuts off the roots ability to get oxygen, and like all living things, no oxygen means the plant dies. Not enough water is pretty obvious, wilting, falling leaves and death. So how do you tell? The fastest most reliable way for me has been coffee. Well, coffee stir sticks. Each time you test your soil, stick a dry stir stick deep into the soil about an inch to two inches from the edge. Leave it for a few seconds and pull the stick out. Is it dry or wet? If bone dry, the plant needs a drink. If the stick is damp to soaking, No water needed. Check again if damp, in a few days. Most plants don't like to go bone dry for days on end, so check at least once a week. If it is hot in the room, or even outside, you may need to check daily. Don't use the same stick for all plants, as you will be spreading diseases and pests. I have not had as much luck using popsicle sticks, as they are too smooth and some have a waxy coating, so you won't get an accurate result. This test works for outside plants and hanging baskets.

2. Soil, dirt not just a name! Just like ourselves, the quality of the food that goes in makes a difference as to our overall health. Plants are the same. They need a good nutrition and a nice place to live. Unfortunately ordinary garden dirt, often contains pest and pesticides, or is so nutritionaly lacking that plants struggle so much that the least little problem kills them. In my opinion as long as you're paying good money for a plant, you might as well pay good money for soil. There are many brands available. You want to avoid the bags that have lots of bark in them. I like the light fluffy mixes available through Schultz, and Miracle Gro. They don't compact and smother the roots and often have a good level of fertilzer already in the mix.

3. Food glorious food! Who doesn't like to eat? Again, just like people, plants need good food, but in moderation. Whether you prefer organic or chemical fertilizers, the secret to these is simple. Read the directions! If a little bit is good, then more must be better! No no no no! Extra fertilizer not only burns the plants, it also builds up the salt levels in the soil and around the pot. Have you ever seen that crusty white stuff on your pots? That's excess salt leaching out of the soil. If you have this condition, scrape off as much of the white crust as you can, then take your plants and give them a long bath under a warm faucet. This will help wash the extra salts out of the dirt. But, back to the fertilizer, if you feel you need to feed more often than the directions say, make the solution at half strength or less then using this weakened solution will be less likely to cause salt buildup or cause burning. Brown and crispy edges to your plant's leaves can be a symptom of too much fertilzer, long before salts actually build up. So watch the diet!

4. Eradicate Static and Blind Me with Science! Two easy fixes for common problems. Is your hair standing on end, do you get those carpet zaps when you walk? Your air is probably too dry. If so, your plants are also suffering. Nearly all houseplants orginated in tropical areas where sun is low and humidity is high. For humidity find a relatively attractive low flat container. Fill the container with a few inches of gravel, or rocks. Fill the container with water to just below the top level of the rocks. Your goal is to place the potted plant on top of rocks and not sit in the water. As the water evaporates it will make a mini-jungle atmosphere. Just remember to keep the water level below the pot, so you don't end up drowning the plant again. Many plants also do not need blinding direct sun. Direct sun will scorch any plant if it is overexposed, kind of like a suntan gone nuclear. Read up on your plants for specific light requirements. However no matter what exposure, keep rotating your plant in it's location, so that all sides of the plant receive light. You don't need to set up it's own private turntable, just give the plant a quarter turn every time you water. It's easy to remember to do both together.

5. Pots. They aren't what they are cracked up to be! So finally here's my bestest mostest valuable secret of all. You almost could have skipped all the rest if you'll just do this. Get self watering pots. I really like the ones carried by Wal-Mart. The pots come in different sizes and colors, but what you are looking for are the pots that have a lower separate section with a pouty lip on the side. The interior bottom has a grate and evenly spaced wells. Once you fill it with dirt you need to drench the plant very well. Yes, there are directions on the pot. Otherwise, let the water flow out of the lip. After you've gotten the soil well wetted, pour out the water that fills up the bottom well and lip. You may need to dump out the extra water several times until it doesn't overflow. Once established the plant will draw water as it needs. Not too much not too little. I have yet to have a plant die in one of these containers. Simply keep the lower portion filled, don't let it dry completely or you will need to start all over again to get the water to wick up properly. I just love these pots!

So, there you have it. Some fool proof tips for maintaining house plants, and I assure you I can be quite the Fool! There are a bazillion books on plants also, and magazines. Picking up the latest editions can be very helpful. Now you won't need to let the freezing temperatures get you down because you'll be able to go out and get a few pieces of greenery. And... They'll live this time! Happy planting.