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December 8, 2021 By Ellen Wells

Houseplant How-Tos

Now that the vegetable and flower gardens are taking a long winter’s nap, it’s time for us to turn our attention to what’s growing inside our homes. Houseplants are not only a nice way to add some fresh and natural accents to an otherwise static environment, they also are purported to clean the air and exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen with their human caretakers. Houseplants also give plant lovers some much-needed gardening distraction when the out of doors is dull and gray.

Speaking of care taking, I’ve recently been given nanny duties for an array of large and beautiful houseplants while their mother is on a months-long trek across the country. I cannot fall asleep at the wheel while caring for these! Even though I am a long-time houseplant gardener, I haven’t had any specific plant care plans. These new houseplants offer me the opportunity to implement a basic care regimen based on what houseplants need—attention to light, water, soil, nutrition and hygiene.

Light

Different plants require different amounts of light. For instance, as much as your anthurium in the glossy red pot would look great in that dark corner, it will need medium to bright light to keep it in flower. Plants typically fall within three general light requirement categories: low, medium and high, with “low” being that dark corner and “high” being near a sunny window. If you can’t provide a sunny spot for that anthurium or other high-light houseplant, consider a plant light—or reconsider your plant.

Water

There’s something about human nature that when we see a plant with curling leaves, we immediately rush for a watering can. You might be surprised to learn that the No. 1 cause of houseplant death is overwatering, not underwatering. Rule of thumb: Touch the soil’s surface to make a judgement about its moistness before you reach for that water. A second rule of thumb: Know what moisture conditions your plants need for successful growth. Some prefer moist soil while others wish to be kept on the dry side. Know before you grow!

Soil

Speaking of being kept dry, the type of potting mix you use can make a big difference in how often you need to water. Mixes with compost and organic matter help retain a moist rootzone, while those with more inorganic materials (perlite, for example) hold less water. Again, know what type of rootzone conditions your plants prefer.

Nutrition

Just as your tomato plants grow bigger and produce a better crop with the addition of nutrients, so too will your houseplants produce more flowers and foliage when you see to their nutritional needs. Whatever fertilizing method you choose—compost tea, worm castings, or perhaps a commercially available fertilizer—do keep this in mind: Houseplants grow more slowly during the low-light months of winter and will not need frequent fertilizer applications. If your bottle of “Joe’s” Liquid Fertilizer says to apply weekly, for example, cut back to every other week or even once a month. You’ll keep your soil from building up salts, and you’ll also save money by using less fertilizer.

Hygiene

As the saying goes, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” By maintaining good plant “hygiene,” you are enabling your plants to live their best lives. What is good plant hygiene?

  • Removing yellowing and dead leaves.
  • Checking leaves and treating for mites and other pests, if necessary.
  • Removing the pot from around the plant’s rootball to check the condition of the roots.

And while your plant is out of the pot, you might decide to add or change out the potting soil, upsize the pot or even prune off some roots to encourage new roots to grow. Letting the pot dry down between waterings could also be considered good plant hygiene because it helps to control fungus gnats. Don’t forget, we recently told you about applying a half-inch layer of Organic Mechanics Pure Rice Hulls on the pot’s surface to help deter fungus gnats.

How Worm Castings Can Help Houseplants

We produce a product that touches several of the houseplant needs mentioned above. Our Worm Castings help maintain a moist rootzone by providing a good dose of organic matter. Also, because earthworm castings encourage microbial life, they can aid in nutrient breakdown and nutrient uptake. Add a ¼-cup of earthworm castings to the surface of a 1-gal. potted plant or make a “compost tea” using earthworm castings and water with this tea monthly.

Our 100% organic Worm Castings help to maintain a moist rootzone and aid in nutrient breakdown and uptake.

Pro Tip! Making “compost tea” from earthworm castings is easy! Just mix 1lb. of Worm Castings in 1 gallon of water. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, let castings settle to bottom, then pour off a fraction of the liquid solution. Stop before pouring out castings particle. Repeat until tea turns light brown in color, then pour out any remaining castings and use as mulch.

