Westerners prepare to rejoice — Spring has officially landed. And that means we can all look forward to longer days in the sun. With your mild Mediterranean climate, dry weather and endless sunshine, Perth is the ideal environment for potting your favourite plants. Although, if you want to pot like a pro, there are a few things to consider to keep your green babes in great shape.
Now’s the time to upsize your pots
Did someone say new growth? Make the most of the season by repotting your plants now. When plants use the nutrients in soil, they deplete it over time. Roots also take up more space in the pot, making your plant a little too snug for comfort. Upsizing your pot not only increases the capacity to hold nutrients (especially when you mix Support Pellets through the soil), but gives it more room to grow taller, larger and stronger. And the perfect spring weather in WA is the perfect time!
Check to see if your plants are too snug by looking for:
- the roots are peaking out the bottom of the pot
- the top of the soil is hard to touch
- water runs straight through the soil (your plant may look thirsty no matter how much you water)
- your plant hasn’t been growing much
Tip: mix Support liberally through your new soil, and add 2 tbsp to the bottom of your planting hole, before plonking the roots on top.
Perfect your pruning
This winter was a long and rainy one! Your plants may have grown longer, more spindly shoots as they search for light. As a result they can look weak or leggy looking.
Because there’s much more sunlight in spring, it’s the best time to trim houseplants to remove any unhealthy branches or leaves, and clean them up. Simply cut off any dead or dying leaves and branches at the base. Make sure you use clean scissors or secateurs!
Up your feeding game
Because of the increased humidity and warmth of spring, your plants will be ready for a growth spurt. But to encourage their growth, you’ll need to feed them more. Up your feeding schedule by adding Grow Concentrate 3 out of 4 times you water throughout spring. Refresh your soil every 6 weeks by digging Support into the top.
In some plants, the more you feed them, the more flowers they’ll grow. Not only will they look prettier, they’ll be better equipped to fend off pests and disease, and better resistance to drought and other weather stress.
Let there be light!
Move your plants to bright and sunny position. Now the sun is extended you can slowly start to acclimatise plants. But be careful you don’t do it too quickly. Plants can go into shock with any dramatic changes in their environment. They need to adapt to changes slowly. Keep an eye on the weather, and make sure the temperatures are mild enough for them to cope with.
Hello humidity
Perth’s glorious Mediterranean climate is dry and sunny during spring, but what it makes up for in sunshine, it lacks in humidity. Most tropical houseplants originate from humid rainforests, so they need moisture in the air to keep them lush and healthy.
Luckily, we have a few tricks you can try to give your a plants a humidity boost when they need it most:
- Give your plants a weekly mist
- Group your plants together
- Use a pebble tray
- Place your plants in the bathroom
- Invest in a humidifier
Read more here: https://wethewild.co/blogs/plant-advice/how-to-increase-humidity-for-your-indoor-plants
Perfect your propagating skills
Dreaming of a bigger collection? The quickest, easiest and cheapest way is to learn how to propagate. Don’t worry, it sounds more technical than it is. It’s simply taking a cutting from one of your plants and growing the root in water with Support Pellets, before transporting to a pot. Too easy.
If you are a propagating newbie, choose an easy-to-grow, low maintenance plant like a Snake or Spider plant. All you need to do is to take a Sansevieria leaf (snake plant) or Spiderette (Spider Plant baby), put it in water with 1tbsp of Support Pellets, and then watch the roots develop.