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No time to read? Listed all the myths in the video

one In winter, watering should be less frequent than in summer.

The most common misconception that has already killed more than one plant. This advice is really relevant if your flowers live in an unheated (or poorly heated) conservatory, where the average temperature is 25 degrees in summer and 10-15°C in winter.

If flower pots are in an ordinary apartment with central heating, they need watering no less than in the warm season. And if the plants live on window sills or near radiators, they will have to be watered even more often in winter.

It is most correct to focus not on the air temperature or the season, but on the condition of the soil: most flowers are recommended to be watered when the topsoil dries out by 2-3 cm.

2 For planting plants, you can not use pots without drainage holes.

On the one hand, this requirement is quite understandable: if the water has nowhere to go, the roots will simply rot and the flower will die. On the other hand, perforation is not the only way to protect against decay. Instead of spoiling the new pot with holes, you can put a thick (4-7 cm) layer of drainage on the bottom. Then excess water will drain to the very bottom (below the roots), from where the plant can gradually absorb it.

Most indoor plants can be planted in pots without holes, including succulents, which do not like excess moisture at all. To protect the flower from overflow as much as possible, water gently and a little bit, always waiting for the top layer of soil to dry.

3 The more light, the better

Novice flower growers try to place their green pets on the windowsills, absolutely not taking into account either the location of the windows or the specifics of caring for a particular flower. However, most of the plants do not tolerate direct sunlight, so on the south windows they can suffer from serious burns.

When purchasing a new flower in your collection, be sure to study its preferences. If you need bright but diffused light, move the pot away from the window, move it to another window sill, or shade the plant with paper, film or cloth.

four For plants, you can use garden soil, which must be calcined in the oven

The logic behind this common advice is clear: high temperatures kill dangerous bacteria and insect larvae. But during heating, beneficial microorganisms also die, nitrogen is mineralized, and the soil structure is disturbed. After several waterings, the soil will turn into a monolith, which will not pass moisture and air well, so the plants in it will grow worse (or may die altogether).

Instead of baked garden soil, it is better to use special soil for indoor plants, which is sold in the store: it does not require processing before use.

5 Flowers need to be fed as often as possible

Feeding is one of the most controversial aspects of plant care. Some flower growers prefer natural fertilizers, while others prefer purchased ones. Some feed too often, others regularly forget about this stage. It’s actually quite easy to understand the issue. Remember 3 main nuances.

• A plant that has been transplanted into purchased land should not be fed for 2-3 months. The fact is that useful microelements are already laid in the finished soil — they will be enough for the first time.
• Do not fertilize during the dormant period. Some species «fall asleep» in September-October and wake up in March. Others are the opposite. When a flower does not grow and does not bloom, it is at least useless to feed it, and at the maximum it is harmful.
• In the growth phase, flowers are fed every 2-3 weeks, in the flowering phase — once every 7-10 days. If you do this more often, you can burn the roots and achieve the opposite effect: not to strengthen and support, but to kill your plants.