Summer Houseplant Care
As temperatures warm up in late spring, many home gardeners move houseplants
to outdoor living areas such as porches, patios, and sunrooms. Most indoor
plants can flourish outside if given proper attention.
First, have the patience to wait until temperatures are dependably warm.
Most houseplant species originated in the tropics and are sensitive to
temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Be prepared to bring the plants
back indoors on cool nights. Gradually acclimate the plants by moving
them outdoors for a few hours daily before letting them spend full-time
in their new digs.
Although a given plant may require full sun indoors, houseplants outdoors
should receive no more than a half-day of morning sun. Afternoon sun will
likely be too strong. Overexposing the tender leaves to the strong summer
sun will result in sunburn, turning the leaves yellow or white and eventually
brown. Most houseplants will do just fine in a shady northern exposure.
Another point to keep in mind is that plants outdoors are exposed to much
greater wind which translates into watering more often to prevent the
plants from wilting. Also, most plants will grow faster outdoors, which
also contributes to a greater need for both water and fertilizer.
Keep an eye on the plants for disease and especially insects. Many houseplant
pests are picked up while the plants are outdoors for the summer. Give
the plants a thorough inspection and cleaning before returning them indoors
in the fall. An insecticidal soap or other insecticide product may be
needed to avoid contaminating other indoor plants. Make sure the product
is labeled for the specific pest you're trying to control and for your
particular type of plant.
And don't be surprised if your plants drop considerable numbers of leaves
when you bring them back indoors next fall. Many plants will drop their
leaves in response to the drastic decrease in light indoors and then grow
new leaves that are better acclimated to low light.
5-18-06
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