Planters and Pots
Rainy season is the best time for plantation due to low temperatures and humidity. This brings potential growth for the plants. However, monsoon can be a bit stressing for them due to scarcity of some basic needs like sunlight. And of course, our plants stressing is us stressing too.
Here are some tips to keep your indoor plants alive in rainy season. If you’re a beginner in plant parenting, these tips may help you keep your plant babies happy and healthy along with making your surroundings lush green in the monsoon.
Place the plants near window:
- You want your indoor plant to get enough of bright filtered sunlight, but in rainy season there could be 3-4 days in a row without sun. So in that case, bring your indoor plants to a location such as a west or south facing window sill, so that they get sufficient light and ventilation. You can also bring your plants near a fluorescent source like a bulb to provide that extra grow light which will suffice during continuous rains.
Keep the leaves clean to absorb more sunlight
Along with providing sufficient light and ventilation for plant growth, cleaning the leaves is equally important for keeping the plants healthy. Use a wash cloth the remove dust from the leaves of the plants. This will allow them to get as much sunlight as possible and photosynthesize.
Do not overwater-
It is said that “Overwatering kills more plants than under-watering. It’s a horticultural crisis. The problem only becomes more severe in rainy season with rain water available in excess. So, in monsoon remember “less is more”. For succulents and cactus, you can water them once a week or once in two weeks. For your other leafy beauties, the easy hack is to check for wilting and dryness in the soil.
Cut down on fertilizers
Depending on their growth, check if they need fertilizer. It’s better to put a little than to put too much. In case your houseplants are kept in a window sill or a shaded balcony, use a good quality slow release fertilizer as the rain water tends to wash away nutrients from the soil. Some organic homemade fertilizers like banana peel water solution, rice water, sea weed solution or any other compost made at home. They all can do wonders to your plants in monsoon.
Watch out for pests
Moisture contact for certainly longer period of time can increase the likelihood of fungal and insects attack. Always keep checking the plants leaves and stems and treat immediately with a good quality fungicide if you find a problem. You can also use a solution of neem oil, some liquid soap dissolved in water in a ratio of 1:1:100. Spray it whenever you see those little guys hopping on the leaves of your houseplants.
water only when the 2”soil is totally dry.
Ensure proper drainage system of the pots
check the pot in which the plant is kept and make sure it has good two or three holes at the bottom to drain out excess of water. The plant should not be kept stagnant as this may lead to plant death. It is also responsible for many plant diseases whose frequency goes up in monsoon.
Pruning should be done before monsoon or as the first rain hits
Rainy season boosts the plant growth hence, pruning should be done regularly and dried leaves and wilting parts of the plant should be taken off as soon as the first rain hits. This is the right time for new shoots to grow but space should be created for them.
