Plant Care Essentials

Soil

• Soil Types:
  • Clay: retains moisture, nutrient-rich, but can be heavy
  • Silt: well-draining, fertile, but can be prone to erosion
  • Sand: well-draining, dry quickly, but can lack nutrients
  • Loam: balanced mix of clay, silt, and sand, ideal for most plants
• Soil pH:
  • Acidic (0-6.9): suitable for plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries
  • Alkaline (7.1-14): suitable for plants like cacti, succulents, and asparagus
  • Neutral (7.0): suitable for most plants
• Soil Amendments:
  • Organic matter (compost, manure): improves soil structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity
  • Inorganic matter (perlite, vermiculite): improves drainage and aeration

Watering

• Watering Frequency:
  • Check soil moisture by sticking finger into soil up to the first knuckle
  • Water when soil feels dry to the touch
  • Water thoroughly, but avoid overwatering
• Watering Techniques:
  • Top-watering: water flows over the soil surface
  • Bottom-watering: water is absorbed through the drainage holes
  • Drip irrigation: water is delivered directly to the roots
• Water Quality:
  • Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the roots
  • Avoid using tap water with high salt or chemical content

Lighting

• Light Intensity:
  • Low light (1-50 foot-candles): suitable for plants like Chinese Evergreen, Pothos, and Peace Lily
  • Medium light (50-500 foot-candles): suitable for plants like Dracaena, Philodendron, and Spider Plant
  • High light (500-2,000 foot-candles): suitable for plants like Succulents, Cacti, and herbs
• Light Duration:
  • Most plants require 10-12 hours of light per day
  • Some plants, like African Violets, require shorter light periods
• Light Spectrum:
  • Blue light promotes vegetative growth
  • Red light promotes flowering and fruiting

Pruning

• Pruning Techniques:
  • Pinching: removing terminal buds to promote bushy growth
  • Thinning: removing select branches to improve air circulation and reduce disease
  • Topping: removing the top of the plant to control height
• Pruning Tools:
  • Hand pruners: for stems up to 1 inch in diameter
  • Loppers: for thicker stems
  • Pruning saw: for large branches
• Pruning Timing:
  • Prune during the dormant season (winter) for most plants
  • Prune during the active growing season (spring-fall) for flowering plants

Fertilization

• Fertilizer Types:
  • Organic (manure, compost): slow-release, promotes soil health
  • Inorganic (synthetic): fast-release, provides quick nutrients
  • Balanced fertilizers (10-10-10 NPK): suitable for most plants
  • Specialized fertilizers (e.g. bloom boosters): for specific plant needs
• Fertilization Frequency:
  • Fertilize during the active growing season (spring-fall)
  • Avoid fertilizing during the dormant season (winter)
• Fertilization Methods:
  • Soil application: fertilizers are mixed into the soil
  • Foliar application: fertilizers are sprayed directly on the leaves