12-22-2005
Q: What will vitamin A do to the plants?
Do plants really need vitamins? No. Humans need vitamins, but plants do not. Plants do need mineral nutrients such as nitrogen. Phosphorous, potassium, iron, boron and others. Vitamin A will not help boost your plants growth or health directly.
12-21-2005
Q: Will Vitamins A and B-12 effect the growth of violas?
A: Vitamins B-1 help boost the plants metabolism, it works great for transplanting, and as a booster from time to time.
What is the important element for growing healthy indoor plants?
Light is the single most important element necessary for growing healthy plants. Although water, soil nutrients and humidity are important to good plant growth, none of them matter if the light level is incorrect.
How often should indoor plants be watered?
There is no single frequency for watering plants that is appropriate for all plants. Watering depends on light and humidity levels, temperature, pot size and many other factors that vary from plant to plant.
Should plants be repotted shortly after purchase?
Plants should be repotted only when they are growing vigorously and have become seriously potbound.
How wet or dry should plant soil be kept?
Most, but not all, indoor plants prefer roots that are surrounded by soil that is in the range of evenly moist or slightly dry or barely damp. Avoid extremes.
What type of plants require more light?
Flowering plants require more light than do foliage plants. Plants with variegated and/or paler green leaves require more light than plants with dark green foliage.
Do indoor plants benefit from being moved outside during the warmer months?
No. Plants do not adapt easily to changes in their environment, especially light levels. Moving plants in and out doors forces the plants to constantly adjust to new conditions.
Is misting plants beneficial - does it raise the humidity?
Misting keeps plants clean. Contrary to conventional wisdom, daily misting only raises the humidity level for however long the water droplets remain on the leaves --- usually less than 30 minutes out of a 24 hour day. Water alone will remove some plant pests temporarily, but it has no long--lasting effect on a plant pests.
Are indoor plants really good for you, or just good to look at?
Plants are good air cleaners. Scientific studies have demonstrated that plants are effective in removing indoor pollutants commonly found in buildings suffering from "sick building syndrome."
Should you move plants away from sick people?
Plants are good for sick as well as healthy people. They use the carbon dioxide we exhale and give off the oxygen we inhale. A few individuals do have allergic reactions to some plants, but this is rare.
Do plants need vitamins?
No. Humans need vitamins, but plants do not. Plants do need mineral nutrients such as nitrogen. Phosphorous, potassium, iron, boron and others.
What causes yellowing leaves?
Improper light levels and improper watering are the primary causes of leaf yellowing. Improper soil pH and pests can also cause yellowing. Unfortunately, yellow leaves only indicate that there is a problem, not what is causing the problem.
Will adding soil to a plant help it grow faster?
Adding soil to the top of a potted plant does not help the plant. If a plant is truly pot-bound, then move it into a larger pot and add fresh soil to the bottom and sides of the pot.
What is the preferred temperature rant for indoor plants?
65 to 80 degrees is the preferred temperature range for most indoor plants. Indoor plants are native to tropical and semi-tropical climates. Our normal household temperatures are compatible with their requirements - that is why they are selected for use as indoor plants.
What is the best light source for indoor plants?
The sun. You can't beat Mother Nature when it comes to providing light for plants. Natural light is full--spectrum light. Incandescent or standard light bulbs provide light from a portion of the light spectrum that is not helpful for most indoor plants. Fluorescent bulbs provide spectral light that is good for foliage plants. Plant lights come the closest to duplicating the full--spectrum light of the sun, but they are expensive. Candlelight is just too dim to benefit plants. |