Houseplants are looking forward to being rescued
By Thea Steinmetz
Insights
Published March 3, 2010

For Ohioans, sunshine is precious, especially in February. It is a rare treat to see the sun paint the radiant white snow blanketing the earth. Under the softening coverlet lies spring.

Hold on. March is no cakewalk for anxious, apprehensive gardeners. Mother Nature was abundant with inches of snow, and that brings hope. The trees, so parched in past years, will have enough moisture to encourage a good, green start. Every winter brings some losses, and it will be a while before the damage becomes evident.

In the meantime, spring can already be bought, not as a commodity that satisfies, but rather in small, yellow bunches. Yearly, the first appearance of the daffodils in stores is the harbinger of what we have waited for all winter. The bright and smiling face of a daffodil is irresistible. The color alone brings on a smile. It also conjures up pictures of the sunflower, which blooms much later in the season and captivates with the same strong and confident yellow. The two are not related in a botanical sense, but are close in fortitude.

We know that April stands for spring but never have any sense of what March will bring. It is time to look around inside and spend some time with trusted houseplants. Perhaps the best way should be quality time. As houseplants come in so many sizes and also different needs, they can no longer be ignored. Whether it is a lonely African violet that cries out for help or a large palm tree, all are clamoring for attention. So far, we have gained better than one hour of daylight to take us toward spring. Not only do we know, but so do the houseplants, that this is a positive sign that we are headed for better things to come.

We appreciate greenery and flowers year round, but right now, we seem to crave anything that speaks of hope. There is a close relationship between plants and human beings. The furnaces have been going almost non-stop, and what the dryness does to the skin also affects the leaves on the plants. Most of them enjoy a good misting right now with a fine spray. Over-watering is not an antidote to dry conditions. A soggy bottom is not what a plant wants or needs. When the roots are constantly stressed, it hastens the end of the plant. The lack of a proper amount of water shows the same result.

A moisture meter inserted in the soil will greatly help to facilitate the right moisture level. Some prefer the old, reliable method of using a finger to check the soil moisture and this, if done right, will demonstrate what the plant needs. In case the wallet allow investment in a high-tech device, go for this new gadget. There are now moisture sticks available that not only tell if watering is needed, but actually give off an alarm when a plant gets too dry. Testing one of these high-end thingamajigs is on my list to investigate — as soon as I can get out of my driveway.

There is life for plants beyond the windowsill with a southern exposure. A generously sized window pointing to the north will do the job for certain plants. Don’t hesitate to experiment. A weekly turning of the pots is a must to keep the stems from leaning in one direction. If a bathroom windowsill is available, the increased humidity will benefit a tropical plant. A daily shower will do wonders, even for orchids. Don’t shower the orchids, only yourself.

Unfortunately, the disasters that come about cannot always be avoided. Botrytis and various other diseases seem to attack from nowhere. Circulation of fresh air is extremely important for healthy houseplants. A well-placed fan is helpful when normal circulation is missing. Greenhouses keep their fans going to supply fresh air.

Plants should not be spaced so close that there is no circulation between them. It also encourages powdery mildew. At the onset of one of these diseases, it is imperative to remove every affected leaf. No leaf should be resting on the base of the plant on top of the soil. Discard them promptly, but never add them to the compost.

A favorite plant that still shows some sign of healthy life might be rescued. Cut back the bad portions and salvage the rest by cleaning and perhaps spraying it with a fungicide, such as dusting sulfur. Isolate the affected plant and keep a close eye on it.

Let’s declare March “Be Nice to your Houseplant Month” and then act accordingly. Many also need to be transplanted in the spring. We will cover that in future columns.

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Here is a look at our global economy and how crazy things are getting. When trying to follow instructions on how long the Chinese noodles had to be boiled, I did a double take on what the Chinese interpreter suggested: “Noodle in soup: Simmer the noodle in boiling water or soup for 2 minutes, stir with chopsticks and then ready to be served with subsidiary food.” (Their words, not mine.)

It also makes one wonder if they ever heard of eggs to make the noodles yellow. Instead, it says that C yellow #5 and #6 are used, along with eatable color substance E 102 and E 110. This begs the question: how much artificial yellow is needed to color a noodle?