Key Points for Indoor Care and Management of Foliage Plants in Winter and Spring

In recent years, some southern foliage flowers have sold very well in flower markets across the north, such as Brazil wood, Swiss cheese plant, and “money tree”, with each pot selling for as much as 500-1000 yuan. However, because the north has a large temperature difference between day and night in winter and spring, dry indoor air, and insufficient light, these foliage flowers grow slowly, and may even develop curled, yellowing, wilting, or dropping leaves. To avoid the above phenomena, here are three key points for indoor management of foliage flowers in winter and spring.

1. Temperature management. Most tropical and subtropical plants need high-temperature care, so the indoor day and night temperature should be kept at 15-25°C. When the night temperature is below 10°C, the plants grow poorly. Brazil wood, however, will suffer cold damage below 5°C. Prolonged low temperatures (below 10°C) will cause leaves to turn yellow, leaf drop, and even death of the whole plant.

2. Light management. According to the intensity of indoor light, it can be divided into five types: sufficient light area (50-80 cm from a south-facing window), general light area (80-150 cm from a south-facing window), no direct light area (1.5 m or farther), semi-shade area (insufficient scattered light), and dark area (shaded places). Although the above flowers need shading under strong summer light, in winter and spring they must have enough light, and can generally be placed in the general light area. For flowers with leathery leaves, they can be placed at will in a room with a south-facing window, while flowers with brightly colored leaves (such as white butterfly) should be placed in the sufficient light area. Otherwise, the leaves of the flowering plants will gradually turn yellow and fall off.

3. Humidity management. In winter and spring in the north, indoor air humidity is relatively dry, generally around 50%, which is very unfavorable for flower growth. Therefore, for flowers grown in soil, not only should the pot soil be watered in a timely manner, but a sprayer should also be used to spray the leaves once every 2-3 days to maintain normal leaf surface humidity. .

Indoor Foliage Plant Varieties, Illustrations, and Cultivation Key Points

Indoor Foliage Plant Varieties, Illustrations, and Cultivation Key Points

Indoor Foliage Plant Varieties, Illustrations, and Cultivation Key Points

Key Points for Caring for Common Indoor Plants

Money tree: drought-resistant, cold-resistant, barren-resistant, and highly stress-resistant; place in scattered light, water thoroughly only after the pot soil has dried out.

Sago palm: slow-growing, an evergreen shrub. Likes light but is not tolerant of scorching sun, likes warmth, overwinters above 7°C, and sandy loam soil is best; pay attention to watering, place in direct sunlight.

Tiger head shadow: likes sunlight, drought-resistant, root system not well developed; in summer place outdoors in a ventilated, sunny place, high temperature and shade easily cause leggy growth and deformation.

Money tree: likes full sunlight and high temperatures, and is also shade-tolerant. The suitable temperature is 15-30°C; in summer water once every 3 days. During the growing season, keep the pot soil moist, and do not water until dry. If there is too much water or waterlogging, growth will be poor or the rhizome will rot; but the soil should not be too dry, especially on sunny days when the air is dry, appropriate spraying is also needed to ensure the leaves are dark green and glossy.

Money tree: likes a warm environment and requires semi-shade conditions; place in scattered light, water thoroughly only after the pot soil has dried out, and do not water too frequently.

King (fortunate) coconut: likes warm, humid, and semi-shade environments, suitable temperature 20-30°C; place in scattered light, water thoroughly only after the pot soil has dried out.
Purple-backed arrowroot: likes semi-shade environments, is afraid of cold, suitable temperature 18-22°C; place in scattered light, keep the pot soil moist.

Anthurium: likes sunlight, is afraid of scorching sun. Likes high temperature and humid environments, is not cold-tolerant, and suffers cold damage below 13°C; during leaf growth, spray frequently to maintain humidity. Avoid strong light exposure; in summer place on a north-facing windowsill, and in other seasons place on a south-facing windowsill.

Bromeliad: likes sunlight and heat, suitable growth temperature 20-25°C; note that the pot must not have standing water, and when watering, most of the water should go into the central hollow tube.

Beautiful phoenix palm: likes warm, humid, and semi-shade environments; place in scattered light.

African jasmine: does not like direct sunlight, likes semi-shade, requires good ventilation, likes moisture; in summer cultivate in shade, and in winter strictly control water amount, preferably on the dry side.

Brazil wood: likes a warm environment, suitable growth temperature 16-26°C, relatively drought-tolerant, requires semi-shade conditions; likes loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil.

Banyan bonsai: likes loose, fertile, sandy acidic soil, is not drought-tolerant, is relatively tolerant of water and moisture; can be displayed indoors for a long time under scattered light conditions.

Lucky bamboo tower: likes a warm environment, suitable temperature 20-25°C, overwinters above 5°C; keep water in the pot at all times.

Rubber plant: likes a warm, humid climate and is not cold-tolerant; in summer it must not be exposed to scorching sun, and should be placed indoors or on a balcony in a ventilated, shaded place; in winter it should overwinter indoors. In the peak season, water more, and in winter the pot soil can be slightly on the dry side.

