VOA健康报道2022--How to Bring Houseplants back Indoors

How to Bring Houseplants back Indoors

As the cooler days of autumn arrive in the northern part of the world, people are clearing out old plants and planning new gardens for next year. However, plants that spent summer days outside will also need help to return to the inside environment.

Plants that have spent time outside

If the plants have gotten larger than their original containers during their time outside, you can replant them into larger ones. Choose a container that is no more than 5 centimeters wider than the original. And replant them with fresh potting soil, and then water.

You can always divide plants like spider plants and flamingo¹ flowers into two or more individual plants. Look for plants with root systems that clump² together. They divide more easily.

If you are having trouble removing the plants from their containers, or pots, check to see if the roots have come through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. If they have, gently pull or cut the extra roots to help remove the plant.

You can then divide the plants.

Firstly, shake off any extra soil carefully.

Secondly³, find the connection between the root system and the plant's top growth and pull apart the roots gently. Or you could cut through them with a sharp knife. Be sure that there are at least three healthy leaves attached to the root system of each new plant.

Lastly, place each new plant in its container. Be sure to use fresh soil mix. Water the plants well until new plants form.

All houseplants that spent time outside should be moved to a shady area for a week before going inside for the winter season. This helps the plant get used to lower light levels. Continue to water regularly during this time.

After a week, look for insects on the plant, especially under the leaves. Wash the leaves with water to make sure there are no uninvited guests, like pests. If you are still worried about insects, you can spray the plants with Neem oil mixed with water. And complete the move inside before temperatures drop below 12.7 degrees Celsius⁴.

Plants that have stayed inside

Houseplants that have stayed inside all summer still need care too. Less sunlight and shorter days can slow their growth.

Most indoor plants rest during the fall and winter. This means that they require less water and little to no fertilizer until the following spring. Do not overwater during this time. It could cause the roots to go bad.

Check for moisture in the soil by putting your finger into the pot. If the top few centimeters are dry, then you can water the plant. Avoid cutting the plants until spring, as slower growth in the winter means slower healing, but you can cut any dead and dying leaves.

Many houseplants are tropical, so they need more moisture in the air, called humidity. In most homes during the winter, the air can be very dry because of heating systems.

You can run a humidifier, a machine that produces moisture for the air. Place the plants in the room with the humidifier. Keep plants away from dry heating areas like vents⁶ and from cold areas of the house.

Once temperatures are steadily⁷ over 15.5 degrees Celsius in the spring, you can safely move the plants outside again.

Words in This Story

original – adj. existing from the beginning

clump – v. to collect in a somewhat round mass

drainage – n. the act or process of removing or pulling water out of or away from soil or some other material

shady – adj. sheltered from the sun's light

pest – n. an animal, especially an insect, that causes problems for people especially by damaging crops

fertilizer – n. a natural or chemical substance that you put on land in order to make plants grow well

moisture – n. a small amount of a liquid like water, that makes something wet or moist

tropical – adj. of or occurring in the tropics

vent⁵ – n. an opening through which air, steam, smoke, liquid, etc., can go into or out of a room, machine, or container

1 flamingo   

n.红鹳，火烈鸟

参考例句：

• This is the only species of flamingo in the region,easily recognized by its pink plumage.这是那个地区唯一一种火烈鸟，很容易凭粉红色的羽毛辨认出来。
• In my family,I am flamingo in the flock of pigeons.在家里，我就像一只被困在鸽笼里的火烈鸟。

2 clump   

n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走

参考例句：

• A stream meandered gently through a clump of trees.一条小溪从树丛中蜿蜒穿过。
• It was as if he had hacked with his thick boots at a clump of bluebells.仿佛他用自己的厚靴子无情地践踏了一丛野风信子。

3 secondly   

adv.第二，其次

参考例句：

• Secondly,use your own head and present your point of view.第二，动脑筋提出自己的见解。
• Secondly it is necessary to define the applied load.其次，需要确定所作用的载荷。

4 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

5 vent   

n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄

参考例句：

• He gave vent to his anger by swearing loudly.他高声咒骂以发泄他的愤怒。
• When the vent became plugged,the engine would stop.当通风口被堵塞时，发动机就会停转。

6 vents   

（气体、液体等进出的）孔、口( vent的名词复数 )； （鸟、鱼、爬行动物或小哺乳动物的）肛门； 大衣等的)衩口； 开衩

参考例句：

• He always vents his anger on the dog. 他总是拿狗出气。
• The Dandelion Patch is the least developed of the four active vents. “蒲公英区”在这四个活裂口中是发育最差的一个。

7 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。