Whew! The daylight is coming on fast and the sun angle is at a point where even the most depressed Alaska gardener can't help but feel that spring is almost in the air. Almost in the air? Only an Alaska gardener can understand this sensation. Nine months is a long time to wait, but by mid-February there is simply no question we have turned the corner.

This is also the time of year when people notice things happening to the indoor plants. Start with infestations of critters. This is due to the increase in daytime temperatures which comes as a result of the increase in solar heat through south-facing windows. Warmer temperatures cause an increase in the metabolisms of white flies, scales, fungus gnats and spider mites, and their populations increase much more rapidly. By the same token, fungi that cause black spots and patches on leaves, stem wilt and other problems also increase their rate of growth and the formation of spores.

What this all boils down to is that you should be paying a bit more attention to your indoor plants. This weekend, put aside 15 minutes to inspect them and react to any problems discovered. It helps to use a hand lens or other magnifying tool. Look under leaves for white flies, in the junction of limbs with stems for spider mites and for sticky sap, which indicates scale or aphids. Fungus gnats will find you! If you find a problem, take care of it before it gets worse. Google is your best friend for solutions.

Next, many people start to see new growth on indoor plants as they come out of winter dormancy. Usually this is just fine. However, new growth should make the plant look better, not worse. Often it comes on gangly, un-pruned plants or one that has lost most of its leaves. These shoots are going to grow and the plant will be anything but attractive even with the new growth.

The solution is to prune back houseplants this time of year so that new growth will make the plant look as it should, correctly proportioned and with the proper height to width ratio. You still prune even if the new growth has already started. The plant starts over again and produces new shoots on a properly proportioned plant.

Pelargonium are a perfect example of what I am talking about. These "geraniums" kept over from the summer are starting to grow and bloom. Cut back any you have so that when May rolls around they will have a nice, flush growth of which you can be proud. No Dr. Seuss plants, please. Coleus, begonias, impatiens, lantana and miniature roses are also plants to which you should pay particular attention.

Of course, you may notice that some of your plants are not doing very well and may not be worth keeping. This is often the case after a long winter in a hot house. Don't be afraid to junk plants if there seems to be no hope. Put them in a bucket or bag in the garage and compost them later this spring. Run the pots through the dishwasher or give them a suitable cleaning by hand and move on.

It is also time to check any roses you are wintering over indoors. It is probable that they will have come out of their dormancy as well and started new growth if they have been exposed to any light at all. You have two choices if this is so. Bring the plants out and put them in a very cool but well-lit location and let them leaf out. They will be blooming, perhaps, by Mother's Day. Or, if you don't have the room or time, pinch off the new growth and restore them -- only this time make sure your plants are in the dark. You may even want to lower the temperature where you keep them to really slow them down again. The same advice applies to stored fuchsias.

Finally, this is a good time to check out local sources for new houseplants. Nurseries want you back to buy seeds and spring planting supplies and they always have a good collection of houseplants this time of year.

The bottom line? Don't ignore your old friends as they renew themselves.