Green emerald: likes warmth and humidity, likes light but is afraid of direct sunlight, and is shade-tolerant. The overwintering temperature should be above 15°C; the pot soil should be fertile and well-drained.

Croton: likes warm, humid, and sunny conditions. It is sensitive to drought; place in scattered light and control the amount of water.

Dragon bone: likes sunlight and is drought-tolerant; in summer place outdoors in a ventilated, sunny place, and avoid waterlogging.

Pothos: likes high temperature, high humidity, and semi-shade environments, suitable temperature 18-22°C, overwintering temperature not lower than 15°C; keep the pot soil moist and spray water on the leaves; the pot soil is best as a well-aerated mixed soil of pine needles.

Dumb cane: likes moisture, is not drought-tolerant, and likes shade; keep the pot soil moist, and the pot soil is best as a well-aerated mixed soil of pine needles.

Areca palm: likes high temperature, humidity, and semi-shade environments; place in scattered light and keep the pot soil moist.

Jade plant: likes warm, humid, and semi-shade environments; keep the pot soil moist and spray water on the leaves.

Bottle palm: is not afraid of drought and is also cold-tolerant (can tolerate low temperatures above 0°C); keep the pot soil slightly moist and loose.

Green giant: likes warm, humid, semi-shade, and slightly acidic environments, suitable temperature 15-25°C, relative air humidity above 40%; in summer it should be shaded, and in winter it should receive some sunlight.

Zebra evergreen: likes warm, humid, and semi-shade environments, avoids direct sunlight, and is not cold-tolerant. Suitable growth temperature 25-30°C, overwintering temperature above 15°C; keep the pot soil moist and place in scattered sunlight.

Poinsettia: likes warm, humid environments and sufficient sunlight. Suitable growth temperature during the day is 26-29°C; potted poinsettia needs sufficient sunlight and should be moved less.

Peace lily: likes high temperature, high humidity, and semi-shade environments. It is not cold-tolerant, and the winter overwintering temperature should not be lower than 15°C; the potting soil must be loose and fertile, and during leaf growth it should be watered and sprayed thoroughly to maintain relatively high air humidity, with appropriate shading.

Asparagus fern: likes moisture, is not drought-tolerant, likes sunlight, tolerates semi-shade, and avoids scorching sun exposure; during the spring and summer growing season, water more, to the extent that the pot soil is soaked through, and in winter water less, avoiding waterlogging.

Umbrella plant: likes moisture and is not drought-tolerant; it should be watered frequently to keep the pot soil moist.

Spider plant: likes moisture and should be watered every day; it is suitable for growing on a bright balcony or indoors without direct sunlight.

Golden pothos: likes semi-shade environments, suitable temperature 18-22°C; in winter it should be placed at a south-facing window to receive light. Water to keep the pot soil moist.

Silver queen: likes humid, semi-shade environments; place in scattered light, and note that it should not be watered too frequently.

Practical Handbook for Caring for Common Indoor Flowers

Early-flowering azalea varieties bloom in October, mid-flowering varieties bloom in January, and late-flowering varieties bloom in February. The flowering period lasts about 3 months.

Cultivation principles:
Plant in a semi-shade place indoors, avoid direct strong light, and avoid dry, high-temperature environments. In winter, keep the minimum temperature above 8°C. Water to ensure the pot soil is moist, water thoroughly once a week, and also pay attention to increasing air humidity by frequently spraying clean water around the plant; it can grow well when air humidity is above 70%.

Whether azaleas can be grown well depends on the pot soil. Azaleas are acid-soil flowers, and the pot soil pH is best between 5.0-5.5; if the pH exceeds 6, growth is often poor. You can pile up fallen pine needles to decompose, then add a small portion of garden soil and mix for potting, or buy acidic soil on the market for potting. Try not to use tap water for irrigation; use cooled boiled water or regularly add a small amount of diluted ferrous sulfate solution (about 0.1%). Long-term use of ferrous sulfate makes the soil easily compact, so at that time loosen the soil.

The pot soil also needs to be loose and maintain good drainage, and the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot should be covered with a tile with the convex side facing up. Repot once every spring.

Experience-based advice:
Before flowering, remove the buds beside the flower buds, otherwise the flowers are not easy to open. After the flowers fall off, remove the calyx. After the flowers fall, prune the plant; in spring and summer apply compound fertilizer mainly of nitrogen, and in autumn and winter apply compound fertilizer mainly of phosphorus and potassium, and stop fertilizing after flower buds appear. You can also put slow-release fertilizer into the soil when repotting in spring, and then there is no need to fertilize again for a year, but the amount of fertilizer must be controlled by experience. If you do not mind the trouble, you can also make organic fertilizer yourself. Ask for some sesame paste residue from a small sesame oil mill at the free market, put it together with fish scales, and ferment completely until white foam appears and there is no bad smell, then mix with water at a ratio of one part per thousand and water once every half month.

