The long-awaited spring is a period of active growth initiation for many indoor plants and, for some, a return to their decorative state. For green parents, spring is a time of special attention to their wards, as it can be a significant stress for the plants. All indoor cultures face increasing daylight hours and brighter light, changes in humidity, and temperature variations during this season. They must adapt to these changes gradually and with proper care. Fortunately, there are simple rules that will help them welcome spring without any issues.
I organized these 10 best spring plant tips based on two criteria - their importance and the effort required for implementation, and here's what I came up with
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"Listen" to Your Plants
From mid-February to the end of March, monitoring the well-being of your green companions should become a routine. Responding to plant signals early in the manifestation of issues is crucial. Simple, attentive inspections will help promptly address pests, prevent the development of diseases, quickly identify the causes of suppressed conditions, and provide plants with what they need.
To avoid major issues with indoor plants in spring, it's advisable to inspect leaves and shoots more frequently, observe how the soil is drying out, and note any minor signs indicating potential problems in the plants' development.
To ensure a smooth transition for indoor plants during spring and address any difficulties promptly, it is essential to closely monitor their condition. Typically, plants themselves signal when it's time to start fertilizing or repotting. When signs of growth initiation appear—even if it's just bud swelling—that's the cue to begin spring care for indoor plants.
Don't Delay Repotting and/or Soil Renewal
The dormant period is typically characterized by a lack of fertilization, and the natural quality of the soil tends to diminish in terms of micro and macro-elements throughout the year. It becomes depleted and less nourishing for plants. During the early vegetative period, soil richness is crucial, and replenishing nutrient deficiencies can be challenging later on. That's why the ideal time for repotting is considered to be the end of February and the beginning of March.
Repotting is not necessary for all indoor plants. It can be substituted with renewing the top layer of the substrate in containers, especially if the plant hasn't utilized the entire pot space and still has room to grow, or for larger, mature favorites. However, postponing these procedures is not advisable.
Repotting should be done according to the specific needs of each plant, carefully selecting containers and soil mixtures. For plants remaining in the same container, it's essential to replace the top layer of soil with fresh, high-quality substrate.
Take Your Time with Fertilization
For many, the arrival of spring and the active growth period marks the resumption of fertilization routines. However, it's crucial not to rush with fertilizers. Firstly, many soil mixes already contain fertilizers, and an excess dose can lead to root burns and wilting. This is an important rule – a sudden resurgence of fertilization can be even more stressful for plants than the prolonged absence of it.
If you've opted for a soil mix without additional nutrients, resume fertilization about 2-3 weeks after increasing watering and initiating more active growth. If you're uncertain about the soil's nutrient content, start fertilizing two weeks after replacing the top layer of soil and about 1-1.5 months after repotting. If you are sure about the soil mix composition, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Aquatic Awakening
The key condition for the transition from winter to spring for almost all plants is a change in watering schedules. Different cultures have their own approaches to watering in early spring.
If plants were not watered or received minimal watering during winter, spring watering should begin cautiously to avoid overhydration.
Initial waterings, with more thorough soil saturation and less substrate drying between these procedures, are better done with slightly warmer water compared to the usual. The optimal frequency of watering can only be established by monitoring the soil's drying rate.
For familiar plants, the transition of their watering schedule should occur over 3-4 weeks, gradually reducing the soil's drying time to the standard moisture level for the specific plant species.
For non-succulent cultures, measures to stabilize air humidity should be taken in spring. Special humidifiers are an ideal but not the only option for spring. Simple trays or plates with water, moist pebbles, moss, expanded clay, or even decorative aquarium substrate can successfully fulfill this task.
They provide consistency in conditions and help plants gently transition to summer mode. For cultures that enjoy spraying, spring can be a miraculous measure, especially if warm water is used, and these procedures are carried out in the morning.
Pruning of Plants
Spring cleaning is often mentioned in the context of indoor shrubs and trees. However, in reality, sanitary pruning is essential for all plants. It involves a straightforward cleaning of indoor cultures from all damaged, dry, and/or deformed parts.
