Blog Post

End rot or blossom end rot is a physiological condition that affects vegetable fruits. It can affect both raw and ripe fruits. You will know your crops are affected by this disorder when you spot a brown, leathery rot developing on or near the blossom end of the fruit. The rot begins as a small brown lesion that widens as the condition worsens. Secondary infection may attack the rotting end, creating a black mold. 

What Causes End Rot

Some farmers associate end rot with fungal infections or conditions managed with fungicides or pesticides.  Such farmers spend a lot on chemicals, with little or no success. The only good thing about the condition is that it does not spread from one plant to the other. So what causes end rot?

As mentioned earlier, end rot is a physiological or environmental disorder caused by calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering. In short, end rot is a calcium deficiency condition. Plants affected by this condition either receive an inadequate calcium supply or have absorption problems. That explains why the condition is related to inconsistent watering or drought. 

Plants may also suffer from the condition due to root damage. Damaged roots impact calcium intake, leading to this physiological disorder. Acidic or waterlogged soil may also lead to blossom end rot.

Plant Issues Similar to End Rot

Several plant issues can be mistaken for end rot. Proper diagnosis is required to establish whether your plants suffer from end rot or other conditions. Some conditions with almost similar conditions include.

Sunscald

You can confuse sunscald and end rot as both conditions have almost similar symptoms. However, the brown patch in sunscald infection appears on the side exposed to the sun.

Blight

It is also possible to confuse blight and end rot. However, blight attacks the entire plant, while rot affects only the fruits. Blight is a fungal infection, while blossom end rot is a calcium deficiency condition.

Anthracnose

Another fungal infection that can be confused with end rot is anthracnose. Anthracnose starts with tiny dark sunken lesions that widen and merge, causing the fruit to rot.

Vegetables Impacted by End Rot

Most fruit-bearing vegetables are susceptible to end rot. However, the condition often affects tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, pumpkin, squash, and watermelon. The condition only affects crops with calcium deficiency or those growing in acidic or waterlogged soils.

How to Prevent Blossom End Rot

Blossom end rot occurs when your plants do not get sufficient calcium or experience watering issues, where plants get insufficient excess water. You can prevent this physiological condition from affecting your plants by;

• Ensuring your plants get enough calcium from fertilizer and foliar
• Adopting a consistent watering schedule that ensures the soil is not waterlogged or dry
• Applying mulches to prevent excessive moisture loss
• Avoiding activities that injure plant roots
• Test and manage soil PH to reduce acidity

Reversing Blossom End Rot 

You may want to reverse the effect of end rot and save your crop. However, the affected fruit cannot be treated. You only prevent the condition from affecting subsequent fruits. Luckily, the condition does not attack the entire plant. With sufficient calcium supply and a consistent watering schedule, you can be assured of the next harvest.

Learn More About End Rot from Nick’s Garden

Blossom end rot can impact your yield if not managed effectively. However, you can reduce its risk by providing sufficient calcium and maintaining a consistent watering schedule. You can also prevent this condition from attacking your crops by ordering a soil PH and nutrient test from Nick’s Garden. Contact us today to learn more or speak to an expert.  

A vegetable or container garden can ensure a constant supply of fresh foods for you and your loved ones. The Colorado growing season supports numerous crops, some that thrive in the warm summers and others that equally do well in the cool fall season. With simple crop management skills and post-harvest preservation techniques, you can have enough supply of organic foods. Pest and rodent control is one of the most important crop management skills. Without a good control plan, pests can ruin your garden. In this article, we will learn about common pests in Colorado and how to keep your crops pest-free. 

Importance of Protecting Your Garden from Pests and Rodents  

You have numerous reasons to protect your vegetable garden from pest infestation. Here are a few reasons why you should protect your vegetable garden from pests and rodents.

Increase Yields

Pest and rodent attacks injure, break, or cause other crop damage on your crops. The injured crops become unhealthy and stunted, leading to decreased yield. Keeping the pests and rodents away from your vegetable garden maximizes yield when integrated with other crop management practices. 

