Indoor Gardening In Your House or Apartment

Indoor gardening in the houses or apartments does not need a lot of time and effort on your part. The two essential things that a plant will need are sunlight and water and these can be dealt with efficiently if you have the know-how of how much water and sun the plants will need. The most responsible thing you can do if you plan on indoor gardening is to first learn which plants are suitable for the indoors or can withstand being indoors most of the time.

Once you have decided which plant you want, you can choose what kind of container you will need for your indoor plant. Putting plants in pots or other containers adds to their versatility to be transferred from one spot to another. This is the advantage of potting a plant whereas, plant boxes will be heavier to lift and transfer.

Now all you have to do to start indoor gardening is to plant your plants. There are certain plants that need extra care awhile others just need watering at least once a day and they are fine. Certain containers for plants are porous so you have to bear in mind the amount of water you will need to water them. Water may seep through and ultimately put a damp spot on your carpet or floor. A plastic container with a platter at the bottom to hold excess water is the right container for indoor gardening.

Plants need sunlight to produce their food. They use a process called photosynthesis to do this. Some plants need constant sunlight to be healthy while others enjoy their time in the shade and do not need a lot of light. To compensate for sunlight, you can use incandescent or fluorescent lights for your plants. Care must be given to the closeness of the lights to the plant because lights generate heat.
 

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House plants are used mainly to add aesthetic value to a place or office. It gives a room colors and life. Some people are also soothed by the presence of a plant. The kinds of plants people use to decorate their homes or offices with are varied and numerous. There are house plants that do not bear flowers or any kind of fruit while there are flowering kinds as well. They serve to alleviate dreary offices and fill up empty spaces. They can also lift people’s spirits and act as companions to some people. More people have taken to talking to their plants and exposing them to music as well.

Most of the more popular plants used in homes are the slow growing kinds which do not shed much of its leaves. Some people do not mind the faster growing ones and also the flowering kinds either. Most of plants are in pots or plant boxes while others are integrated into patches of soil and earth around the house. Some people even use the house plants to decorate tables instead of using the traditional vase with flowers

Taking Care of Your House Plants

House plants needs depend on what kinds of plant they are. Some plants do not thrive if watered too much while others love constantly moist soil. It is best to research how to take care of your particular plants since some of the stores where they can be bought offer very common instructions of how to care for them. One thing is certain; all plants need water and sunlight so place them near a window sill or a skylight for maximum exposure. You can also bring them out regularly for their daily dose of sun energy.

Kinds of House Plants

There are so many different kinds of plants which can be utilized as house plants. There are the exotic orchids which are hanging plants and do not need to be potted to survive. Bromeliads are plants which are a bit thorny but very spectacular when they flower. Several ferns have also made their way into people’s houses while bamboo and some other grasses are starting to become favorite house plants. Most house plants are flowering plants that lend color to the home.

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Braided Ficus Tree

This is one of the best indoor plants of all, namely because of how easy it is to maintain. It is in fact one of the most popular foliage plants in the world because of its adaptability to the great indoors. It features leathery leaves that are dark green in color and which cover the semi-weeping branches.

The ficus braid itself has four stems that are intertwined together, resulting in the creation of a truly wonderful specimen plant with a full and bushy top. This plant is incredibly easy to take care of, as all you really need to do is give it consistent moisture in order to prevent excessive leaf drop.

Chinese Evergreen

This is another of the best indoor plants, one that is perfect for all you beginner gardeners. It is one of the easiest to maintain indoor plants, and is a low-light lover. It is also one of the few foliage plants that are able to survive with only a reading light providing it illumination.

The leaves on this plant are a blend of silvery gray color and dark green, and they typically form an upright bushy habit. Because this plant grows in low light, you need to make sure that you pay careful attention to watering and also allow the soil to dry thoroughly before waterings. As well, they prefer warm growing areas and so you need to keep them in rooms with a temperature above 45 degrees F.

Ponytail Palm

Yet another of the favorite indoor plants is the ponytail palm. This plant has a foliage type that arises from an unusual swollen trunk, and the leaves are leathery and ribbonlike and can actually grow to be up to six feet in length and less than an inch wide. These plants require extremely high light levels in order to have the best growth and they are one of the few plants that can even handle direct sunlight.