Clay pots and tile pots are best, and small floral or blue-and-white porcelain pots can also be used as cachepots; avoid flower pots with large patterns.

Pests and diseases: whiteflies will cause leaves to curl and wrinkle; if the air is too dry, red spider mites will cause damage; improper cultivation methods will cause various mold diseases, and azalea root rot is the most important one, mainly manifested as poor plant growth, wilting and drying leaves, and brown spots and rotting and peeling at the roots.

Narcissus likes sunny, warm, and humid environmental conditions. Generally, short varieties are selected for small potted plants and placed on windowsills or desks for viewing; it is an excellent indoor flower for winter.

Cultivation principles: place in a place with relatively good indoor light, maintain the environmental temperature at 15-20°C during the growing period, and grow in clean water.

Experience-based advice: the water only needs to touch the root disc; pour the water out at night and add water during the day. It must receive sufficient light, otherwise the leaves will be thin and long and it will not bloom. Scoring it open can shorten the flowering period, but do not touch the flower buds.

Pests and diseases: very few.

Poinsettia is also called Christmas poinsettia. It likes sunny, warm environments. The flowering period is from November to March of the following year, and flowering can also be advanced through short-day treatment.

Cultivation principles:
Place in a place with sufficient light, and in summer it can be moved outdoors to a place with dappled shade. It requires a high-temperature environment; during the growing period 25-29°C, and 18°C at night. After the bracts color, lower the temperature to 18-20°C, and about 15°C at night. Poinsettia is relatively tolerant of low temperatures and can occasionally endure temperatures below 5°C. If below 8°C, water less and expose to more sunlight. When entering the flowering period, water with warm water, and reduce water supply at full bloom; excessive watering will cause leaf drop. It requires moderate humidity, and in hot rooms spray with warm water frequently. Pot in acidic peat soil plus a small amount of sandy soil, and repot once every year or every other year. During the peak growing season it needs a large amount of nutrients; fertilize once a week from April to September. A simple method to dwarf the plant is to prune after flowering every year, leaving the stem height at 10 cm; applying chlormequat would be even more ideal. It can also be bent and shaped at will in summer. If you want it to bloom earlier, artificially shorten the daylight to 9 hours of light per day, and it can bloom after 45 days.

Experience-based advice: it is easy to keep alive but difficult to keep well (with long, round, and full flower crowns). When new leaves are growing, 30% shading is required. If the light is too strong, the leaves will be scorched and develop spots; if there is not enough light, the lower leaves will fall off, the bract color will fade, and the plant will be thin and long, not sturdy. When watering, do not touch the leaves, otherwise whichever part is touched will rot.

Pests and diseases: a dry environment will lead to damage by whiteflies, scale insects, and red spider mites, causing leaves to twist and deform, or causing root rot.

Phalaenopsis. Phalaenopsis is called the "queen of orchids", with a flowering period of 2-3 months, and it can bloom 2 times a year. Each flower stem can bear 10-20 flowers. It has no pollen and will not cause respiratory allergies. The only drawback is that it has no fragrance. Each phalaenopsis plant can live for 5-10 years.

Cultivation principles: the light requirement is dappled shade; in summer it is better to shade sunlight with bamboo blinds or net curtains. Watering should alternate between dry and wet; to increase humidity, it is best to spray water once a day, and be careful not to spray on the flowers, nor to spray at noon. For fertilization, you can use orchid-specific fertilizer available on the market, mix with water according to the proportion, and water.

Experience-based advice: phalaenopsis likes a cool and ventilated environment; if the environment is relatively stuffy and hot, it is prone to rot. When planting phalaenopsis, it is best to use a multi-hole pot.

Anthurium. Anthurium has a relatively long flowering period and can have spathes in all four seasons, making it a very good indoor ornamental plant.

Cultivation principles: it likes light but fears strong sunlight at noon in summer. In summer place it indoors at a north-facing window, and in other seasons place it at a south-facing window. The most suitable growth temperature is 20-25°C, and in winter the room temperature should not be lower than 15°C.

Water alternately between dry and wet; tap the flower pot with your hand, and if the sound is relatively hollow, it is time to water. Water thoroughly, judged by water flowing out from the bottom of the pot. To increase humidity, spray water on the leaf surface.

For fertilization, buy a special flower nutrient solution, add 5 ml to 200-300 times water, stir evenly, and water thoroughly just like watering; once a month is enough. It is best to plant in a pot with holes. Repot once every 2-3 years, generally in spring.

Pests and diseases: there are damages from nematodes, aphids, scale insects, and red spider mites. If care is poor, it will lead to root rot, and spots and discoloration will also appear on the leaf surface.

Tuberous begonia has a long flowering period, blooming from spring to after autumn, and its branches are relatively brittle. It can be used as a medium or small potted plant, and its hanging varieties can also be used as hanging plants together with other green-leaf plants.

