Lesson 7 - Understand the care of plants in an interior situation Flashcards
List the environmental factors that must be taken into account when displaying plants inside domestic buildings
Environment, temperature, humidity, light, air movement, irrigation requirements, pollution and dust problems, health and safety, public pedestrian traffic.
Describe the temperature challenges when displaying plants in a domestic building
Normal day time and night time temperatures must be taken into account - a maximum-minimum thermometer can be used.
Temperature must be correct for photosynthesis.
If the night time temperature is too high, respiration will exceed energy created from photosynthesis during the day, and the plant may die.
Some plants require a period of dormancy which cannot be achieved in a house, and so temperate plants aren’t often kept indoors.
Draughts from windows may make temperatures too low for the plant
Over radiators are often too hot
Fluctuations in temperature are damaging to plants.
Describe the humidity challenges when displaying plants in a domestic building
Humidity in a how is usually below 40%, yet most houseplants prefer a relative humidity of 60%. Plants may come from greenhouses that have their preferred humidity, and so may need acclimatisation to the house.
Insufficient relative humidity may result in brown or blackened leaf tips and dehydrated patches.
Humidity may need to be altered with gravel or pebble trays, grouping plants together, using small humidifier units, damping down in conservatories and greenhouses, or hand misting.
Describe the light challenges when displaying plants in a domestic building
Plants require light for photosynthesis, and indoors the light intensity may not be strong enough.
In low light intensities, leaves turn yellow and fall. If too high, leaves can scorch and curl.
Plants must be picked to fit the light intensity.
The correct light duration is required for plants to flower, and longer days result in more vegetative growth. This might not be desirable if plants are already the correct size.
The correct light quality can be hard to achieve artificially, and special lights may be needed for good growth
Describe the air movement challenges when displaying plants in a domestic building
Describe the irrigation requirements and challenges when displaying plants in a domestic building
Different plants require different watering schedules. The size of the container and the size of the plant affects it. Younger plants require more water than older plants. Clay pots require more watering than plastic pots. A sandy compost requires more watering than a high in peat one. In winter they require less water than in summer. High light and temperatures mean more water is needed.
under watering results in wilting, loss of leaves and flowers and death. Over watering may result in little oxygen in the compost causing root rot.
Overhead watering can result in fungus gnats.
Mains water can have large quantities of calcium carbonate in (not good for ericaceous plants!) and also chlorine. Using rainwater is preferable. Hard water splashing on leaves leaves white spots from the lime.
Describe the pollution and dust problems and challenges when displaying plants in a domestic building
Dust can cover the leaves of plants, reducing the plants ability to photosynthesise. Dust also blocks the stomata, which can reduce transpiration. Leaves should be cleaned with warm water a drop of mild washing up liquid. Do not handle newly emerged leaves. A soft brush can be used for hairy leaves.
Describe the health and safety requirements when displaying plants in a domestic building
Plants can be toxic to animals and people, so keeping them out of reach of animals and children is important.
Containers can be heavy, so must be secure if they are up high.
Plants should be checked for pests regularly, so that pests aren’t introduced to the household.
Care must be taken when moving heavy containers around the house.
Describe the challenges of public pedestrian traffic when displaying plants in a domestic building
Describe the choice of suitable containers for house plants
Visual appeal,
drainage
hygiene
Management considerations
Describe the choice of suitable growing media for house plants
Nutrients, drainage, hygiene, water retention
It should be loose (permitting adequate air exchange between the soil atmosphere and the air above the composts surface), well drained, pest and disease free and a suitable pH for the plants. The qualities should fit the plant being grown ie a cactus may need more drainage so it should be more sand incorporated.
Name one fern
Adiantum raddianum
Name one fern
Adiantum raddianum
Name one foliage plant
Ficus benjamina
Name 3 seasonal flowering plants
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Saintpaulia ionantha
Describe the temperature requirements of Adiantum raddianum
Prefer cooler conditions , can be happy down to 10 deg C. Above 24 deg C and they need higher humidity levels.
Describe the potting of Adiantum raddianum
Moisture retentive compost is needed, with good drainage. Peat based and coir based composts are good. pH around 6.5. Clay pots are preferable.
Use the double potting procedure - pot inside a pot, with the gap filled with sphagnum moss.
Describe the feeding of Adiantum raddianum
Feed with standard fertiliser during the spring and summer months. Not heavy feeders. Once a month is adequate.
Describe the watering of Adiantum raddianum
Keep compost slightly moist at all times. Water when the top 2cm of compost becomes slightly dry when touched.
Describe the deadheading of Adiantum raddianum
They do not produce flowers. Remove older fronds that are deteriorating.
Describe the repotting of Adiantum raddianum
Repot when the roots appear on the surface of the compost. Root pruning and putting back in original pot is also an option.
Describe the control and ident of pests and diseases for Adiantum raddianum
Good air circulation is required to keep them healthy.
