7 Things Plant Experts Do That You Probably Don’t
There are things plant experts do to their house plants that you probably don’t. And this is exactly the reason why their plants look so happy and healthy, and perhaps why your plants are struggling. These tips and tricks can help you transform from a beginner gardener into a plant expert. So if you want to learn how to take care of your plants like a professional, just keep on reading:
Let’s see which are the things plant experts do that beginner gardeners don’t
Things Plant Experts Do That You Probably Don’t
#Changing the soil regularly
Soil composition is crucial for a happy plant, and changing the soil of your plant at least yearly boosts the health of your plant. And this is something plant experts do. First, changing the soil of your plant and repotting it into a bigger pot prevents your plant from becoming root bound. A root-bound plant will not have enough soil in the pot to draw up water and nutrients. It will begin to look tired with yellow or brown leaves. The second benefit of changing the soil of your plant regularly is that it gives the plant a boost in nutrients. That allows the plant to push out lots of fresh new growth. Your plant soil degrades over time and loses vital beneficial bacteria and nutrients for plants. So it is important to change the soil periodically to keep your plants fresh and alive. If you have a plant that you have noticed isn’t growing as vigorously or is starting to develop yellow leaves, check the soil and consider changing if you haven’t done so in a while.
Changing the soil of your plant at least yearly boosts the health of your plant
#Watering only when needed
Plant experts only water their house plants when their plants truly need it! This is something that inexperienced plant owners struggle with a lot. Plants actually need less water than you might think. It is always good to check the level of moisture in the soil of the plant before watering it. So before watering your plants, just stick your finger two inches into the soil. If the soil feels wet, leave them for another few days and check again. If you are repeatedly watering your plant when it already has enough water, you are overwatering it. This will lead to root rot and probably plant death. However, be careful not to wait too long and put your plant through prolonged periods of drought, as this will stress the plant out too. If you are unsure how to tell whether your plant soil is wet or not, then invest in a moisture meter. This is a complete game changer for plant care and tells you exactly how wet or dry your plant soil is. It is a cheap little device that will make all the difference in watering.
Plant experts only water their house plants when their plants truly need it
#Understanding their plants
Plant experts know everything there is to know about their plants. And this is one of the main reasons why they have such success with their plants. Trying to care for a plant without knowing anything about it would be like trying to cook dinner in the dark. Researching your plant will tell you whether it needs full sun or it should be kept out of direct light, as well as other things. Without this research, beginner plant owners make mistakes. Like putting light-sensitive plants on a south-facing window where they get blasted by the direct sun all day. So, use Google Lens to identify your plant through pictures and get a full understanding of the care requirements for the plant.
Researching your plant will tell you everything that you need to know
There are many handy apps that you can use on your gardening journey
#Checking for pests regularly
Pests can be a real house plant killer. And, this is something plant experts monitor regularly to keep their plants healthy. The assumption here may be that bugs can only live outside. And how can they possibly get into the plants in our homes? However, bugs are crafty little things that can get into our plants in various ways. Spider mites and other insects damage the leaves of the plants and, if left unchecked, can kill a plant as the population continues to grow and take over. So check your plants periodically for bugs and act straight away if you see something suspicious. Here are some natural pest control remedies to help you!
Checking for pests is something plant experts monitor regularly to keep their plants healthy
#Not fussing over their plants
This next tip might sound a little counterintuitive, but it is one that plant experts do. And, that is, to not fuss over your plants. Fussing over your plants includes moving them around your home, constantly watering when not needed, constantly pruning stems, and fertilizing too often. Plants just want to be left alone, and they like to be settled in their spot. In addition, they will drop leaves if they are moved around your home too often. Moreover, pruning more than half your plant over a short period of time will really stress the plant out. So leave them to do their thing.
In order for plants to grow healthy, you just need to leave them alone
#Never exposing plants to direct sun
Plant experts avoid putting their plants in the full afternoon sun. Tropical plants are surprisingly sensitive and will burn when put in the sun. And plants don’t have access to factor 50 sun protection like we do. So you may notice some fading of color of a couple of plants that you have on a west or south-facing windowsill. This is actually the plant’s foliage burning from the sun. Most plants are not used to having hours of direct sun beaming on them and will become very unhappy unless they are succulents. The rule of thumb is to keep your plants only in indirect sunlight.
Plant experts avoid putting their plants in the full afternoon sun
#Pruning
Your plant does benefit from some pruning, just like you might benefit from a haircut every so often to tidy yourself up. They need to tidy up to get rid of damaged leaves and stems and keep the plant free of mold and pests. Air circulation is important for plants to prevent rot and mold on the stems and leaves of the plant. An overgrown plant with damaged leaves will be far more likely to develop problems than a plant that is trimmed and looks neat and tidy. Pruning also encourages stronger growth from the plants, which may sound counterintuitive. So don’t be scared to make cuts on the plant. The stem will grow back.
Regular pruning encourages stronger and healthier growth from the plants
Now you know how professional gardeners keep their plants healthy. In general, you need to let your plants do their thing and not fuss over them. You can research online what a specific plant needs to grow healthy. Remember to never overwater plants because that is the easiest way to kill them! With these tips you will gradually become a better and more experienced gardener!
Now you know what plant experts do to keep all of their plants super happy and healthy
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