Water and fertilizer
Weak growth and pale foliage are both signs of too much light, lack of fertilizer, or problems with a plant’s roots. If you notice any of these problems, there are simple solutions that could be very helpful.
Yellowing and dropping leaves are often a result of poor light, low temperatures, pollution or even pests. If you spot yellowing leaves on your plant look for other signs of these problems.
Brown leaf tips or margins are a sign of soil dryness or excessive fertilizing. Keep on the look out for these signs and adjust your watering and fertilizing accordingly.
The number one cause of plant death is over watering. Plants require a delicate balance of air, water, and light to survive, and waterlogged soil drives out all of the air and suffocates the plant.
Indoor plants have their own preferences for acidity and alkalinity of soil. It is measured as the soil's pH value, and ranges from 0-14. A pH7 value is neutral, a higher number than 7 is alkaline, and a lower number than 7 is acidic. You can find out your soil's pH with a pH Soil Tester; easilly purchased at any plant store.
Surely you’ve wondered what those little white puffs are that you always see mixed in with potting soil. Those are called Perlite, and are actually pieces of expanded volcanic rock with thousand of tiny air pockets. These pockets take up and release water quickly helping to regulate the water, and drainage.
Similar to us humans, plants require more water when they are in a higher temperature, or when the light is stronger where the plant is placed. It’s always important to remember that the same two plants might require different watering schedules, even if they’re only on opposites sides of the room.
Keeping track of the amount of water you use is helpful to a plant’s survival for a number of reasons. It will indicate the amount of water you need to use, as well as how often the plant needs to be watered. It will also indicate whether or not your plant is being over or under-watered by the dryness or dampness of the soil.
It is easy to assume that the more fertilizer a plant has the better it will grow; this however, could not be further from the truth. Over fertilization of your plant’s soil can damage your plant to the point of no return. If this were to occur, by accident, you can attempt to dissolve the fertilizer with clear water. Flush your plant out completely three or four times in half hour increments, and hopefully the plant won’t be lost.
Often times plants are sensitive to the water that we drink because of the chlorine levels. If tap water is your best option, allow a container of water to sit overnight and allow the chlorine gasses to dissipate. Collecting rain water or melted snow is also an effective method of providing your plant with natural water.