Cultivation principles: it adapts to a cool environment and fears severe heat. It likes dry soil and humid air; pot soil that is too wet will cause root rot, and dry air will cause male flowers to fall off. It is afraid of waterlogging. It is best placed at east or west windows. The suitable growth temperature is about 20°C and must not exceed 30°C. During dormancy, about 10°C. Air humidity about 70%.

During the growing season, water frequently with lukewarm, soft water with a pH of 4.5-5. Never spray water directly onto the leaves and flowers, otherwise it will cause leaf mold. In the later part of the growing season, gradually reduce the amount of watering. After dormancy, cut off the withered stems. Throughout winter, the tubers can be stored in peat and kept slightly moist.

It likes fertilizer and should be fertilized at intervals during the flowering period, using a flowering nutrient solution, 5 ml mixed with 1000 ml water, stirred evenly, and poured like watering; note that the fertilizer water must not be poured on the leaves, otherwise it is easy to rot and may even cause the death of the plant.

Pests and diseases: there are nematodes, aphids, and begonia mites. When humidity is high, bacterial diseases are likely. Soaked spots appear at the leaf edges and on the underside of leaves, slowly turn brown, and finally dry up. The stems become lead-gray and appear to contain purulent secretions. These diseases spread very quickly; once they appear, the diseased plants should be burned immediately.

Clivia can be used as a medium or small potted plant and is a very good indoor plant for both flowers and foliage.

Cultivation principles: it does not like to be moved frequently, so it is best to find a relatively fixed position. It fears strong light and should be placed at a south-facing window with ventilation. Too strong light will cause the leaves to turn yellow. The suitable growth temperature is 20-25°C, and in summer it begins dormancy when the temperature is above 25°C.

The secret to successful clivia cultivation is related to watering. Do not water too much; especially during dormancy, only give a small amount of water to keep the pot soil slightly moist. When the flower stem grows to about 15 cm, it needs a little more water, but too much water will cause yellow spots on the leaves or root rot. It is best to use warm water close to room temperature. In summer wipe the leaf surface frequently, and in winter control watering and do not fertilize.

Vigorous plants do not need repotting every year. Repotting is generally done after flowering. The pot soil is a mixed substrate of leaf mold plus fertile loam and river sand.

Pests and diseases: sometimes it is harmed by scale insects and aphids. Pot soil that is too wet will cause root rot.

Brazil wood is an evergreen tree. It likes environments with sufficient light, high temperature, and high humidity, but it has a very wide adaptability to light, is very shade-tolerant, and is suitable for indoor growth.

Cultivation principles: place about 3-4 m from a window, or in similar light, and be careful to prevent direct strong light at noon, especially from March to September. However, an overly shaded environment will cause leaves to turn yellow and fade. As long as conditions such as temperature are suitable, it can remain in a growing state all year round, but it is best to let it go dormant in winter, with a dormancy temperature of 13°C. If the temperature is too low, yellow-brown spots will appear at the leaf tips and leaf margins. In winter it must not be below 5°C. When placing it, keep it away from air conditioners and heating.

The amount of water should be balanced; pot soil that is too dry or too wet is harmful. Excess water at the bottom of the pot will cause root rot, so a highly drainage pad should be used at the bottom of the pot. In summer it is best to water with rainwater. Water before 10 a.m. or after noon, alternating between dry and wet.

It likes a relatively humid environment and also needs a constant temperature, otherwise it is prone to pests and diseases. It is best to buy it in spring and avoid buying it in autumn and winter. You can frequently use spraying to increase air humidity.

During the growing period, fertilize once every 2 weeks; for perennial old plants, it is best to fertilize once a week. If you want it to go dormant in winter, stop fertilizing after September.

Repot every April; new plants should be repotted once a year. Old plants should be repotted every other year; generally check whether the root system of the old plant has grown out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot before repotting. The pot soil uses peat soil plus a small amount of sesame paste residue; because it likes good drainage, add a small amount of coarse sand and mix.

Pests and diseases: if the environment is unsuitable, there will be damage from red spider mites, thrips, and scale insects. In addition, excessive ventilation, drought, irregular watering, and excessive fertilization can all cause leaf tip scorch. Generally the plant is relatively clean and not easily attacked by pests. Sometimes the leaves have scorched edges, mostly a physiological disease caused by drought and excessively low temperature.

Lucky bamboo is a small evergreen tree. It is suitable for medium potted plants, or can be grown indoors in water and placed in a vase, where it will develop roots after a period of time. It has no strict light requirements, so it can be placed in any indoor location for a long time. Cultivation is similar to Brazil wood, and there are basically no pests or diseases.

Swiss cheese plant is also called Penglai banana, tuanlong bamboo, and wire orchid.

Cultivation principles: it likes light, but direct sunlight at noon in summer should be avoided. The more light, the larger the leaves and the more splits. Swiss cheese plant is very strong and also very shade-tolerant, and can be placed in a fairly dark place for a period of time. The suitable growth temperature is 20-25°C, and 12°C is enough in winter. The minimum temperature is 5°C. Air humidity is 60-70%.

