INDOOR PLANTS

With the increasing concern for the environment and the campaign against the use of cut flowers, indoor plants have now become a vital part of interior decoration. The use of artificial plants for the purpose of decoration has also become popular and these have the added advantage of minimal maintenance. The advantage of natural plants over the artificial plants is that they are not only decorative, but they also absorb potentially harmful gases and clean the surrounding air. Most paints and furnishings in the process of degradation emit trace levels of organic chemicals that can build up into toxic levels. Natural indoor plants act as air cleaning machines, removing the trace levels.

In hotel properties, indoor plants are appreciated for their ability to add charm and liveliness to hotel guestrooms and public areas such as lobbies and corridors. They should be chosen with care, so that their colours, shapes, and size fit in with the décor of the space. The temperature, humidity in the room, and the amount of light available there must also be taken into account. The health of a plant depends on the soil medium. Ideally, the soil should be of an open texture to allow air to reach the roots. A mixture of red earth, coarse sand, compost and leaf mould forms a very good medium.

Plants can be potted in clay/ plastic pots. Clay pots are porous and allow evaporation of moisture, hence they require more watering than the plastic pots which they are likely to be over watered. Holes at the base of the pot assist in the drainage of water.

BASIC ELEMENTS THAT A PLANT NEEDS FOR GROWTH:

1.       Air temperature

2.       Light

3.       Water

4.       Humidity

5.       Re-potting

6.       Food / fertilizers

7.       Pruning

8.       Disease and pest control

AIR TEMPERATURE:

Plants thrive well in warm temperatures. They cannot withstand a constant change in temperature. Therefore it is wise to allow some transition time in the shade when transferring it to extremes of temperature.

LIGHT:

Although plants can be kept indoors, they need light for their growth. Light is a vital factor in the photosynthesis process by which plants make their food. Artificial lighting  does enable a plant to grow properly. Indoor plants will generally not grow in a dark or poorly lit room. Plants with dark green leaves

can be placed in a dark area with sufficient artificial light. The light intensity of a plant varies according to the darkness of the area. Dimmer the light, longer the lighting.

Often it is noticed that plants grow only in one direction. This is because they are seeking light only in that direction. To achieve a uniform growth, rotate the plants in their place periodically.

Indoor plants need to be brought out for fresh air at least once a fortnight. Care should be taken however to ensure that the plants are not placed in the direct sunlight. Doing so, even for 5 minutes will scorch the leaves of the plant.

WATER:

The water requirement of the plant depends on many factors like season, position indoors, age of plant, type, room temperature, type and size of pot  and soil medium used. It is incorrect to presume that frequent watering of the plant keeps it healthy. It is quite the reverse as over-watering can kill a plant.

Water has to be provided judiciously and though there is no accurate guideline for this, one can test the soil in the pot for dampness. If the soil is damp, the plant does not need watering. If it is dry then sufficient water must be given so that the water drains out from the drainage holes at the base of the pot. By using less water here to prevent overflow, there is the risk of damaging the root system and killing the plant as the root will grow upwards in search of water and may get exposed and damaged by external factors.

Under-watering can also lead to the accumulation of salts at the top or side and cause marginal or tip burning of leaves. Over-watering is as dangerous as it will lead to root suffocation and rotting.

Useful hints for watering:

·         The winter month require less watering for the plant as the root is dormant. Conversely, summer is the growing season of the plant.

·         Plants with thin leaves require more water than others. Cacti and succulent plants which store water require less watering.

·         Freshly potted plants with less root development will require little water as over-watering can cause rotting of the tender roots and vice versa for well grown plants.

·         If the temperature of the room is high, plants require more water. If it is cool, the watering should be less.

·         It is necessary to clean the leaves regularly with a wet sponge in order for plants to thrive well and look healthy. This prevents the pores in the leaves from getting clogged with dust.

HUMIDITY:

Often one notices the tip of the leaves turning brown and wilting which happens in an air conditioned room, simply because air conditioning dries out the humidity in the air. The plants lose water faster from the pores in their leaves than they can replace it through their roots.

Some suggestions to provide humidity for the plant –

·         Place the plants on a tray of wet pebbles. The water evaporates upward from the surface of stones and creates a humid atmosphere around the plants.

·         Group the plants together so that they can break the air currents blowing on them and also take advantage of the moisture evaporating from each other. Water pools between plants can enhance this effect.

·         Spray water on leaves of the plant.

RE-POTTING:

Plants cannot grow forever in the same pot. As the roots gradually fill up the pot, it needs to be planted in another pot for it to continue to grow. For further growth, remove some soil from the top and replace it with fresh soil, at least once a year. Repotting should be done during summer or during the rainy season. Plants should be watered the day before re-potting, but care must be taken not to over water making the soil slushy. The plant should slide out of  the pot smoothly without damaging the roots. For the purpose of re-potting, the next larger size which is bigger by 3 cm in diameter is suitable and has drainage holes in the bottom which allow excess water to flow out. Transfer to a very large pot may result in damage to the roots as they will hold more water.

FERTILIZING:

Plants need to be fertilized fortnightly with a proper balance on N.P.K. These are the three elements that are most essential to the growth of all plants. Nitrogen is essential for the growth of the stem and leaves, phosphorous for the roots and potassium for the general sturdiness of the plant. There are ready chemical fertilizers with a mix of all three.

