Released May 14, 2009
EL DORADO, Kan. – For many houseplants, winter is an endurance contest, marked by short days, low light levels, and a dramatic drop in the urge to drink, eat and grow.
“Fortunately, houseplants perk up again – sort of get re-energized -- when the vegetation outdoors starts to leaf out for spring,” said Larry Crouse, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension. “This energy comeback is one reason why spring can be the best time to repot houseplants that have outgrown their container.”
When late spring’s rising nighttime temperatures stay above 55 degrees, however, many houseplants could recover even further if moved outdoors – just for summer, Crouse said.
“Of course, that kind of move won’t magically transform them into plants that thrive in wind and direct sunlight. Houseplants can suffer as severe a sunburn as some pale office worker would get, vacationing on the beach,” he warned.
What houseplants need outdoors is a sheltered location with dappled shade, the horticulturist said. In many cases, that turns out to be a porch or someplace protected by trees, house or garage.
“The plants will need water every time the top half-inch of their potting soil gets dry – which can be fairly often in summer,” Crouse said. “So, I’d also recommend locating them close to an outdoor water source. If you can, sink their pot into the ground, too, to moderate their soil’s temperature and water-loss rate.”
He suggested placing peat moss around and under the sunken container. Because peak moss holds water, it can help keep pot-held roots cool. If the pot is porous, peat moss also will help reduce evaporation.
“Every two weeks or so, you’ll want to rotate the sunken pot by a quarter turn. That will break off any roots that grow out of the container’s drainage holes and into the peat moss,” Crouse said. “It also will help your plant grow straight, because every side will spend a quarter of its time in the brightest light.”
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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/ksrenews/story/briefs051409.aspx
Contact: Elaine Edwards, elainee@ksu.edu
