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By:Rachel Hartung
 Light
is probably the most essential factor for house plant growth. The
growth of plants and the length of time they remain active depend on
the amount of light they receive. Light is necessary for all plants
because they use this energy source to photosynthesize. Light
strength influences the production of plant food, stem length, leaf
color, and flowering. The intensity of light a plant receives
indoors depends upon the nearness of the light source to the plant.
The amount of light need is usually measured in foot-candles (ft-c).
Plants can usually be put into one of three lighting categories: low,
medium, and high light.
Low Light
Low light plants prefer around 75-100 ft-c. This type of light can
be found by a north facing window, a corner, or in an artificially
lit room like an office. Because the amount of light is low the
water in the plant does not dry up as quickly as it would with a
high light so it is typically suggested you only water these plants
every 7-10 days. Common plants that need low light are Philodendrons
and Dracaenas.
Medium Light
Medium light plants prefer around 200-500 ft-c which is typically
found by an east facing window, in the middle of a room with natural
light, or by a window with diffused light. Plants that require
medium light usually need to be watered every 5-7 days. Common
plants that prefer medium light are Arrowhead Ivy, Dieffenbachia and
some plants with variegation (two tone leaves).
High Light
High light pants prefer around 500-1000 ft-c. This type of light can
be found by windows with southern exposure but you want to make sure
these windows have some sort of diffuser like mini blinds or a sheer
curtain especially during the summer months. Because of the high
amount of light concentrated on these plants they should be watered
every 2-4 days. Many blooming and tropical plants require high
lights.
Watering
 Once
you have made sure your indoor plant has the right amount of light
the next most important factor in keeping your plant healthy is
watering. Many house plants suffer from either too little or too
much watering. People want to stick to a watering schedule but this
doesnt always work. Several factors influence the frequency of
watering, including the type of plant, temperature, humidity, light,
pot size, plant size, potting mix and drainage. In order to tell if
your plant needs to be watered you must test the soil. Common and
easy ways to test the soil include:
Feel the soil ??" The most accurate measure of when to water your
plant is when the potting mixture feels dry to the touch. Put your
finger about 2 inches in the mix; if the soil feels dry then it
needs to be watered.
Tap on the pot ??" When the potting mix in a clay pot begins to
dry, it contracts away from the sides of the pot. Hit the side of
the pot, if the sound is muted, the soil is damp; if the sound is
hollow, the plant needs to be watered.
Estimate weight ??" As potting mixtures become dry, and a distinct
loss in weight is seen. When the pot feels too light its time to
water.
Look at soil color ??" Potting mixtures will change from a dark to
lighter color as they dry. When the soil starts looking light its
time for watering.
When watering is required make sure to completely saturate the soil
by evenly pouring the water around the edges, not directly on top of
the plant. Once the water is coming out of the bottom of the pot
make sure to empty the excess water out of the tray. Drainage is
crucial for the survival of your plant, leaving the water in the
tray or at the bottom of the pot keeps the roots from taking in
oxygen and this will cause root rot.
Other things to keep in mind when figuring out how often to water
your plants include the type of pot it is in; unglazed clay pots are
porous and will absorb some of the water so plants in clay pots
should be watered more often then plants in plastic or glazed pots.
Also, do not use cold or hot water; only use water that is room
temperature.
Common Plant Problems
Houseplant problems can often be avoided by knowing your plant and
what type of environment it needs to be placed in. Unfortunately
conditions change and even in the right environment your plant can
suffer from leaf discoloration or other sickly symptoms. The problem
with diagnosing some of these symptoms is that some symptoms may be
a sign of opposite causes like over or under watering. In order to
find the right solution to your plants problem you have to examine
your homes environment and your plant care practices. After you
have looked at the environment you can refine your diagnosis to the
most likely causes. You must also remember that these symptoms can
be caused by a combination of problems. Here are a few common
symptoms and the possible reasons for them.
Browning Leaves
Over or under watering
Conditions that are too hot and dry
Too much sun exposure
Too much fertilizer
Yellowing Leaves
Too much or too little light exposure
Not enough or too much fertilizer
Poor drainage (root rot)
Mineral (iron or nitrogen) deficiency. If new leaves are yellow,
iron is needed. If older leaves, it's most likely nitrogen
Black Leaves
Over watering
Room temperature is too cold
Fungal infection
Curling Leaves
Over watering
Room temperature is too cold
Not enough humidity
Wilting
If the soil is dry- needs to be watered more
If the soil is damp- needs to be watered less
Room temperature is too warm
Root rotting cause by lack of oxygen
Spots on Leaves
Dry brown spots indicate under watering
Soft brown spots indicate over watering
White or yellow spots indicate that the water is too cold
Too much sun exposure
Leaves Falling Off
Occasional leaf drop is common in many plants, especially new ones
Mature plants will generally drop older leaves, usually at the
bottom
A sudden drop of most or all leaves is a symptom of sudden shock
like extreme temperature change
Leaves falling from the bottom means too little light
Leaves falling from multiple areas means the plant is under
watered
Buds Fall Off
Insufficient watering or humidity
Insufficient lighting
Change in temperature
With over fifty years of experience in plant care and floral
decorations, Vissers Florist in Anaheim, CA wrote this article
using knowledge that is only gained by experience. If you have any
questions dont hesitate to call.
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