Basic principles to follow when caring for indoor flowers
1. Potting soil must not become waterlogged
Plant roots need both water and air. If water sits in the potting soil for too long, the roots suffocate and die because there is no air to breathe. You should learn how to water correctly.
2. Let plants go dormant
Many indoor flowers enter a relatively dormant period in winter or after flowering, during which the plant needs less water and fertilizer than during vigorous growth, and also needs a lower temperature. For some plants, dormancy after flowering is normal.
3. Find ways to increase indoor air humidity
Popular potted flowers such as cyclamen, gloxinia and chrysanthemums gradually turn yellow and drop their leaves after flowering and enter a dormant period. This is the plant's normal growth process, not the result of poor care on your part. Increase air humidity. In the north, after indoor heating in winter, the air becomes very dry.
4. Deal with plant problems quickly
Both experts and beginners run into problems. If you find pests, as long as you treat them in time they will not cause major damage. If a plant is infected with a virus, treatment is more troublesome, so it should be isolated as early as possible. Overwatering may not seem like a big problem at first, but over time it can lead to death. You need to learn to recognize the early symptoms of problems in your plants.
5. Grow several plants together as a group
When several plants are placed together and grown as a group, almost all of them grow better and look better too. You should learn why and how to place plants together.
6. Learn how to repot
After a potted flower has been grown for one or two years, most plants gradually weaken. In many cases, all they need is to be moved into a slightly larger pot to regain their vitality.
7. Choose suitable species
To make plants thrive indoors, you must choose species suited to indoor environmental conditions; that is, even an expert cannot make a shade-loving plant grow well in direct sunlight or under a window.
8. Choose the right tools
Commonly used tools include: a watering can with a long spout and fitted with a fine nozzle; a sprayer for increasing humidity, removing dust and controlling pests; a good potting medium such as peat, river sand, moss, etc.; flower pots, saucers or cachepots in different sizes; moss poles for climbing plants to grow on and nylon line or wire for tying plants; insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers, leaf shine; pruning shears, grafting
9. The benefits of watering flowers with warm water
The optimum temperature for the growth of most flowers and plants is 20-25°C. If you water with warm water at 20-25°C, it can speed up the decomposition of organic matter in the soil, promote absorption by the root cells, strengthen the roots' transport capacity, supply sufficient nutrients to the branches and leaves, and encourage flowers to sprout early, form buds early and bloom early. This is because the average temperature of the leaves and stems is generally higher than that of the roots. Watering with warm water can accelerate the decomposition of organic fertilizer and promptly supply sufficient nutrients to the leaves and stems. If you water with cold water, the root temperature is low and nutrients decompose slowly, creating a situation where supply cannot meet demand, which affects the growth and development of the flowers. In winter, most flowers are dormant or semi-dormant, and root activity is greatly reduced. Watering flowers with cold water may harm some of them, but if the water temperature is too high, the roots can also be scalded, causing localized damage and even the death of the whole plant. So watering flowers with warm water is safer. In addition, when sowing seeds or raising seedlings in pots in early spring, spraying with warm water can also promote earlier sprouting.
10. When growing flowers indoors, beware of flower poison harming people
Growing flowers indoors not only makes the environment beautiful, but also cultivates one's mood and enriches people's spiritual life. However, if you do not know which flowers can harm the human body, it is easy to be injured by flowers during the process of growing and enjoying them.
11. Harm from accidental ingestion
Oleander contains oleandrin in its bark, branches and leaves. After accidentally eating it, nausea, vomiting and restlessness appear, and in severe cases it can cause death.
Accidental ingestion of lucky bamboo and calla lily can cause burns to the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach and intestines, and can even damage the vocal cords, leading to loss of voice when speaking.
Lantana has flowers in red, orange, yellow, pink, white and other colors, hence its name; it is also called seven-change flower. Its flowers and leaves are toxic, and accidental ingestion causes abdominal pain.
Accidental ingestion of narcissus can cause abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Accidental ingestion of poinsettia can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
12. Harm from contact
Calla lily is a common potted flower and is also often used in flower arrangements. Its leaves contain toxic substances such as asparagine, and contact with human skin can cause dermatitis and itching.
The leaves of lucky bamboo are green, and the substances it contains and the harm it does to people are the same as those of calla lily.
Poinsettia has a ring of red floral leaves below its inflorescence; its form is beautiful, its colors are bright, and its leaves are also emerald green and evergreen, making it an ideal ornamental flower. But when people come into contact with its white milky sap, it can cause skin redness, swelling, heat and pain.
Cactus is emerald green and full of spines, and the spines contain poison. If you are accidentally pricked, the area can become red, swollen, hot, painful or itchy.
