Posts Tagged ‘hints’

Can’t take them to Hawaii?  How about a trip to your patio?

What are the rules for taking your house plants outside or for taking out all those begonias and impatiens you tried to winter over from last summer? Recently, I learned about the website below on gardening, and thought I would share this very timely tip. I’ve added my own two cents to their bullet points. Here’s the website if you want to read Gardening Tips and Landscaping Ideas: Live to Garden more gardening tips. http://www.livetogarden.com

Wintering over… hmmm, now that’s another whole blog — we’ll wait for fall to talk on that subject.

When to Move Houseplants Out

Technically, it’s safe to move houseplants outdoors when the overnight temperature is above 50 F, but some people wait a few weeks until they’re sure the weather won’t change. A good rule of thumb is to move them out when you would start planting your garden – around the 24th of May. If the weather has been unseasonably cold or unpredictable, wait until you’ve had at least a week of warm night temperatures, and then give your houseplants the boot out.

Moving Houseplants Outside in the Summer

When you’re ready to move houseplants outside, follow these tips to make sure that the move goes smoothly and that both you and your houseplants are happy with their new home. Just remember you will need to use an insecticidal soap before you bring them in in the fall. So if you are willing to go through the spraying for insects and applying a systemic (in the soil) for gnats or white fly before you bring them in, then give them a vacation to the outdoors.

• Hold off watering big plants a few days before the move to make them easier to carry. Consider getting a dolly to help you wheel big plants outside.

• Gradually expose the plants to sunlight by placing them in a  shady spot for a week or so, then partial sun, then gradually move towards sun. If you place them directly in full sun, the leaves might suffer from sunburn, cry from the pain, fall off, and you won’t be happy either. . Once they’ve adjusted, you can move them to a sunny location. VERY IMPORTANT!

• Top dress by adding two cups of fresh *potting mix[Growing Mixtures] to each plant, since the soil may have decomposed during the winter.

• Since plants grow faster outside, you’ll need to adapt your watering and fertilizing schedule. During hot summer days, you’ll need to water daily to prevent the plant from drying out. The leaves will also benefit from a shower – this will remove any dust buildup and help the plant’s photosynthesis.

• Trim all foliage that seems to be damaged or dying to give other leaves a chance to grow. If you prune, cut  (with a good, sharp pruner) below a leaf node at an angle that will encourage more natural growth.

• The wind it can be wicked — depending on the size of your houseplant and where you’ve placed it, you might need to provide some extra support by tying it up to a railing or hook. Storms and wind can blow your plants around as well as your patio furniture, so be alert when the sky darkens and the wind she does blow.