Submitted by Joan Regan
“Anyone that thinks that Gardening begins in the Spring and ends in the Fall is missing the best part of the whole year; for gardening begins in January with the DREAM.” ~ Josephine Neuse
In the meantime, I will just focus on my garden indoors, the indoor plants.
Carol J asked me awhile ago “should I throw out the soil from repotting my house plants or compost it? Or can it be used again?” I never do. After checking it thoroughly for bugs, I put the used soil into the bin I keep house plant soil in. I have two bins: one for newly purchased soil and the other for used clean soil (to be used for transplanting house plants into a larger pot). I will use these soils to top up the pots and/or to fill them.
Once Xmas is put away I will take the time (lots of it this year) to tidy up all my plants – clean them off, check the undersides for bugs, etc. Loosen their soil a bit and add some new soil to top them up. Santa brought me a set of tiny house plant tools a few years ago and they get lots of use come Winter. Good time to give their saucers (if they have them) a good cleaning as well. A Q-tip works good for tiny spots.
Someone had also asked about a water gauge. I’ve had a couple, but find the finger test works better – just stick it down a couple of inches – if it feels dry, water. If pots have a saucer remember not to let the pots sit in a saucer of water, sure death for them.
Because I do use old soil I will use a bit of fertiliser, cutting it back to 1/3 of what I would normally use come Spring. I have been fertilising all my house plants all winter, maybe every six weeks or so, and they are thriving.
The Xmas Cactus are washed down, cleaned up and tucked away out of the full sun till next September (if I remember to move them then). One is still sending out the occasional flower.
My Amaryllis was a disappointment this year – I forgot them (my bad). They shot right up at first then just gave up. So I will put them away till next Fall and try again.
Hoping the one Spider Plant I brought in in the Fall will perk up. It looks quite sad so I’ll clean her up and hopefully she will come back. She spent the Spring/Summer/Fall outside right beside her sister, so not sure what her problem is. Might just need some TLC… like all of us right now.
Happy (indoor) gardening garden friends. Be safe.
Joni
jpregan@amtelecom.net 519 596 2389
