Getting houseplants ready for winter.

[flippinout]

In the spring, as soon as the weather permits, I put all my house plants out on my back deck. And now, that fall is coming, I start getting them ready to bring in the house.

I start on this project now, because the steps I take to prepare them for coming back in the house will have time to settle before I bring them in.

First I start with my Boston Fern. This I remove from the pot, and with a very sharp knife, I split this plant in half and repot to make 2 plants. Remember, when you see bare sprigs sticking out of the top of the plant, these are roots and mean that the plant needs to be repotted.

Be sure to water well after repotting the Boston Fern, and spritz it all over with water as this is a plant that really likes the "rain forest" kind of atmosphere and it really loves the moisture from the spritzing.

Now to my spider plants, I started several new plants last month from the "babies" that it puts out, but this plant has grown so much that it needs divided too. Use the same techinque of dividing as you did with the Boston Fern.

All other plants are check for "root bound" by turning the plant over and observing the bottom of the pot. If roots are showing or coming out of the bottom of the pot, its time to repot the plant into a larger pot.

Now is when I clip off the ends of vining plants to start new growth with. This I do by sticking the clipped ends into a glass of water and setting to the side so that they can root. When well rooted, pot the new plant so that it will have a couple of weeks outside, where it has been for the summer, before bringing it indoors.

I have several humidifiers that I use during the winter when the plants are indoors to keep the moisture content of the room up as you know how dry the air gets in the winter from central heating. Plants do not do well in really dry air.

Keep track of your watering schedule in the winter time especially, because the soil around the plants tend to dry out faster because of the lack of humidity in the air.

[flip_it_fast]

My plants are always gorgeous outside in the summertime but when they are brought in for the winter they always lose their luster. I am always able to revive them come the following spring but through the winter they don't look so good. I do think it is my heat source that causes the problems. I have a wood/coal stove and it causes such temperature differences within the home. It will get chilly somewhat during the night while we are sleeping and during the day it is usually hot. I think this takes a toll on the plants.

[homealone]

I dont have much of a green thumb at all. The only plants that I have ever had that didnt die were some cacti, and they are almost impossible to kill. I do have a beautiful Snake plant which I have been doing pretty well with, but during the winter it sometimes doesnt look to good. Any suggestions for this plant? It is the only plant I have left and I really want to make sure I have it for a very long time. I need help!!!

[flippinout]

Keeping house plants in the house can be quite challenging, but it can be done. Mine do really well until about February, but then you have to consider that some plants have a bit of a down time too.

Buy a humidifier, it will put moisture back in the air that our central heating takes out. Moisture is critical to plants, and winter time can be so hard to keep moisture in the air.

Always put your plants in a window that gets sunlight, and at night shut the blinds as this will help in keeping cold air away from them.

Make sure that they arent in a draft from a door that is used frequently. And if you will notice, some plants do better if put in the same spot when brought in the house.

I have one that thrives on top of my television, when I try to put it somewhere else, it will look sickly within a week.

Keep to a watering schedule, and remember that the plants will dry out faster in the house than they do when they are outside in the summer.

Feel the soil with your finger tips and if it is dry to the touch, its time to water them a little but dont overdo it.