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Dr. Patti Nagai
Horticulture EducatorRacine County UW [email protected]
GREENING THE INTERIOR
Healthy Houseplants for a Healthier You
BENEFITS OF HOUSEPLANTSSection 1:
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Why do we bring plants inside?
Visual Enhancement
Emotional Health
Environmental Health
Visual Enhancement
Not a static visual enhancement like artwork or furnishings –plants grow, change and sometimes die.
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Emotional Health• Calming effect• Lower blood pressure• Overall well‐being
Interior Plants and Environmental Health
NASA research
1 to 2 medium sized plants per 100 square feet
Remove toxins
Provide O2
BRINGING PLANTS HOMESection 2:
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Bringing Plants Home• Select a plant suitable for the interior site
– Light
– Size
• Check carefully for insects or other problems
• Wrap to protect from weather
• Unwrap immediately
• Clean
• Prune
• Water carefully and thoroughly
Acclimation
How do plants adjust from Florida to Wisconsin?
Protect in transit, unwrap immediately!
Ficus aliivery full and
upright – pruning will be necessary
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Some plants cannot be pruned, consider how they will spread
Sometimes plants outgrow their space – and they can’t be pruned.
Estimating Light Levels
Which Way Does Your Window Face?
East? Cool – Medium LightWest? Warm to Hot – High LightSouth? Warm to Hot – High LightNorth? Cool – Low Light
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Light Meters Can Help You See What Your Eyes Cannot
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Outdoor Shade vsIndoor Windows
How Much Light ?Helpful Hints for Monitoring Light Level
Not Enough Light Perfect Light Too Much Light
No Growth New Growth New Growth
Leaf Yellowing Dark Leaves Pale Leaves
Leaf Drop Some Leaf Drop Leaf Drop
Loss of Variegation Strong Variegation Scorched
Soil stays wet Regular water Soil stays dry
Plants need to breathe –otherwise ethylene builds up.
Unwrap Plants
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Clean Your Plants
• Take the plant to the sink or tub
• Spray upper and lower leaf surfaces with lukewarm water
Even large plants can be
washed
• A clean plant is a healthy plant!
WHY?
• Discourages insects
• More light absorbed
Clean Plant = Healthy Plant
A layer of dust on the leaves results in 25% reduction in light interception
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Clean Plant = Shiny Plant
A soft cotton cloth can be used to gently wipe the leaves
How to Water?• Take the plant to the sink or tub
• Remove tray or decorative container
• Gently spray with tepid water until freely drains through the bottom
Let it Drain!• Let drain thoroughly
• Do not let sit in water!
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How to Repot ?• Take the plant out of decorative container
• Use clean grow pot
• New pot should be only 1 inch largerthan old pot
• Use a sterilized potting mix containing, peat, compost, vermiculite and/or perlite
• Press soil mix into roots to fill all air pockets
• Keep plant at same level as it was in old pot
• Water gently
• Let drain through
• Return to decorative container
Double Potting
Decorative Container
Grow Pot
Florist’s Foam
Wicking (optional)
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EASY CARE HOUSEPLANT SELECTION
Section 3:
Pothos
Epipremnum pinnatum
• Light: bright, indirect light
• Water: moist to dry, well drained
• Problem: overwatering
• Solution: water thoroughly, let drain and dry completely
Is it pothos, or is it philodendron?
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Algerian IvyHedera canariensis
• Light: low to medium
• Water: moist, well drained
• Problem: spider mites
• Solution: clean with lukewarm water regularly to discourage mite infestations
Wax Plant Hoya carnosa
• Light: medium, not full sun
• Water: moist to dry, well‐drained
• Problem: overwatering
• Solution: lightweight soil mixture, let drain completely
Chinese EvergreenAglaonema modestum
• Light: medium
• Water: moist to dry, well drained
• Problem: overwatering
• Solution: lightweight soil mixture, let drain completely
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Aglaonema in the home
‘Silver Queen’ ‘Emerald Beauty’
Snake PlantSanseveria
• Light: low to very bright
• Water: dry to moist, well drained
• Problem: overwatering
• Solution: light soil, heavy pot
Dracaena Dracaena deremensis‘Janet Craig’
• Light: low to moderate
• Water: dry, well drained
• Problem: overwatering
• Solution: let dry completely, use well drained soilless mix
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Ficus species
Ficus species
• Light: bright, indirect
• Water: moist, well drained
• Problem: changing environment
• Solution: find a bright location and leave it there! Turn regularly.
Ficus lyrata Ficus maclellandii‘Alii’
Ficus elastica
Ficus maclellandii ‘Alii’
Ficus benjamina ‘Variegata’
Ficus benjamina
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Palms
Chamaedorea elegans‘Neanthe Bella’
• Light: low to moderate
• Water: moist, well drained
• Problem: spider mites
• Solution: regular, lukewarm water baths
PodocarpusPodocarpus macrophyllus
• Light: moderate to full sun, very bright
• Water: moist, well drained
• Problem: mealy bugs
• Solution: inspect regularly, clean, use systemic if necessary
Polyscias speciesPolyscias ‘Ming’ Aralia
• Light: medium
• Water: moist, well drained
• Problem: spider mites
• Solution: regular, lukewarm water baths
(other cultivars are not as susceptible as ‘Ming’)
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‘Dinner Plate’
‘Balfour’ with close up of foliage
HibiscusHibiscus rosa‐sinensis
• Light: moderate to high, can take direct sun
• Water: very moist, well drained
• Problem: light & water
• Solution: find a bright window (west or south) and turn regularly. Water frequently.
Orchid Phalaenopsis
• Light: medium, not full sun
• Water: little, dilute orchid fertilizer with each watering
• Problem: overwatering
• Solution: fir bark mixture –no soil
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Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum
• Light: medium, not full sun
• Water: moist, well drained
• Problem: underwatering
• Solution: organic, rich soil mixture
INSECTS THAT FEED ON HOUSEPLANTS
Section 4:
INSECTS THAT FEED ON HOUSEPLANTS
Master Gardener Training
Level 2 / Week #
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What about Insects?
Mealy Bug
Scale
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Spider Mite
New products: rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, lavender oil with insecticidal soap.
Always read the label!
QUESTIONS?Healthy Houseplants for a Healthier You