Pick up new houseplants for winter

Perhaps there is some kind of special Alaska standard that acknowledges how hard it can be to keep these puppies over during the dark months. Or maybe it is some remnant of the old pioneer way of thinking that you keep everything, because you can fix it someday. Maybe it is just that we are cheap.

In any case, it is PFD month, and there is surely nothing wrong with adding something new to your collection without having to get rid of any of your plants that might be limping into winter. Why not get a few new houseplants?

There are plenty of places to buy houseplants. The wonderful nurseries that support our habit during the summer eke out a meager winter existence by featuring them, so do check them out. Supermarkets, large box store chains and garage sales also feature heathy houseplants this time of year.

This means the hardest part is getting your plants home and transitioning them to your environment.

To start, if you come across a houseplant that you do not know, get a bit of information from its label before you buy. And, given this day and age of wireless communication and Dick Tracy-like cell phones, it makes sense to research the plant while you stand there looking at it. This way you can make sure you can provide the proper growing conditions.

Next, consider how you are going to get a new houseplant home this time of year without shocking it into dormancy, leaf loss or worse. Those freezer bags that carry ice cream, frozen peas and pizza don't cut it. It only takes a few minutes for a tropical to become a popsicle. You should be carrying a few non-plastic shopping bags every time you go to the store anyhow, so bring one that will protect a plant from the wind and cold. If need be, get the car going, bring it to the door and have an employe run the covered plant out to it.

Once you get new houseplants home, you need to put them into isolation for two or three weeks to prevent intentionally introducing unwanted bugs to your other plants. Spider mites, white flies, mealy bugs and scale are all possible hitchhikers. Look carefully. You only get this one chance. Any signs and the plant should get tossed. Tell the store too, so they will know.

During isolation, make sure your new plants have adequate light. (Here he goes again!) With LED systems (Check Far North Garden Supply in Anchorage or sunshine-systems.com) there is now no excuse not to have at least a little nursery area where you can keep plants. Because these lights are so portable and because they are truly "plug and play," you can move them from room to room.

While a "human" temperature should be maintained for almost all houseplants, the more important thing is to keep new (and old) houseplants away from drafts. These dry out plants and are simply too cool. Water with room temperature water in the morning when the plant's stomata are open and transpiration can take place. This way the water is drawn through the plant and doesn't sit all night soaking the roots.

Providing a bit of humidity always helps the houseplants sold hereabouts. Most are tropical plants. A humidifier in the room seems to help the most. Watch out for the draft many humidifiers create.

The key is to get a few new plants now. Don't wait until the middle of winter. There are so many choices -- from orchids to cacti. They take so much less work than outdoor garden plants and provide every bit as much joy, especially during the long, impending winter.

Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at teamingwithmicrobes.com or by calling 274-5297 during "The Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR AM-700.