Aphids, mealy bugs and spider mite. Wash foliage to dislodge pests and eggs.
Describe the temperature requirements of Ficus benjamina
18-20 deg C is ideal. Can tolerate down to 7 deg C at night. Day time must remain between 22-27 deg C. Avoid draughts.
Describe the light requirements for Ficus benjamina
They don’t like change. Bright area near a window when it gets direct sunlight early morning or in the evening.
Describe the potting of Ficus benjamina
A general purpose, well drained compost is idea.
Describe the feeding of Ficus benjamina
Feed with slow release fertiliser at the beginning of the growing season or feed once a month with a standard house plant fertiliser
Describe the watering of Ficus benjamina
Allow the top 2.5cm of compost to dry out before watering till water runs out of the bottom of the pot. Stand on a tray of damp pebbles for humidity. Do not allow to stand in water
Describe the watering of Ficus benjamina
Describe the deadheading of Ficus benjamina
They do not produce flowers but may produce small figs. Prune to maintain size and shape and tolerate hard pruning to reduce size.
Describe the repotting of Ficus benjamina
Repot when the roots start to show in the pot above the soil. Repot in late winter or early spring.
Describe the control of pests and diseases for Ficus benjamina
Leaf drop - over watering, under watering, draughts, low light.
Spider mites and scale insects, mealy bugs, aphids and thrips. Raise humidity by misting with water or spray with soap sprays or pyrethrum sprays.
Describe the temperature requirements for Euphorbia pulcherrima
Daytime temps between 18 deg C and 24 deg C and a night temp between 15deg C and 18deg C. No warm or cold draughts.
Describe the feeding of Euphorbia pulcherrima
During the summer, feed once a month with a standard houseplant fertiliser. During the weeks when the plant is subjected to short days to develop blows, extra fertiliser should be supplied. During this time, October to November, the plants should be fed every other week.
Describe the watering of Euphorbia pulcherrima
While flowering, the compost should not dry out. Water should be allowed to drain through the pot. Do not allow plant to sit in water for extended period of time. Use lukewarm water.
In winter, reduce watering to just enough to keep it alive after it has been cut back.
Describe the deadheading of Euphorbia pulcherrima
Do not deadhead in flowering season. They have a skin irritating milky sap New bracts will not form if spent bracts are removed. In summer, tips of new growth should be pinched out to encourage a bushier plant.
Describe the repotting of Euphorbia pulcherrima
Repot during the spring months when new growth is appearing below old bracts. If there’s no new growth, cut back to 15cm before repotting. Use a combo of 1 part sterilised loam, 1 part peat and 1 part sand.
Describe the special care of Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia)
Short day plants. Flowering growth begins when the day length is less than 10 hours. 14 hours of darkness each day is required to encourage reblooming.
On 1st Sept, bring plant indoors and place in sunny spot. On 1st Oct, give long night treatments (complete darkness for 14 hours) with bright light during the day.
Once bracts get their colour, the long night treatment can stop.
Describe the pest and disease control of Euphorbia pulcherimma
Whitefly - use parasitic wasps (Encarsia versicolor) stick yellow traps, insecticidal soap, Pyrethrum sprays.
Sciarids - fungus gnats - sticky traps, remove dead material, and keep the top few inches of soil dry by watering from below.
Botrytis - Remove dead and dying foliage and provide good ventilation.
Describe the day length requirements of Kalanchoe blossfeliana
Short days required for flowering.
Minimum of 12 hours (14 preferred) a day of darkness for 6 weeks. Minimum temp of 10 deg C is required.
Describe the potting of Kalanchoe blossfeliana
Quick draining potting mixture is required, so add extra sand to regular potting mix.
Describe the feeding of Kalanchoe blossfeliana
Feed with standard fertiliser every 2 -0 3 weeks when the plant is actively growing and in flower
Describe the watering of Kalanchoe blossfeliana
Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry. Allow top half of soil to dry out before watering again. Water until it runs through the pot and excess is discarded.
Describe the deadheading of Kalanchoe blossfeliana
Remove dead flowers as they appear. After flowering, reshape by cutting back branches that are too long.
Describe the repotting of Kalanchoe blossfeliana
Repot after flowering in a well draining potting mix.
Describe the control of pests and diseases for Kalanchoe blossfeliana
Mealy bugs - repot with fresh clean compost if mealy bugs are present.
Describe the potting of Saintpaulia ionantha
Well drained compost is essential. They like to be slightly pot bound. Pots need to be half as wide as the plant.
Describe the feeding of Saintpaulia ionantha
Feed with a standard liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks during the spring through to the autumn.
Describe the watering of Saintpaulia ionantha
Keep the soil moist but not wet. Never mist. Use moist pebbles on a tray to increase the humidity.
Describe the deadheading of Saintpaulia ionantha
remove dead flowers and leaves as they appear.
Describe the pest and disease control of Saintpaulia ionantha
Mealy bugs
Thrips
Increase humidity or treat with pyrethrin.
