[Ebook Việt Hoá] Indoor Gardening (2017): Plant Herbs in Vintage Tins (Trồng cây thảo mộc trong vỏ hộp)

 

 

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#LivingWithPlantsHowTo @geo_fleur”

There will be times when you need to repot your plants, whether they have been in the same pot for so long that their growing medium has become depleted or they have outgrown their original pot, known as potting on.

 

Knowing how to repot your plants is one of the most important skills for the indoor gardener to learn. Almost any plant can be grown in a pot with the right potting mixture. But always make sure you use fresh potting compost, not old compost that has already been used for another plant or soil from the garden; neither of these will have enough nutrients in them for repotting a plant.

 

Nowadays, potting mixture has been formulated specifically for use in pots. It holds moisture without becoming waterlogged as it allows excess water to drain out. It also contains the right amount of fresh nutrients, which is why it is important to use new compost. Depending on their size and how established they are, many house plants like to grow in multipurpose, house plant or loam-based compost; however, some plants like orchids and cacti are not suited to any of the general-purpose potting mixtures.

 

As I mentioned earlier, there are certain plant pots that promote healthy growth, and now there is a movement toward self-watering pots. At geo-fleur we use Bosske self-watering containers they make cool sky planters that hang upside-down from the ceiling. These are great for hanging displays as you only need to top up the water reservoir every two weeks or so, rather than climbing up a ladder every day. They are also perfect for busy or forgetful plant owners!

 

When you are just getting started with your urban jungle collection, it is a good idea to grow your plants in plastic pots with drip trays underneath, as they need watering less frequently than those in clay pots – it is vital to remember this, as overwatering is a major killer of pot plants. Clay and ceramic pots are great to pot into once your plants are more established and are settled into their environment. Of course, these are more expensive, so once you have decided on the one you want it is worth buying it a size up. However, this only applies if you have a slow-growing plant; something like a fast-growing Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant) will need potting up fairly regularly if you buy it as a small plant.

Repotting

• 1. Take the plant out of its existing pot by gently squeezing the sides and holding on to the roots.
• 2. Remove some of the old soil by carefully rubbing and massaging the plant’s roots. Lay the plant down while you prepare the new pot.
• 3. Clean out the old pot or use a clean new pot the same size as the old one. You can cover the drainage holes with some broken pot or stones, which is sometimes called crocking, before adding the fresh potting mixture. This is not so essential with plastic plant pots, which usually have lots of holes in the bottom, but it is a good idea and helps with drainage.
• 4. Add suitable fresh potting mixture on top of the crocking (if using) and pop the plant inside the pot; make sure it is standing straight and in the centre of the pot, and the top of the root ball is about 2.5 cm (1 in) from the top of the pot. Remove or add some potting mixture from under the plant to get it to the required height.
• 5. Hold the plant in place with one hand while putting more potting mixture around the sides of the plant. Make sure that your plant remains straight and centred, and fill with potting mixture to just cover the top of the roots. The space at the top of the pot gives space for watering.
• 6. Gently press down the new potting mix with sufficient pressure to hold the plant securely, but do not press too hard as this can hinder drainage.

When you begin growing your collection in pots, never use an unnecessarily large pot. Start your plant off in the smallest possible pot and move it on to a larger one as its roots fill the current one; this technique is called potting on. It ensures that the plant regularly gets fresh compost and nutrients for its roots to grow through.

Generally you should only pot on a plant when it has become pot-bound (when a plant seems to have stopped growing). The way to tell if a plant is pot-bound is to look at the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. The roots will be matted and coiled around to such an extent that no potting mixture will be visible – the roots may have even started growing out through the surface of the soil.

When potting on, choose a pot about 4 cm (1½ in) larger in diameter to allow extra space for the roots. Ensure your new container is clean then follow the instructions for repotting, remembering to repot into your bigger pot (repotting your plants).

Here are some useful tips to help you when repotting your plants. It can seem like quite a tricky process at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it! It’s really important you are able to master repotting, as it will really help your plant to flourish and thrive.

