Plant Care

I learned general plant care from my mother, who learned it from her grandmother on her mother's side, who learned it from HER mother, whose mother was the daughter of the man who brought my family over from Sweden.
I don't know if any of this knowledge is actually Swedish, but I thought that it would make a good title for this journal. Most of it is common knowledge stuff, or things you can find online, but to me its special, because it was passed down mother to daughter (My opinions about my own mother aside) for years. It works on almost any plant, except for certain exceptions, like cacti. The rules are simple, but important.

Potting
Pot your plant. Whether a bulb, seed, sprout or full grown plant, pot in soil bought from a potting store. Don't get anything special, like fertilized soil. In fact it is perfectly safe to buy the cheapest, plain soil available. Don't plant the plant in dirt from your yard. This is because bagged soil is often much more fertile, without additives. I suggest the Black Gold brand soil, which runs about $1 a lb. Though this is on the spendy side, it is additive free, and highly fertile. If your plant came with soil, or instant soil, use that. Indoor plants can be potted at any time of year, outdoor plants should be checked for the correct season to plant.

Placing
Put the plant in a place where it will receive full sun for several hours each day, but will not be in reach of animals or in danger of being knocked over or stepped on (Unless you know that you shouldn't, like you're growing mushrooms or something.)

Water
Water your plant. If you have a pot with holes in the bottom, make sure that the plant is sitting in a tray or on a plate when you do this. Water it until you see just a tiny bit of water come out the bottom. If you have a closed bottom pot, water the soil a little bit at a time, and let it soak in. Continue this until it soaks in at a slower rate. If you're purchasing your OWN pots, then always get the draining (holes in the bottom) kind. The closed kind can easily drown your plants if you aren't careful. If you have a close pot, and you water remains at the surface, and doesn't soak in, then you've over watered. You must completely transplant the plant, and pour out the water.

Ignore the plant. Let it sit in your windowsill or on your porch, and go about your daily life. When you notice that its dry, water it like in step three.

Transplanting
Transplant every few years to a larger pot. If you have more then one plant, do all of them at once. Spread a tarp or old blanket out on the porch, or transplant in your yard. I do not suggest transplanting inside, and CERTAINLY not the first time, however, it can be done carefully by the experienced plant owner. New pots should be large enough for the old pot to fit comfortably inside. (Basically the next size up at the store.) Be prepared to get dirty, and make a big mess. Start bay filling each of your new pots a little less then half way with brand new soil. With a large spoon (NOT a garden spade!) start to dig up the plant you want to transplant. Do this carefully. You are using a spoon so as not to damage the roots of the plant. Dig all the dirt out close to the end of the pot, so as not to hurt the plant. If you water the plants before you start, then the moist dirt will clump together better. Continue this until you hit the bottom of the pot. Then grasp the plant firmly (But not so hard your strain it) by the bottom, and lift it out of the pot. It should lift up easily. Gently bat the large clumps away from its roots. It is not necessary to clean all the dirt from the roots unless the plant has been sick. Set it into the new pot, and hold it upright in the rough center. With your other hand, fill up the pot with one hand full of dirt at a time, until it is just below the brim.

Plant illnesses
Sick plants should be moved away from the other plants, either across the house or outside. Outside is best. Not all plant diseases are contagious, but many are. Signs of sickness include many small bumps on the leaves on stem, tiny red mites crawling over the plant,s rotting leaves (When the rest are healthy) Drooping, reducing foliage, not producing flowers or fruit when it should (or exceptionally few or small flower or fruit). Look up the plants symptoms for proper treatment of the disease. Once the disease is treated, it is safe to bring the plant back inside. If pesticides or other chemicals were used, then transplant. Make sure you clean the roots off very well when you do this, including washing them with a gentle stream of water with the hose. Get them as clean as possible without water FIRST, to ensure the good health of the plant.