Gardening Topic for October 2006
Time To Bring The House Plants Indoors

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

The smell of autumn is in the air and with the weather changing I start to think about bringing in my houseplants. They have been vacationing in my yard since last spring and need to come in before the first frost. I said that I start thinking about bringing them in but actually I will be dashing out in the dark to gather them up after hearing the frost warning on television at the 11 o'clock news. Last year I tried digging up some plants and bulbs in the dark with a flash light. This year I'm ahead of the game, I now own a miner's headlamp just in case.

When gathering up those plants that will winter inside your home, remove the debris that has collected on them (twigs, wind blown leaves, etc). I take them into my cellar and get to work. Inspect each plant for any bugs, slugs and any left over debris. Remove any bug/slugs that you can and then it's a good idea to wash the foliage in warm soapy water (just add a little dish liquid to warm water). Tip the plant over and swish, then rinse-with clear warm water. This should take care of those tiny bugs such as aphids that you really can't pick off.

Next on the list of chores is to check to see who needs to be repotted. One way is to turn the pot over. If there are roots growing through the bottom, it is outgrowing its pot. The second reason would be if the pot is cracked or broken. When repotting be sure that the pot is clean (a little bleach in water works well) and that you usually increase by one pot size. Gently remove the plant by teasing out the roots. Then look at the roots and snip off any dead or mushy ones. If the roots are bound or are growing in a circle, easily pull them apart. Place some potting medium in the bottom of the pot. You can uses store bought potting soil or make your own, (recipe below). Put the plant in and fill in with more medium. Firm up the plant and water (slowly from the top until water runs out the bottom or let the pot sit in water until the medium on the top feels moist). Once they are all freshened up, I usually spray my plants with a fungicidal soap with neem oil in it to prevent any pests that may be left.

Bring your plants into your home and place them where they grow best, depending on light, humidity and temperature. In my home there is just not enough room for all of my plants, so I have "grow" lights in the cellar. All that you need to do is hang a shop light and use one cool light bulb and one warm light bulb-adjust height as needed. Then I just rotate them into the home as needed. I have several houseplants that spend the winter in the cellar and do very well. It’s cool, they have light, they get fed and watered regularly. Some shed throughout the winter, some bloom, I divide some and take cutting from others. Once in awhile one does not make it.

Remember to enjoy your houseplants. Find out what each likes and dislikes. Go on line, refer to books or chat with other houseplant lovers. Have fun and if you lose one, get another.

Book suggestions:

Crocker's Indoor Garden

Foliage Houseplants (Time Life)

Hyponex Handbook of Houseplants

The Complete Indoor Gardener - Michael Wright

Soil-less Potting Medium Recipe

3 parts peat moss

1 part vermiculite

1 part perlite

1/2 part sand

This can be increased or decreased per your liking. (your plant's liking)

Specific plants, such as cacti and orchids, require special potting media.

Assorted Housplants
Waiting to Come Inside

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