NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN FOR JANUARY 28, 2017

NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN FOR JANUARY 28, 2017

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PLANT BASICS PART #2

BY GEORGE EDGAR

In part # 1 last week I said that when I was asked a question about a plant, that regardless of the plant, I usually tried to find out about the care of the plant in relation to the 5 basic needs of a plant in order to see what may be affecting plant growth and development. How the person has been taking care of the plant in question makes a difference. Part #1 was on soil. Today I continue with part #2 and the other 4 basic needs.

2. LIGHT

Every plant needs light for photosynthesis. Light hitting the leaves and bark helps the plant produce food for its growth. Some plants require full sun or if inside a very bright light and at the other extreme some plants can not tolerate full sun and do best in dense shade or can live inside where there is very little light. So I usually ask the person to describe the kind of light the plant is getting. Is it in full sun, partial shade or full shade? If inside, is it in a sunny window, under artificial light, or in a north window?

3. WATER

Every plant needs air and water to grow and survive. Most plants grow in soil in the ground or in a container and the air and water are taken in by the roots. However, there are some that are air plants and the roots get their oxygen directly from the air. They still need water. If a plant is in the ground or in a container and it gets too much water it drowns as it cannot get the air the roots need. Plants in my pond can survive as the roots get their air from the soil and water but do not rot. So I ask, “How often do you water your plant and how do you water?” Most plants do not like to have water on their leaves (especially African Violets) and even some water garden plants like water lilies and Lotus do not like to have water splashing on their leaves.

4. HUMIDITY

Humidity is defined as the amount of moisture in the air or how damp the atmosphere is. Here in Nebraska during the summer the humidity goes up and you notice it when you return from the Colorado mountains. Our homes in winter are very dry. Even with a humidifier the air is about like the desert and our plants dry out and suffer. Some plants require a higher humidity than others and that is why they usually have to be in a greenhouse where the humidity can be raised and controlled. The worst place for a plant in the house is where a furnace or air conditioner vent blows on it.

5. NUTRIENTS

I have left nutrients (fertilizer) to the last as it is the least important of the 5 but usually the first thing someone adds to a plant that is struggling. Too often nutrients are added even if they are not needed. Many times we take too good care of our plants as we add too many nutrients and too much water. I ask, “How often do you fertilize this plant and with what kind of fertilizer?” All fertilizers have three numbers. The first number is for the amount of nitrogen which makes the foliage grow. The second is for phosphorous which is needed for good root growth and flowering. The third is for the amount of potash which is needed for hardiness. The bag or box will also list some of the micronutrients that are important but most plants do not need a great amount.