Helps in Controlling Diseases

Controlling pests and rodents reduces the risk of crop disease infection. Some pests and rodents can contribute to the spread of crop diseases. Besides attacking crops, pests like aphids can spread viruses, while rodents introduce fungal diseases into your crop garden. 

Cost Saving

Treating a pest-infested garden can be expensive. You can avoid the high treatment costs by protecting your vegetable garden from pest infestation.

Preserving Garden Aesthetics

Spending time in a green garden is therapeutic. However, a pest-infested garden is unattractive. 

Common Pests in Colorado and The Plants They Impact

While we may not exhaust the list of crop pests in Colorado, here are the most common ones.

Aphids

Aphids are small insects that affect a range of vegetables, including kale, cabbages, and tomatoes. They suck juices from the plants, leading to leaf discoloration, curling, and yellowing. Aphid infestation also leads to stunted growth.

Japanese Beetles

The Japanese beetle attracts over 300 plant species, including grass lawns, roses, potatoes, grapes, and peppers.

Whiteflies

Another common garden pest is the white fly. It is related to the aphid, and its infestation weakens the affected crops.

Rodents

Rodents are small gnawing mammals such as rats, mice, porcupines, hamsters, beavers, and many more. They attack almost every part of the crop, including stems, leaves, roots, tubers, fruits, and seeds. They cause huge losses since they not only damage field crops but can also damage stored grains, fruits, and tubers. Larger rodents like squirrels and chipmunks damage ripe fruits, including tomatoes and cane tops. The rodents are more active in summer and fall.

Birds

Birds also pose a risk to your vegetable garden. They can uproot seeds, damage seedlings, eat fruits, berries, and grains.  

How to Protect Your Crops Against Pest and Rodents?

You can apply different methods to protect your plants from pests and rodents. You can prevent pests and rodents from accessing your garden or use various management methods if your crops are infected. Preventative measures include the use of;

• Physical barriers like netting and cages
• Preventative chemicals like pesticides
• Organic methods like introducing pest and rodent predators
• Control measures, on the other hand, include pesticide spraying, handpicking, trapping, or introducing predators.

Control Pests and Rodents for Increased Crop Yield

Pests and rodents impact plant health and yield. Controlling pests and rodents can improve plant health and maximize yield. Nick’s Garden can help you identify common pests and rodents in Colorado and the different control methods. Contact us today to learn more about protecting your garden from pests. 

Growing your vegetables can help you put fresh organic foods on your table. Moreover, preparing your vegetable garden and watching the green crops flourish can be a fulfilling summer activity. However, the short growing season in Denver makes it difficult to choose the best summer vegetable to plant. This guide will help you choose the best vegetables for your garden next summer.

Denver’s Growing Season 

A growing season refers to the period that favors crop growth from planting to harvesting. In Denver, the period is quite short. Farmers in Denver have about 153 days to grow their crops. The growing season begins in early May and extends to the first fall (October 3) frost. You can use Mother’s Day to mark the beginning of the planting season.

While the growing season in Denver may appear short, it can support the growth of several vegetable varieties. All you need to know is the crop’s seed-to-harvest period to check whether it fits in the short growing season. Once you understand the growing season and the vegetables that can mature in that period, you maximize your can maximize your produce.  

Plants You Can Still Plant in The Summer and Get a Harvest  

As we mentioned earlier, the growing season is enough to grow an unlimited number of vegetables. Moreover, some vegetables require even maturity periods shorter than the growing season. That means some vegetables do well when you plant them early, while others will still thrive when you plant them in mid or late summer. Use this guide to plan your summer vegetable gardening.

Crops that Do Well When Planted in Early Summer 

Cucumbers 

You can start your summer gardening with cucumbers. This warm-season vegetable has become a staple in Denver gardens. Cucumbers are easy to grow and take 50 to 65 days from planting to the first harvest. Cucumbers are best when you harvest them before they begin to yellow.   

