Growing plants indoors can be enjoyable, but you will need to know the proper lighting, soil and temperature and commit the time and effort to do it successfully. Additionally, there are several methods of growing plants in pots.
Inspect the area in which you plan to grow your plants before you do anything else. You must place the potted plant in an area where it will receive natural light several hours a day. If you have the budget for it, artificial lighting is another option. Special indoor lamps and lights that you can use to replace natural sunlight are on the market. You can ensure that the temperature of your home is ideal for the plant yourself, since this is the easiest factor to control.
Choose an appropriate container for your potted plant. The larger your plant will grow, the larger your pot should be. Putting a big plant in a small pot can result in the plant not being able to breathe properly or the roots’ growth being stunted. Although it’s possible it will grow large enough to fit the pot, putting a small pot in a large pot usually doesn’t look good. Instead, you should start your plant in a small pot, transplanting it to a larger one when it outgrows the smaller size. Various styles and sizes of pots are also available. The diameter of the container should be half the height of the plant. Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot so the roots will not drown.
Look for the proper soil or growing medium next. Garden soil typically is unsuitable because it isn’t able to properly drain. Additionally, insects or fungi that might be harmful to the plant could be in the garden soil. Instead choose a packaged potting soil that will aerate the roots and help the plant retain moisture.
The appropriate time to water the plant can be affected by several factors. These are sun, rain, wind, heat, and the type of plant you are growing.
You should regularly water most plant, although not to the point of drowning. That said, aloe vera and other desert plants tend to do better when you let them dry out a little instead of flooding them with water. Because of this, desert varieties are often ideal for people who find it difficult to remember to regularly water their plants. The amount of water any plant needs can vary each day.
Compared to plants that grow in the ground, potted plants dry up more quickly. To find out whether a plant needs to be watered, you can stick your finger into the soil. If it is dry, then it needs to be watered.
In general, you should fertilize potted plants every two weeks. Watering a plant flushes the nutrients from the growing medium. Use organic fertilizers – especially if there are kids or pets around the area where you keep the pot, if you are growing an edible plant, or if the plant will be used for personal care or medicinal purposes.
Note that some plants are poisonous to humans and/or animals. Thoroughly research a plant before you bring it into an environment where children or pets can access it. (See Pets and Plant Poisoning for more information on this.)
Protect plants from harmful pests when you grown themin or around your home. Even if it’s inside the house, insects can get in and destroy your plant. To combat this problem, you can use one of the organic pesticides on the market.
Growing potted plants can be worthwhile and rewarding whether you grow them in a window box, on a balcony or patio, or in an outdoor garden. Potted plants can provide herbs for teas or natural remedies, edible fruits and vegetables, fragrance, or simply decoration.
Although study and application of standard practices and proper growing techniques are necessary when growing plants indoors, the process will become easier and is worth the trouble.
About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn to live more environmentally friendly lives. Learn more about sustainable living at her blog on Living Resourcefully.
Original Article: How to Grow Potted Plants.
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