Growing Plants in Pots
Growing plants indoors can be an enjoyable hobby, but it will require some time and commitment, and you will need to know the proper soil, lighting and temperature for the plant you wish to grow. There are also several various ways of growing pot plants.
Before you do anything else, inspect the area where you plan to grow your plants. You must place the potted plant in an area where it will get several hours of natural sunlight every day. Artificial lighting is also an option if you have the budget for it. You can use special indoor lamps and lights to replace natural sunlight. You can ensure that the temperature of your home is ideal for the plant yourself, since this is the easiest factor to control.
When growing a potted plant, you should match it with the appropriate container. The larger your plant will grow, the larger your pot should be. A big plant in a small pot can become unhealthy. Its roots won’t be able to breathe properly and this can stunt its growth. Similarly, using a large pot for a small plant will look odd — although the plant may eventually grow to fit the pot. Or you can simply grow your plant in a smaller pot and transplant it to a bigger pot when it grows. You can also choose from various styles and sizes. The diameter of the container should ideally be half the plant’s height. To prevent the roots from drowning, ensure the pot has draining holes in the bottom.
Look for the proper soil or growing medium next. Because it doesn’t properly drain, garden soil is usually unsuitable. Further, garden soil could contain fungi or insects that are harmful to the plant type. Choose a packaged potting soil that can hold moisture while aerating the plant’s roots.
When the plant should be watered can be affected by several factors. Sun, rain, wind, heat and the type of plant you’re growing are among these factors.
You should water most plant regularly, although not to the drowning point. That said, aloe vera and other desert plants tend to do better when you let them dry out a little instead of flooding them with water. This makes some desert varieties ideal for people who have a hard time remembering to water their plants regularly. The amount of water any plant needs can vary each day.
Plants grown in pots dry up more quickly than those that grow in the ground. By sticking your finger into the soil, you can determine if the plant needs water. If it is dry, then it needs to be watered.
In general, you should fertilize potted plants every two weeks. When you water a plant, it flushes the nutrients from the growing medium. Organic fertilizer is preferrable, particularly if kids or pets are in the home, you grow edible plants, or you’ll use the plants for medicinal or personal purposes.
As a note, some plants are poisonous to animals or humans. Properly research a plant’s risks before you bring it into your home if you have pets or children. (See Pets and Plant Poisoning for more information on this.)
Protect plants from harmful pests when you grown themin or around your home. Even if you house it indoors, insects can still find ways into the home and destroy your plant. To combat this problem, you can use one of the organic pesticides on the market.
Growing potted plants can be worthwhile and rewarding whether you grow them in a window box, on a balcony or patio, or in an outdoor garden. In addition to their beauty, potted plans can be used to make natural remedies or teas, provide fruits and vegetables, emit fragrance, or as decoration.
Although study and application of standard practices and proper growing techniques are necessary when growing plants indoors, the process will become easier and is worth the trouble.
About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn to live more eco-friendly lives. Learn more about green living at her blog on Green Sustainable Living.
This article was originally posted at Growing Plants in Pots.