Tomatoes

Another vegetable to plant in early summer is the tomato. Although tomatoes take only 100 days to mature, we recommend planting them early in summer since they only thrive in warm weather. You can grow them from seeds indoors in spring and transplant them in summer. You can also buy seedlings ready for transplanting.

Peppers

Preppers are also warm-season crops that take between 60-150 days to reach maturity. You can grow them indoors from seeds and transplant them in early summer when the weather gets warmer. 

Okra

Plant your okras early in summer, between 15 and 25 May, to fully utilize the short growing season. Okras take 55 to 65 days to mature, and you can harvest them for the next 10 weeks.

Vine Plants

Vine plants also do well when planted early in summer.  You can grow them from seeds or buy seedlings.

Mid – Late Summer 

Slightly late, but still want to spend part of your summer in the garden? You can still grow the vegetables and still get a harvest. 

Zucchini

Zucchini takes 45 to 55 days to mature, meaning you can plant them in late July or early August and still get a good harvest. 

Squash

You can still plant your squash mid-summer since it only takes 50 to 65 days to mature.  

Pole Beans

The pole bean is another excellent crop to plant in mid-summer. This delicious vegetable is only 55-65 days mature.  

Bush Beans

Bush beans are another excellent choice for mid-summer gardening. They only take 45 days to mature, meaning you can plant them in July.

Late Summer Vegetables

It’s never too late to begin summer gardening. You can plant the following plants late in the summer for a fall harvest.

• Lettuce
• Radishes
• Beats

Looking for an Engaging and Fulfilling Outdoor Summer Activity? Start a Vegetable Garden

Do not run out of summer outdoor activity ideas when you have a vegetable garden. Contact Nick’s Garden Center for vegetable seedlings you can plant in summer and enrich your food basket. 

Several reasons make pepper a preferred outdoor plant. You can also grow this versatile crop in your backyard and spice up your culinary. This guide will help you learn tips about pepper growing in Colorado and where to buy healthy seedlings. 

Why Peppers are a Favorite Garden Crop in Colorado?

Here are a few reasons why peer is a good plant for your Colorado kitchen or vegetable garden.  

Favorable Climate

Pepper requires warmth and enough sunlight to flourish and increase yield. While Colorado has a mixed climate with favorable and unfordable weather conditions, the warm months are enough to grow your pepper. Moreover, pepper can withstand significant temperature changes, meaning you should not worry about the cold nights during the growing season.

Short Growing Season

The mixed climate in Colorado may not support crops with long growing seasons, which explains why pepper is a good option for this area. Pepper takes between 60 and 150 days to mature. The short growing season allows you to plant and harvest your crop before extreme temperatures.

Resistance to Pests and Diseases

Pepper is relatively resistant to common crop pests and diseases in Colorado. Disease and pest resistance means you can plant and harvest your pepper without stretching your crop maintenance budget. With routine crop care and watering, you can be sure of a bumper harvest at the end of the growing season.

When to Plant Peppers Outside in Colorado

Successful pepper farming depends on your crop management skills. Crop management skills include transplanting at the right time to ensure your crops mature before the end of the short growing season. You can germinate your pepper seeds indoors and transplant them when the outside conditions are favorable. You know your transplanting time is favorable if;

• The night time temps are above 50
• There is no imminent danger of frost
• It is the month of June and sometimes July, depending on the weather

Planting Too Early Can Stunt Pepper Growth

Pepper is a warm-season crop that requires night temps of above 50. These temps begin in June. Planting before June may stunt your crops for the following reasons.

• Soil temps may be too cold to support root development, leading to stunted growth
• Planting too early puts your plants at risk of frost, which can stunt or kill them. The last frost occurs in May, explaining why we recommend transplanting in June or July.
• Planting too early increases the risk of transplant shock, which can slow crop growth.

