Caring for office plants is a task that building management should prioritize to create a green environment for tenants. So, how can office plants thrive, with their leaves always green and fresh, and what common mistakes are made in plant care? Here are some effective tips you should consider.
- Watering Adequately
Typically, if plants are outside in the sunlight, they should be watered early in the morning or late in the evening each day. This helps to wash away dust on the leaves, making it easier for the plants to photosynthesize and stay well-ventilated. Caretakers should avoid watering plants during the hot midday hours, as this can cause thermal shock and potentially kill the plants.
However, in offices with air conditioning or in indoor environments with little sunlight and no wind, water evaporates more slowly, and the soil retains moisture longer. Therefore, the person in charge of plant care in the building should use a spray bottle to water the plants once every two weeks, ensuring the soil is half-moist to support healthy growth.
In addition, it is important to regularly have staff trim wilted or infested leaves to prevent the spread of disease to other leaves and to keep the plants healthy. Additionally, the care team can mix a small amount of fertilizer into the watering can once a week to avoid the adverse effects of sunlight on the plants or to prevent the plants from dying due to dehydration.
- Providing Adequate Light
While office plants can survive in low-light conditions, their leaves may not be as vibrant or lush. Therefore, on weekends, when caring for office plants, the landscape maintenance team should move the plants outdoors to expose them to natural sunlight and fresh air.
Sunlight is a crucial factor for the growth of office plants. Especially in office environments, providing adequate light is essential for plant health. However, depending on the type of plant, the landscape maintenance team should ensure the plants receive the appropriate amount of light.
For offices with windows facing east, the landscape maintenance team should choose plants that require moderate light for decoration purposes. If the windows face west, the team should select plants that can tolerate intense sunlight. For offices with windows facing north, the team should opt for low-light plants.
Each office plant has specific light requirements as light plays a crucial role in its growth. Therefore, the landscape maintenance team must ensure that plants receive adequate light. Additionally, to keep the plants green and healthy, the team can use office lighting to help plants photosynthesize as they would in an outdoor environment.
- Choosing Suitable Soil
The soil in plant pots is usually good quality and rich in organic matter, ensuring the plants can thrive for about 3 to 6 months. If the team notices yellowing leaves due to a lack of nutrients, they can supplement the soil with organic matter, replace the soil, or add slow-release fertilizers to the base of the plants.
- Fertilizing and Proper Plant Care
Fertilizing office plants is crucial for promoting their growth. Over-fertilizing can cause rapid growth but may lead to problems such as distorted shapes or root rot. Conversely, insufficient fertilization can result in nutrient deficiency, leading to wilting or branch die-off.
There are two methods for fertilizing office plants: applying fertilizer directly to the soil and applying it through foliar feeding (spraying onto the leaves). The amount of fertilizer needed depends on the plant’s requirements, growth stage, type of fertilizer, and the plant’s ability to absorb it. You should use micronutrients by mixing them with water and applying them to the plants.
- Proper Placement of Plants
The placement of plants is crucial as it significantly affects their development and the care they receive. The best location for plants is in a well-ventilated area with gentle sunlight. If plants must be placed in a dim, less ventilated spot, the landscape maintenance team should follow the guidelines below.
At the beginning, the landscape maintenance team should change the position of the plants. Since gardens or nurseries are suitable environments for plants, when the team moves plants to the office, the conditions change. Some plants may adapt well, while others may deteriorate. To reduce the risk of plants wilting, the team should place them in a cooler, more ventilated location.
Initially, the team should keep the plants outside more often than inside, gradually reducing this exposure. Once the plants show signs of healthy growth and have been in the new environment for a sufficient time, the team can place them in their desired location without further changes.
- Measures for Reviving Wilting Plants
Wilting and yellowing of leaves are common issues for office plants. Therefore, the landscape maintenance team needs to implement timely care measures to restore the plants’ vitality. Note that direct sunlight should not be allowed to shine on the plants, as this can cause them to die from dehydration.
When plants become yellowed, the landscape maintenance team should trim off the yellowed leaves and water the plants with an appropriate amount of water. Next, they should dissolve a small amount of fertilizer in water and apply it to the plants once a week. Once the plants begin to recover, the plant care staff should replace the soil with loamy soil to promote further growth.
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