Putting Your Tropical Plants Outside - Part 3 - Change of Watering Part 2 of 2

Most of your indoor tropical plants will benefit from spending the spring, summer and early fall outside, and by now, you may already have set them out. Here are some guidelines and things to consider to ensure their time is beneficial and well spent for both the plants and you.

Previously, we covered how increases in light intensity and duration necessitates changes to frequency and amount to water. There are other factors that will impact your watering regimen for your indoor tropical plants when you have set them outside.

The outside environment is much more variable than the indoor environment. Blowing wind, whether gusting gales or gentle breezes will dry your plants out and the speed by which the plants will dry out is in direct relationship to the strength and duration of those blowing winds.

Changes in outdoor temperatures will change how quickly your plant takes up water. Consistently warm temperatures will cause the plant to use a lot of water. A sudden drop in temperature will cause the plants uptake of water to be reduced. If the temperature drop is severe enough, it may cause the plant to stop taking up water altogether. This will just be temporary until the plant has adapted to its environmental changes; but be aware of these changes and do not water when your plant does not need it.

The dog days of summer are characterized by searing temperatures and often accompanied by low humidity. When humidity is low, much of the plants moisture is lost through its leaves. Be extra vigilant during these times. Low humidity does not directly translate into dry plants. Adding more water to a pot that is already wet will not solve a low humidity condition. Misting or spraying the plant with water and seaweed will certainly help.

While all of these factors will cause your plant to lose or use more water, remember the rain. Depending on where you have positioned your plant it may be exposed to receiving a lot or a little rain water. After a good rain you may be able to avoid watering for a while. Be sure to check.

What can you do?  As discussed in the last post, water the plant when it needs it and give it the amount of water needed to bring it back to its ideal moisture condition. If you need more detail on that discussion, feel free to check back to the last post.

Heed your local weather reports. Be aware of temperatures, humidity, when rain or drought is expected and water your plants accordingly.

Next time we will address some nutritional requirements when putting your indoor tropical plants outside.

  And one more thing ....

We have posted a new web page featured plant on our web page at http://www.plantsforall.ca . We are offering a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy)   for $8.85 with a regular price of $12.25, plus a Free extra Bonus.  
 

    

Average temperatures – Bright light

Water thoroughly & let surface dry between waterings

     Go to our web page “Featured Plant” page for a free information pdf download.

      Check it out on the "Featured Plant" page of our web site. That offer expires Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

Putting Your Tropical Plants Outside -Part 2 - Change of Watering Part 1 of 2

     Most of your indoor tropical plants will benefit from spending the spring, summer and early fall outside, and by now, you may already have set them out. Here are some guidelines and things to consider to ensure their time is beneficial and well spent for both the plants and you. 

Sun-burned Neanthe bella palm

     Just a short add to the last post about 'Light'.  Here is a picture of a Neanthe bella palm taken a week after I had planted it out at the trailer. The weather that week was sunny and hot and the leaves of the tree beside the palm had not yet filled out to provide sufficient shade. The result (as we discussed) was burned leaves. I cut off the damaged leaf material and expect a full recovery, of the palm that is.

      Proper watering of your indoor tropical plants can be a bit haphazard at best. There, I said it.

      So, when you move your plants outside, be prepared for a completely revised watering regimen. Things have changed for your plant. The environment has become more variable and often more demanding. However, when you and your plant adapt to these changes the benefits will be substantial.

      I am frequently asked how often to water the plants and how much water to give them. The correct answers to these questions are to water the plant when it needs it and give it the amount of water needed to bring it back to its ideal moisture condition.

     While these may not be the specific answers people want to hear, they are the right answers and you can apply these same answers to watering your tropical plants when you move them outdoors.

      When your plants move outside, the most significant change will be the increase in both the intensity and duration of natural light. This will have the biggest affect on how your watering regimen will have to change. With the increase in light your plants will want to grow more and faster. They will use up the water reserve in the potting mix sooner and more completely. That reserve will need to be replenished more often.

      Whether indoors or out, it is important not to let your plant become completely dry. Doing so will interrupt the continuous flow of nutrients and moisture in through the roots and on up to the plant. This will cause air to be taken into the roots, which will in turn impede the uptake of nutrients and moisture when you finally do get around to watering the plant again. All of this on again – off again attention is very stressful on the plants mechanical systems. Yes, your plants can become stressed and no, they do not handle it well.

      Learn and know the ideal moisture condition for each variety of plant you have. Ask the experts where you bought them. If that may be an oxymoron, drop me an email at plantsforall@ody.ca or call us at 519-767-2161 or comment at the end of this post. We would be glad to hear from you.

      Water your plant to its ideal moisture condition. Initially, check your plant every 2 days to see if it is still in its ideal moisture condition. It probably will not be. Add enough water to bring it back to its ideal moisture condition. Check your plant every couple of days and you will soon learn how your plant is reacting to outdoors and adjusting its water usage.

      I have a few more factors that will have a bearing on your plants' water usage outdoors, and we will get into that next time.

  And one more thing ....

We have posted a new web page featured plant on our web page at http://www.plantsforall.ca . We are offering a Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea musipula)   for $9.90 with a regular price of $11.25.  
 

Venus Fly Trap

     Many plants are available only on a cyclical basis – for the Venus Fly Trap, its time is now & once they're gone they won't be available until next year. This plant gets its nutrients from absorbing animal life in its pads.

     Go to our web page “Featured Plant” page for a free information pdf download.

      Check it out on the "Featured Plant" page of our web site. That offer expires Monday, June 18, 2012.