Gardening Quiz 1: Test Your Plant Knowledge: Starting today, we are launching a new series called “Gardening Quiz”, where we’ll post informative questions related to gardening. These quizzes will help you learn more about plants and improve your basic gardening knowledge.
So, let’s get started!
Gardening Quiz 1
Q1._________ can suffocate the roots, cause root rot, and damage the plant. A. Underwatering B. Overwatering C. Fertilizers D. Fungicide
Q2.Which of the following is often referred to as “black gold”? A. Coco Peat B. Humic Acid C. Compost D. Cow Dung
Q3.Which of the following can be used to prevent pests in the soil? A. Compost B. Neem Cake Powder C. Sand D. Epsom Salt
Q4.Which of the following is not an indoor plant? A. Monstera B. Purple Heart C. Peace Lily D. Pothos
Q5.The process of removing dead or damaged leaves, stems, and flowers is known as ___. A. Pruning B. Fertilizing C. Cleaning D. Mulching
Gardening Quiz 1: Solutions
Answer 1: (B) Overwatering
Avoid overwatering in plants. Always check soil moisture level before watering.
Answer 2: C) Compost
Compost is rich in essential nutrients and is often called “black gold” due to its high value in gardening.
Answer 3: (B) Neem Cake Powder
Mixing a small amount of neem cake powder into the soil can help prevent soil-borne pests naturally.
Answer 4: (B) Purple Heart
Purple Heart is typically grown outdoors and is known for its hardiness and vibrant purple foliage.
Answer 5 – (A) Pruning
Pruning is the process of removing dead or damaged leaves, stems, and flowers.
It promote healthy growth and improves the plant’s overall appearance.
Mrs. Sudeepti Bajpai is a passionate gardener and plant lover with over 15 years of experience. She helps people grow thriving gardens through container, balcony, and terrace gardening, and has successfully grown many vegetables in pots and limited spaces.
On her YouTube channel “Voice of Plant,” she teaches people the science and logic behind gardening in a simple, practical way — from composting and repotting to pruning and plant care routines.
Are you a beginner or an avid gardener? Do you enjoy gardening for relaxation or to bring more greenery into your home? No matter your level of experience, the key to a successful indoor garden is knowing how not to kill your houseplants! Whether it’s overwatering, poor lighting, or neglect, many of us unintentionally harm our plants. But with a few simple, effective tips, you can keep your houseplants healthy and thriving.
Indoor plants
1. Watering Wisely
Overwatering is one of the most common ways to kill a houseplant. While it’s tempting to water frequently, too much water can cause root rot. The trick is to water your plants only when they need it. Always check the soil before watering—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water. Ensure your pots have drainage holes to let excess water escape, preventing waterlogging.
Not all soil is suitable for houseplants. Avoid using heavy, compact soil that retains too much moisture, as it can suffocate the roots. Opt for well-draining, loose soil mixtures that allow air and water to move freely. You can mix perlite or sand into your soil to improve drainage. A good-quality potting mix is key to keeping your plant’s roots healthy and oxygenated.
Every plant has different light requirements. Some need full sun, while others prefer low light. Research your plant’s specific needs and place it in the appropriate spot. For example, succulents and cacti thrive in bright, direct sunlight, while peace lilies prefer low, indirect light. If your plant looks leggy or isn’t growing well, it may need more light.
While plants need nutrients, over-fertilizing can cause more harm than good. Fertilize your houseplants once a month during the growing season (typically spring and summer). Too much fertilizer can burn the roots and stunt growth, so use a balanced fertilizer and follow the instructions carefully. In the dormant season (fall and winter), reduce or stop fertilizing entirely.
5. Avoid Frequent Re-Potting
Re-potting too often can shock your plants. Instead, repot only when the plant outgrows its current pot or the soil no longer drains well. Typically, this happens every one to two years, depending on the plant’s growth.
6. Monitor Humidity
Some plants, especially tropical ones, need more humidity than typical indoor environments provide. If you notice dry, crispy leaves, try misting the plants, using a humidifier, or placing them near other plants to increase moisture in the air.
7. Watch for Pests
Check your plants regularly for pests like aphids, spider mites, or mealybugs. If you find any, treat your plants immediately with insecticidal soap or a homemade solution of water and mild soap.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy lush, healthy houseplants without fear of killing them. With proper care, your indoor garden will thrive, and you’ll help contribute to a greener, more vibrant environment!
Why Do Plants Dry Up After Bringing Them Home from the Nursery?
Bringing a new plant home from the nursery is always exciting, but it can be disheartening when that fresh, vibrant plant starts to dry up just days after you have settled it into its new environment.
Many gardeners often complain that their plants dry up soon after bringing them home from the nursery. What causes this, and how can you prevent it?
Croton in stress
Let’s dive into the possible reasons and how you can ensure your new plant thrives.
