Tropicals at Bucks Country

Shopping for Houseplants?

Read below for Basic Houseplant Care and check these lists to pick out the right plant for you.

Basic Houseplant Care

The basic care of all houseplants includes proper lighting, temperature, watering practices and general maintenance.

LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

Each plant requires a certain amount of light for growing. Our plant varieties are individually marked with their light requirement guidelines. Please ask us for additional information concerning the light requirements and supplies needed for your plants. We group light levels as the following:

• Direct Sun – the maximum light that can be provided to a specifi c plant. Its best location would be in an unblocked window facing south or east.
• Moderate Light – Some sunlight is needed for plant growth. A west window or slightly shaded south window will do.
• Diff used Light – A bright location without direct sun.
• Low (minimum) Light – This indicates that the plant is a shade-loving variety and requires minimal light levels.

Another source of light is also to be considered: ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. The most common artificial light source in the home is incandescent lighting, while most offi ce environments provide fluorescent lighting.

• Incandescent Light – This type provides adequate light and also produces heat, which could damage the leaf surface if the plant is left too closeto the light source. We recommend using incandescent GROW LIGHTS, which will be more beneficial to your plant.
• Fluorescent Light – Most commonly found in offices, this light is adequate for most plants (such as African Violets, Gloxinias, Episcias, ferns and foliage plants) but is not strong enough for the plant’s growth.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in which your plant lives in is a key to its health and success. Most plants must avoid drafty areas, while others may enjoy high humidity. Again, please check our information signs with each plant variety we offer.

WATERING

How you water your plant is the most important step in keeping it alive and well. Over watering kills plants just as much as underwatering. For healthy root growth, most soils should approach dryness before being watered – and most plants prefer warm water (about 70 degrees). It is very important to have the water drain through the drainage holes to prevent mineral build-up in the potting media, and to drain the saucer of the excess water so that the soil does not soak it back up.

LEACHING

Leaching is a watering maintenance technique that removes mineral build-up in the potting media. This process should be preformed every 2 or 3 months at the time the soil has approached dryness from it’s regular watering schedule. To leach your plant, first water it thoroughly. About 2 hours later water it again, allowing the water to drain through the pot. Repeat this step once more.

FERTILIZING

There are many diff erent types of fertilizers on the market today. We recommend the water-soluble varieties (such as Peters) because they are easy to use and satisfy your plant’s feeding requirements. (Follow the directions on the package for proper use). For complete fertilization of the plant, allow the water/fertilizer mix to drain through the soil and out the drainage holes of the container.