July 20, 2001, Newsletter Issue #35: Giving Your Houseplants A Vacation.

Tip of the Week

Plunge Them Outdoors.
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In a shady corner of the garden, dig a pit around a foot deep, line with polythene and fill with sharp sand or peat.
Plunge your potplants up to the pot rim and soak the plunge material well.
The reasons for the shady corner are twofold : (1) Plants will scorch if exposed to bright outdoor sunlight.
and (2) The plunge medium will take a long time to dry out.
It is always wise to protect your houseplants from slugs and snails.

This method works well for all potplants with the notable exceptions of desert cacti and succulents. Christmas, Easter and orchid type cacti on the other hand can all be safely plunged.

Do I Practice What I Preach?
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I certainly do. My plunge bed is currently holding my Monstera, Ficus benjaminas, Musa, Anthurium, Scindapsus, boston ferns, Yucca, Dracaena, Parlour palm, and assorted other exotics awaiting my return.
Normally, I leave them in situe until September. They seem to love the cool damp summers over here and look very clean and healthy.

Have a wonderful holiday and rest assured your houseplants will never look better for having their own summer vacation.

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