Generally speaking there is only one criterion for all house plants, permanent or temporary. The question we should ask ourselves is `Is it still decorative?' If the answer is yes, then keep the plant. If it is no, then either discard it completely or send it to garden, potting shed or greenhouse for treatment.
An over-watered plant dies from drowning. In a later chapter the vexed question of watering is examined in greater detail, but a brief description of the double function of watering might be helpful here.
Because plants are alive they must grow in size, but the rate of growth should be carefully controlled. We have all seen evidences of plants that have been grown carefully on the plant nursery and more recklessly when purchased and brought into the home. The leaves suddenly double in size, growth is lanky because feeding outbalances the amount of light available, stems that should be sturdy and strong become weak, sappy and bending.
More indoor plants die from over-watering and over-feeding than from any other cause and although it is impossible to lay down hard and fast rules about frequencies and quantities it is possible to suggest most strongly both that a starvation diet is to be preferred to enforced gluttony and that a period of starvation is far more likely to cure a sickly plant than overdoses of water or food.
Unfortunately with many plants the symptoms of over-watering are almost identical with those shown when the plant is dry, a frequent cause of fury and frustration to the newcomer to the house plant world.
Most plants should be allowed to become thirsty before they are watered. A domestic pet such as a cat or dog will refuse or ignore drink if it does not require it, but a plant has to suffer excess quantities willy-nilly and can only show its resentment by turning sickly. All plants are susceptible to pests and diseases. Good cultivation is the best way to prevent or deal with them. Insects that prey on roses differ from country to country but include aphids, thrips, and sawflies. - 19955
An over-watered plant dies from drowning. In a later chapter the vexed question of watering is examined in greater detail, but a brief description of the double function of watering might be helpful here.
Because plants are alive they must grow in size, but the rate of growth should be carefully controlled. We have all seen evidences of plants that have been grown carefully on the plant nursery and more recklessly when purchased and brought into the home. The leaves suddenly double in size, growth is lanky because feeding outbalances the amount of light available, stems that should be sturdy and strong become weak, sappy and bending.
More indoor plants die from over-watering and over-feeding than from any other cause and although it is impossible to lay down hard and fast rules about frequencies and quantities it is possible to suggest most strongly both that a starvation diet is to be preferred to enforced gluttony and that a period of starvation is far more likely to cure a sickly plant than overdoses of water or food.
Unfortunately with many plants the symptoms of over-watering are almost identical with those shown when the plant is dry, a frequent cause of fury and frustration to the newcomer to the house plant world.
Most plants should be allowed to become thirsty before they are watered. A domestic pet such as a cat or dog will refuse or ignore drink if it does not require it, but a plant has to suffer excess quantities willy-nilly and can only show its resentment by turning sickly. All plants are susceptible to pests and diseases. Good cultivation is the best way to prevent or deal with them. Insects that prey on roses differ from country to country but include aphids, thrips, and sawflies. - 19955
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The size and shape of the potted houseplant in your garden gives little or no indication of its eventual size and shape.
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