How to care for your kokedamas in the fall and prepare them for winter.
Autumn arrived in the blink of an eye.
Our habits and routines begin to change, and we adapt our clothing to warmer garments.
Just like us, our kokedamas are living beings that also need some different alterations and care.
In this article, we present 6 essential aspects that you should keep in mind when maintaining your hair during the approaching colder months.
1. Make the most of the lighting.
In autumn and winter, the amount of light drops significantly compared to spring and summer. Additionally, there is also a decrease in the photoperiod (the amount of light during a day), so you should pay attention to the location of your kokedamas and move them if necessary.
Plants that are furthest from the window should be placed in a brighter location.
Open the curtains/blinds and clean the windows to let in as much light as possible into your home.
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2. Maintaining good ventilation at home is essential.
With the arrival of cold weather, the best thing to do is try to keep the windows closed for longer periods of time, to keep the space warmer and more welcoming.
Proper ventilation in rooms is just as important for our health as it is for the health of our indoor plants/kokedamas.
Closed houses and stagnant air can lead to the accumulation of moisture and the appearance of fungi and bacteria that cause diseases in plants.
Mold often appears on kokedama in these cases due to excess water and accumulated moisture in the air. If this happens, simply wipe it thoroughly with a clean, damp cloth.
Remember to air out the house every day, even if only for 10-15 minutes, or take the kokedamas outside to air them out frequently, even if only when watering them.
3. Controls humidity levels.
Just as excess moisture is bad for our plants, so is a lack of moisture.
It is very common to turn on heaters and air conditioners, as well as fireplaces, stoves, and other heating systems, which inevitably leads to a decrease in air humidity.
Ideally, kokedamas should be moved away from heating systems and placed in a location where they can obtain more humidity.
4. Pay attention to the temperature.
If your home tends to be cold during these months and any area where you have plants gets very cold, consider moving the kokedmas to a more sheltered and warm room. Temperatures below 20°C indoors can harm most indoor plant species, especially the more exotic ones.
Remember that being too close to windows also makes it cooler.
5. Do not fertilize
During the colder months, most plants drastically reduce their growth. Therefore, they consume fewer nutrients and don't need frequent fertilization. We advise against fertilizing until next spring.
Unnecessary fertilization can lead to an accumulation of fertilizer in the substrate, which can burn the roots and leaves of plants.
6. Reduce irrigation
For those who are unsure about watering at this time of year, you can buy a substrate moisture meter, although it's easy to identify when to water kokedamas, but help is always welcome.
During the colder seasons, it's essential to make sure you're not overwatering. The decrease in the rate of photosynthesis (due to less light) and the halt in growth lead plants to consume much less water.
Furthermore, with the cold and increased humidity, the substrate will take longer to dry.
You should reduce not only the frequency of watering but also the amount of water. Also pay attention to the water temperature. Sometimes the water comes out of the pipes too cold.
Leave the water in a basin/bowl or watering can for a while so that it reaches room temperature, and then you can water by immersion.
Plants like cacti and succulents should only be misted with moss to keep it hydrated.
Here are some plant species that require extra attention/care when watering:
- Sansevierias
- Succulents and Cacti in general
- Zamioculca zamiifolia
- Peperomias
- Pileas peperomioides
- Ceropegia woodii
- Senecios
- Water Pachiras
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.