Types of Peppers that Grow Best in Colorado

Most pepper varieties will do well in Colorado. However, the following pepper varieties are the best to grow in Colorado

• Anaheim
• Ancho /Poblano
• Apache
• Banana 
• Big Jim  
• Burning Bush
• California Wonder
• Cayenne
• De Árbol
• Giant Marconi
• Gypsy
• Habanero
• Habanero Orange
• Hot Cherry Peppers
• Jalapeño
• Jalapeño Gigante
• Jalapeño Purple
• Mariachi
• Mirasol
• Pepperoncini
• Purple Beauty
• Purple Beauty
• Red Beauty
• Red Cap Mushroom
• Sandia
• Scotch Bonnet
• Scotch Bonnet
• Serrano
• Sonora
• Sweet Banana
• Sweet Cherry Pepper
• Thai Hot Pepper

Peppers with Shorter Seed to Harvest Timeline

As mentioned earlier, Colorado has a short pepper growing season. While good timing can help you remain within the planting season, choosing a variety with a shorter seed-to-harvest timeline is a better option. The following varieties mature fast and thrive well in Colorado.  

• Anaheim Peppers
• Hatch Peppers
• Jalapeño Peppers
• Sweet Bell Peppers

Can you Grow hot peppers In Colorado? 

While many peppers thrive in Colorado, hot peppers can be challenging to grow. The hot pepper varieties take longer to mature. However, you can plant them indoors and transplant them to fit in the short growing season.

Start Your Pepper Garden Today

Pepper thrives in Colorado, and incorporating it in your garden can ensure enough supply of this delicious spice. Nick’s Garden Center is here to support your pepper-growing journey. Contact us to order healthy pepper seedlings or a crop management guide.

Different from pieces of art, indoor plants need some care to maintain their natural charm. Such care entails pruning them to shape, controlling pests, and keeping them hydrated; all these activities can take some valuable time off your schedule.

However, with low-maintenance indoor plants, you just require a little effort to keep your plants in top shape. Nick’s Garden has highlighted 10 of the best low-maintenance plants that can survive with infrequent watering, low light, and poor soil conditions.

1. Rose Petals of Simplicity

The rose petals of simplicity boast dense foliage with vibrant flowers that blend effortlessly in any interior. Unlike ordinary roses, the petals of simplicity have excellent tolerance to disease and pests. In the bargain, this indoor plant requires minimal pruning. The disease resistance and reduced need for pruning make the petals a great fit for busy plant enthusiasts.

2. Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is another great addition to your easy-to-care-for indoor plant. The peace lily boasts glossy green leaves and showy white blooms, which add instant charm to your interior. Beyond the beauty, the Peace Lily has excellent tolerance to low light conditions and infrequent watering.

3. Orchids: Delicate Elegance Made Simple

Orchids are known for their attractive flowers with uniquely stunning colors. The plant has thick leaves which store water for use during dry days. As such, the orchids can maintain their striking beauty, even with infrequent watering.

4. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

The Moth Orchid brags of strikingly beautiful flowers, which help brighten tables and window sills. This houseplant features on the list of low-maintenance varieties since it survives well in indirect light. In addition, this moth orchid can maintain its beautiful blooms with infrequent watering.

5. Gerbera Daisies

Gerbera Daisies charms with 3 to 4-inch long flowers with shades of yellow, pink, salmon, lavender, or white. These daisies need watering after the first 1 to 2 inches of soil dries up. This means you won’t need to water them frequently.

6. African Violets

African Violets grace your room with white, pink, or bicolor blooms sitting atop velvety leaves. These flowering plants require moderate watering and minimal grooming to maintain their charm. They also grow well under poorly lit rooms, albeit with artificial lighting.

7. Snake Plant

The Snake Plant features sword-like leaves with striking patterns. This indoor plant can survive up to a month without watering. Besides its excellent tolerance to dry conditions, the snake plant does well in poorly lit rooms, and it has superb resistance to common pests.

8. Begonias

This is easy to care for begonia boasts lush foliage and attractive flowers with red, pink, yellow, and white colors. The begonias are a great fit for your indoor hanging baskets. They feature on the list of low-maintenance plants since they have moderate water needs.

9. Sunpatiens

The Sunpatiens takes a slot among easy-to-care-for plants for tree things — sturdy stems, tough foliage, and thick petals. The foliage and petals have excellent resistance to diseases. Likewise, this indoor flowering plant is resistant to mildew.