Jade plant has beautiful leaves and stays emerald green all year round, so it is also called jade tree. It contains euphorbia resin, and when human skin comes into contact with its leaf sap, it can cause skin redness, swelling, pain and blistering; if it splashes into the eyes, it can cause blindness. If you grow jade plant at home, you must strictly prevent children from touching it to avoid accidents.
Mimosa pudica bears pale purple fluffy flowers, and its leaf stalks are very sensitive. Because of the turgor pressure of the leaflets, as soon as it is touched even slightly, the leaves slowly close, hence the name mimosa. Because mimosa contains a mimosa substance, long-term contact can cause hair and eyebrows to fall out.
Crown of thorns bears red flowers at the top, which are very beautiful. But this flower has thorns, and if you are pricked, because its sap contains toxins, it causes redness and swelling at the pricked area.
Narcissus usually blooms around the Spring Festival each year. Its white or yellow stamens look ethereal and fairy-like, and when the flowers bloom the whole room is filled with a delicate fragrance; its leaves are emerald green, upright and straight, making it an ideal winter indoor ornamental flower. But its bulb contains toxins such as colchicine, and contact with it can cause allergies in people.
13. Harm from fragrance
Syringa pekinensis, also known as jade clove, has pinkish-white flowers that open layer by layer, with a deep and fragrant scent, and green leaves shaped like peach leaves. But the floral fragrance of syringa pekinensis contains toxins. If you inhale this fragrance for a long time, it can make a person listless, short of breath and weak. Therefore, syringa pekinensis should not be placed indoors, and even less should it be moved into the bedroom, to avoid poisoning; long-term smelling of coniferous and cypress flowers can affect appetite; the fragrance of orchids and lilies can make people excited; jasmine fragrance can cause headaches.
The above list is only a part of the flowers that can harm people. According to expert statistics, there are more than 100 kinds of flowers that can cause harm to people. Therefore, in the process of growing flowers at home, you must pay attention to whether the flowers you grow are toxic. If you grow toxic flowers, you must be more vigilant, strengthen protection and avoid injury.
14. Common household flowers and plants and their placement
Phalaenopsis has gorgeous flower colors, and its flower shape resembles a dancing butterfly; it is dignified and elegant, with a long flowering period. It is suitable for placement in halls, on desks, in living rooms, at reception desks and similar places.
Bamboo palm is elegant and upright; placed in a study or reading room, it makes you feel as if you are in a fairyland in the forest. Young plants can be made into forest-style bonsai.
Variegated schefflera is evergreen all year round, rare and beautiful, and is a good tree species for display in hotels, assembly halls, living rooms, corridors and similar places.
Anthurium's fiery color immediately catches the eye and makes the heart skip a beat. Its heart-shaped spathe is like a leaping red heart, warm and unrestrained. It is suitable for placement on desks, at reception desks, in living rooms, bedrooms and similar places.
Peace lily can be enjoyed both for its leaves and its flowers. A white palm-shaped spathe grows from among the green leaves, like a sailboat sailing on the sea, so it is also called smooth sailing. It is suitable for placement on desks, at reception desks and similar places, wishing guests smooth sailing.
Jade plant has a bonsai-like plant shape, with little fruits hanging all over the branches, small and lovely. It is suitable for placement in large halls, at reception desks and in corner cabinets.
Silver queen has silver-yellow variegation in its leaf color and a noble and elegant temperament. It is suitable for placement on desks, at reception desks and similar places, and placing several pots together makes it appear even more noble and luxurious.
Red peony is a grafted variety of cactus; a red cactus ball with a geometric pattern is set at the top of a green triangular stem, which is very distinctive, like a red sun that has just risen, full of vitality and hope. It is suitable for placement on office desks, desks, bookshelves and similar places.
Garden balsam likes sunlight, is an annual, and has flowers in many colors. It is suitable for placement on windowsills, balconies and other places with plenty of light.
Croton has a riot of colors in its leaves, with leaves bearing spots or markings of various colors. Place it in a semi-shaded spot and move it from time to time to appreciate the wonderful changes in its leaves.
Bromeliad is dazzlingly colorful and charming, and its rosette-shaped plant form and bright, glossy leaves rank first among indoor ornamental plants. It is suitable for placement on desks, writing desks, windowsills, tea tables and similar places.
Azalea has graceful flowers that are dense and brilliantly colorful, and has the reputation of being the beauty of flowers. It can be placed in halls, at entrances and similar places.
Madagascar dragon tree has an upright plant form, robust and free and easy; paired with a tall pot, it appears even more chic and lively. It is suitable for placement in corners, in front of windows and other places with relatively plenty of sunlight.
Lucky bamboo is all green leaves or green leaves with yellow edges, elegant in color and natural and simple. Placing it on a desk, tea table or similar place will bring you endless pleasure.