How to Care for Indoor & Outdoor Plants
Plants come in endless sizes, shapes, colors and textures and are grown for many reasons, both indoors and outdoors. Plants add a natural element to the surroundings, make beautiful foliage, cover unsightly areas, generate fragrant blossoms, clean the air of toxins and produce edibles for wildlife and human consumption. Plant care varies depending on several factors, such as the specific plant type and the growing environment used, but basic plant care requirements remain the same. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Grow plants in the best growing medium, depending on the specific plant grown. Learn the needs of the plants you want to grow and provide the best type of growing media. Use top-quality potting mixes for container plants and special cactus mixes for succulent plants. Add organic matter to planting beds outdoors to enrich the soil.
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Select the best locations to grow your plants or select your plants based on the location available. Most plants that produce flowers or fruits grow best in full sun, but this may not always be the case. Many plants will thrive in partial shade or full shade, such as some indoor settings or under tree canopies in the landscape. Move plants in containers to locations providing the best lighting or use grow lights on indoor plants in low-lit areas.
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Water the plants according to the needs of each plant grown. Over-watering kills more plants than under-watering, especially for container grown plants. Most plants grow best in well-drained soil and should not be left sitting in water for long periods, except for plants that thrive in boggy, damp environments. Some plants, like cactus and succulents, prefer dry environments and require minimal water to survive. A good basic rule of thumb for the majority of plants is to supply 1 inch of water weekly to outdoor plants, and to water indoor plants when the soil dries 1 inch or more down.
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Provide the right temperature, air circulation and humidity in the location the plants are growing. This is vital when growing indoor plants, but outdoor plants also need these elements to thrive. Space outdoor plants far enough apart to allow air circulation and only grow plants suited for the temperature and humidity in the location selected. Increase humidity in the area around indoor plants using humidifiers or trays filled with stones and water, especially when using forced air.
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Apply a fertilizer throughout the year while the plants are actively growing, if the plants grown require extra fertilization. Use a basic fertilizer or a type specific for the plants grown, such as houseplant, rose, tomato or palm fertilizer, and apply as directed on the label. Most plants do not require any type of fertilizer during the winter or the plant's dormant period.
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