Even if you haven't noticed a measurable difference in their performance yet, the plants are responding internally. The longer the daylight lasts, the more likely they are to grow new foliage and start to look more "alive" and greener.
This is the time to start giving your plants a helping hand by feeding them.
If you've reduced your feeding schedule during the short days of mid-winter, as you should, get back to a more regular routine now. Houseplants should be fed at least once a month from now on. If they're getting lots of light and showing signs of new growth, feed them every two weeks. You be the judge.
The best fertilizer to use with houseplants is difficult to choose. But there are a few general rules. Fertilizers for indoor green plants should be either a powder or a liquid that's soluble in water. I'm not that fond of pills or pellets designed to be stuck in the soil of the pot, as these cause a concentration of fertilizer rather than an equal spreading.
Since houseplants are mostly green growth, the formula for a suitable fertilizer should be high in nitrogen, which is the first of the three numbers on any fertilizer formula. Mixtures like 7-2-2 or 15-5-10 are best, but even a low strength all-purpose one, like 7-7-7 can be suitable, too. Just make sure that you follow the mixture rates recommended by the manufacturer. Don't ever make them stronger than specified.
If you regularly use a non-organic fertilizer on your houseplants, you might notice a gradual buildup of a granular white substance on the surface of the soil. This is a combination of calcium from the water and mineral salts from the fertilizer. It should be scraped off and disposed of. Don't water it into the soil, as it might release an overly strong dose of fertilizer.
This regime of feeding your plants should also be expanded to include any other things that you're growing indoors. If you've taken cuttings of flowering plants and are over-wintering them or growing plants from seeds, they need feeding now also.
Once your cuttings have rooted and are growing in potting soil, they should be fed every couple of weeks with a half-strength solution of soluble fertilizer. The same applies to seedlings that have grown several sets of leaves and have been transplanted into potting soil. Give them the same half-strength treatment every two weeks.
This sort of regular feeding will ensure that your small plants and cuttings are given a boost of nutrition at a time when they are growing lots of roots and foliage. For flowering plants, it might even help them to produce early blooms.
Remember that, like children, plants need to be fed when they're actively growing. If you delay or avoid feeding plants when all the other factors are encouraging growth, you'll be stunting the potential vigour of the plants at an important time in their development.
Question: When I water my houseplants, I see several small insects buzzing around. Why are they there? How do I get rid of them?
Answer: These are fungus gnats, and are quite harmless to your plants. But they can multiply and become a nuisance. Avoid leaving water standing in any saucers and spray your plants and soil surfaces regularly with an insecticidal soap spray.
If you have a question, send it to stuartrobertsontipsgmail.com
--Canwest News Service
