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Grow Plants in Pots Easily
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Growing plants indoors can be an enjoyable hobby, but it will require some time and commitment, and you will need to know the proper soil, lighting and temperature for the plant you wish to grow. In addition, there are several methods for growing plants in pots.
Before you do anything, you should inspect the area in which you plan to grow your plants. You must place the potted plant in an area where it will get several hours of natural sunlight every day. If you have the budget for it, you can also use artificial lighting. There are special indoor lights and lamps that can be used to replace natural sunlight. Temperature is the easiest factor for you to control, but be sure that your home’s temperature is right for the plant.
Choose an appropriate container for your potted plant. The bigger the plant, the bigger the pot should be. Putting a big plant in a small pot can result in the plant not being able to breathe properly or the roots’ growth being stunted. It usually doesn’t look good when a small plant is placed in a large pot, although it’s possible it could grow to eventually fit the pot. Instead, you should start your plant in a small pot, transplanting it to a larger one when it outgrows the smaller size. Various styles and sizes of pots are also available. The diameter of the container should ideally be half the plant’s height. Further, make sure the pot has drainage holes in its bottom to prevent the roots from drowning.
Next look for an appropriate growing medium or soil type. Garden soil typically is unsuitable because it isn’t able to properly drain. It might also contain insects or fungi that can be harmful to your plant. Instead opt for packaged potting soil, which can aerate the roots of the plant and help it hold moisture.
Several factors can affect when the plant should be watered. These are sun, rain, wind, heat, and the type of plant you are growing.
You should regularly water most plant, although not to the point of drowning. That said, desert plants like aloe vera and others tend to do better when they’re allowed to dry out rather than being flooded with large amounts of water. Because of this, desert varieties are often ideal for people who find it difficult to remember to regularly water their plants. The amount of water any plant needs can vary each day.
Potted plants also dry up faster than those growing in the ground. By sticking your finger into the soil, you can determine if the plant needs water. If it is dry, then it needs to be watered.
Potted plants generally require fertilizers every two weeks. When you water a plant, it flushes the nutrients from the growing medium. Use organic fertilizers – especially if there are kids or pets around the area where you keep the pot, if you are growing an edible plant, or if the plant will be used for personal care or medicinal purposes.
Note that some plants are poisonous to humans and/or animals. If you have pets or children in your home, ensure you do proper research on a plant before you bring it into an environment where they can access it. (See Pets and Plant Poisoning for more information on this.)
Protect plants from harmful pests when you grown themin or around your home. Insects can enter your home and destroy your plant even if you house it indoors. Use one of the organic pesticides on the market to combat this problem.
Growing potted plants can be worthwhile and rewarding whether you grow them in a window box, on a balcony or patio, or in an outdoor garden. In addition to their beauty, potted plans can be used to make natural remedies or teas, provide fruits and vegetables, emit fragrance, or as decoration.
As is the case with any gardening project, growing indoor plants does require a bit of study and application of standard practices and proper growing techniques, but this will become easier with practice, and will be well worth the trouble.
About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn to live cleaner lives. Learn more about sustainable living at her blog on Going Green.
Source Article: How to Grow Plants in Pots.
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