Preparing for Winter

The Halloween decorations are out and winter is around the corner.  It's time to start thinking about bringing in the houseplants that you took out in the spring for a summer vacation.  Though it is only the beginning of September, you need to start think about where are you going to put them.  Their vacation gave them plenty of time to grow and they might not fit back into the place they wintered last year. 

Also, this may be a good time to check if they need a new pot.  Are there any roots coming out of the bottom?  Is the plant drying out faster than before?  These may be pot bound and may be ready for a new home.  Those that you planted in the garden will no longer fit in the pot you took them out of.  So take inventory and head out for your neighborhood garden center for some pots and don't forget the potting soil.

I am going to stress potting soil so that you do not try to cut corners and get the cheeper top soil.  Potting soil is lighter than top soil because of the different additived such as vermilculite and pearlite.  These things allow the plant's roots to breath better.  To save yourself some work you can get potting soil with fertilizer already in it.  The plant will go into dormancy over the winter so it will need very little and the fertilizer in the soil should be plenty until Spring when it is time to wake it back up.

While you are repotting check the plants for desease and infestation.  The last thing you want to do is bring unvited guests into you home.  Roots should be observed to be sure they are healthy.  You shoud also "tickle" them to tell the plant that it is moving to a new pot.  Tickling is the loosing and triming of any roots that have begun to circle the pot because it could not grow out. 

Taking a plant out of the garden can be done.  First, be sure that you cut a large eough root ball.  The root ball is the amount of dirt that you take out of the garden around the plant you are digging out.  Most plants have roots that extends double the area that the plant's top takes up.  You can trim the roots to fit the pot that you are putting it in but be sure to cut the top to equal the amount of roots that it lost or it will not be able to sustain the leaves. 

After you have your houseplant potted, check the leaves and stems.   Are there any Aphids, Mealy Bugs, Spider Mites?  Usually a mild solution of dish detergent sprayed on the leaves will take care of most problems, though it may need to be a strong spray to knock them off.  Persistent bugs can be eradicated with systemic poisons but it you have animals in the house I would use them as a last resort. 

Last, but not least, start placing your plants into a more shaded area.  Just like in the Spring you had to gently introduce the sun, you now have to prepare it to the conditions that it will find inside.  The process should take about two weeks so keep an eye on the weather and make sure that you have enough time. 

Well, that was a lot to cover.  If I missed anything, or  you have any question, comment to me and I will answer as soon as I can.  'Til then, stay safe.