Fall is here and the shorter days and cooler nights across Wisconsin mean it’s time for many to start bring inside the plants that typically enjoy the summer season outdoors.
There are a lot of factors to consider when gradually transitioning one’s plants indoors, according to Diana Alfuth, a Unviersity of Wisconsin-Extension horticulture educator for Pierce County.
Alfuth has compile some tips below for gardeners ready to move their plants indoors:
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
Meet “Limey,” Larry Meiller’s beloved lime tree. She’s made the move inside and is blossoming, with more than a hundred white flowers ready to pop! Larry Meiller/WPR
Light is the most limiting factor for growing indoor plants and you should avoid disturbingly low light.
To help your plants get the proper amount of light, Alfuth said people should consider taking these few steps:
- Clean your windows
- Remove the window screens
- Get a light meter to know exactly how much light is reaching your plants
- Consider supplemental lighting. It’s important to get the light close to the plants, which means using LED lights that emit less heat.
Adjust your watering routine
She advises people not to overwater plants that come inside. Indoor plants photosynthesize less frequently than when outside, which means they need less water, she said.
Check for unwanted pests and critters
Sometimes, insects or other creatures can hitch a ride as plants are brought indoors. For the health of the plants and your home, Alfuth said people should check your plants carefully as you bring them inside.
- Aphids have been around a lot this year
- To solve a problem, quarantine the plant for a few days before bringing them near plants that are already indoors to avoid spreading
- Check the stems, underside of the leaves and veins
- Treat them before bringing them and depending on what the insect is, blasting them with water or rinsing with a soapy water can do the trick
- Check the pot in the soil area for wasps and frogs
As a bonus tip for indoor gardening, Alfuth said that with the holiday season drawing closer, pointsettias need 13 to 16 hours of uninterrupted, complete darkness when they move inside.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.