During the growing season, water frequently to maintain medium moisture in the pot soil. If the plant is at a relatively low temperature in winter, the amount of watering should also be reduced. You can frequently spray the leaf surface with lukewarm calcium-free soft water or rainwater, or wipe it with a sponge, but this should be stopped in winter.

    After June, fertilize once every 2 weeks. When nutrients are insufficient, the leaves will grow very small. If aerial roots grow into the soil, they can absorb nutrients, so some aerial roots can be used to increase the absorption area.

Repot every year. The pot soil is general potting soil. The pot should be slightly larger and drainage must be good. If cultivated in a totem-pole style, the aerial roots should be wrapped around a moss-wrapped pole to facilitate nutrient absorption.

Pests and diseases: the plant is strong and rarely infected by pests or diseases.

Peacock arrowroot is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. It is suitable for medium and small indoor potted plants and is unique and exquisite. The suitable temperature is 20°C.

Cultivation principles: it likes a semi-shade and semi-sun light environment, otherwise the leaves will fade and the ornamental value will be affected. When placing it, avoid direct sunlight and put it in a brighter place. It is also very shade-tolerant. Overwintering requires a temperature of 13-16°C; in the other three seasons, normal room temperature is sufficient. The most suitable temperature is 18-25°C.

It has relatively high humidity requirements. In spring and summer, water in a timely manner and keep the pot soil moist; avoid dryness and excessive water. In autumn and winter, appropriately reduce the amount of watering. Spraying alone is not enough; if conditions permit, it is best to use a humidifier to increase humidity. For the sake of appearance, wipe the leaves frequently. Spraying with cooled boiled water has the best effect.

Repot once every other year. The pot soil should be an airy, permeable, slightly acidic substrate; peat soil with a small amount of coarse sand can be used as the pot soil. During the growing period, apply fertilizer water once every 2 weeks. At other times, apply little or no fertilizer.

Pests and diseases: if ventilation is poor during the growing period, it is easily harmed by scale insects, and in severe cases it will hinder the growth of stems and leaves; diluted dimethoate solution can be sprayed for control. The ornamental value of the leaves is very high, so mechanical damage must be avoided.

Cinnamon
Cultivation principles: it likes a humid, ventilated environment; if ventilation is poor, the inner branches will turn yellow and the leaves will fall off. Sometimes its leaf shape will droop, which is caused by lack of water. If watered in time, it can recover to an upright state within four or five hours. Water thoroughly at one time, and at the same time spray water on the leaves frequently to increase humidity.

Cordyline is a small shrub with leaves in a mix of red, pink, and green, very attractive.

Cultivation principles: it likes sufficient sunlight, but cannot take direct sunlight; if light is insufficient, the colored leaves will gradually fade. When the soil has dried out, water in a timely manner, and water thoroughly until water comes out from the bottom of the pot. Also spray the leaf surface regularly, which can increase the surrounding humidity and benefit plant growth.

Green giant rarely blooms, with a flowering period of about one month. The flower is white and strip-shaped, with a tall spathe, implying smooth sailing, and is an excellent gift.

Cultivation principles: shade-tolerant, but if it gets no sunlight at all, the leaves will also fade. When the soil is completely dry, it needs watering. Usually insert a small stick into the soil; if there is not much soil on the stick, it means it is time to water. Water thoroughly at one time until water flows out from the bottom of the pot. To maintain humidity, spray water on the leaf surface frequently.

Golden pothos is a plant that uses aerial roots to climb on other objects. It has strong shade tolerance and is an excellent material for beautifying the home. It can be used as a totem pole, wall hanging, or as a water bottle cutting or hanging plant.

Cultivation principles: golden pothos likes light but cannot endure strong sunlight. Outdoors it can be placed in dappled shade; indoors place it at an east or west window, and in winter place it at a south-facing window. If the light is poor, the light yellow stripes will become gray-yellow. The suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C; a room with heating is very suitable, and in winter it should not be lower than 10°C. Air humidity 40-50%.

In summer keep the pot soil at medium moisture; in winter, as the temperature drops, reduce the amount of watering. The plant can endure temporary dryness and wetness. It is best to water the plant with calcium-free soft water. During the growing season, fertilize once every two weeks.

Young plants should be repotted every year, and established plants once every 2-3 years. The pot soil is a mixed substrate of coniferous soil, peat blocks, and decomposed horse manure. But other soils can also be used, as long as the soil contains no calcium or only a trace amount of calcium. Note that the pot's drainage must be good.

Pests and diseases: the plant is strong, with very few pests and diseases.

Philodendron is a vine plant. There are two kinds, red emerald philodendron and green emerald philodendron. It can be used as a medium or large potted plant, generally made into a totem pole. Because of its strong shade tolerance, it can be placed indoors for a relatively long time.

Cultivation principles: philodendron is relatively shade-tolerant, but under bright light it grows faster and stronger. Indoors it can be placed at a window. The suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C, and the minimum temperature must never be lower than 14°C. Air humidity should be about 70%.

