CARE OF HOUSEPLANTS IN FEBRUARY-MARCH
Support plants weakened over the winter, not giving a chance to viral diseases. Symptoms may be: stunting, the appearance of spots on the leaves or their deformation. Viruses are spread by sucking insects (eg, aphids), parasitic fungi, garden tools. Chemical defenses do not work, only prevention is effective.: compliance with hygiene rules, use of healthy seed and planting material, timely pest and disease control, as well as good care, so that plants can withstand adversity.
HOW TO CARE FOR HOME FLOWERS IN FEBRUARY-MARCH
It is important to get rid of annoying mushroom mosquitoes in time. For prevention or when they appear, install yellow planks, lubricated with non-drying caterpillar adhesive. They will help from the whitefly. Plus, spray the plants with Inta-Vir three times at intervals of 3 days, then a few more times every 5 days.
You can destroy aphids and spider mites with an infusion of garlic: 250-300 g chopped cloves, pour 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 5 days in dark glassware. For spraying (three times with an interval of 5 days) 6 ml dilute 1 l of water.
Increase watering as spring arrives., since the sun and longer day stimulate the development of plants. However, still be guided by the degree of soil moisture.
Start feeding the flowers once a week with a weak solution of a complex fertilizer with trace elements. (according to instructions). For certain types (orchids, eternal, senpolii) use special blends.
Shorten fuchsia shoots stretched out over the winter, pelargonium, hibiscus, etc., thin out thickened crowns.
Conduct an audit of green pets and determine the need for their transplant. Most often this can be recognized by the condition of the roots in the pot.. If they braided the whole earthen ball, then the plant needs a container of a larger diameter.
Increase watering of plants, as the spring sun and longer day stimulate their development. However, always be guided by the condition of the ground. Do not forget to loosen the top layer of the substrate after moistening. This is a good move against sciarids..
It is important to arrange the flowers so, to make the most of natural light, however, on the south side, it is worth providing shading at noon and fresh air.
Starting in March, start feeding most of the collection once a week with a complete mineral fertilizer. (orchids, eternal, saintpaulia - special mixtures).
Fading Persian cyclamens keep on the northern windowsill with +7-14 city., by reducing watering. After drying the leaves, put the pots with tubers in a dark, cool place until mid-summer., without overdrying the earthen ball.
Fuchsia stems stretched out over the winter, pelargonium, hibiscus and other plants shorten, thinning thickened crowns. Acanthus (pahistahis, Jacobin, aphelandra) cut off old bare shoots, leaving "stumps" high 5-6 cm.
When spring arrives, start watering cacti and other succulents., who went without watering in winter, - little by little and carefully. By April, moisture should be gradually brought back to normal.. Give epiphyllums a brighter place, so that in the summer they were in the bright sun.
Citrus, Unfortunately, more often than others damage pests and infect diseases, which are often caused by errors in care. But, even under optimal conditions, cannot be guaranteed, that these exotics will not be attacked by the red spider mite (the greatest harm), scabbards, June. Spider mites may appear on fruit, soft false shield, whitefly. A sooty fungus develops on the secretions of aphids and scale insects. therefore, as soon as you notice signs of pests, take action immediately. But do not rush to turn to chemical methods of struggle. Try to get by with more gentle means at first..
© Author: Ludmila ULEISKAYA. Cand. biol. Science
ACTUALLY NOW, IN FEBRUARY
Starting to feed indoor plants with fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, follow the dosage: two weeks - 1/4, two more - 1/2 from the recommended.
epicactus (varietal epiphyllums) after a cool rest (+12-16 city.) put in a warmer and brighter place. Feed with a nitrogen-free fertilizer before flowering.
By spring, the leaves of specimens may turn yellow and fall off., who were not provided with favorable conditions for rest. Try to improve their situation (light, air humidity, temperature), process "Epinom". It is better to refrain from transplants and dressings.
Spend the last pinching of pelargonium no later than the end of the month - for 16-20 weeks (depending on the variety) before expected flowering.
HAIRCUT IN FEBRUARY
Time to start trimming your plants, who need it before the start of active growth.
| Preferably | Acceptable |
| Ficus Benjamin (tops and bare side branches), myrtle, laurel, mirsina, розмарин, radermahera, police officers, sheffler, hibiscus Chinese and Syrian, oleander, abutilon, bugenvillea, rose room, пассифлора, jasmine sambak, Waller's balsams and New Guinea, fuchsia, clergy- Mrs. Thomson's drums and Ugandan, pigtail blue, Garnet, citrus, pelargonium | Chlorodendrum Wolina, sizigium myrtolist, Smith and yambosis, guava Kettley, инжир; melaleuca and callistemon - if flowering is not important |
© Author: Natalia SEMENOVA, biologist, collector
At the beginning of spring, the light intensity is still weak., therefore, until the end of March, continue to illuminate the flowers with lamps in the evenings.
So that pets on the windowsills on sunny days do not overheat through the glass (and from heating), provide good ventilation without cold drafts.
Pay special attention to indoor plants on an unheated balcony. Hang a thermometer there. Keep in mind, that nighttime indicators are on 2-6 city, below daily.