There are numerous other plants that you can choose from as well that work indoors, however you just want to make sure that you do not take on too many at a type, particularly if you do not have that much gardening experience under your belt.

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Trees for Indoor Fruit Gardens

When people think of fruit trees they often picture large apple trees in their mind.  Of course, unless a home is absolutely huge large fruit trees are not a good idea for indoor fruit gardens.  In recent years scientists have made great progress in dwarfing fruit trees.  Most fruit trees are now available that will grow no taller than about five feet.  Most homes can accommodate one or two trees this size. 

These trees will produce fruit which is the same as large trees in an orchard.  Having an orange or lemon tree in the home is a wonderful addition.  Both these types of trees have been grown in homes with great success as long as there is enough sun exposure.  There are also other trees available for growing in the home but one must be cautious not to choose trees which require cross pollination unless there is room for more than one tree. 

Other Ideas For Indoor Fruit Gardens

There are other plants that will do well in indoor fruit gardens.  Strawberries can be grown well indoors and there are nice strawberry pots available at most gardening stores.  These pots generally have tiers for the small starter plants allowing for the vine shoots to grow also.  Melons can be grown in an indoor fruit garden but will need room to spread out.  If there is room in the home a table can be made with raised edges to hold soil and the plants can be grown on the table.  It will be important to either provide water drainage or have a base of gravel or stone under the soil. 

The most popular fruit which can be grown in an indoor fruit garden is the tomato.  Tomatoes are easily grown in containers and with adequate sun and water can produce large quantities of fruit from one single plant.  Tomatoes are great because they can be used for so many things.  They can be eaten fresh, canned or made into all kinds of sauces. The tomato is a great plant for the indoor fruit garden beginner.

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Choosing Containers for your Garden

One of the first considerations to make in planning your indoor container vegetable garden is the types of containers that you will use. Keep in mind that you will want to allow your plants plenty of room to grow up and out, as well as down. Roots need plenty of room for growth, it they are going to support a healthy plant, and so larger containers are almost always a better choice for indoor container vegetable gardening. You will need to make sure that there is plenty of room for drainage in the bottom of your container, and a layer of rocks or pebbles on the bottom that will allow the water to run through easily. Soil will be the next consideration, and your plants will do best in a potting soil that allows air and water to move through the container easily.

The plants that you select for your indoor container vegetable garden will depend first on the types that do well in this type of environment. While pumpkins and squash are not good choices for this limited amount of space, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers can do quite well in containers. Even root vegetables like carrots can thrive in a container, if there is plenty of room below the surface of the soil for them to grow. If you like beans or peas, you can buy the bush varieties or add a trellis to your container to allow your vines a place to climb. Make sure that you have a sunny window to keep your plants in, since many of your crops will require at least five hours of direct sun each day for best results.

Indoor container vegetable gardening can offer you the chance to indulge in your favorite hobby year-round, and can put fresh produce on your table during any season of the year. With a bit of research and planning you can have a successful indoor container vegetable garden no matter where you live and the time of year.

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While growing plants indoors is not supposed to be a hard undertaking, there are several factors that need to be considered.  First and foremost, the plant needs to receive adequate light.  Next in line is adequate watering, fertilization, and also soil mix for a healthy root system.  Additionally, some houseplants will require regular pruning while others may not be as picky.  Pests, such as white flies, or fungi are also threats to a houseplant and need to be dealt with quickly and directly.

It is not surprising that some houseplants have gone to that great garden in the sky under the care of even the most diligent gardeners. Over-watering and several other accidental houseplant deaths are actually more common than you think.  Here is a list of the most common ones and some suggestions as to how to avoid them from happening to your houseplant:

Over-watering is quite possibly the number one reason for houseplant death.  Before happily and frequently watering your plant, be sure to check about the species-specific needs it may have.  Some plants like a lot of water, while others do not. While the average houseplant does not need to be watered more often than once every five days or so, there are always exceptions to this rule, and therefore prior to watering you might want to check the soil to make sure it is not still saturated from the last time you watered.

Under watering must rate as the number two reasons for accidental plant death.  How often did you forget when it was the last time you watered your plant?  How often did you ask your spouse or child to water and then did not check with them to make sure it actually happened?  It is a good idea to check on your houseplant every three days or so to make sure the soil is not bone dry to the touch.