Repotting a cactus can be tricky (and painful!). A cactus should be repotted as soon as the roots begin to show through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

Bring the beauty of an outdoor garden indoors, with a stunning glass terrarium. There are a few rules to follow when making a terrarium: from soil and plant type to which container to choose from.

 

See How to Make a Closed Terrarium and How to Make an Open Terrarium to learn how to make your own miniature gardens. Terrariums are a gorgeous way of bringing nature inside, especially if you don’t have a garden or an outside space. But what exactly is a terrarium? A terrarium is a glass container that either partially or completely encloses the plants that are growing inside it. If the terrarium has a permanent opening it is an open terrarium, but if the opening is sealed once the plants are inside it is a closed terrarium. There are also many different varieties of terrariums, including desert, forest and aquatic.

 

Terrarium gardening is low-maintenance and super easy, but the end result is always stunning. They are perfect for first time indoor gardeners and make wonderful gifts. It is important that you keep compatible plants together, as they will have the same growing patterns and will require similar attention. For example, desert plants like cacti and succulents are best grouped together in an open terrarium (How to Make an Open Terrarium) as they require adequate air circulation, whereas tropical plants like ferns and nerve plants suit an enclosed terarrium (How to Make an Closed Terrarium) as they need a warm and humid environment to thrive.

 

So what’s the appeal of these contained miniature gardens? They are magnificent living sculptures and can be enjoyed all year round. They also make show-stopping centrepieces and are a classy way to add a touch of green to any room. But most importantly, a terrarium can look good in any space, big or small!!!

 

 

 

 

Thay chậu

Thay chậu là quá trình lấy một cây đã phát triển tốt ra khỏi chậu hiện tại và đặt nó vào một chậu mới có cùng kích thước, có chứa phân ủ mới trong bầu. Điều này được thực hiện tốt nhất khi cây ở trạng thái nghỉ ngơi, thường là vào mùa xuân. Đối với những cây nở hoa vào mùa đông, tốt nhất bạn nên thay chậu vào mùa thu, ngay sau thời gian cây không phát triển. Thực hiện theo các hướng dẫn đơn giản sau khi thay chậu cây của bạn:

1. Đưa cây ra khỏi chậu hiện có bằng cách bóp nhẹ hai bên và giữ rễ.
2. Loại bỏ một phần đất cũ bằng cách cẩn thận xoa rễ cây. Đặt cây xuống trong khi bạn chuẩn bị chậu mới.
   
3. Làm sạch chậu cũ hoặc sử dụng một chậu mới sạch có cùng kích thước với chậu cũ. Bạn có thể che các lỗ thoát nước bằng một số mảnh chậu vỡ hoặc đá, đôi khi được gọi là đá xén, trước khi thêm hỗn hợp bầu mới vào. Điều này không quá cần thiết với những chậu cây bằng nhựa bởi chúng thường có nhiều lỗ ở đáy, nhưng đó là một ý kiến ​​hay và giúp thoát nước.
   
4. Thêm hỗn hợp bầu tươi thích hợp lên trên phần đá xén (nếu sử dụng) và cho cây vào bên trong chậu. Đảm bảo cây đứng thẳng và ở giữa chậu, và đỉnh của bóng rễ cách đỉnh chậu khoảng 2,5 cm (1 in). Loại bỏ hoặc thêm một số hỗn hợp bầu dưới gốc cây để cây đạt đến chiều cao cần thiết.
   
5. Giữ cây cố định bằng một tay và đổ thêm hỗn hợp bầu xung quanh các phía của cây. Đảm bảo rằng cây của bạn vẫn thẳng, và đổ hỗn hợp bầu sao cho chỉ phủ phần đầu của rễ. Khoảng trống ở trên cùng của chậu sẽ tạo không gian cho việc tưới cây.
   
6. Nhẹ nhàng ấn hỗn hợp bầu mới xuống với lực vừa đủ để giữ cố định cây, nhưng không ấn quá mạnh vì điều này có thể cản trở việc thoát nước.