Taking Care of the Plants

Objectives: At the end of 60 minutes lesson the students should be able to:
 Discuss the way and steps on how to taking care a plants.
 Value the importance of the plants.
 Apply the 3 way and steps or taking care of the plants.
Introduction:
In this lesson plants both indoors and out, are lovely additions to any décor. They are
generally easy to take care of and maintain, and will thrive when given proper care and
treatment. Whether you are unsure of how to care for your plants or you just want to
make sure you have done your homework, read on to Step One for information on
properly caring for indoor and garden plants.
Body:
Taking care of the plants is very important. We have 3 ways of taking care of the plants
 Caring for the house plants
 Caring for the outdoor plant
 Fixing common mistake.
In caring the houseplants, we have 5 steps to do:
Step one:
Give your plants plenty of light.
One of the primary concerns for house plants is making
sure they get enough light. Keeping your plants on a side-
table in your living room may look good, but if it is too far
from a window, your plant may not last long. Look up the
Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-1-
sun requirements for your specific plant, and move them to Version-4.jpg

a location that matches those requirements.

Basic sunshine guidelines are as follow:
 Plants that need 'full sunlight' should be placed somewhere that gets 4-6 hours of
direct light per day.
 Plants that need 'partial sunlight' should be placed somewhere that gets 2-3
hours of direct light per day.
  Plants that need 'shade' should be placed somewhere that gets 1 hour of direct
sunlight per day.

Step two:
Water your plants regularly.
Getting the proper balance of water for houseplants can
be tricky: too much water, and the roots will start to rot
because of poor drainage, and too little water and they'll
dry out. The specific amounts of water needed will vary
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-
from plant to plant, as some like to be very wet all the time Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-
2-Version-4.jpg
while others (like cacti and succulents) only need watering
once every few weeks. However, most plants will thrive when watered 2-3 times a
week. Use a spray bottle or small watering can, and add enough water each time so
that the soil is moist without being muddy.
 Stick your finger in the soil up to your 2nd knuckle to see how wet it is; if your
finger comes back dry, you need to water your plant. If it is wet at all, then hold
off on watering for a day or two more.
 Always use warm water for your plants, as cold water can shock the roots and
cause damage to the plant.
 Give your plants a deep watering about once a month. Place them in the sink
and let the water run through them. This will help keep salts from building up on
the surface of the soil.
Step three:
Fertilize your plants every few weeks
Fertilizer is a soil additive that supplies plants with nutrients.
It is particularly important to fertilize indoor plants every 2-3
weeks, because there is no organic matter being added to https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-
Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-
the soil naturally like there would be outdoors. Step-3-Version-4.jpg

 Spray or sprinkle the fertilizer directly onto the top of

the soil, according to the package directions.
  Liquid fertilizers can be mixed with water in your watering can. To apply, simply
water your plants.
 You do not need to mix the fertilizer into the potted soil, as it will dissolve and
incorporate into the mixture on its own over time.
Step four
Clean dust off your plants.
Indoor plants will become coated in a thin layer of dust
over time. This dust takes away from the plants' natural
beauty, and it makes it harder for them to grow by clogging
the 'pores' on the leaves. As a result, it is important to clean
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4-Version-4.jpg
off any dust you notice on a regular basis. Depending on
the size of your plant, there are two different general
cleaning methods: wipe them off with a cloth, or rinse them in the sink under running
water. If you choose to wipe down your plants, mix a small amount of warm water with a
bit of dish soap or plant soap, and dip a clean rag into the mixture before carefully
wiping down the leaves. If you run them under water, just turn on warm water in your
sink and carefully rinse each leaf with your hands or a clean dish rag.
 Rinsing down your plant under running water works best for smaller
plants. Make sure not to get too much water into the pot itself, though.
 There are brands of plant cleaning spray on the market that you can use
to spray the dust off your plants.
Step five
Move your plant away from air vents.
Moisture levels inside of houses tends to be lower
than moisture levels outside of houses. As a result, it is
common for houseplants to become dried up due to a
lack of humidity. Although regular watering can help
Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-5-
prevent this, a bigger issue causing this is placing Version-4.jpg

your indoor plants near air vents. Whether the heater

or the air conditioner is the one working, the constant air flow will dry out the leaves of
the plants and cause them to die off. To solve this problem, move them away from any
vents in the room. You can also incorporate a humidifier into your décor nearby to add
moisture to the air.
In caring outdoor plant, we have six step;
Step one
Make sure your plants are getting enough water.
Caring for plants in a garden relies heavily on the
natural elements and environment in proximity. As a
result, the amount of watering you need to do is
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-
Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-6-
dependent on what the weather and soil is like in your Version-3.jpg

