Autumn is the perfect season for many: the weather is cool, but not freezing; the leaves start to change colours and you can see how the world around you starts to prepare for the arrival of cold winter temperatures. Your houseplants are not outside to be able to adapt to the change of season on their own, so you need to help them get ready for winter. It's time to put these autumn houseplant care tips into practice.
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Autumn enchantment
Part of the magic of the changing seasons is being able to connect with the surrounding nature, a fact that is even more evident when you have plants. While the pace of modern life is hardly altered by the seasons, the life cycle of plants allows us to remember what the arrival of each season meant to our ancestors and all the adjustments that had to be made to prepare for it.
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Plants (especially deciduous plants) go through a particular cycle in autumn, as the drop in temperature and the decrease in daylight hours begins the preparation to withstand the winter. The leaves synthesise less chlorophyll, so they begin to change colour and eventually fall off, leaving only the stem and the strongest parts to withstand the freezing temperatures and lack of sun.
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There are plants that should be planted in this season, as these are the ideal conditions for their reproduction, such as violets, cyclamen, tulips, daffodils, lilies and hyacinths. Many indoor plants do not fulfil this cycle as they are of tropical origin, but they still go through a particular adaptation process when the season changes; so it is still essential to follow an autumn preparation protocol as they enter a period of rest.
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The aim of autumn houseplant care is to help your plants make the transition into winter gradually, without stress, prepared for the lower temperatures and able to survive until spring without major inconvenience, ready to wake up and continue growing.
Care for houseplants in autumn
- The last fertiliser of the year
Plants go into dormancy in the colder months, so it is a good idea to give them a suitable fertiliser in the first few weeks of autumn to ensure that they have the nutrients they need to survive the winter. It is preferable to use slow or prolonged release fertilisers and fertilisers, either in the form of sticks or granules, which release nutrients as you water.
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- Controlled irrigation
Temperatures start to drop in these months, so plants will require a little less water. Care should be taken to ensure that they continue to receive an adequate amount of water without this meaning that there is a risk of waterlogging, which could cause root rot. The best method is to check the substrate with your fingers and water only when the soil feels dry. Don't forget to remove the water dishes at the bottom of the pots and check that the drainage holes in the pots are free of debris.
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- Pruning
Some species may require some pruning to strengthen them for the winter months. Remove any weaker branches, dry or half wilted leaves. This way the plant won't have to invest resources in branches it doesn't need and will be able to maintain the more robust parts.
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- Planting and transplanting
The early autumn season is the perfect time to plant winter-flowering species such as pansies, violets and cyclamen. Planting at this time will allow the plants to grow, develop and gradually acclimatise to the environmental conditions. Transplanting at this time of year is not recommended unless strictly necessary. With indoor plants, the aim is to create stable conditions for the winter.
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- Make the most of the light
With autumn the hours of sunshine throughout the day start to diminish. Try to place your houseplants where they can receive those precious rays of sunlight, especially in the morning. You can place them near windows, but be careful not to let them get draughts, which can be fatal. Turn the pot every couple of days, so that they do not develop unevenly.
- Beware of pests
It is true that summer is the preferred time for insects and pests, but don't be careless because mealy bugs, whiteflies and red spider mites do not rest. Also watch out for fungus, as temperatures drop and humidity accumulates. Check roots, stems and the substrate from time to time.
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Dedicated to creating an army of cacti, succulents, poodles and cats to help me conquer the world. In the little free time I have left, I play, write and dance.