PRUNING:

Pruning is required to make the plant grow bushier and to give it the desired shape. It is also done to get rid of the diseased parts of the plant. Pruning should be done when the plant is in its active growing stage and should never be carried out in winter.

DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL:

Most plant problems occur due to two reasons – disease and pests. Be on a constant look-out for symptoms of plant disease. Spray the plants fortnightly to prevent attack. A neem spray is an organic way to keep diseases and pests at bay without any side effects.

Guidelines to avoid plant problems –

·         Adequate fertile soil with essential nutrients.

·         Constant inspection and check on plants and any infected parts should be immediately removed and destroyed before it spreads.

·         Overcrowding of plants can cause diseases since they require adequate sunlight, water and good air circulation.

·         Water the soil as required and allow drying out between watering, as over watering can cause rotting problem.

·         Remove all unnecessary old leaves, weeds, etc.

·         Regularly turn soil and leave  exposed to sunlight allowing it to sterilize.

·         Do not give any insecticide treatment on a hot sunny day as the plants could get scorched. Spray in the late evening when there is minimal air movement.

·         Avoid spraying insecticide on delicate flowers and petals as they may be adversely affected.

SO, CARING FOR PLANTS –

1.       Watering      -     care must be taken at the time of watering as no plants can survive without water, yet more plants die from over-watering.

2.       Light and sun        - light is usually beneficial, but direct sunlight intensified through glass will scorch leaves – giving brown papery areas on the leaf. Lopsided or one-sided growth is another indication of inadequate lighting.

3.       Humidity          - dry air can cause leaf tips to turn brown and papery on vulnerable plants.

4.       Feeding         - pale leaves and short, stunted growth may be due to lack of fertilizer in the compost.

5.       Bud drop     - bud drop is often caused by dry compost or dry air. Some plants do not adapt or re-orientate their buds to light from a different direction if they are moved round.

6.       Wilting and collapsing      - plants usually wilt for the following reasons – too much water, too little water or insects or a disease affecting the roots. If the stem looks black or rotten, a fungal disease is the likely cause and the plant should be discarded.

SOME IMPORTANT CATEGORIES OF INDOOR PLANTS

1.       BULBS, CORNS, AND TUBERS :

All possess a fleshy organ from which roots are produced and in which food and water are stored.

Examples – Begonia, Crocus, Cyclamen, Hyacinths, Narcissus, Tulip

2.       FERNS:

Ferns are foliage plants which do not produce flowers and seeds but reproduce by means of spores.

Examples – Adiantum, Davallia, Nephrolepis, Pellaea, Polypodium, Polystichum

3.       CACTI:

Cacti are succulent plants. These are of two types – desert and jungle.

Examples – Aporocactus, Echinocactus, Epiphyllum, Notocactus, Opuntia.

4.       MONSTERA:

Only one species, MONSTERA DELICIOSA, is a popular house plant. The leaves are shiny and are basically heart-shaped. If well treated they can grow very big – 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet across.

5.       ORCHIDS:

Orchids are probably the largest flowering plants family and most are quite expensive. They are also called EPIPHYTES. They are available in a vast variety of shapes, colours and sizes. They may be produced on the flower stem in clusters or singly and the stalks can be erect or drooping. Flowers can be scentless or delicately scented. Most have a fleshy, waxy texture and each bloom is long-lasting (3-6 weeks).

Examples – Brassia, Cymbidium, Miltonia

6.       PACHYSTACHYS:

Only species of this grown indoors is PACHYSTCHYS LUTEA (Lollipop plant), a low growing shrub with tubular flowers with dark green, shiny leaves.

7.       SANSEVIERIA:

These are popular and easy to grow. Two main types are: tall growing plants with stiff, erect, lance-shaped leaves; and dwarf- growing rosette forms.

8.       SUCCULENTS:

These store water in their tissues.

Examples - Agave, Aloe, Cotyledon, Graptopetalum, Pachyphytum, Sedum, Lithops.

9.       SAXIFRAGA:

Only one specie is useful indoors – SAXIFRAGE STOLONIFERA which has many off springs. It is a stem less plant, look attractive in small hanging pots.

10.   TULIPA:

These are essentially outdoor plants, but they also make very decorative indoor plants. These have small leaves, short flower stalks and large flowers. These are grown from bulbs.

11.   WASHINGTONIAS:

These are popular fan palms and are easy to grow indoors.

12.   YUCCA

13.   ZANTEDESCHIA

14.   TOLMIEA.

 ASSIGNMENT

Q.1) Why are indoor plants replacing flower arrangement in hotels?

Q.2) What is the advantage of using natural plants rather than artificial plants?

Q.3) Explain are the basic elements that an indoor plant need for its growth?

Q.4) Why are re-potting and pruning necessary for indoor plants?

Q.5) How do water and humidity affect the growth of indoor plants?

Q.6) Give reasons for:

A) Plants should be rotated in their place periodically.

B) When indoor plants are taken outdoors they should be placed in the shade before being put in the sunlight.

C) Clay pots are preferred to plastic pots.

D) Under-watering causes marginal or tip burning of leaves.

E) Plants need to be fertilized with a proper balance.

Q.7) Name 10 indoor plants that are placed in the hotels .