area. It's generally a good rule of thumb to water your

plants 2-3 times a week either by hand with a watering can, or with a sprinkler system.
The soil of your garden should be damp without being soggy, and not so dry that it is
crumbly and dusty.
 Check the ideal watering amounts for each plant, as some varieties prefer lots of
water while others require very little.
Step two
Weed your garden regularly.
Weeds can spring up overnight and ruin a perfectly
lovely garden. Weeds are not only an eyesore, they
also take up valuable growing space and use
Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-7-
nutrients in the soil that could otherwise go towards Version-3.jpg

growing your garden. As a result, you should try to

pull weeds whenever you see them pop up. Grasp each weed as close to the ground as
you're able, and then pull it straight up. doing this will increase the likelihood of pulling
out the root system and slowing the growth of future weeds.
 You can use weed killers in your garden, but most aren't plant-specific and will
kill all surrounding plants (not just the weeds).
 Check for weeds growing underneath the canopy of a plant or bush.
Step three
Mulch your garden every few months.
Mulch is a type of organic compost that is added to the
top of your garden soil to prevent weeds from growing
and to trap moisture. Mulching will also add nutrients to
the soil as it mixes in over time, helping your plants to
Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-8-
grow even larger. You can purchase mulch at most Version-3.jpg

garden supply stores. Simply add a layer of mulch 1–2

inches (2.5–5.1 cm) thick over the entirety of the topsoil in your garden.
 Be careful not to cover up the base of your plants with mulch, as this will inhibit
their growth. This is especially important for small trees and bushes.
 You can add a layer of organic compost as a substitute for garden mulch, if you
want. Keep in mind that compost will not prevent weeds like mulch will, although
it is beneficial to your plant's growth.
For permanent plantings, you can lay down landscape fabric over the soil to act as a
weed barrier. Using this in combination with mulch will reduce weeds to almost nothing.
Step four
Cut off any dead or diseased plants.
Plant disease can spread quickly through a garden, if
not contained. The same is true for a plant that is
injured; if you don't remove the dying limbs, it can
continue to spread to the rest of the plant. Whenever
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-
you notice plants that are browning, dry, brittle, or Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-9-
Version-3.jpg
otherwise sickly looking, use a pair of gardening shears
to cut off the branches from the base. Cut off any dead or diseased plants. Plant
disease can spread quickly through a garden, if not contained. The same is true for a
plant that is injured; if you don't remove the dying limbs, it can continue to spread to the
rest of the plant. Whenever you notice plants that are browning, dry, brittle, or otherwise
sickly looking, use a pair of gardening shears to cut off the branches from the base.
Step five
Deadhead your flowers.
The term 'deadhead' refers to the practice of cutting off
the dead flower heads on a plant. This will stimulate new
growth, and remove the brown and dying flower. To do
this, simply use a pair of gardening shears to snip the
Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-

flower just below the bud. Over the next few days, you 10-Version-3.jpg

should notice a new bud begin to form and bloom. To

encourage the growth of leaves, cut flower buds before they bloom. This will conserve
the plant's energy.
Step six
Outdoor plants get more nutrients from their
surrounding environment than do indoor plants, meaning
that they need to be fertilized much less.
Find a fertilizer that meets your plants specific mineral
requirements, or choose an 'average' fertilizer such as a 6-12- Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-11-
Version-3.jpg
6 or 10-10-10 mixture from your local nursery. Spray or
sprinkle the fertilizer onto the plants once every 4-5 weeks, according to package
directions.
Mix the fertilizer into the top few inches of soil. This can help reduce harmful runoff of
fertilizers into waterways and other areas. If fertilizer is left on top of the soil, the
nutrients will enter the air instead of the soil.
 Consider organic options for fertilizing. Most nutrition contained in chemical
fertilizers is wasted because it is released faster than plants can use it.
Furthermore, they only provide three nutrients. Mature organic compost or
organic mixes provide more micronutrients. Organic compost will release these
nutrients over a long period as plants need them.
 If you're unsure as to what fertilizer to use, ask your local nursery worker for help.
And in the fixing the common mistake we have also six steps:
Step one
Add drainage to poorly draining soil.
If your garden patch or potted plant constantly has a pool of
water sitting on top, then the soil is poorly draining. This is bad,
because the buildup of water can cause the roots of the plant
to rot, killing the plant over time. To remedy this, carefully dig https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-
Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-
Step-12-Version-3.jpg
out the plant and a clump of the surrounding soil; place the plant on a tarp or in another
clean pot. Mix compost or peat into the soil. Replace your plant in its original location.
 If all of your soil is poorly draining, you can dig it up and mix in sand to help
increase the drainage.
Step two
Move plants that are placed too closely together.
If you got a bit over-enthusiastic and planted several plants
near each other when they were small, you may have been
surprised when they grew up and began competing for space
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-
in your garden or indoor pot. Plants that are put too close Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-
13-Version-3.jpg
together will not grow as large, since there are not enough
nutrients to be shared between them. Move plants that are
placed too closely together
If you got a bit over-enthusiastic and planted several plants near each other when they
were small, you may have been surprised when they grew up and began competing for
space in your garden or indoor pot. Plants that are put too close together will not grow
as large, since there are not enough nutrients to be shared between them.
 Always use store-bought gardening soil rather than soil from your yard, as the
soil from your yard contains insects, plant diseases, and weeds that will spread
to your plant in its new location.
  You can tell that plants are too close if they are growing into each other, or if their
primary stems/branches become tangled.