Gradually increase watering of plants, but be sure to pay attention to the condition of the ground.
At the traffic lights (tradescantia, ivy, callisia, setcreasis) shorten the shoots, outside the desired contour, and put the cuttings to root in the water. After pruning the plant, water and feed.
Hemanthus white-flowered put on the western or eastern windowsill. It is relatively shade tolerant and grows well even on the north side.. In the south you need protection from direct sun and overheating.
Start repotting your plants. It is not necessary to do this every year., necessary then, when all the soil in the pot is riddled with roots. In adult specimens, this time comes through 2-3 of the year.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
The new pot should be so much larger, so that there is space between the walls and the earthen clod 2-4 cm.
The plant is placed in the container at the same level. Since if planted too deep, the base of the stem may rot, and the lower shoots will receive little light and will develop poorly. If it is too shallow, the upper roots will begin to dry out.. If the depth is correct, then the transplanted flower will quickly grow.
Between the surface of the substrate and the edge of the pot should remain 1 – 2 cm. This allows you to regulate watering.
The optimal time has come for the reproduction of indoor flowers. The purity of the substrates is important., containers and tools. More about cuttings - on page. 10-11.
In the ficus, jasmine, remove the weak ones that have stretched out over the winter, sick, shoots growing inside the crown, cut off the rest 1/3-1/2 length.
IN MARCH KEEPING WITH NATURE
Daylight hours have increased significantly, the green world is gradually waking up, which means, flower growers have more cases: sow, transplant, cut, feed… We have been preparing for these works with you all winter. (revisit a few previous issues), so we smoothly "flow" into the season.
| Sow seeds | Alissuma, lobelia, petunias and others. | Heated soil of peat and sand (3:1) pour into containers. Alyssum seeds send a little soil, petunias - do not fall asleep, just press lightly, lobelia - sow superficially. Spray crops with clean water, cover with transparent lid (film, glass) and put at a temperature of about +20 city. |
| Illuminate | Plants, standing under the lamps all winter (eg, tropical species) | Turn on the lamps only in the evenings and only until the middle of the month |
| feed | Instances, not in need of a transplant | It's time to switch to regular doses of fertilizers. Transplanted plants start feeding a month after the procedure |
| to plant | Club begonias, caladium etc. | Substrate prepare loose, breathable, fertile. for example, for caladium: humus, leaf land, peat, sand (2:2:2:1); for begonia: leaf and sod land, humus, sand (3:1:1:1). Definitely needs drainage |
| Shade | Scheffler, dracena, croton, monster and others. | The March sun is especially dangerous for plants., standing on the south windowsill. To protect them, use blinds, tulle, gauze, etc.. |
| Cutting | Ficuses, diffenbachia, peperomias, cissus, philodendrons, codiaums, begonias, etc.. | Root shoots in a mixture of peat and sand - 1:1 or 2:1. (More about cuttings - on page. 10) |
| Provide urgent assistance | Plants with a sickly look, poorly developing | The problem is most often root rot.. All affected parts must be removed., to healthy tissue, and sprinkle the wounds with charcoal. Transplant the flower into a smaller pot, in light sandy soil. Put in warm light, place without direct rays. Water with care, as the root system has shrunk. Do not feed until signs of growth appear, and then start with small doses |
SPRING CYCLE
Due to the increase in daylight hours and the influx of fresh air during ventilation, growth processes are activated in green pets.. How to cheer them up at this stage, help adapt to changing conditions, protect from annoying pests? Our authors advise.
WHAT TO DO IN APRIL?
| Sow seeds | Annuals (aster, ageratum, marigolds, etc.), that decorate the balcony, terrace, veranda | For sowing use containers with fertile light soil (eg, sand mix, peat and sod land - 1:1:2). When 1 -2 pairs of real leaves seedlings dive into separate pots |
| feed | ornamental plants (dracaena, ficuses, etc.), flowering species (Saintpaulia, gloxinia, anthurium, spathiphyllum, etc.), coniferous crops, citrus | Nutrition must contain macro- and trace elements, in which plants weakened by wintering need. You can use universal complex mixtures or special ("Violet", "Orchid"). Feeding frequency - once a 10-20 days. After transplantation, fertilization begins no earlier than after 3 weeks for flowering species and through 4 weeks for decorative leaves |
| Shade | Plants, standing on the southern windowsills | The bright spring sun is very active, therefore, shading from midday direct rays is necessary even for light-loving species (eg, cactus). Accustom them to "hot" conditions should be gradually. Gauze is suitable for protection, window insect screen, light tulle, etc.. (thick fabrics are not suitable, blinds) |
| Spray | Plants demanding high humidity (indoor roses, Spathiphyllum- We, ficuses, etc.) | Water should be warm settled (can be softened by boiling). It is better to irrigate in the morning and not in direct sunlight.. While the batteries are running, procedure is carried out regularly.. After turning off the heating, the air in the rooms becomes more humid and cool |
| Divide | overgrown specimens, in order to propagate the plant or reduce the volume of the bush | Sections on the roots are powdered with activated charcoal and allowed to dry.. Water the delenki at first especially carefully, as the root system has become smaller and it needs time to heal wounds and adapt to the new substrate |
| form | Crowns of large, with lignified plant shoots (ficus benjamin, hibiscus, etc.) | Remove unnecessary, old, weak, dry and damaged branches, shortened too long. Slices must be sprinkled with crushed coal |
| Cutting | Tradescans, dieffenbachia, Clerodendrum Ms Thomson et al. | Optimum day length for successful rooting of cuttings -10-12 hours, temperature — +22-25 city. |
© Author: Svetlana ELINA, collector, r. Vitebsk
WHAT PREPARATIONS TO TREAT INDOOR PLANTS IN SPRING
At the time of active events with indoor plants, I want, to transplant, pruning, cuttings passed without loss. After all, for the weakened wintering, pets vulnerable to diseases and pests are stressful situations. And here drugs come to the rescue., tested by flower growers in practice and shown to be effective. The biologist will tell about the most popular, collector Galina RYBAKOVICH.
