Mike Brunswick, field reporter for The Great Indoors, shares tips on transporting new plants from a controlled greenhouse environment to your home in very cold weather. Some plants are particularly susceptible to cold and will go into shock or die if exposed to even a few minutes of below-freezing temperatures. Philodendron selloum, spathiphyllum, ferns and dieffenbachia are examples of cold-susceptible plants. Norfolk Island pine is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations and not at all tolerant of cold weather. Common English ivy and cactus are less susceptible. To keep your new plant as warm as possible when bringing it home, cover the entire plant, including the pot and foliage, with a plastic dry-cleaner bag. If the temperature is below freezing, double bag the plant for extra insulation. Warm the car before taking the plant outside. If you'll be driving for more than two hours, open the top of the bag to provide ventilation. If you get too hot while you're driving, take off your coat rather than turn down the heat in the car. Caring for Houseplants Once You Get Them Home Philodendron selloum prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, constant soil moisture, excellent drainage and high humidity. Provide bright light but no direct sun. Fertilize monthly with a liquid plant food at one-half strength of the label recommendation. Spathiphyllum requires high humidity, warm temperatures and moist soil. For best results, provide bright, indirect light. During the growing period, fertilize as described above. Ferns require even soil moisture--about as damp as a wrung-out sponge--as well as filtered light, high humidity and average indoor temperatures. Fertilize as described above. Dieffenbachia requires filtered light or a northern exposure. Turn the plant occasionally to keep the growth in balance. Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch, and do not overwater. English ivy requires cooler temperatures than most indoor plants--60 to 65 degrees--as well as bright indirect light. Provide extra humidity by using a saucer filled with gravel. Cactus requires rapidly draining sandy soil and bright light. Overwatering is the most common cause of death for indoor cacti. During the growing period, cactus plants need water no more than once a week, perhaps only every two weeks. Provide indoor cactus with a dormant season by withholding water for three to four months, and the plant may reward your efforts by blooming. Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla) require warm temperatures, bright indirect light, ample water, excellent drainage and good air circulation. Never place a Norfolk pine near a heater vent or a doorway or in a drafty place: it may respond by dropping its leaves.
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