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When you buy a plant at a store or greenhouse you really have no idea of how the plants was treated before you bought it. It may have been forced to have larger or earlier flowers, which will tire the plant. It may have been under-watered or placed in improper temperatures.

photo credit: quinn.anya

So baby your plant when you bring it home.

Your first step when bringing a plant home is to leave the store with it properly wrapped.

• When you leave the store there will be a temperature change so plan for it. If its freezing cold outdoors have the cashier give you one of two bags to totally cover the plant and get it home ASAP. Even a few minutes of below average temperatures will harm a plant and create shock.

• If it’s hot outdoors place the plant in a cool place in the car out of direct sunlight.

Indoor houseplant care tips

Check the plants soil when you get home to determine if it needs water and for a day just put the plant somewhere quiet. Also check the plant over for any insects or parasites. Trim off any damages leaves or broken stems or branches.

I often keep the plant separate from any other plants for a week to makes sure there are small insects on the plants. The last thing I want to do is infest all my other plants.

Next check the plant instructions on a plant tag, in a houseplant book or look it up on-line to make sure you know it’s watering and lighting needs.

Find a new home for your plant in your house and enjoy its beauty.

photo credit: moria

I used to move a lot for my one job. Each time I moved to a new town I bought a plant. It was my new friend in a town where I knew no one. Needless to say, it was not long before moving plants took all my time and space

Technorati Tags: houseplant, houseplant care, indoor houseplant care tips, indoor plants

Many people grow houseplants in the winter months as a way to brighten the home and to keep the feel of gardening alive.

In my home houseplants are difficult to grow and I have had many people ask questions so here is a you tube about houseplants and a few varieties that are very hardy. And the plant selections are plants that add color to a home and in the winter that is important.

What I like about the selection of plants they talk about on this video is the selection of plants for high lighting in a room, medium lighting and low lighting.

In NW PA you tend to have more medium to low light in the winter unless you have a sunroom. And many renters and urban home have lower lighting conditions so this you tube and the mist below may help you select medium to low light plants for your home.

Medium light House plants

• Ficus
• Rex Begonias

Low Light House plants

• Philodendrons
• Peperomias

Ferns and pothos are also popular and easy to care for  houseplants for medium low light or low light conditions.

House plants are fun, great for the indoor environment and will keep the indoor gardener somewhat occupied while waiting for better weather.

Technorati Tags: indoor houseplants, indoor plants, lighting for plants, low light plants

Going green, or helping the environment out by using few chemicals in gardening is a growing trend. One way to help nature is to cut back on yard and garden chemicals by using natural insecticides.

photo credit: James Jordan

People are either for or against the use of natural insecticides.  These decisions are often decided by circumstances.  How advanced is the insect infestation?  What are you allergic to?  What will harm your plants?  What will be safe to use around your children pets or livestock?  What is available and accessible to you and how fast can you get it?  Do you need to use more than one method of control and removal? And with today’s economy, what is cost effective?

To get the most benefit from natural insecticides, you’ll need to understand the best way to use them.  What will work best for the type of insect you’re trying to control? But even with natural mixes you need to be careful what you mix.  Certain combinations of substances are unsafe or toxic.

One of the biggest benefits of a natural insecticide is that it comes from nature in some form.  That doesn’t mean it’s problem-free.  It just means you’re benefiting the environment by using a safer product that is not full of toxic chemicals.

An example is liquid garlic. Garlic is a natural plant that is grown around the world.  It can be used to keep insects off garden or farm plants. Mix with water and a dash of dish soap and this easy solution will ward off many insects.

Another example is boric acid.  Boric acid is defined as a white crystalline weak acid that contains boron.  Boron is a mineral substance, and minerals are of the earth.

If you use things made with what the earth provides, you benefit and so does the earth, animals and humans.  Natural insecticides are not always the quickest way to solve your insect problem.  And it’s not always less harmful.  That’s why education on your choices is a must.

On-line sites will help you with natural insect mixes and green gardening techniques.  And you will find additional information at your local library or gardening books.

I have used natural insect control for many years. I have noticed the longer I use natural insecticides the less insects I seem to have and the healthier my overall yard is.

Technorati Tags: gardening, going green, natural insecticides, natural pesticide mixes