Houseplants Plant: Croton Term: Topiary
Houseplants
Plant: Croton
Term: Topiary
Croton
Genus: Codieaum Requires Bright Light Water: Keep soil moist at all times Humidity: High Temperature: 70-80 Problems/Pests: Over all a fussy plant Propagate by cuttings
Caring for houseplants
Water• Most plants are killed by
over-watering• Scratch the surface of the
pot, the soil should be moist ½” down
Watering
Yellow leaves - too much water
Methods of Watering
drench and let dry completely
drench and let dry slightly keep media constantly
moist
Temperature
recommended temperature 50-85 F daytime night - drop 10-15 below
daytime temp locate plants away from air-
conditioners and drafts
Lighting: natural or artificial
measured in foot candles or klux direct sun partial shade or weak sun - less
than 50% natural sun light indirect or filtered light - no direct
sun light
The Light Spectrum
Plants only use radiation energy in the visible spectrum.
Chlorophyll does not absorb in the green spectrum
Why?
Artificial Lighting
Incandescent bulbs don’t provide usable light to plants
Florescent bulbs provide light about 2’ from bulb
Grow lights provide more light in the correct wavelengths
Humidity
% of moisture in the air varies with seasons low in the winter
Increase humidity by:
spraying with fine mist fill water tight tray with water
and pea gravel, set containers in it
Increase humidity by:
use a humidifier place plants in the part of
the house with the highest humidity
Fertilizers
slow release small beads applied to the soil nutrients are steadily released plant absorbs nutrients as
needed avoids over feeding
Soluble fertilizer
liquid or solid dissolved in water before
applying
Soil Mixture
varies with each plant organic matter helps to
improve water holding capacity
perlite helps to keep the mix loose and easily drained
Containers
drainage should be available
use well drained soil mix put saucer under pot to
protect furniture from water
Potting plants
select appropriate container and soil mix provide drainage - put rocks
or put shards in the bottom of container
Potting plants
add potting mix to cover rocks
place plant in to check soil level
should be 1/2 inch below top of pot
Potting plants
fill remainder of container with media
Repotting
repot plants when they become root bound
if roots are growing around the root ball
roots appear at the top of soil
Repotting
separate roots to allow re-growth
If plant is blooming, wait until after flowering is completed
Repotting
select pot or container of the next larger size than the original
or Trim roots to make plant fit
in old container
General Care
leaves clean occasionally with a
fine spray of water wipe top and underside of
leaves
Leaves helps to remove dust and
insects do not use leaf shine products clogs the stomata makes it hard for plants to
breathe