Inadequate soil is another reason why many houseplants do not survive long. Depending on the species of plant, it is imperative to purchase the proper potting soil.  Cacti, for example, need a decidedly different kind of soil than your indoor fern.  Commercially available potting soil mixes should be used whenever possible.  Try to stay away from your garden soil, or from recycling soil from another plant.  Additionally, do not use topsoil, since it does not have the nutrients that are available in potting soil.

Fungi will quickly make your plant an unsightly spectacle, and more often than not they will kill it.  These can sometimes be avoided by not using soil from your garden when potting a plant.  Spores survive in the soil for long periods of time, and they will quickly sprout and attack your new houseplant.  If you do see a fungus infection on your, be sure to quickly consult with your local garden center for remedies to cure your plant and its soil.

Temperature extremes will surely kill many plants, or at least stunt their growth considerably.  Do not place your houseplants on top of your heaters, or allow leaves to touch windows that regularly frost over. Do not put your plant in front of a fan or next to the stove.  Some plants, however, enjoy the moisture that a bathroom will offer, such as ferns, and placing a plant in such an environment is appropriate.

The use of inappropriate fertilizers is next on the list of plant hazards.  Over-fertilizing will kill your plant more quickly than not fertilizing it at all, and it is best to use a fertilizer specially formulated for houseplants. 

It is evident that the addition of houseplants to any environment are a wonderful choice, and if you follow a few simple steps, you can avoid over-watering, or a host of other accidental houseplant deaths.  Your leafy companions will thank you for your care!

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A number of common foliage and flowering houseplants are easily propagated from seeds. These include umbrella tree, false aralia, tree philodendron, and many palms, cacti, and succulents. Many ferns, such as Boston, bird’s nest, and maidenhair, can be propagated from spores.  Sexual propagation is relatively simply and inexpensive and can usually be done without special propagating structures. However, because sexual propagation depends on the uniting of genes from two parent plants, a certain amount of variation should be expected in the offspring. Seedling plants may vary considerably from the plant, which bore the seeds.

Seeds of tropical plants generally require no pretreatment like those of temperate woody plants which may require moist chilling before germination can occur. In fact, seeds of tropical plants should generally be sown as soon as they mature.

Use a sterilized medium or commercial grade medium low in soluble salts such as milled sphagnum moss, vermiculite or a mixture of equal parts sand and peat moss. Almost any container with drainage holes can be used. Bottom heat (70° to 75°F) usually speeds up germination but is not essential; thermostatically controlled heating cables and mats come in several sizes and provide uniform heating.

Sow the seeds sparingly. If crowded together too closely, poor air circulation will increase the likelihood of damping-off, a fungal disease which attacks seedlings at the soil line. Extremely fine seeds should not be covered; larger seeds are usually covered to a depth about twice their size. It is a good idea to cover the container with glass or plastic to keep the medium from drying out. Label each flat or pot with the variety, planting date and other information you may desire. This provides a handy reference.

Check the seeds daily. Never allow them to dry out. Most seeds do not require light for germination. Filtered light is usually provided to germinating seeds, however, the light level should be increased when germination occurs, otherwise, weak, spindly seedlings will result. Seeds of many house plants are easily germinated under artificial light. Remember that the seedlings must be located close to the light source, usually not more than 12 inches in the case of fluorescent lamps.

Seedlings are transplanted more easily and with less “shock” when they are small. Most seedlings can be transplanted after the first true leaves appear. Dislodge the seedlings by lifting from below with a spoon or wooden label. Handle the seedlings by their root balls or by their leaves, never by their stems. Replant them in their new container at approximately the same depth as they were growing and firm the soil around the roots. Water thoroughly and begin light fertilizer applications.

Division propagates most ferns, but many can be propagated by spores, which ferns produce on the underside of their fronds in structures called sori. The spores, which are the size of dust particles, should be scattered on the surface of a sterilized medium, usually one high in organic matter such as peat moss. Cover the container with a pane of glass or plastic to retain moisture. Place in a window receiving filtered light (rapid heating can occur under glass or plastic in direct light) or under artificial light. Be patient; it takes several weeks, sometimes months, for the young plants to germinate and reach sufficient transplanting size.