Step three
Avoid adding too much mulch.
While mulching is beneficial for adding nutrients and
blocking out weeds, adding too much mulch can be
problematic for a garden. This is because the mulch
will not only block out weeds, but will also prevent
new growth from your plants from breaking the Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-14.j pg

surface. Never add more than a 2-inch thick layer of

mulch to your garden. If your garden isn't growing after you've mulched, take off 1–2
inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of mulch and wait a few weeks for improvement.
 If you add mulch too high on the base of a stem or tree, it will cut off valuable
sunlight and prevent growth. Move mulch off the base of the stems and tree
trunks in your garden.
Step four
Cut off any dead or diseased plants.
Plant disease can spread quickly through a garden,
if not contained. The same is true for a plant that is
injured; if you don't remove the dying limbs, it can
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-
continue to spread to the rest of the plant. Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-15-
Version-3.jpg
Whenever you notice plants that are yellow,
browning, dry, brittle, or otherwise sickly looking,
use a pair of gardening shears to cut off the branches from the base.
 Throw these branches away rather than leaving them in your garden as
compost, because if they do contain a plant disease, it can still spread to nearby
plants
Step five

Avoid over-watering your plants.

Although you may think you're watering your plants correctly, if

they begin to turn yellow and droop, you're probably giving them
too much water. Most plants don't need to be watered daily, in Plants#/Image:Take-Care-of-Plants-Step-16-
Version-3.jpg
fact they do better when given a lot of water every few days.
Only water your plants when the soil is dry at least 2-inches
deep. If you water every time the top of the soil looks dry, you are almost guaranteed to
over-water your plant. If you are having difficulty giving too much water to indoor plants,
try switching to a spray bottle for watering your plants, rather than using a watering can.
Spray bottles make it much harder to add too much water, since very little is released at
one time.

Step six

Make sure you don't plant your plants too deeply.

If your plants are slowly dying and wilting for no known

reason, you may have buried them too deeply. The roots of
the plant need to be relatively close to the surface, so that
they can extract all the nutrients from the topsoil and have
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-
access to the sun. Carefully dig up your plants, and Plants#/Image:Water-Plants-While-You%27re-
Away-Step-18-Version-2.jpg

replant them so that the root ball is just-at or just-below the

surface of the soil. If the root ball is partially exposed,
spread a thin layer of mulch over the top to protect it.

 When transplanting a plant from a pot to the garden, keep the soil level at the
same depth that it was in the original pot.
  If your roots are mostly above the surface, your plant will die as well. You want
the roots to be level with the garden topsoil.

Activities:

Direction: Answer the following question.(5 pts)

 Summary our lesson the Taking Care of the Plants.

 How important the Taking Care of the Plants in our life?
 Why do we need to apply it in the plants?

Conclusion:

Plants contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate

amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. During the
process of photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and produce the
oxygen we breathe. In overall when all of these ways of Taking care a plant are
practiced, then farmers will be sure of a fruitful harvest for the year.

References:

https://www.insider.com/how-to-take-care-of-plants-2018-7
https://www.thesill.com/blogs/plants-101/top-ten-plant-care-tips

Prepared by:
Axxel Mae A. Lapiguera
1 BTLEd HE A
March 02, 2020