The Three Big Things to Consider When Taking Care of Plants
Contrary to popular belief, taking care of plants and flowers doesn’t require a green thumb. Many people enjoy the relaxation of gardening or the beauty that healthy flowers and plants produce. However, just like any other living thing, plants require care, sustenance and a little TLC in order to thrive and continue to blossom. Listed below are three easy ways to ensure your plants have the best opportunity to grow and stay healthy.
Plants Need the Right Amount of Light
One of the most important factors in keeping plants healthy, is giving them the proper amount of light for that specific plant. Plants go through a process known as photosynthesis which occurs when they are exposed to sunlight. This allows them to create the energy they need to grow and to stay healthy. The trick however, is to remember that not all plants require the same amount of sunlight. In fact, each species has unique requirements that help them grow.
In general, there are three different types of light requirements that all plants need in order for photosynthesis to occur.
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Direct sunlight: As the name states, direct sunlight will shine upon the plant without any barriers, such as shade or shadows.
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Indirect sunlight: This is when sunlight will shine into a room inside a home or office building but does not directly shine on the plant.
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Diffused light: In this case, sunlight is filtered by a sunshade, sheered curtain or a screen.
It’s always best to research the specific light requirements of any plant you intend on buying in order for them to flourish. Knowing this information will also provide you with the best location in which to place your plants and flowers; either outside in a garden or indoors in a pot. Most nurseries that sell plants have experts that are more than happy to tell you the best sources of light for your plants. The led grow lights can be a great option for the fact that they use very little electricity compared to other forms of lights.
Having the Right Amount of Water is Critical for Plants
The biggest mistake that most beginning gardeners will make is over watering their plants. Just like sunlight, without water plants would die rather quickly. However, just like with light, there are specific watering requirements that each type of plant needs in order to grow and stay healthy. In general, the key to proper watering of plants is to ensure the soil where their roots are planted is moist, but not overly wet. There are a few things you can do to check the water saturation of soil including:
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Check the soil with your fingers. By pushing down on the top layer of soil, you can tell how moist it is.
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Buy a moisture meter. They will eliminate all of the guesswork. They will tell you exactly how wet your soil is at every level of your pot. Your plant might feel dry at the top, but could actually be very moist at the base of the pot. Plus, most moisture meters will also tell you other things like how much light you are getting as well as pH levels. A moisture meter is very inexpensive and once you have one, you won’t know how you ever got along without one!
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use a watering can instead of a hose. This permits you to control the exact amount of water being poured.
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Use lukewarm water. Cold or hot water can ‘shock’ plants and flowers.
If you’re still having issues with watering your plants, you can try these self watering pots. They will water your plants for you for a week or even longer depending on the specific plant and the size of the plant. This can be a big help for those vacations! They have a reservoir as well as holes in the bottom for drainage. They are very inexpensive and really will make your life easier.
Plants Need Food
Although water and sunlight help a plant with growth, they also require nutrients that are often found in soil. However, the problem is that not all soil is equal, so you might have to add plant food to the soil. In general, there are three types of plant food:
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Water soluble: This is when you mix a powder with water and pour on the soil.
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Spikes: This is a solid plant food that is placed in the soil next to a plant and breaks down naturally over time.
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Granular: This is a plant food that you sprinkle on the soil and water
Depending on whether you have plants outside in a garden or inside a pot, they will all have unique requirements for additional food. As with sunlight and water requirements, always consult with a garden professional about what type of plant food to use. Following these three general guidelines for taking care of plants and flowers will give you a solid baseline to begin your gardening.
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