Clueless about caring for plants

S

shaking

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I need some help I haven't a clue when it comes to looking after plants. I was given 2 plants on one the flowers look a bit like daisys and the other has medium sized pink flowers. Sorry about the brutal descriptions, anyway I had the pink one in the window (in the sun) and it got little white dots all over it and didn't look too healthy so I moved it out and it now seems to be doing okay even has a few flowers on it.

The flowers on the other one however are now brown it was also in the window I'm unsure if it's burnt or dead? Are plants meant to be kept away from direct sunlight?

Lastly I also have an orchid which I was told to just ignore and give a tiny bit of water to every now and again is this correct?

Many thanks in advance for all plant care tips as I'd rather not be know as the plant killer!!!
 
As a former plant killer I can offer two pieces of advice that were passed on to me that seem to work:

(1) More plants are killed by over-watering than under-watering. If a plant is really gasping for water it will go (counter-intuitively) "soggy looking" so you'll know about it, and then you can save it with water.

(2) For orchids put them under a running tap (tap running into pot) for a few minutes every week, but don't leave them standing in water. (My orchid is now six months old, a personal best).

Oh, and (3) put a drop of Rescue Remedy in the water when you are watering the plants, I swear it makes them more resistant to a plant-owner's inadvertantly murderous attentions ;)
 
Just to add to the last poters good advice,

Plants like some sunlight, but being in direct sunlight drys them out to fast, and it makes the flowers bloom, fade and die, too fast. It can also bring on diseases and green/white fly. If you notice any of these, go to a garden centre and they will give you the appropriate spray. Cut

Also keep them away fro Radiators, as theres too much heat.

When a flower fades, cut it off and bin it. It will help produce more flowers.

Do the same thing with the Orchid when it has finished flowering, cut it back. An Orchid can bloom for up to 6 months and it does require some plant fod in the water, while in flower. Water it much less when its not in flower. Also, dont move indoor plants around too much. If they find a place there happy in, leave them so.

Then sit back and Enjoy.
 
re the aphids (green and white fly)
You can treat the plants with soapy water....so just get a container that sprays liquid in a fine mist and put some soapy water in (ie dishwasher soap diluted with regular tap water)

THe underside of the leaves are where these guys will congregate so make sure to spray there.

If you intend putting your plantsoutdoors be a bit careful with this method. I understand that soapy water also zaps friendlies like ladybugs that you definitly want in your garden as they chow down on aphids and are probably the better long term solution. (note planting marigolds near plants you want to protect from aphids also works a treat as a chemical they excrete is a natural repellent to aphids)
 
Dear soon to be plant-lover!!
I agree with the advice from post 2, allow the plant to droop a LITTLE before watering it. I have lots of house plants and usually water them 1/wk some maybe twice if they are wilting in the sun.
Also Miracle-Gro have a plant food for dummies, called Pour & Feed. It's already made up and you just need to give it to your plants 1/month. Couln't be simpler!
Also, Google the names of your plants and you'll get lots of tips as to what temp etc they like.
Good luck!
 
Thanks for all the tips, as for the plant that's flowers are all brown is it dead??
 
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