Fall is in the air! Cooler daytime temperatures and the possibility of frost are signs that it is time to bring frost tender plants indoors. If you put your tropical houseplants outdoors for the summer or added them into your summer containers it is now time to bring them in before overnight temperatures dip to 5C. To get them ready to come indoors they should first be acclimatized so that they don’t go into shock after being transferred. Shock can result in yellowed leaves, leaf drop, or even the plant dying. Plants that have been outdoors will have become accustomed to lots of sunlight and humidity and will need to get used to going indoors where there won’t be as much direct sun, and the humidity will be lower. Acclimatizing plants should be done over a period of 10-14 days. Bring the plants indoors over night and put them outdoors (in a shadier space) during the day so that they get used to lower light conditions. Slowly allow the plants to stay indoors for longer periods of time, so that by the time two weeks has passed they have become accustomed to indoor conditions.
It is also important to make sure that the plants are healthy before bringing them back indoors. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged foliage and stems. Check the plants foliage (both the top and undersides of the leaves), and stems thoroughly for any pests such as scale, mealy bugs, spider mites and aphids. Spraying the plant with water will dislodge unwanted pests to help you locate them. If you see a problem, remove the pests either by hand or use the appropriate insecticide. I recommend spraying your plants with insecticide even if you do not see any pests, as some insects are very difficult to find and it will not harm your plant to spray just in case. By treating these insects before you bring your plants back inside you are ensuring the safety of your other indoor plants. Be sure to also check the soil for any unwanted soil dwelling pests. This can be done by placing the plant in a luke warm, water filled sink for 15 minutes which will flush out any pests.
It is also a good time to give your plants a good overall clean up (this goes for your plants that are already indoors too). Clean them up by giving them a light trim so that they are neat and tidy looking. If your plant has outgrown its pot, it can be transplanted into a container one size larger than it is currently in. Use a good quality indoor potting soil for transplanting.
When your plants are brought back indoors be sure to place it in the appropriate area. Some plants require more light than others, and they will all need time to adjust from the move. Remember that even if you were very careful in the moving process many plants will still lose some leaves, and this is ok as new leaves will emerge.
For plants that have enjoyed the high humidity outdoors try placing them on a pebble tray to recreate that atmosphere. A pebble tray can be made by filling a large saucer with rocks, and then water. The plant is placed on the pebble tray and as the water in the tray rises up, it raises the humidity around the plant. Plants that have been outside and watered by the rain may also need time to adjust to the indoor watering schedule. Be careful not to overwater, give your plants a thorough soak and then let the soil go dry to the touch before watering again.
As plants go into the winter season, their growth rate will slow down considerably, and so they will need less water, and fertilizer. Instead of fertilizing monthly, cut back to fertilizing once every 2-3 months depending on the plant. Succulents and cacti require much less water over the winter period.
Even though the brilliant colours of fall signal the close of a wonderful season of outdoor gardening, your indoor plants are getting ready to give you many months of indoor gardening enjoyment!
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