I'd be very greatful if someone could tell me what i'm doing wrong i've been noticing that my plants are turning yellow i have a big selection and some of them are turning yellow after i water them and yes i know not to leave the in water i make sure i take all of the water out of the bottoms of them but they are still turning yellow i think it might be that for some of them like my peace lilies i'm waiting till they drop alittle to water them is that bad or is it maybe something else i'm missing i'''''''d be very greatfull for any suggestions thanks omni
Without actually examining the plants, it's difficult to say. However, given that you are in the middle of winter, a few things come to mind. One, if you have dry, forced air heating like most of us in the U.S., then that may be contributing to some leave drop. Two, your ambient lighting may be diminished during the winter months, which may be causing some plants to go into dormancy. Three, most plants do not need fertilizer during the winter, IF you are using fertilizer with your routine watering, back off until May, or so. Four, because most plants significantly slow their growth during the winter, there may be some fertilizer salts building up in the soil, left over from months earlier when you may have been using fertilizer. Five, now that your plants are stuck indoors, you are more likely to use chlorinated tap water. If that is the case, then let your water sit in a bucket or watering can for a day or two to allow it to "degas". I also use a few tea bags to lower the pH of my water, as it is rather high in my area...perhaps in yours, as well. As a general rule for most plants during the winter, you can usually let the soil dry out before giving them a good soak. Because many plants tend to stop or significantly slow their growth during the winter, most will not wilt until they are VERY dry. I have "winter" bulb plants and some "winter grower" succulents that are active right now, but all the rest of my collection (tropicals, succulents, caudiciforms, etc) tend to get water about once every few weeks, or even less. All you can do right now is to trim off the yellow/brown foliage and "nurse" them through until Spring. When it warms up and the plants just start to get some new growth, you may consider doing a soil change. If you have chlorinated "city" water, you can use water that has sit a while in a watering can that has allowed to "degas" for a day or two. Remember, many indoor plants are killed by overwatering during the winter months, not by underwatering. Hope this helps a little.
Thank you so much for all your information i do live in a city and usually i let the soil dry allmost all the way before i water them i was told to put my finger in about 1/3 the way and if it's dry them water them i can't do that to all my plants though some wilt after a couple of days like my peace lilies and my cyclamen also my fittonia and zebra i have a pretty big collection of plants and i've been very interested although i'm pretty new to the hole thing i've only been collecting for three years now and for some reason each plants seem to teach me how they need to be takin care of i seem to almost kill them before i really get a hang of it but once i know them well enough they grow back beautifully and now i have about 50 or so different types but i just moved i year ago to my apartment and we all still are adjusting. So once again i'm greatful for your information thank you and hopefull your advice will help thanks omni
Do you ever fertilize? If so, do you ever flush a lot of water through the soil, every few months or during the year? Sometimes, plant soil can store excess, like salts, etc..
no i never fertilize i tryed once but i hurt them more then helped them i just plant them once a year in new soil miracle grow that it and when i water them i water them well and make sure they drain aswell
I think your problem is a combination of three different factors: temperature-humidity-light. What are your temperatures the plants are growing in. What is the humidity that the plants are kept in. How much light are your plants getting. Also you mention that you repot every year. I do not think that is necessary and may actually limit growth unless you are potting up into larger pots. For fertilizing I recommend that you consider Osmocote or try Miracle Gro Liquid Plant Food-the formula of this is very weak and will not burn your plants even if you use it weekly, which I believe that it is designed for. You can also dilute this fertilizer down by 1/2. I have Fittonia, Monolena, Ficus benjamini, Rex begonias, Turmeric, Philodendrons, in addition to orchids in my greenhouse. I try to maintain a humidity of 70-80% and a temperature range that will fall to 60F at nite and up to 80F in the day. I mist twice a day heavily to push up the humidity. Monolena is a caudiciform and is watered daily though it is underpotted and has outgrown its pot. The soil mix is a blend of commercial and wood products so it drains well and retains moisture. They do very well. I really think that you need to tie together the temps to humidity to light. For example, the higher the temps and the higher the light the higher the humidity should be;the higher the temps, the lower the light, the humidity should be moderate to high depending upon how high the temps are;the lower the light, the lower the temps, the humidity should be moderate (60%-70%); the lower the light, the higher the temps, the humidity should be moderate to high. Light serves as the vehicle whereby the plant can photosynthesize and thereby respire both of which place a need upon the plant for water. Temperature puts the plant under stress that is tied to the availaility of water to it and the humidity of the air in which the plant sits. Humidity serves as both a coolant and cushion that impacts the effect of temperature upon the plant. Understanding these relationships is a big plus in helping yourplants survive and provides a basis for adaptive culture in regards to the specific needs of each of your plants.
the tempeture of my house stayes around 75 during the day and 65 five at night they all are oin my house so the air is dry but i spray them a couple of times a week should i do that more and it's winter here i was told never to fertilize in the winter is the wrong thanks everybody for all your insight