Why Do Plants Dry Up: Causes and Solutions
1. Young plants are more prone to stress
Did you know that young plants are more prone to stress compared to older ones?
Most of the plants we get from nurseries are young, which is why they often go into stress after being brought home.
However, if a plant is at least a year old, it’s less likely to experience stress and can adapt better to its new environment.
Young plant from nursery in poly bag
2. Transition Shock: Why It’s a Big Deal
When plants move from the controlled environment of a nursery to your home, they often experience “transition shock.”
Nurseries offer different conditions: watering, lighting, and humidity, plus they give heavy fertilizers like DAP, Urea, etc.
Your home might not match these conditions, leading to stress that causes your plant to dry up.
2. Temperature Fluctuations
Sudden changes in temperature, especially if the plant was transported in cold or hot conditions, can stress the plant.
The temperature in your home might also be different from the stable climate of the nursery, which could contribute to the drying process.
3. Give your new plants time to settle down in new environment
Do not transplant the plant immediately after bringing it.
Many gardeners tend to transplant their plants immediately after bringing them home from the nursery. However, it’s best to avoid this practice.
Instead, allow the plants some time to acclimatize to their new environment.
Balcony garden
Note:
Keep the new plants alongside your other plants in the garden, and wait at least 4-5 days before transplanting them into pots.
4. Avoid direct Sunlight for the first two days
When you bring your plant home, do not place it in direct sunlight for the first two days to prevent sunburn.
5. Ensure Proper Lighting
Make sure your plant is not kept in a dark place; find a bright spot for it to acclimatize.
6. Monitor Your Plant’s Health
After two days, if the plant appears healthy, you can place it in sunlight and water it when the topsoil dries out. If it continues to look good after five days, it’s ready for a new pot.
How to transplant new plant?
1. Best Time to Transplant
Only transplant your plants in the evening to minimize stress.
2. Do not disturb the roots of plant
When removing a plant from the nursery bag, be careful to tear the bag gently so as not to disturb the roots.
This helps prevent wilting or death of the plant.
4. Choose the right pot Size
Select a pot that is the appropriate size to accommodate the plant’s roots.
Use a smaller pot for young plants and transfer to a larger one as they grow.
5. Prepare the soil
Preparing soft soil is essential for your plant’s growth.
Hard soil can restrict root development and hinder growth.
After transplanting, keep the plant in a shaded area for 7 to 10 days, allowing it to receive indirect sunlight before moving it to full sunlight or semi-shade according to its needs.
9. Add Organic matter later
After 1 or 2 months, once the plant is established in your garden, you can add vermicompost along with bone meal or rock phosphate.
Adding manure or kitchen waste compost can further enhance the plant’s growth.
10. Regular Monitoring and Adjustments
Keep a close eye on your plant in the first few weeks after bringing it home.
Look for signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves or wilting, and make adjustments as needed.
Gardening Tips:7 Tips to grow healthy plants at home
Plants not only refresh the home environment but also enhance the beauty of the balcony or courtyard with their greenery. However, many people want to grow plants, but when their first plant wilts within a few days, they give up on the idea of gardening.
healthy plants at home
Some people do have plants at home, but they appear dry and lifeless. If your plants are losing their luster despite giving them proper care, you need to follow some special tips. Here, we are sharing 7 secrets that will help your plants thrive.
7 Tips to Grow Healthy Plants at Home
1. The Importance of Fertile Soil
Organic rich soil
Fertile soil with good drainage is crucial for plant growth and should contain a rich amount of organic matter. Some people do not add compost or organic material to the soil in time, causing it to harden and stop plant growth.
Solution:
Regularly mix compost into the soil.
You can use cow manure, vermicompost, or other organic fertilizers. This will make the soil fertile and provide essential nutrients to the plants.
2. Proper Water Management
It is essential to water plants as per their needs.
Often, people harm plants by watering them daily.
Too much or too little water can weaken plants.
Solution:
Water the plants only when the top layer of the soil is dry.
Check the soil before watering to ensure that the plants get water at the right time and in the right amount.
If you want more flowers or fruits from your plants, regular pruning is necessary.
Solution:
Remove dry and yellow leaves from time to time so that the plant doesn’t waste energy on them.
Lower leaves that do not participate in photosynthesis can also be removed.
6. Tilling the Soil
Tilling the soil is essential for plant growth. It softens the soil and ensures proper air circulation, strengthening the roots.
Solution:
Till the soil once a week to ensure the nutrients in the soil are properly distributed.
7. Protection your plant from Pest Attacks
Pest attacks on plants are a common problem. Insects like fungi and mealybugs can harm plants.
Solution:
Check your plants every three days.
If you spot any pest attacks, spray insecticide immediately to protect the plants.
Conclusion
By following these 7 simple but effective secrets, you can keep your house plants green and healthy. By paying attention to the right soil, water, sunlight, and nutrition, you can grow your plants in the best possible way.