During the growing season, water frequently and spray the leaves twice a day. In winter water the plant with lukewarm water, preferably soft water or rainwater. This is because minerals and harmful elements in tap water are unfavorable to the roots. The plant cannot be moved outdoors to be rinsed with tap water; instead, it should be sprayed with lukewarm water.
During the growing season, apply liquid nitrogen fertilizer once every two weeks.

Repot every spring, carefully shake off the old soil between the roots, and cut off dead roots. The pot soil is a mixed substrate of coniferous soil, decomposed horse manure, and a small amount of granular peat. The pot's drainage must be very good; retained water will cause the plant's leaves to turn yellow, and too little water will also cause the leaves to turn yellow.

Pests and diseases: philodendron is generally not easily infected by pests or diseases, but incorrect care will cause philodendron to be attacked by scale insects.

Snake plant is also called tiger skin plant, tiger grass orchid, thousand-year orchid, and brocade orchid. It is a perennial herbaceous plant. The main ornamental object is its beautiful leaves.

Cultivation principles: it likes warm temperatures and needs sufficient sunlight; it can be placed on an unobstructed south-facing windowsill. But it can also tolerate shade, and will not die under shaded conditions, only that after too long the leaves will become dull and old-looking.

Snake plant is an extremely easy plant to cultivate, but overwatering will harm them. Its suitable temperature is 18-27°C, and growth stops below 13°C. In winter the temperature also must not be lower than 8-10°C for a long time, otherwise it will cause the base of the plant to rot.

Next, special attention should be paid to controlling the amount of watering. Apart from summer when it can be slightly more moist, at other times it must not be too wet. But you can frequently spray the leaf surface to keep it clean. In winter keep a certain low temperature and dryness. When using plastic pots or other decorative flower pots with poor drainage, special attention should be paid to soil drainage, otherwise excess water will also slowly accumulate and cause harm to the plant. Snake plant has no strict requirements for water hardness, and generally any water can be used.

When growth begins in summer, fertilize 1-2 times a month; the amount of fertilizer does not need to be much. Generally repot once every two years. Spring is the best repotting season.

Pests and diseases: When humidity is excessive or temperature fluctuates too high, brown spots or corky spots easily appear on the leaves.

The Boston fern (Nephrolepis) prefers a warm, humid, and shaded environment.

Cultivation principles: It does not need much light and dislikes direct sunlight even more, but if placed in a dark spot, the leaves will drop off after a few weeks. It grows quickly in a greenhouse and high-humidity environment; although it cannot grow very large, it can survive for a fairly long time. Once the leaves turn yellow or drop, you can move it to a drier area, keep the temperature at around 5°C, remove the old leaves from the plant, leave it for 1-2 months, then repot and change the soil, and put it back in the greenhouse to grow; after a few months it will grow well again.

It has fairly strict water requirements: it should not be too wet or too dry, and it is best watered with rainwater.

The Boston fern needs plenty of nutrients to grow well, but the fertilizer must not be too concentrated, so it is best watered with diluted fertilizer solution. In winter, when growth stops or the plant is in dormancy, no fertilizer should be applied. Repot once every spring.

Pests and diseases: Sometimes large numbers of aphids, scale insects, etc. appear and harm the plant.

The bird's-nest fern (Asplenium) is especially suitable as an indoor foliage plant; it can be grown as a large or medium-sized potted plant, and can also be placed in a hanging basket as a suspended plant.

Cultivation principles: It needs only a small amount of sunlight, so it can be placed in the living room. Avoid scorching sun exposure. The suitable growing temperature is 15-25°C, 15°C in winter, and it must not go below 10°C. If the temperature is too low, the leaf margins will turn brown. Air humidity should be above 60%.

During the growing season, water generously and regularly; in winter, just keep the potting soil slightly moist. To raise air humidity, mist the plant frequently, preferably with demineralized soft water or rainwater.

During the growing season, apply a light fertilizer once every 10-14 days. With proper fertilization, the plant will produce many new leaves; lack of fertilizer or dry air can cause the leaf margins to turn brown. Generally repot once every 2-3 years, using a mixture of peat, leaf mold and a small amount of rotted horse manure. Note that the pot must have good drainage.

Pests and diseases: There are pests such as red spider mites and scale insects.

Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus) is a perennial climbing herbaceous plant and a very good potted plant.

Cultivation principles: It likes cool shade and can be placed in a bright spot indoors. The suitable growing temperature is 18-25°C; in winter keep it at 12-15°C, not below 8°C. It is sensitive to dry air, so it should be misted frequently. In summer it should be watered generously; in winter, just keep the potting soil moist.

From May to September, plants with a well-developed root system can be fertilized once a week. In winter, if the plant is in a warm living room, a light fertilizer can be applied once a week.

Young plants should be repotted once a year, and mature plants once every two years, while removing some old roots. The potting soil can be a mixed medium of leaf mold, crushed clay and a small amount of rotted horse manure. Place a piece of broken tile over the drainage hole of the pot to prevent the roots from growing out of the pot.