| PREPARATION | ACTION AND APPLICATION |
FOR DISINFECTION |
|
| Wood or activated charcoal, ground cinnamon | Treatment of wounds after pruning or damaged roots during transplantation. Coal is also added to the water to the cuttings during rooting. |
| Zelenka, strong solution of potassium permanganate | Treatment of sections after removal of foci of infection on the roots |
| "Miramistin" | Pharmaceutical preparation-antiseptic, used instead of potassium permanganate. Fights pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses |
| "Maxim", Vitaros | Fungicides, suppress infections. Solutions (3 drops on 0,5 Art. water) moisten damaged tissue |
| "Fitosporin-M" | Helps fight root infections: water the plant with a solution after transplantation. Effective against mold on the substrate |
| Alcohol, Chlorhexidine | Tool processing, used for pruning plants, cutting cuttings, etc.. |
FOR ROOT FORMATION |
|
| "heteroauxin", "Kornevin" | Accelerate root regeneration processes, stimulate the formation of new and growth of adnexal, improve survival. Plants are watered after transplantation with solutions of drugs ("Heteroauxin" — 1 tab. on 5 l of water, «Корневин» — 1 d on 1 l). Dip the bottom cut of the cutting in the powder before planting. |
| PREPARATION | ACTION AND APPLICATION |
FOR IMMUNITY AND GROWTH |
|
| "Potassium humate" | Accelerates metabolism, rooting, height, suppresses infection. Used for spraying and watering after transplantation (according to instructions) |
| "Zircon" | Growth and root formation stimulator, increases resistance to fungus, bacterial, viral infections and adverse environmental conditions. The solution of the drug is sprayed and watered (do all procedures at night) plants after transplant. Used for rooting cuttings, adding 1 -2 drops in a glass of water. Can be sprayed (4 drops per liter) and watering - well stimulates the growth of roots. Helps newcomers to adapt after purchase and transplant |
| Epin | Antistress drug, used for cooling, strong overdrying, change of place. Sprayed plants (in the dark) — 4 drops on 1 l warm water |
| "NV-101" | Natural preparation based on coniferous extract. Add to water when rooting cuttings, sprayed with a solution (1-2 drops on 1 l of water), to help plants after transplantation, for adaptation, flowering stimulation |
| "Immunocytophyte" | Powerful plant immunity booster, with a long protective effect (about a month). Treated after transplantation with a solution of the drug - 1 tab. on 2 l of water. The tool "Obereg" has similar properties - 1 ampoule of 5 l of water |
| "Novosil", Ecosil | Strengthen the protective functions of plants against diseases and pests, to adverse conditions, stimulate root formation. Sprayed and watered after transplantation with a solution of the drug - 1 ml of 2 l of water |
| succinic acid | Bioactivator, source of energy for plants, natural growth regulator: activates growth processes, accelerates flowering time, increases disease resistance, has an anti-stress effect. Spray and water (slightly acidifies the soil) solution - 1 tab. on 1 l of water |
| "Baikal EM-1" | Increases vitality, plant survival, improves flowering, prevents the appearance of diseases and pests. A solution is prepared from the concentrate according to the instructions and then used: soak the seeds, spraying seedlings and transplanted plants, they shed the soil in tubs with large specimens for healing and the soil after sterilization for colonization by beneficial soil microorganisms, etc.. |
HOW TO CARE ROOM PLANTS IN MARCH – VIDEO
© Author: Ludmila ULEISKAYA, Cand. biol. Science, r. Yalta
В марте ора сеять семена цветов на рассаду для летнего украшения балкона, loggias, now.
Plants
Бальзамин Уоллера, петуния, лобелия, вербена, алиссум, pelargonium, koleus, бегония вечноцветущая, анютины глазки, георгины и др.
Substrate
Грунт на основе верхового торфа + песок/ перлит (3:1)
Емкости
Невысокие ящики, небольшие горшки и стаканчики, торфяные/кокосовые таблетки
Для улучшения всхожести «Эпин», "Zircon", Ecosil, "Novosil", «Рибав-экстра», "Immunocytophyte"
Профилактика черной ножки
Трихотецин, фитобактериомицин ("Fitolavin")