10. Living Prayer Plant

The Living Prayer features unique folded leaves resembling hands in prayer. It has low to medium light requirements, making it ideal for rooms that get inadequate exposure to sunlight. Moreover, this indoor plant requires moderate watering, so you won’t have to keep up with daily watering routines.

Get All Your Easy to Care for Indoor Flowering Plants at Nick’s Garden

At Nick’s Garden, we understand that everyone has a unique taste when it comes to choosing houseplants. For this reason, we have all popular indoor plants, including the hard-to-come-by low-maintenance varieties. Shopping with us will save you the stress of hopping from one center to the other, looking for your favorite variety.

Contact us to order the low-maintenance indoor plant you want.

Gardening is not a cheap endeavor. You need to invest in quality soil, fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides. Moreover, gardening requires that you buy quality seedlings, which aren’t so cheap. However, there are many ways to reduce the costs of gardening so you don’t overspend.

For instance, you can make gardening more cost-effective by embracing DIY. This includes making your own compost and repurposing materials. Nick’s Garden, Colorado’s leading garden center, explains more ways to build a cost-effective garden.

1. Planning Your Cost-effective Garden

Proper planning takes center stage in budget-conscious gardening. This activity sets a foundation for planning, helping you make strategic decisions to optimize resources and reduce unnecessary expenditures.

When planning, there are three things to take into account:

• Assessing the available space. Evaluate available space, taking into account things like sunlight exposure and soil quality. The assessment will help you plan for gardening activities like layout and soil amendment.
• Set achievable goals. After assessing your garden, set achievable goals to enable you to keep costs low. Your goals could include using homemade compost or minimizing resource use.
• Set a budget. Like in any project, budgeting is important when planning to cut costs. It prevents overspending and enhances mindful resource allocation.

2. ‌Choosing the Right Plants

Your choice of plants can increase or reduce your gardening costs. For instance, high-maintenance plants can increase your gardening budget greatly. The high-maintenance plants require specialized conditions, fertilizers, and care, which are expensive. The ideal plants to consider when looking to cut gardening costs include:

• Climate-appropriate plants. Plants acclimatized to Denver’s local climate don’t need special care. They can survive the climate, type of soil and common pests. They require minimal care to maintain top health.
• Affordable and low maintenance. Apart from climate-appropriate plants, buy affordable and low-maintenance varieties. Such plants will reduce the initial and ongoing costs associated with plant care.
• Multipurpose plants. Multipurpose plants are those that can serve various functions like providing fruit, shade, or beautifying your garden. They eliminate the cost of keeping separate plants for each single purpose.

3. Soil Preparation and Composting

The quality of soil can also make your gardening costs high or lower. For instance, poor soil requires additional inputs like fertilizers on a recurrent basis. For this reason, when starting affordable farming, it matters to assess soil quality and find ways to improve it.

Suppose the soil lacks key nutrients, fertilize it with organic alternatives instead of inorganic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are more economical compared to synthetic fertilizers. In fact, you can make your compost using kitchen and yard waste.

4. Budget-friendly Garden Design

When striving to reduce gardening costs, aim at maximizing your garden space. Utilizing your garden space well ensures that you get the most out of your garden without wasting inputs like fertilizer, water, and labor.

Instead of hiring someone to design your garden, opt for DIY to save the costs. You can learn valuable DIY garden design tips on online platforms like YouTube. In addition, you’d want to propose or recycle items like wooden pallets for garden structures.

5. Efficient Watering Techniques

Inefficient watering practices may lead to overconsumption, resulting in higher water bills and gardening costs. For this reason, if you wish to cut gardening costs, invest in water-saving techniques. One such cost-effective watering technique is implementing a drip irrigation system.

Drip irrigation delivers water to the root zone, reducing runoffs from wastewater. Apart from implementing a drip irrigation system, you can keep water bills low by collecting and using rainwater instead of piped water.