Elongated, dry, diseased, improperly growing, unproductive shoots, those losing color or partially dry leaves should be removed as early as possible, along with plant debris from the soil surface. The longer damaged parts remain on the plant, the higher the risk that the consequences of wintering will escalate into serious problems.
Pinching off the tops, shortening elongated branches, cutting back crowded twigs, and stimulating bushiness through the pruning of shoots should be chosen on a strictly individual basis.
Lighting
One of the most crucial rules during the transition from winter to spring for any plant is to be in diffused, intensity-comfortable yet soft lighting. Taking care to properly soften the light and shield leaves from direct sunlight can help avoid many other problems with indoor plants in spring.
Even the most light-loving indoor plants will experience stress during spring when the sun becomes much more active, resulting in changes in both the quantity and quality of light. A sudden increase in illumination and strong contrasts between winter and spring lighting conditions can lead to reactions similar to light excess and can be too strong a shock for weakened plants that haven't yet started "coming alive" after winter. Yellowing, loss of color, wilting, and leaf curling may occur even without a significant increase in light intensity.
Considering the peculiarities of spring weather in the Netherlands, where mornings can be overcast and you might think plants can stay in place, remember that bright sun can emerge within an hour, followed by rain an hour later. Therefore, I recommend installing protective diffusing screens or moving plants about half a meter away from the window.
Temperature Control is Crucial
Spring should be a period of temperature stress only for plants that have enjoyed winter dormancy. They are moved to warmth at the end of February or early March, triggering a new stage of active growth. However, for all other indoor plants, there should be no talk of any sudden temperature increases.
To prevent plants from suffering due to unfavorable conditions and losing their decorative appeal due to temperature fluctuations, it is essential to monitor room temperatures. Try to stabilize or compensate for deviations.
Making spring temperatures more acceptable can be achieved through ventilation, misting, using humidifiers, and rearranging plants away from any sources of temperature variations and dry air.
To protect plants from chilling, you can insulate pots or use stands, raise the water temperature for watering, and provide them with a warm shower or misting. With controlled temperature, it becomes possible to adjust watering promptly, ensuring that plants do not suffer from temporary factors and grow in more stable conditions.
Drafts - Year-Round Danger
No matter how warm the spring days may seem after winter, it's essential to remember that the weather can be deceptive. The warmth in the sun can be accompanied by very low temperatures in the shade, and ventilation should be carried out very carefully.
The most reliable (and meticulous) way to protect plants from sudden temperature changes and drafts is to move them to another room during ventilation. However, you can also manage by relocating them to a place where there is no air movement and reducing the window gap to allow for gentle fresh air circulation.
Hygiene is Crucial
Maintaining cleanliness of leaves and timely dust removal in spring is crucial. For plants to thrive, avoid pests or diseases, and enjoy fresh air, they must be clean. The activation of photosynthesis processes is impossible when dust and other contaminants accumulate on the leaves. Regular hygiene procedures should be a mandatory part of the plant care routine, especially in early spring.
Indoor plants that enjoy misting and tolerate leaf wetting will respond appreciatively to these additional procedures in spring. A warm shower will not only help clean the leaves but also rejuvenate the plants, stimulate their growth, stabilize conditions, and overall benefit the growing favorites.
For plants that cannot tolerate showering or for which a warm shower is contraindicated, regular leaf cleaning should be done using other methods. Simple wiping, dusting with a brush, or a soft cloth should be repeated as the leaves become dirty. For plants with large or very small, leathery, rigid leaves, especially for woody and shrubby plants, special products can be used to protect against dust and reduce the frequency of cleaning.
It's important to monitor not only the cleanliness of the leaves but also to promptly remove plant debris and contaminants from the top layer of the substrate. Maintain cleanliness of pots and the surfaces on which they are placed. Ensuring impeccable cleanliness of windows is a crucial measure that allows sunlight to penetrate rooms maximally, enabling plants to enjoy the vitality of spring sunshine.
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