Our Stance On Peat

We mention repotting your houseplants as part of maintaining good plant hygiene. If you use any of our Organic Mechanics potting mixes, you’re also being a good steward of the planet. That’s because our mixes do not contain peat, a natural product used in horticultural products to maintain soil moisture. We use compost and coir (coconut husk fiber) to replace the peat in our soil blends. The harvesting of peat from peatlands throughout the world is detrimental to the climate. That’s because upwards of 44% of the world’s soil-locked carbon is located within these large swaths of peat*. Disturb the peat reserves—whether for use in the horticultural trade, for “reclaiming” land for agricultural use or for other reasons—and you release that carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to the slow warming of the Earth.

Keeping existing peatlands intact, as well as rebuilding former peatlands, is key to slowing climate change, as was explained in a recent Washington Post article on climate change. If you’re serious about slowing the planet’s warming trend, you’ll reconsider peat’s role in the process.

The United Kingdom is concerned enough about peat’s contributions to climate change that they will ban the sale of peat to gardeners beginning in 2024. Let’s all get serious about climate change. We can do our part by making smart choices. We at Organic Mechanics are proud to be one of these smart choices that helps keep carbon in our soils and out of the atmosphere!

*Source: https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/peatlands-and-climate-change

Filed Under: Articles, Learning Center Tagged With: earthworm castings, houseplants, peat, tips

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@htgsupply in Cranberry Township PA today till 6pm @htgsupply in Cranberry Township PA today till 6pm! Stop by to talk soils, pick up some samples, and score killer deals on Organic Mechanics products! 

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Had a blast @urbanjunglephilly yesterday! Thanks t Had a blast @urbanjunglephilly yesterday! Thanks to all who came out to talk soils with Eric! Good to see so many Organic Mechanics, both big and small! 🌅✨🪴✨🌅

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Hey Philly, you're invited! Come down to Urban Jun Hey Philly, you're invited! Come down to Urban Jungle on Water Street today 10am-4pm to level up your organic soil game! Shop their lush and local plants, high five Eric from OM, then talk with him about the benefits of going organic with your soil and choosing the right products for a successful garden. There’s free parking available under I-95. Bring your cards, no cash, this space is card only. See ya there!!

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Hey Philly Phriends! Join Eric from Organic Mechan Hey Philly Phriends! Join Eric from Organic Mechanics at the NEW Urban Jungle retail nursery located at 1721 S. Water Street in Pennsport this Saturday from 10am-4pm. Come check out their plant selections and talk with Eric about choosing the right soil for your needs. You know us, We Work On Your Soil!

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Happy Earth Day y’all! While we strive to make e Happy Earth Day y’all! While we strive to make everyday Earth Day, today is a day to reflect on how we impact Mother Earth with everyday decisions. Collectively our actions can create impact - one garden at a time, one decision at a time. We salute each of you working to make a difference everyday! Hope y’all get to spend some time in your gardens today and this weekend!

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@htgsupply in Rock Island IL today till 6pm! 4/20 @htgsupply in Rock Island IL today till 6pm! 4/20 partay all day! Lots of Vendors. Foodtruck! Stop by to talk soils, pick up some samples, and scOrganic Mechanics products! 

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Planting time is upon us! Plant something in a sha Planting time is upon us! Plant something in a shade of Pantone's Color of the Year, Peri (aka periwinkle)—that's the advice we're giving in the April edition of our Soil-Mates newsletter. Other advice and tips? Herb gardens! Reuse your soil! Get to know perennial edibles! And the difference between our Container Blend and Premium Blend Potting Soils explained. Oh, that last one - yes! Read and enjoy all of it at the link in the bio - just click on our company name above, then click on the latest newsletter posting.

And a shout out to @stlgardenhoe for their seed-starting tutorial using Organic Mechanics' Seed Starting Mix. And check out their fun paper-pot tutorial - so easy, why aren't we all doing it?? 

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@htgsupply in Roseville MI today till 6pm! Stop by @htgsupply in Roseville MI today till 6pm! Stop by to talk soils, pick up some samples, and score killer deals on Organic Mechanics products! 

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@htgsupply in Taylor MI today till 4pm! Stop by to @htgsupply in Taylor MI today till 4pm! Stop by to talk soils, pick up some samples, and score killer deals on Organic Mechanics products! 

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At Kingwood Center Gardens today speaking on soils At Kingwood Center Gardens today speaking on soils and soil amendments for the garden. Dr Elaine Ingham kicking things off this AM through zoom, then afternoon sessions with Carri Jagger and I keep the conversation going after Elaine gets everyone all excited about the Soil Food Web!

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