Let Nick’s Garden Help You Build a Cost-effective Garden

Building a cost-effective garden requires the input of gardening professionals. These experts have reliable knowledge of soil health, plant compatibility, and efficient resource utilization. They will help you design a strategy that cuts significant costs off your gardening.

For Denver Residents, Nick’s Garden is your ideal partner in budget-friendly gardening. We will help you choose the right, low-maintenance plants that do well in Denver. We will also furnish you with custom-tailored knowledge to help you save costs.

Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our gardening experts.

While oranges are hailed for high vitamin C content, Chili peppers contain approximately twice as much vitamin C. The best part is that peppers are easy to cultivate, giving you the freedom to grow your supply at home.

Nonetheless, growing peppers in Colorado is a little challenging. Colorado has a shorter growing season, and yet peppers need a relatively longer period to mature. But, still, you can grow peppers with the following tips from Nick’s Garden Center.

1. Understand Colorado’s Pepper Landscape

Colorado’s pepper climate is a mix of weather conditions, some favorable and others unfavorable. In summer, the state gets warm temperatures and adequate sunlight. Likewise, in winter, the temperatures fall to freezing levels.

The most suitable pepper growing season spans from mid-May to mid-October. During the mentioned months, Colorado experiences warm temperatures and adequate sunlight. The warmth and sunlight support optimal growth as long as the soil is well-fertilized and watered.

2. Picking the Perfect Pepper

Many chili pepper varieties do well in Colorado. Thus, depending on personal preferences, you should choose your most suitable type from mild, medium, or hot. Since Colorado’s pepper growing season is relatively short, ensure that the varieties you select have a quick growing span.

With pepper varieties that mature quickly, you will get to harvest before winter sets in. The most popular pepper varieties that thrive well in Colorado’s climate include:

• Anaheim Peppers. This variety has mild heat, ideal for cooking and roasting.
• Hatch Peppers. The hotness of Hatch Peppers ranges from mild to hot. They are great for stews and soups.
• Jalapeño Peppers. The Jalapeño pepper has a moderate kick and is suitable for grilled meat and salsas.
• Sweet Bell Peppers. The bell pepper has a mild heat, ideal for people who don’t prefer hot varieties. The peppers’ varied colors help improve the visual appeal of various dishes.

3. Indoor Seed Starting for a Head Start

For the best results, Nick’s Garden experts recommend starting pepper seeds indoors before planting outdoors. Starting seed indoors ensures that your seedlings will have developed a robust network of roots before the planting season.

Ideally, you should start your pepper seeds indoors approximately 6 – 8 weeks before the planting season. This 6-8 weeks time frame allows seeds to develop into robust seedlings ready for transplanting.

To transplant, use the following blueprint as a guideline:

• Get the right supplies, including seeds and a quality seed-starting mix.
• Fill seed trays with your seed-starting mix.
• Plant your pepper seeds about 0.25 inches deep.
• Mist the soil surface with enough water.
• Keep the seed trays in a warm location with bright, indirect light.
• When the seedlings germinate, remove the weaker ones.
• Acclimate the seedlings by placing them outside for a week before transplanting.

4. Transplanting & Thriving

Hardening off pepper seedlings prevents shock, which can slow down growth. On the day of transplanting, dig holes in well-drained soil. Afterward, place the seedlings at a depth matching their original containers.

After transplanting your seedlings, water them one to two times a week. In addition to watering, apply a balanced fertilizer to boost the seedling’s growth. Occasionally, inspect the Chili pepper for signs of disease and pest attack. Use organic pesticides to control pests.

Achieve Pepper Growing Success With the Support of Nick’s Garden Center

Nick’s Garden Center is your trusted partner in matters of pepper cultivation. Our garden center supplies healthy seedlings for all pepper varieties. Beyond selling seedlings, we furnish our clients with the correct gardening information to increase their chances of success.

Contact us to order your pepper seedlings or learn more cultivation tips from a skilled gardener.

Ficus Audrey is one of the best indoor plants. It boasts a stunning appearance, characterized by large, glossy, dark green leaves on a robust trunk. Beyond beauty, the Ficus Audrey requires little maintenance, and it helps remove impurities from indoor air.

