My guide to basic houseplant care

I wrote an article for friends and others who have asked me how I maintain my plants. I realize it's a little short on info, but the target audience is people who aren't sure about the basics of plant care. I'd appreciate any positive criticism and tips. Thank you!

It's here - http://www.rbgrn.net/blog/2007/06/i_received_my_first_plant.html

You are doing really well, but then I am used to dealing with lots of different plants indoors and outdoors, so if I were telling anyone how to begin caring for indoor plants, I would start like children do.
WHO, HOW, WHERE, AND WHEN,
Who needs a plant that requires specialist care and attention, who has time to care for the plants and who has the proper conditions to grow the plants.
HOW, to water all the different types of plants, like hairy leaved plants dont like water on the leaves constantly, so water from under,so place the plant in a bowl of water till the soil in just moist, how to tell if a plant needs water, ie, by sticking your finger in the soil and feel if it is dry or still moist, so either water or dont, how to feed the plant, add liquide feed only when the plant start to grow either flowers or leaves and about once per week, as instructions given by the food manufactor, too much feed burns roots/ makes too much greenery and no flowers, how do you know when the plant needs larger pot, when you remove the plant from the pot and the roots have taken up all the soil, or the roots are comming over the top of the pot. how do you know if a plant is unhappy, when the leaves tell you, they are either turning yellow, brown, crisp or floppy, it is either too much water, air too dry, being scorched by direct sun through the glass at a window and the glass is acting like a magnifying glass, too much shade, sunlight indoors means, light from the sun not scorched by the sun, shade means plenty light but not direct sunlight..
Where do the plants come from in there natural habitat, like the Orchids, these mainly grow on the trees in the dapple shade of the forest, so dont expose them to strong sun, they like a mossy mixed soil as that is what they have in the trees, they like a humid atmophere, leaf only plants vary, some like lots of sun LIGHT, others like dapple shade, some like a composty soil and others like a well draining soil with a mix of compost/sand etc, bulbs unless growing in the side of a waterway, need good compost, little watering, fed before and after flowering, dont cut the greenery off as when it dies down to rest the bulb, the greenery helps send food and energy back into the bulb, bulbs are a food store for the plant, where as rooted plants search for food and water by their roots. tall plants require stakes to help support them, some require pruneing, succulents normally come from arid areas, therefore require quite poor soil, less water and top dressed with gravel to prevent the soft tissue sitting on wet/damp soil causung rot to set into the leaves, the leaves hold a supply of moisture as in there natural environment, they need to withstand weeks, months without moisture, trailing/climbing plants require room to trail or a frame to climb, most green plants enjoy a light misting to give humidity, unless hairy leaved, etc, etc, etc.
When do you need to repot, when do you need to water, when is the rest period for the plants, when you go on vacation how can the plant survive, when is the best TIME to repot. etc, etc, etc.
I could go on and on, but it is always best to assume that new plant carers dont know a root from a flower, they dont always like to ask as they feel stupid, but half a doz other people all want the same advice and wish someone else would ask, the most reasons for plants dying, is far too muck kindness, not understanding the plants natural habitat/needs and overwatering, most new gardeners expect plants to respond instantly, like they fed the plant last night and it has'nt grown an inch, what am I doing wrong, so when you change the plant care is not always rewarded by an instant thank you, patience is required. hope this give you just a few pointers, it is hard to tell people how to care for plants in a few words, espesialy when you do it all the time, it becomes second nature to us, but to new folks, they do sometimes need every step by step instruction, not because they are stupid or silly, but mostly because they dont have confidence and that is what puts most people off trying to garden, it aint a science, just trial and error, good luck with you chat, I am sure you will do a really great job, just make it fun as well as learning. WeeNel.

I would, btu the link didn't work for me : (

Hi rbgrn, what a great idea to get all your green thumbness into a succinct, written format. I've found lately that my plant obsession is rubbing off on several of my friends, but they think they'll just kill everything and ask for help. So I have also been trying to pinpoint what makes some people good at it and some people "bad" at it.

I think all your information is great. Some of it was new to me! :) Since you asked for tips I think the only way you could improve on it is maybe at the end or somewhere, put 5 or so hard-fast rules, so that someone with a REALLY black thumb, who really is lost on plants could at least improve their care immediately. Like, #1 water every three days to one week, not more not less (obviously there are exceptions), and whichever other rules you think are the most important. I really feel like water is most people's problem.

I think things like potting up and feeding houseplants wouldn't belong in the major rule list, but are definitely necessary once someone can learn to not kill every plant after a week.

I don't know if that's where you want to go with your article, but just my two cents! Great job on it though. I'm going to email it to my friend Annie who put her rubber plant in full, all day Colorado sun the other day and scorched it down to one leaf! :) Susanne

The link worked tonight . I thought that was a pretty good basic article. You might add: Be sure the pots don't sit in bowls full of water, but that the excess can drain away.