Often happens that the flowers, all summer decorating the room, with the onset of winter suddenly begin to wither and stretch upward. They yellow and fall off the leaves, and then they just die. In the case? The reason for the dramatically changed conditions in which plants grew and developed. There is less light, the room is less often ventilated, the batteries dry the air, because of what the ground in the pots dries up. It is necessary to rebuild the plant care system, according to the changed conditions around.
Winter watering
In order to avoid stretching and yellowing of the leaves, in winter the plants need to be allowed to rest by suspending their growth. To water them it is necessary less often, only as a last resort, when the earth starts to dry up. But at the same time, it is necessary to increase spraying, to loosen the surface of the earth more often, so that air penetrates to the roots. No wonder this method is called "dry watering."
Cacti and other succulents in winter almost do not water. Decorative leaved plants in winter still need moderate watering in winter, as the upper layer of the earth dries up. In flowering plants, the soil must be kept in a slightly moist state even in winter. Only especially hygrophilous plants (azaleas, ayr, cyperus) require waterlogging all year round.
Lighting and top dressing
Plants in winter it is better to put closer to the window glass. You can also provide additional lighting with fluorescent lamps. To feed plants is recommended in the period from November to February approximately once a month. The dose specified on the package in winter is reduced by half.
Transfer
The end of winter is the most favorable time for an active transplantation of indoor plants. The duration of the light day increases, the plants begin to grow again. They are actively forming new roots, so it is during this period that they are easier to get used to a new landing site. However, transplant should be done if the plant becomes too crowded in the old pot. Carefully remove the plant from the pot. If there is a strong interlacing of roots, then a transplant is necessary. Preliminary need to cut rotten roots.
It must be remembered that every winter month has its own peculiarities of caring for domestic plants. If you observe them, your plants will always please the eye. Here are the main points that should be considered in each of the months of winter.
December
In the midst of the winter with short days, poor lighting, too dry air for indoor plants. In December, the humidifier is particularly relevant, in order to somehow increase its humidity. It's time to create a New Year red-green composition of red amaryllis, poinsettia, ardiziy and plants with dark green leaves. In the middle of December, you can plant the seeds of exotic fruits (date palm or citrus fruits) in a mini-greenhouse.
Be sure to heat the tap water before watering! If you put pots with plants nearby, then, to make them brighter, do not push them close to each other. Let the air between them pass freely. Regularly remove yellowed or dry leaves, cut out overgrown or too loose shoots, so that plants always remain beautiful.
Once a month, you can bring shine to the dense leaves with a special aerosol. In the middle of the day, ventilate the room, rearranging the plants beforehand, so as not to freeze them. Increase the humidity, but do not soak the leaves with it. If sprouted flower bulbs, put them closer to the light. At night, lower the temperature in the room a little, giving the plants a short respite.
January
At this time, most plants "sleep" in a vegetative rest. Water them less often, reduce the amount of water for each watering. The land between two watering must necessarily dry up, after 15 minutes after watering always pour water out of the pan.
Cacti and succulents in January water every 12-13 days in a warm room and every 20 days in a cool. It is better to use a botanical scissors or a mini-pruner for cutting dry shoots. Shorten the stems if they are too stretched due to lack of light. Cut out the dry or brownish ends on the leaves, but do not damage the green part of the leaf - then the plant will start to deteriorate.
Increase the humidity in the house, sprinkle with soft and slightly warm water leaves of plants. All the pots are placed side by side on a layer of expanded clay, placed in a small amount of water. So you will reduce the negative impact of central heating. Ventilate the room without leaving the plant in a draft. Fertilize plants that are about to bloom. Spray regularly the flowering plants, but do not soak the flowers.
February
Indoor plants begin to awaken from hibernation. It's time to put them in order, mark the ground and pots. With a warm moist sponge, remove the dust that clogs the pores from the dense large leaves. Small leaves rinse under the shower. Brush off the cactus dust, as well as succulents and plants with shaggy leaves.
Sprinkle the leaves of indoor palms, especially abundantly from the inside out, to prevent the attack on them of red spider mites. The leaves must dry before dark. Polish the fleshy leaves of the ficus of the rubber, monster and philodendron.
Prepare in advance for the spring plant transplant. Let necessary kadki or pots, substrates, expanded clay for drainage, supports, pallets and fertilizers be bought. Remove the handworms manually, cut the dried branches that have suffered from powdery mildew. In February, you can buy azaleas, cyclamens and primroses. They will bloom longer if they are moved to a cool room for the night.
Reduce the power of heating appliances for the night: so the plants will feel better. Do not spray the velvet leaves of senpolia and begonias. Pots with flowers turn for uniform illumination. Gradually increase watering. The most moisture-loving plants in February should receive water twice a week.
Gradually renew the active watering of cacti and succulents. Use unidentified water to irrigate gardenia, azaleas, ferns. Divide the bushes during the transplant, if they feel cramped in the pot. Regularly ventilate the room, but still protect plants from cold drafts, from a sharp drop in temperature. In climbing plants, trim the bald stems and place the support to the longest shoots.