With the Christmas season approaching, there will be lots of plant sales with a variety of plants being offered for sale. Here are a few tips for successful plant shopping:
Note the name of the plant you are buying so that you can Google its likes and dislikes and how to care for it and whether it’s an indoor or outdoor plant.- Make sure you get the new plant home as quickly as possible to avoid it going into shock, especially if the car is hot. Give it a good drink of water as this would help to cool it down.
- Act quickly if you see a problem. It may mean the difference between restoring a plant to good health and beauty and losing it.
Often a new plant takes time to settle and it may drop a few leaves. However, if it seems to go downhill from the moment you get it home, double check the light, where you place it and watering.
- Wilting leaves usually means under watering. Water logging and potting mixture may be responsible. Check also for root rot or pest.
- Curling leaves which fall prematurely may mean drought and not enough humidity or even over watering. A pest called leaf rollers may be the cause also.
- Lower leaves may turn yellow and drop. This is natural with some plants, especially if the plant is old or recently re-potted.
Until next week, Happy Gardening.