Pests and diseases: aphids, scale insects, red spider mites. Healthy plants rarely get diseased; once infected, the affected branches should immediately be cut off at the base and burned.

Kalanchoe care: It likes light and fears moisture, and fears waterlogging.

Selaginella, also known as the resurrection plant, is a fern. It is drought-tolerant: even if it dries out so much that the leaves hang down, as soon as it is watered it regains its vitality. It likes cool conditions and fears sun exposure, and air humidity should be high. It can be propagated by division; it will survive as long as it has roots, and it is especially tough.

Cacti are plants that grow in tropical deserts. They normally need appropriate misting, but only under conditions of ample sunlight; do not mist on cloudy days. For some varieties, do not mist the grafted part at the top, because water there easily causes rot.
The hole at the bottom of the flowerpot should be plugged with paper, so that water can seep through (too much water will cause the roots to rot) without letting all the water leak out.

General knowledge for plant care

I. Distinguish light requirements
1. Sun-loving flowers: They like sunlight, such as magnolia, Chinese rose, pomegranate, plum blossom, pansy, and Scutellaria indica, etc.;
2. Neutral flowers: They are not strict about light requirements. Such as jasmine, osmanthus, and Boston ivy, etc.;
3. Shade-loving flowers: Such as asparagus fern, Monstera deliciosa, pothos, rubber tree, arrowroot, and dragon tree, etc.

II. Classified according to the required duration of light
1. Long-day flowers: More than 12 hours of sunlight per day, such as iris, China aster, and garden balsam, etc.;
2. Intermediate-day flowers: Such as carnation and Chinese rose, etc.;
3. Short-day flowers: Sunlight per day must be less than 12 hours. Such as poinsettia and chrysanthemum, etc.

III. Temperature
1. Cold-hardy flowers: They can endure low temperatures of around minus 20 degrees. Such as winter jasmine, crabapple, elm-leaved spirea, hosta, lilac, daylily, and wisteria, etc.;
2. Semi-cold-hardy flowers: They can endure low temperatures of around minus 5 degrees, such as tulip, Chinese rose, chrysanthemum, pomegranate, and Chinese peony, etc.;
3. Non-cold-hardy flowers: Such as asparagus fern, Aspidistra, bird of paradise, croton, poinsettia, hibiscus, calla lily, white orchid, and succulents, etc.

IV. The important role of water in growing flowers
1. Pay attention to water quality: According to the amount of magnesium salts and calcium, water is divided into hard water and soft water; soft water is better for watering flowers. Rainwater is ideal, followed by river water and pond water. Remember: do not use dishwashing water or water containing laundry detergent. Tap water should be left to stand for a day before use, so that the chlorine in the water fully volatilizes.
2. Pay attention to water temperature: Do not let it go abruptly from cold to hot.
3. Water quantity: In spring, more; it is best to water at noon. In summer, sufficient; it is best to water in the morning and evening. In autumn, water less. In winter, according to whether the pot is dry or wet, water once every few days.
4. When watering, pay attention: Master it according to the different seasons, varying weather, and the preferences of the plants. In short, before watering, first intuitively analyze the water shortage situation, then water.

V. When growing flowers, also note that the soil should not become compacted and hard
1. Increase the application of organic fertilizer;
2. Mix in an appropriate amount of sand;
3. Drainage and loosening the soil.

VI. Commonly used composting methods for home flower growing
Use grass, fallen leaves, straw, etc., add an appropriate amount of water, livestock manure, human urine and feces, and a small amount of lime, put them into a pit and pile them into a rectangular shape, cover with soil, and compost for a certain period of time; this can kill insects and weeds and also allow the organic components to decompose quickly.

VII. Topdressing
1. Foliar topdressing;
2. Urea topdressing; urea water can also be sprayed on the leaves;
3. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate is beneficial for flower bud differentiation and can also make flowers larger and more brightly colored;
4. For iron-deficiency yellow leaves, spraying ferrous sulfate is best. Such as camellia, gardenia, and Michelia figo, etc.;
5. Boron water can prevent or reduce flower and bud drop, and is very beneficial for increasing the number of flowers and flower quality;
6. When topdressing, be sure to pay attention to the amount: urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate at 0.2%-0.3%, ferrous sulfate at 0.3%-0.5%, and boron at 0.05%-0.1%.
7. Topdressing time is generally at 8-10 a.m. or in the evening; do not neglect spraying the undersides of the leaves.

VIII. Pest and disease control for home flower growing
To prevent and control pests and diseases, one should grasp the principle of "prevention first," strengthen management,
pay attention to ventilation, light penetration, watering, fertilizing and other care work, so that the flowers and trees grow vigorously and strengthen their own ability to resist pests and diseases. Once pest or disease damage is found, measures should be taken early, achieving "early treatment, treatment when small, and complete treatment," to prevent spread. The common flower pests and diseases are introduced with examples as follows:

1. Pests
(1) Aphids
Aphids are small green-yellow insects that harm almost all flowers and trees. Between spring and summer, they often gather densely on the new shoots or flower buds of Chinese rose, pomegranate, oleander, chrysanthemum, etc. They suck sap with their mouthparts, causing tender leaves to curl and shrivel; in severe cases they not only affect growth and flowering, but also cause the plant to wither. Aphids can produce 20-30 generations a year, and the eggs can overwinter.

