X
GO

HERALD ARTICLES
BLESSINGS IN BLOOM: House Plants
Kerry Peetz
/ Categories: Opinion, Commentary

BLESSINGS IN BLOOM: House Plants

By Kerry Peetz

We all appreciate the scenic beauty of nature. In our diocese we are blessed with the Rocky Mountains; they are practically at our doorstep. Just a step outside, a nod to the west and the vision of the mountains brings us closer to nature and to God. The top of Pikes Peak is nestled right under heaven and, as sure as the air is crisp, many a prayer has been prayed there.

Nonetheless, we spend about 90% of our time indoors. Interior plants are an ideal way to create attractive and restful settings while enhancing our sense of well-being by bringing a little bit of nature inside. House plants can be a satisfying hobby for sure, but they also convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and trap and absorb many pollutants.

To be a successful indoor gardener, one needs to understand how the interior environment affects plant growth. Here are six points to consider when planting indoors: light, temperature, humidity, water, nutrition, and soil.

Light. The amount of light in your home is variable — it is affected by the presence of trees outdoors (may shade at certain times), roof overhangs, buildings, wall color (reflectance), window curtains, day length, time of day, and time of year. When choosing indoor plants, select plants based on their light requirements and the place you want the plant to be. The plant’s label will usually contain information on the light requirements of the plant. While adequate light is crucial for plant growth, keep in mind that too much light can also be damaging.

Temperature. Temperature is the second most important factor influencing plant growth in homes. People feel comfortable in the range of 72°-82°F, and interior plants can tolerate and grow well in the 58°-86°F range because many of them originate from tropical areas of the world. Be careful not to allow temperatures to drop below 50° F, or chill damage will result on some sensitive foliage plants. Chill damage can cause the yellowing of lower leaves and/or defoliation. Plants vary in their minimum and maximum temperature requirements so take a little time to research your plant’s needs. 

Relative Humidity. Relative humidity is the amount of moisture contained in the air. For interior plants, relative humidity below 20% is considered low, 40% – 50% is medium, and above 50% is high. Relative humidity is a very important factor, but it is easily overlooked. Rapid transpiration and water loss may result when newly purchased plants are placed in the 10% – 20% relative humidity typical of most homes. Therefore, here are a few steps to help your plants adjust to the low relative humidity in your home. Place plants close together to create a microenvironment with a higher relative humidity. Use a shallow container filled with water and lava rocks or gravel, which will provide evaporation from a large surface area. Using a humidifier might be the ticket.

Water. Learning to water is one of the most important skills in plant care. Applying too much water can suffocate plant roots and too little water causes growth to become erratic. Watering frequency will depend on the conditions under which the plants are growing. When dealing with how much water to apply, consider the following: If the growing container is too small, watering may be required more frequently. The amount of water already present in the growing medium will also affect your watering frequency. Plants under high light transpire more water compared with plants under low light.

Nutrition. Many indoor gardeners have the same problem with fertilizer that they have with water — they want to give their plants too much. Danger from over-fertilization occurs because any fertilizer used, whether in liquid, powder, or tablet form, will dissolve in soil water and will form salts in the water. When you over-fertilize, the water in the soil becomes so salty that it “burns” the plant’s roots by removing water from them. Excess soluble salts accumulate as a whitish crust on the surface of the growing medium and/or near the rim of the container. Some plants are heavy feeders, while others need little or no additional fertilizer for months. Again, a little research of your plants needs will go a long way.

Soil. The growing medium provides anchorage, water, and minerals. When repotting plants, make sure that the new mix is well drained and aerated, holds water and nutrients well, and is within the right pH range (5.0-6.5). A good potting mix provides ample amounts of oxygen to the root system. Most professional mixes are good to use. Some plants require special mixes. Either purchase these mixes or prepare your own.

Purchase only healthy-looking plants with medium to dark green foliage (unless foliage is supposed to be a different color). Avoid plants with unnaturally spotted, yellow, or brown leaves. If the plant is unhealthy at the nursery, chances are that it will die soon after you take it home. Look for pests on the undersides of leaves. Remove the plant from the pot and examine the root system. Healthy, white roots generally are and should be visible along the outside of the soil ball and should have an earthy scent. Any discolorations, generally brown or blackened roots, are signs of problems. Please note: some plants, such as Dracaenas, have roots with colors other than white.

During these frigid winter days while the grass is the color of straw and the perennials are fast asleep why not bring a little nature inside. Enjoy a house plant. It will brighten your day, freshen up the air and remind us of God’s daily blessings.

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of our God will stand forever.” —  Isaiah 40:8

Previous Article Revive Alive, Jan. 20, 2023
Next Article THE CATHOLIC REVIEW: Memories of Pope Benedict XVI
Print
231 Rate this article:
No rating

Kerry PeetzKerry Peetz

Other posts by Kerry Peetz
Contact author
Please login or register to post comments.

Contact author

x
HERALD HEADLINES

THE BISHOP'S CROZIER: Resuming the Distribution of Communion Under Both Species

By Bishop James R. Golka

Bishop James R. Golka 0 951 Article rating: 3.9

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. — 1 Cor 11:26

The gift of the Eucharist and the celebration of the sacrificial banquet always include the offering of bread and wine. It has always been essential to the celebration of the Sacrament that the priest offering the Mass receives both the Sacred Body and Precious Blood. The practice of the early Church was to offer the laity communion under both kinds as well. This practice eventually fell out of use for numerous reasons by the 12th century (“Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds,” 17-18).

‘We were privileged to be a part of this story’

Fr. Larry Brennan's Homily at Bishop Sheridan's funeral

Linda Oppelt 0 279 Article rating: No rating

I am Father Larry Brennan, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and a longtime friend of the late Bishop Michael Sheridan. Over the last 12 years, I had the privilege of working with him in a variety of capacities, coming to know many of you who are here this afternoon. Today I have the sad honor of preaching at his funeral.

We human beings have a variety of reactions in the face of the mystery of death. No one of them is the correct one. No one of them is normative. I know that they are all present here today. For many people, the first reaction is numbness or shock.

FEATURED MOVIE REVIEW: Mother Teresa: No Greater Love

By John Mulderig/CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA

Linda Oppelt 0 307 Article rating: No rating

NEW YORK. The life of one of the most compelling of modern saints is recounted in the inspiring documentary “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” (Fathom). Its release timed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its subject’s death, aged 87, the film also provides an exploration of her long-lasting legacy.

How the Feast of Corpus Christi Came About

By Sean M. Wright

Linda Oppelt 0 280 Article rating: No rating

Jacques Pantaléon, a humble cobbler’s son, was sent to a monastery school where he excelled in canon and common law studies.

Pantaléon was serving as archdeacon of the cathedral of Liège in Belgium when the visions of Sister, later Saint, Juliana, prioress of the Norbertine canonesses, became known to Robert de Thourotte, Bishop of Liège.

Making Sunday the Lord’s Day Again

By Father Jim Baron

Linda Oppelt 0 286 Article rating: 5.0

I propose we take a cue from a punk-rock band called “Taking Back Sunday.” Although the band name probably has nothing to do with celebrating the Sabbath, it just seems like an overall great project: Take Back Sunday as the Lord’s Day.

How Legatus Members Integrate Faith Into Life and Work

by Deacon Rob Rysavy

Linda Oppelt 0 342 Article rating: 3.0

Priorities are just a list until they’re tested . . . ” The person who first expressed this sentiment could easily have been a modern business professional.  The modern world, particularly the business world, encourages the setting of priorities.

RSS
First910111214161718Last