Gardening Topic for November 2005
Bringing In Your Houseplants

Provided by the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association
www.wmassmastergardeners.org.

By Jacqueline Clark, Master Gardener Intern

Do any of you like to give your plants a "vacation" in the summer … that is do you send them outside onto your decks/porches, etc. Now with the cold weather approaching you maybe wondering how to welcome them back inside. Since I do this every year I've learned a few important tidbits that I'd like to share with you.

First not only is it a little 'vacation' for them, it is ultimately a lot less work, in watering for me. Another reason for allowing them to reside outside is that most plants enjoy and therefore flourish outside rather then in. Here are some good tidbits for gradually reintroducing plants back inside for the cold winter months. Outdoor plants are used to outside temperatures, lighting, and humidity; therefore suddenly bringing them inside can result in 'shocking' the plants resulting in: yellowed leaves, leaf drop, wilting, and even their untimely death!

You can make the transition less traumatic if you follow some simple steps:

1. Bring in your plants before the nighttime temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a three-season porch this is an excellent transition zone. Simply bring the plants into this area first.

2. Inspect all plants for insects and disease. You will need to treat these plants BEFORE bringing any unwanted guests in to your home.

I highly recommend transplanting plants into new soil, a sterilized potting mix. If you are reusing the pots the plants are in clean the pots with a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part bleach. Why? Some bugs like to live in the soils of the plants and to avoid bringing them into your home this process eliminates an opportunity to have hatchlings erupt from the soil after the plant/s are moved back inside. Note: I have had this happen and having larvae in my home is well, you guessed it, rather disturbing. Not to go unmentioned having fungus gnats (small flies resembling fruit flies) buzzing about your house all winter long is very annoying.

If you notice (even if you don't, I advise doing this) aphids, spider mites or immature "crawler-stage" scale you can mix a solution of dishwasher soap and water and dip the plants into this. Depending on the size of the plant this can be done in the sink or bathtub. I shake the plant off and repot immediately. If you have many plants moving in for the winter, be sure to allot ample time to do this process it is advisable to do this a couple of weeks before the normal (for your area) predicted frost date.

Tidbit: If you have had any snails/slugs burrow their way into your pots you may want to insert a piece of wire screening over the drainage hole to keep them out next season.

3. Place the plants as close to a light source, i.e.; windows are recommended. Better yet a south side window. Gradually introducing plants to a reduction in light loss is recommended; most plants will experience leaf drop, this is normal. New leaves will develop as the plant/s re-acclimate to the lower light environment. If window space is limited installing ceiling hooks near windows is an option, and if you are really ambitious a window shelf can be constructed. Supplemental light sources, i.e.: plant lights are available at local garden centers.

4. For those plants that desire more humidity, you may want to provide them with a tray (lined with waterproof material) filled with gravel, add a small amount of water, and place the pot on top of. Be sure to keep the gravel moist during those dry winter months.

5. Remember not to over-water the plants. Indoor plants don't require as much water as they did during our long dry summer. It's good to let the soil surface get dry to the touch before watering. Remember succulents will need less water.

6. Many plants flourish outside so you may want to give them a generous pruning.

7. Some houseplants or annuals: begonias, coleus, geraniums, etc. may have gotten leggy or developed into mammoth plants over the summer. Take cuttings of these plants. Rooting of these types of plants is easy whether in water or in a vermiculite/sand mix. Propagating from these older plants rejuvenates the plant/s and allows for a more desirable sized plant/s to bring in for the winter. It's a great way to over winter them and the plants can be reintroduced into the garden next season. What an excellent topic for my next article: The steps to taking cuttings and successfully propagating annuals! Until next time good luck with bringing in your houseplants.

Please check out the following websites:

Source sites:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/550851/ Bringing Houseplants Indoors for the Winter by Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor,University of Vermont
http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/homewise/homewise_091399.htm
http://classes.hortla.wsu.edu/hort231/List01/Coleus.html Coleus photo
http://www.purrballs.com/catcare/plants/coleus.html coleus photo

Great Information Sites:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/539106/ Daves Garden
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/cgi-bin/ubb/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=001466;p=0 The Gardeners Forum
http://www.pallensmith.com/gardenhome P Allen Smith

For other articles, check out our archives

Provided by the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association
www.wmassmastergardeners.org