Suppose Ficus Audrey does not receive proper care, lest you deal with issues like leaf drop, yellowing of leaves, and susceptibility to pests. Learn the information you need to care for the Ficus Audrey plant.

Getting to Know Ficus Audrey

Ficus Audrey is a native of India and Pakistan, where it is regarded as a sacred ornamental tree. The plant has oval-shaped leaves featuring bright green foliage on a pale trunk. This house plant can grow to 6 feet high. Nonetheless, you can prune it to keep it in size.

Setting the Stage: Ideal Environment

Ficus Audrey thrives best under the right conditions. A proper balance of the right conditions helps the plant retain its aesthetic allure while reducing the likelihood of issues like leaf yellowing. The most basic conditions to provide include the following:

• Light Requirements

This ornamental plant, Ficus Audrey, grows well in places that get plenty of indirect sunlight. For this reason, it is best to place the plant in windows that face east or west. You’d want to avoid direct sunlight as it scorches leaves.

If there is not enough light indoors, you can supplement the natural light with LED grow lights. These lights mimic natural light, providing the wavelength your Ficus Audrey needs to photosynthesize.

• Temperature and Humidity

Ficus Audrey prefers room temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler temperatures, more especially those below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, can lead to issues like leaf dropping.

In addition to the temperature, this indoor plant thrives well under a humidity range of 30 to 60 percent. You can keep a humidifier or pebble tray near the tree to boost humidity levels in case your indoor area has insufficient humidity.

Planting and Repotting

Ficus Audrey performs well in any high-quality potting soil. The ideal potting soil should have excellent drainage and aeration so the plant’s roots don’t rot. In addition to aeration and drainage, the right soil for Ficus Audrey should be relatively alkaline.

After every two years, you should report Ficus Audrey in a larger pot. Nonetheless, if you notice the plant’s roots through the pot’s drainage holes, re-pot it even before the two-year period elapses. To report your ornamental plant, use the following steps.

• Choose a slightly larger pot, but make sure it isn’t too large
• Get your potting mix ready
• Water the Ficus Audrey thoroughly a day before repotting
• Remove the plant gently from its current pot
• Place some potting mix at the bottom of the new pot
• Place the Ficus Audrey in the center of the new pot
• Fill the sides with more potting mix
• Water the Ficus Audrey and place it away from direct sunlight

Watering Wisdom

Water the Ficus Audrey every time the top 1 or 2 inches of soil dries up. Besides, you can water the plant whenever its leaves start curling inwards. The curling means that the plant is thirsty and, hence, needs watering.

Make sure you water Ficus Audrey consistently to avoid the chances of overwatering or underwatering. Overwatering makes the plant’s leaves appear yellow, losing its aesthetic appeal. Likewise, the plant’s leaves will have dry, crusty spots when underwatered.

Pruning and Shaping

Since Ficus Audrey’s foliage can grow out of shape, you should prune it to shape and give it a bushy appearance. The plant is best pruned in winter to reduce the risk of injury. In addition to timing, use the following best practices to get the process right.

• Use clean and sharp pruning shears to prune your houseplant
• Remove damaged leaves
• Prune excessively long branches to keep them in size
• Cut the tips of branches to stimulate bushier growth
• Cut branches just above leaf nodes to promote growth

Dealing with Pests and Diseases

Ficus Audrey is prone to spider mites and soil gnats. However, pest attack is never a big issue since you can prevent them with neem oil. You can notice the pests by the sticky residue or fine webbing visible on the leaves. Apart from pests, Ficus Audrey can be vulnerable to fusarium wilt, which can be treated with a fungicide.

Learn More Care Tips for Ficus Audrey from Nick’s Garden Center

For the past 30 years, St. Nick’s Garden has helped thousands of homeowners beautify their home with all sorts of indoor plants. We sell an array of ornamental plants for your indoors or outdoors, including the Ficus Audrey. Besides the plants, we give gardening advice to help you keep your plants in top shape.

Contact us to discuss your gardening concerns with an expert.