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How to Keep Indoor Plants Alive
Keeping an indoor plant alive — let alone thriving — can be a daunting task. Thankfully, we have five tips to help keep your plants alive.
1. Potting and repotting
When potting a plant, choose a pot that has good drainage and always use a good quality potting mix. If you do have a pot without drainage, you can pot it in a smaller plastic pot and pop it inside.
When repotting, pick a pot that’s one size bigger than the one you have, place some firmly packed potting mix in the bottom and a small sprinkle of plant fertiliser. Give the plant a good water and gently tip the pot on its side and ease out the plant, place it in the new pot and gently fill with potting mix, press down soil and keep filling until you are about 2-4cm from the top of the pot.
2. Light
Most plants like bright indirect sunlight. Plants get their nourishment and energy from the sun so don’t be shy about placing them in bright sunlight. As the seasons change, watch the light levels and move plants closer or further away from windows. Some plants can survive in very dim light but give them a bright light holiday one day a week. Pale foliage is a sign that your plant might not be getting enough light and brown patches on leaves can mean the plant is getting singed.
3. Water
One of the most common reasons indoor plants die is overwatering. The majority of plants need to be watered once a week. Once a month place them in a sink or bucket and drench the soil and roots, then let the water drain out well before placing them back in their spots. There are a few plants that like more water, such as peace lilies, and some that like less, including ZZ plants and snake plants.
4. Humidity
Lots of indoor plants, and the majority of what we sell, originate from sub-tropical rainforest-type climates. They love a light misting daily or you can sit them in the bathroom while you take a shower.
5. Choosing plants
Pick the right plant for you and your lifestyle. If you are new to house plants, start with an easy-care plant such as a succulent or cactus, then you can graduate to other types. If you go away a lot choose a plant that can survive without attention. If you live in the city you might want to think about plants that have super air cleansing powers. The whole process of choosing plants and their weekly routine can be quite meditative. Enjoy the watering rituals you create — it’s a good chance to practise your mindfulness. Just remember once you start it’s hard to stop!
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Poll: Do you mind when neighbours leave freebies on the street?
Some spare wood, used furniture or children's toys - do you mind when your neighbours leave goods on the street for others to make use of?
Share your thoughts in the comments and poll below.
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83.1% It's fine!
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15% It annoys me!
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
TAURANGA SENIORNET CLUB
Don't miss out.
Workshops of two-hour duration for computer devices are being held at the Tauranga SeniorNet Club during the month of September.
Full information is on the clubs web site www.taurangaseniornet.co.nz
4th September Excel with Google Sheets
5 September AI Workshop
12 September Genealogy Workshop
11 September iCloud, One Drive, Google Drive
18 September PowerPoint Workshop
25 September Google Apps Workshop.
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Thieft at Woolworth.
Last night just before 6pm I was walking up the ramp at Woolworth Cameron road when this guy stormed past me with a basket full of food. The trolly lady said he didn't pay. I talked to the so called secuity guards and they said they can't do anything. So what about calling the police? No, they won't come. So with all these cameras, secuity guards and face recognitions which would cost a fortune for the supermarkets, it still doesn't stop some criminals from stealing.... It just amazed me how easy it is for somebody to do this. If I was a big strong man I would have tackeld him, but I'm not, and wouldn't stand a chance. I do hope they report it to the police and have CTV cameras so they can catch him.