Gardens Galore: Bone Dry ~ By Karen Brewka

Our winters are dry. If it's warm, it's windy, sucking all the moisture out of the air. If it's cold, our forced air furnaces blast out warm air, drying the insides of our houses.
Houseplants need much more humidity than they get in our winters. Generally, the thinner the leaf, the more humidity is needed. Thick, waxy or hairy leaves need less humidity. When our noses are dry and our lips are chapped, WE need more humidity.
The humidity in most of our houses is 30% or below. Most plants need 40% or more and many require 60% or more. 50 – 60 % is ideal.
Symptoms of low humidity are curling and drying leaf tips, a frequent need for water and brown or dropping flower buds.
Raising humidity can be tricky as we don't want condensation to form on our windows. Raising the humidity just around our plants is the answer. This can be done by misting frequently. Using a pebble tray is another way to raise humidity. Fill a tray with pebbles, gravel, marbles or perlite. Add water so the bottom stones are wet and the top ones are dry. Set plants on the pebble trays or set the trays close to the plants. As water evaporates off the surface of the pebbles, humidity increases.
Cluster or group plants together. They will benefit from humidity given off through transpiration. Plants give off oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis and a little water is given off at the same time. Plants can help each other by hanging out together on the window sill. Cleaning the surface of the leaves, especially the undersides, with a damp cloth will help to keep the “breathing” pores open.
The hot air blowing from our furnaces can dry out our plants if the air is blowing directly on our plants. The air circulation is important but the blast of hot air can cause leaves to wilt and turn brown. Diffusers can help or set plants on a table or shelf over the hot air register. Since our registers are usually under windows and the plants need to be beside the window for light, there is usually a need to make some kind of arrangement to accommodate both the plants and the hot air.
Houseplants give us so much in winter's darkest days. We get greenery, oxygen and flowers, and even vegetables if we grow an inside winter garden. Efforts to help our plants to thrive inside are rewarded in so many ways.
The Valley Neighbours Garden Club has changed its meeting times. Now they meet on the second Thursday of each month at Valley Neighbours on Sunset Boulevard in Turner Valley. The club welcomes new members. For information call Bea at 403–933–7131.
The Horticultural Club meets every second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm. For information call Sheila at 403–931–3989.