Control method: Spray with 40% dimethoate emulsion at 3000 times dilution (that is, add 1 gram of dimethoate emulsion to 3 kilograms of water); or spray with 25% phosmet emulsion at 1
000 times dilution. In addition, there are two simple control methods: First, use the ratio of 5 grams of cigarette butts mixed with 70-80 grams of water, soak for 24 hours, rub a little, filter out the residue with gauze, and then spray; second, use 1:200 laundry detergent water (soapy water); to improve the effect, add a few drops of rapeseed oil, stir thoroughly, and spray with a sprayer when no oil film is visible on the surface.

(2) Slug moths
Commonly known as stinging caterpillars or itch-causing worms. This pest chews and eats the leaves of Chinese rose, white orchid, tree peony, pomegranate, plum blossom, lotus, and rose, etc. When the damage is severe, the leaves of an entire potted flower can be eaten up in just a few days. Slug moths specifically hide on the undersides of leaves, and if one does not pay attention they are often overlooked. They produce 2 generations a year: one occurs in early June, one occurs in late June, and after mid-October they form cocoons and overwinter.

Control method: If there are few pests and the damage is light, the affected leaves can be picked off and burned. Spray with 90% crystalline trichlorfon at 1000-1
200 times dilution (that is, add 1 gram or a little more of trichlorfon to 1 kilogram of water), or 50% fenitrothion emulsion at 500-800 times dilution.

(3) Spider mites
Also known as red spider mites. They often harm azaleas, Chinese rose, scarlet sage, crabapple, as well as juniper, kumquat, bitter orange, cactus, and Chinese juniper, etc., among which azaleas and juniper suffer the most serious damage. Spider mites are small and red, and are very difficult to

see with the naked eye. They like to suck sap on the undersides of leaves; the affected leaves turn yellow, develop many small white spots, and soon wither, turn yellow, and drop off. Spider mites have a very strong reproductive capacity and can produce more than 10 generations a year, often breeding in high-temperature and low-humidity environments.

Control method: Remove weeds from the pot and eliminate overwintering eggs. When they are causing damage, spray with 40% dimethoate emulsion at 1000-1500 times dilution (that is, add 1-1.5 grams of dimethoate to 1 kilogram of water),
or spray with 40% dicofol emulsion at 2000 times dilution,

(4) Longhorn beetles, also known as trunk-boring insects or heart-boring insects. They often harm grapes, Chinese rose, azaleas, as well as peach, apricot, and plum, etc.
Control method: Cut off the affected trunk and capture and destroy them. Or use a small knife to remove the insect frass and wood shavings, then inject omethoate at 1:50 dilution into the borehole, and seal the opening with mud.

(5) Scarab beetles, also known as white grubs. Their larvae are called white grubs; they have very varied feeding habits and are major underground pests of many flowers.
Control method: Deep winter plowing can promote the death of the overwintering generation. During the active period, irrigate with 50% malathion emulsion at 800-**** times dilution; protect natural enemies.

2. Diseases

(1) Powdery mildew
Also called powdery mold disease, it harms Chinese rose, rose, Euonymus japonicus, kumquat, etc., and often harms the leaves, stems, and flower stalks of flowers and trees. A layer of white powder appears on the surface of the affected area, and in severe cases the leaves wither. This disease is prone to occur in stuffy, humid, and poorly ventilated environments.

Control method: Spray with agents such as thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim.

(2) Southern blight
It harms Chinese rose, jasmine, clivia, small pomegranate, Aucuba, orchid, chrysanthemum, etc. When the disease occurs, the stem base turns brown and rots, and the mycelium is silk-like, initially white, then turning yellow to brown. This disease mostly occurs in the hot midsummer season with moist soil and much rain and high temperature.

Control method: The potting soil should be sterilized, and at the same time attention should be paid to environmental ventilation, avoiding over-dense cultivation, and pruning away diseased branches. Before the disease occurs, regularly spray with 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500 times dilution.

(3) Leaf spot disease
Also called black spot disease, brown spot disease, etc. It does more harm to Chinese rose, camellia, azalea, rose, chrysanthemum, etc. First black spots appear in the middle of the leaves, then the leaf color turns yellow and the leaves drop. The cause is mostly stuffy, poorly ventilated, and humid environments.

Control method: Pay attention to improving environmental conditions. At the early stage of the disease, the affected leaves can be removed and burned. Spray with 1% Bordeaux mixture for control, spraying once every 7 days, for a total of 4-5 sprays over the whole growing period.

Key points for winter care of the indoor plant asparagus fern