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http://www.contracostatimes.com/living/ci_8274558
Companies that specialize in creating green spaces in work environments also are on the rise. “Green plants bring us many benefits, both physiological and psychological,” says Kenneth Brewer, national technical manager for Initial Tropical Plants, the nation’s leading provider of plants to businesses. And with people and businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprints, plants are finding a place in the office, Brewer says.
“Plants are installed in buildings because they look attractive and help to provide a pleasant, tranquil environment in which to work or relax,” he says. “Research has shown that healthy, well-maintained plants can improve air quality, reduce background noise and affect peoples’ behavior. Plants help to reduce the irritating background noise produced by talking, office equipment and reverberations from hard surfaces. Plants help to keep the air in buildings fresh and at an optimal humidity level.”
There’s just one little problem: How to keep the little green buggers alive.Kathy Echols, a horticulture instructor at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, says the first mistake people make is in not assessing their surroundings before choosing plants. You may pick a plant for its beauty, but that’s no guarantee it will thrive where you put it.
Save yourself heartbreak — and the plant’s life — by considering the basics for turning your workspace into the envy of your cubicle neighbors.
Water: The No. 1 problem desk-top gardeners have, Echols says, is in overwatering plants. When we see them drooping, we instinctively dump water on them. But we may be overwatering them.
Check the watering requirements of the plant, Echols says. Does your plant need a continuously moist soil? Should it dry out between waterings? Then set up a watering schedule accordingly. And discourage your co-workers from “helping” out.
“Another thing is that we always want to put saucers under the pots,” Echols says. “But then the plant just sits in water, and it will eventually develop root rot.”
Echols recommends watering the plant without the saucer and letting it drain before setting it back. Or water the plant with the saucer in place, and empty out the overflow.
Temperature: This is something most people don’t think about, Echols says. Some houseplants are tolerant of less-than-ideal temperatures, but others are fussy. And if you work in an office with a thermostat fiddler, your temperamental plant may suffer.
Watch for signs of leaf drop, and choose plants that can withstand temperature swings.
The heat and coolness of your office space may also affect humidity, and may require an adjustment to your watering schedule. Winter offices tend to be warmer and may dry plants out quickly.
Light: Most plants prefer natural light, so locate your plants as close to a window as possible. Fluorescent lights can provide sufficient light for many plants, although they probably won’t bloom. If your plant requires more light than is available, consider a small grow light, Echols says.
Again, Echols says, be sure to research what your plant prefers. A sunny window isn’t right for every plant. African violets like indirect light and can burn if placed in direct sun.
Containers: Most people, Echols says, buy a small plant in a tiny pot and put it in a large one, figuring the plant will eventually grow into it. But the plant may be overwhelmed by the extra room, Echols says. Some plants prefer to be root-bound.
A general rule of thumb, Echols says, is to repot in stages. When a plant is outgrowing its container, size up by 2 inches.
Fertilizer: Needs vary among plants, but after a year in a pot, most plants have used up the supply of fertilizer available to them. Fertilize according to directions, and choose the right fertilizer for your plant. If you don’t already know the plant’s botanical name, now would be a good time to learn it.
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