I know many of you are busy lighting Menorahs, wrapping presents and setting up Nativity scenes. But when all the egg nog is gone, and you've awakened from your long winter's nap, your plants will still need you. Here are a few things to look out for in January:
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| Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Photo / Forestry Images.com |
Houseplants need special winter care, too. The days are shorter, so even if you perch them near your sunniest window, potted plants won't get the same sunlight that was available over the summer. Be sure to rotate pots daily.
Heat from radiators and forced air systems can dry indoor air terribly. Just as we suffer more chapped lips and hands over the winter, our houseplants show symptoms as well. Run a humidifier for both your sakes.
Look at your plants. Are their leaves drooping? Turning yellow? Getting brown and crackly? Water requirements change over the winter, even for indoor plants. With few exceptions, at this time of year, most houseplants should be watered thoroughly and then not again until the soil is completely dry. And don't let leaves get dusty. Dust forms a barrier that slows the absorption of sunlight.
I disagree with the widely disseminated advice that flowering plants such as poinsettias should be kept in a cool, unheated room to prolong their bloom time. Sure, they might bloom longer, BUT WHO'S GOING TO SEE THEM? I say keep them in your main living area -- albeit away from direct heat -- and enjoy them while you can.
By now, I'm sure you've noticed the appearance of garden catalogs in your mailbox. Use this 'down time' to dogear pages and plan next year's beds. If nothing else, it helps the dreariness of winter from seeming endless.
