At a time when the garden is slowly going dormant, it is time to take a fresh look at your green plants. They are part of the decor and we tend to forget them. And yet, our green plants deserve our full attention. For this, there is nothing like a careful examination: do they seem healthy to you? Do they bring you joy or, on the contrary, do you tend to neglect them? Watch for the unmistakable signs and react.
Know their name
You can’t take care of a plant properly if you’ve forgotten its name… But the label that mentions it at the point of sale is often stuck on the pot! On the occasion of a repotting, it is changed and the name too quickly forgotten.
How to do ? Each plant has its own needs, particularly in terms of light and watering. Unless you have a rare species, you will easily find its equivalent in a garden center or in a book. If necessary, take yours to the florist… Once identified, really get to know each other, like a new friend!
Our advice: the only recognized name of the plants is Latin and consists of the genus name (like Begonia) and a species name (maculata, for example). It’s better to know both, because not all species necessarily have the same needs!
When a plant looks dull
Its leaves have lost their shine, it looks sad. Most often, it’s not serious. With winter and heating, dust may build up, making it look dull. But don’t leave it like that, because dust also filters light.
How to do ? If your plant has large leaves, wash them with a sponge soaked in fresh water (rain or filtered). A shower over the bathtub is best suited to fine foliage. Where possible, supplement watering with regular sprays on both sides of the leaves.
Our advice: avoid polishing products, which leave a deposit on the leaves and can stick, which retains dust even better.
The foliage is falling
Even if you are not aware of it, your brain records the image of your plants and alerts you when they change appearance: then know to stop and observe them.
When a plant is well supplied with water, its cells are slightly dilated (turgid) and give it its shape, a certain natural rigidity which it loses in a state of dehydration. The leaves, or flowers when there are any, are the first to collapse.
How to do ? Place a saucer under the pot and water the soil. If the water runs off too quickly and the root ball is very dry, immerse the pot completely in the water. Normally, the foliage quickly regains its hold. Consider this measure as an emergency solution: a plant, even a solid one, cannot resist this chaotic watering method for long.
Our advice: if you are looking for a plant that tolerates forgetting to water, adopt Haworthia fasciata ‘Big Band’, a small, fashionable succulent with tapered leaves, a dark green streaked with white for the most beautiful effect.
In case of general softening
Make the difference between simply hanging leaves, sometimes showing dry edges due to lack of water, and a plant with soft, even spongy or yellowing tissues, with young leaves that are turning brown. Examine the soil.
If it’s cool or damp, you’ve overwatered. Potting soil saturated with water leaves no room for the oxygen necessary for the roots.
How to do ? Stop watering until the plant starts producing bright green leaves again. Prune those that are damaged. Resume watering, waiting each time until the surface of the soil is dry. Check that the bottom of the pot has drainage holes to drain excess.
Our advice: get into the habit of weighing the pot. It becomes lighter when the soil dries out.
Irregular growth
Frequently, it happens that a rod extends not upwards, but towards one side, generally that of the nearest window, especially in winter.
This is what happens when a plant lacks light. Indeed, most indoor plants need high light, but without direct sunlight on the leaves. As the plant cannot move, it gets as close as it can.
How to do ? Place the pot right up against the window. As soon as you move it away, even one meter, the light intensity is greatly reduced, sometimes even insufficient for a north-facing window.
Our advice: turn the pot a quarter turn each time you water it so that all sides benefit from the light.
For softer water
It is advisable (especially for indoor plants) to fill the watering can the night before watering so that the chlorine evaporates and the water is at room temperature, which will be better for the plants.
Now is the RIGHT TIME to…
Prevent pond freezing
The pool must not freeze over its entire surface, at the risk of damaging its walls. Additionally, if it contains fish, they would lack oxygen. Make a bundle from shrub branches firmly connected by string and immerse it halfway in water: it will absorb the pressure of the ice and maintain a surface allowing air exchange.
Cutting gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes
Once the leaves have fallen, take young branches with smooth, brown bark. Cut them into 30 cm sections. Cut the ends at an angle using a sharp knife.
At the foot of a wall to the north, open a trench 15 cm deep, add sand and insert the cuttings 10 cm deep.
Fill in with soil and leave to take root until spring.
Collect algae
If you live near the sea or go there on vacation, know that the algae that washes up on the shore can be used as fertilizer in the garden.
Once collected, place them in a pile and let the rain rinse them of their salt. Then use the finer ones as mulch and put the thicker ones in the compost: they will enrich it with organic matter, minerals and trace elements.
