And Another One Bites the Dust

I had a maiden hair fern for a few years.  It always limped along.  It would start doing really well - seemingly out of no where and then, just as randomly, would start dying off.  Finally, I felt like I was doing well keeping it moist and it was again in a dying off cycle.  

So, I tossed it.  And I realize that I may have had some responsibility in the dying off.  I don't know how well you can tell, but it was pretty much living in mud.  

The number 1 killer of houseplants - OVERWATERING.  Yes, I do it too.  I just wanted my fern to do well.  I wanted it to finally grow big and beautiful, and I overwatered.  Some might say I over-loved :)

The best method for figuring out if your plants need water is to lift up the pot.  Potting soils these days are made of a lot of peat - which gets really light when it is dry.  Granted, wet soil is always going to be heavier, but I think the peat makes it even more pronounced.  So, pick your pot up when you know it has been nice and watered and feel how heavy it is.  Then, before you water again, pick it up and see how heavy it is.  If it still has some heft, wait a day or two and repeat the process.  It is amazing how long you can go sometimes without watering.  When I was working in the greenhouse, I did this with all of our gallon perennials, every day.  Even in a hot greenhouse, they could go several days in a row without being watered.

I know not every pot can be picked up, but once you start getting to know the watering cycles of the rest of your plants, you will start getting a feel for the big guys too.  If you see a little wilt, give it some water.  Most plants - now most, some will act like you are really trying to kill them - can handle some wilt.

Next post - Common Myths about houseplants.

It's amazing how I cant think of anything to write and then I get started and it just keeps rolling.