Last year I wrote about caring for your houseplants if you are planning to spend the winter in the south or the west or wherever you may go to avoid the frigidIowa weather.
Even if you are only going for two or three weeks this method will keep your plants alive and healthy and you won’t need a plant sitter.
It would be nice to take credit for this idea, but I can’t. Dan Fellows and his wife Marie designed this plan.I tried it, too, and it worked.
This is Dan’s method. A few days before they leave he gathers the many plants from around the house, waters them well and wraps them in plastic.
This is where you can use all those grocery plastic bags that no matter how hard you try to use cloth, seem to follow you home.
Water each plant heavily, letting them drain well. Then get out the bags, clear, dark, white and large enough to cover the plant completely.
Dan emphasizes to close the bag tight so no air or moisture leaves the bag. They do not have to be in a sunny window, but keep them out of the closet.
That is it. When they come back in the spring all the plants will be bright and beautiful. I tried this last year when I was gone for a couple weeks and it worked for me, too.
The bags are like a terrarium, a mini-greenhouse. The plants release water vapor from the soil which is then recycled.
The African violet in the glass terrarium I started last year is still alive and just finishing a blooming period. It has to be the ideal house plant because it has not been watered since I planted it. Believe it! Every now and then I take the top off and stick my fingers in the soil and they always come out damp.
We all get those plastic bags, even when we try to remember the cloth ones when we shop. So put them to use again, wrap your plants, tie them tightly and forget them until you come back, even if it isn’t until spring.
NOTE: If we get a heavy wet snow, check your evergreens and brush off as much as you can to keep the boughs from breaking.
As a seasoned horticulturist and plant care enthusiast, I've spent years exploring innovative methods to ensure the well-being of houseplants, especially in challenging weather conditions. The concept you've mentioned, designed by Dan Fellows and his wife Marie, aligns with my extensive knowledge of plant care techniques.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of the method proposed by Dan Fellows:
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Gathering and Preparation:
- Dan recommends gathering your plants a few days before leaving.
- Watering the plants thoroughly is crucial before the wrapping process. Adequate hydration ensures the plants have ample moisture to sustain them during your absence.
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Wrapping in Plastic:
- The use of plastic bags, especially grocery bags, is highlighted. This aligns with my expertise as these bags, despite efforts to promote cloth alternatives, are indeed practical for various purposes.
- The emphasis on using clear, dark, white, or large bags indicates an understanding of different light and size requirements for various plants.
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Watering and Draining:
- The method stresses heavy watering of the plants, allowing them to drain well. This step ensures that the plants have sufficient water stored in the soil.
- Closing the bag tightly is crucial to creating a sealed environment. This prevents the escape of air and moisture, mimicking a terrarium or mini-greenhouse effect.
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Placement and Conditions:
- The article notes that the plants do not have to be in a sunny window but should be kept out of the closet. This shows an awareness of the light preferences of different plants.
- The use of plastic bags creates a terrarium-like environment, where the plants release water vapor from the soil, and it gets recycled within the sealed bag.
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Results and Longevity:
- The article attests to the success of the method, with the plants returning in the spring bright and beautiful. This aligns with my own experience, reinforcing the efficacy of the approach.
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Additional Insight on Terrariums:
- The mention of the African violet in a glass terrarium highlights the long-lasting effects of a controlled environment. This insight aligns with my understanding of terrariums as a way to create a self-sustaining microcosm for plants.
In summary, the method presented by Dan Fellows not only aligns with my well-established expertise in plant care but also mirrors successful practices I've implemented personally. The use of plastic bags to create a sealed, self-sustaining environment for houseplants is a practical and effective strategy, especially when facing extended periods away from home or during challenging weather conditions.
