Foto: BB.LV
Houseplants and Seasonal Changes Although the change of seasons is hardly felt in an apartment, houseplants are well aware that autumn and then winter are approaching. Many of them slow down their internal processes, and if you continue to care for them as you would in spring and summer, it may harm your green companions. Step 1: Repotting into Larger Pots This should be done no later than mid-November, as some plants are already preparing for the winter period. September is the best time for repotting houseplants. * Be sure to wash the new pot with green soap and hot water; * Carefully inspect the roots of the extracted plant: if they are in good condition, without signs of rot or damage, you can simply transfer the flower along with the root ball. If there are damages, gently trim the affected areas, disinfect the cut surfaces with crushed charcoal or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and then repot. Step 2: Treatment for Pests and Diseases This is especially important if you took your houseplants outside during the summer. Even if they live indoors year-round, it’s worth ensuring their protection. Treat the plants with insecticides and regularly inspect the stems and leaves to promptly remove affected parts. Step 3: Transition to Winter Watering and Feeding Regimen For many houseplants, excess moisture is more dangerous than dryness. If you continue to water them in autumn and winter as frequently as in summer, they may die. During the heating season, apartments are warm and quite dry, but at this time, plant growth slows down, and they require significantly less water. Winter Regimen - Water only after the top layer of soil dries out or even less frequently when the soil is completely dry; - Once a week — misting (due to heating, the air in the house becomes dry); - Stop feeding — take a break until spring. Step 4: Providing Additional Light Not only people suffer from the short daylight hours and lack of sunlight in autumn and winter, but houseplants do as well. Most of them can cope with the lack of light, but some (primarily succulents and tropical flowers like orchids) need additional lighting in the form of a phytolamp, which should be turned on at least every other day. Aloe Vera — Believes in Us! Aloe vera is one of the most popular houseplants that forgives forgetfulness and delights even the most clumsy owners! How to Care for Aloe Vera * Choose the right soil: buy a special mix for succulents or mix soil and sand in equal proportions. * It’s better to use a ceramic pot, as the soil dries out faster in it than in plastic, and moisture does not stagnate. * Do not repot aloe too often; change the pot only if the plant becomes cramped. Aloe prefers slightly confined conditions. * Provide the plant with as much sunlight as possible since it is a desert plant. Inadequate light may cause aloe to go dormant and stop growing. * Water aloe about once every two weeks, but do so generously. Before watering, ensure that the soil in the pot is completely dry; otherwise, the roots may rot. If the leaves of aloe turn yellow or wilt, it is a sign of overwatering. Flowering and Propagation of Aloe Sometimes aloe vera produces a tall stem with small bell-shaped flowers. After flowering, you can cut the stem at the base. Additionally, aloe produces offsets, or “pups,” which are perfect for propagation. If you notice such “children,” separate them from the main plant and transplant them into individual pots. If you want to gift aloe to friends, grow “seedlings” by cutting a few leaves about 10 cm from the tip and placing the cut ends in a container with soil. Not all cuttings will take root, but some may grow new leaves at the base. Wait until the new plant grows to 3–5 cm, and then it can be transplanted into a separate pot. How to Use Aloe Vera Many grow aloe vera not only for its beauty but also for the beneficial gel contained in its leaves. It is excellent for healing wounds, minor burns, and fighting acne. * Recipe: cut a leaf of aloe as close to the stem as possible, split it in half, or squeeze the desired amount of gel onto your palm and apply it to the affected area. Kristina Molodtsova, "I Love".