Houseplants can be propagated using a variety of asexual or vegetative techniques. Asexual propagation leads to the production of new plants usually exactly like the parent plant, thus unique characteristics can be passed on to the offspring. Some plants produce few or no viable seeds, or they may be slow to germinate and develop. Larger plants can often be obtained more quickly using vegetative propagation techniques.  Separation and division is certainly one of the easiest and quickest ways to propagate many plants. Plants like snake plant, Boston fern, asparagus fern, prayer plant and African violet are easily propagated using these techniques.

Many palms and bromeliads produce offsets at the base of the mother plant.  Simply remove the mother plant from its container and separate or divide it by pulling or cutting it apart. Each division should have some roots attached. Repot the new plants.  There are many types of cuttings that can be used to propagate houseplants. Certain cuttage techniques are better suited for certain plants.  Layering is another simple method for propagating certain houseplants. The technique is usually limited to plants with flexible stems such as vining plants. Layering is similar to cuttage except that the “cutting” is rooted on the mother plant before it is detached. The stem is simply bent over to the surface of the rooting medium and held there by pinning or weighing (Figure 9). Wounding the stem at the point of contact with the soil will often encourage rooting. When sufficiently rooted, the new plant is severed and repotted. Layering is often successful when other methods are not since it eliminates moisture stress during rooting.

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There is a list of common diseases and even pests that may be found in your household plants, which require your attention lest they leave the plant unsightly, sick, and eventually dead.  Additionally, some pests can be become so annoying that they may require you to take further steps from keeping them from invading portions of your home.

Here is a list of common diseases and pests, and some easy way of identifying them:

Potassium deficiency in the plant’s soil is a very common occurrence.  It often happens when soil is being recycled, or low-grade soils, such as sandy or peaty soils, are used to pot a plant.  The result is a plant that suffers from the deficiency and will display symptoms ranging from curling leaf tips to unsightly brown discolorations around the edges of the leaves.  Adding specifically formulated potassium rich fertilizers will cure this deficiency and allows the plant to return to health.

Powdery mildew is the attack of a fungus onto the plant. A white powder will cover leaves, stems, and even blooms.  Soil that has been recycled from another plant that suffered from this fungal attack is bound to contain spores that will also attack any other plant it comes near to.  This fungus calls for a trip to the local garden supply store for some help in securing a solution that will eradicate the fungus, since –left to its own devices—will attach itself to whatever plants are near the infected one.

Another fungus that will attack primarily roses is the black spot disease.  Easily recognizable by the black spots that form on rose leaves; this disease needs to be treated quickly before it spreads to the entire plant. In order to protect your potted plant, be sure to remove all fallen leaves, clip off the ones that show evidence of advanced black spot disease, and treat the rest of the plant with a fungicide you will be able to purchase at the local garden supply store.

Root rot also is a fungus, yet since it lives and thrives in the soil; it is much harder to get rid of than the topical fungus that can be removed from leaves.  While there may be some antifungal solutions that can be added to the soil, in general by the time it is recognized it is too late to save the plant from demise.  Prevention, in this case, is best, and one good step is to use potting soil that is rich in compost or manure components, as these inhibit the growth of this fungus. Recycling potting soil from another plant or taking garden soil may add to the problem.

Aphids are one of the pests that can affect household plants.  Sucking the sap from within the plant, they sometimes will transfer plant viruses to their host plant and thus kill it.  Let unchecked, the aphids will soon reproduce and take over the plant, leaving it unsightly and dying.  While ladybugs are a known killer of aphids, many hobby gardeners do not wish to specifically introduce insects into their homes, no matter how beneficial they may be, and thus you may need to go the chemical route to rid your plant of the aphids.  Removing the aphids you can see by hand, and then spraying the plant with a diluted soap mix is perhaps an organic first step of aphid control.

Whiteflies are another pest, which is often found on the underside of leaves. Similar to aphids, these insects suck out the plant’s sap, while exposing the plant to a toxin within their saliva.  Because of an overuse of pesticides in the past, these animals have a high tolerance to toxins, and more organic methods and hands on methods are required to bring this infestation under control and to keep your houseplant from dying. Spraying the underside of the leaves with a diluted mix of soap and water and then sponging off as many of the flies as possible is one solution, while hanging sticky traps around the plant and frequently disturbing the leaves is another.

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