"Plant Specialist Reveals Essential Strategies for a Seamless Move of Houseplants Inside"
As the chill of winter approaches, it's essential to prepare your houseplants for the indoor transition. Here are some steps to help you acclimate your green friends and keep them thriving throughout the colder months.
Firstly, knowing when to bring plants inside is crucial. The speaker recommends moving houseplants indoors when temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F) at night. This helps prevent droopy leaves and bugs during winter.
Once you've decided it's time to move your plants, it's essential to acclimate them gradually. Plants are moved to a shady corner of the patio and then under an awning for a few days to help them adjust to the change in light and temperature.
When it comes to pest control, the speaker uses a variety of methods. A lighted magnifying glass can help make searching for pests easier. For flying pests like fungus gnats, Gideal sticky traps are used. To keep pests away from plants, the speaker uses neem oil, which is mixed with water and a tiny bit of soap and sprayed onto leaves, stems, and soil.
It's also important to check every leaf, stem, and bit of soil of each plant before bringing it inside. Sticky spots on plant leaves could be caused by sap from insect infestation and may lead to mold. The speaker tips the pot up and peeks at the saucer to find tiny slugs that might be hiding there.
When it comes to cleaning, a drop of dish soap mixed with water is used to wipe leaves to keep them free of common houseplant diseases. Microfiber cloths are recommended for this task. Pruning snips from Fiskars are used to trim houseplants, helping them grow bushier.
In addition to pest control and cleaning, it's important to consider the light conditions indoors. An LED plant light can be used to brighten up darker areas and mimic the natural light their houseplants had outdoors during summer. The speaker conditions their plants near an outdoor window that mimics their indoor light before moving them to their final indoor location.
Lastly, new plants are put in quarantine for two weeks after moving them indoors to catch any pests or diseases that might have been missed. Cutting just above a leaf node helps to spark new sprouts, promoting growth.
Tyler Schuster, who gathered his experiences with overwintering houseplants, wrote an article on the 7 steps to prepare houseplants for winter, but the exact date is not specified. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition for your houseplants and keep them thriving throughout the winter months.
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