Care Info Tab - Complete Care Guide

🎯 What You'll Learn

• Watering guide - How much, when, and how to water
• Light requirements - Optimal placement and signs of issues
• Climate needs - Temperature and humidity preferences
• Feeding schedule - Fertilization best practices
• Maintenance tasks - Pruning, repotting, cleaning

⚡ Quick Start

Get instant care guidance:

1. Open plant → Click Care Info tab
2. Scroll to section you need (Water, Light, etc.)
3. Follow instructions - Step-by-step guidance
4. Check warning signs - Know what problems look like

Result: Expert care knowledge for your specific plant!

📚 Complete Guide

Watering Section

Everything about keeping your plant properly hydrated.

Watering Schedule

Current Frequency:

• Every 7 days (editable in Edit mode)
• Based on species needs + your conditions
• Adjusts seasonally (if enabled)

Last Watered: Oct 22, 2025 (3:45 PM)

Next Scheduled: Oct 29, 2025

Seasonal Adjustments:

• 🌱 Spring/Summer - Every 5-7 days (active growth)
• 🍂 Fall - Every 7-10 days (slowing growth)
• ❄️ Winter - Every 10-14 days (dormancy)

How to Water

Method (Species-Specific):

Top Watering (Most common):

1. Water soil surface evenly
2. Continue until water drains from bottom
3. Wait 5-10 minutes
4. Empty drainage tray

Bottom Watering (For sensitive leaves):

1. Place pot in tray of water
2. Let soil absorb for 10-20 minutes
3. Remove when top soil feels moist
4. Empty tray

Soaking (For very dry plants):

1. Submerge pot in bucket/sink
2. Soak for 30-60 minutes
3. Let drain completely
4. Return to location

Misting (Supplemental only):

• Not a replacement for watering
• Increases humidity
• Use for air plants, ferns

Water Amount

How Much Water:

• Until drainage - Water should run out bottom holes
• Soil saturation - Entire root ball should be moist
• Not standing water - Never let roots sit in water

Container Size Guide:

• Small pot (10-15cm) - ~250ml (1 cup)
• Medium pot (15-25cm) - ~500ml (2 cups)
• Large pot (25-35cm) - ~1000ml (4 cups)
• Adjust based on drainage speed

Water Quality

Best Water Types:

1. Rainwater - Ideal (natural, no chemicals)
2. Filtered Water - Good (removes chlorine, fluoride)
3. Tap Water (aged) - Acceptable (let sit 24 hours to off-gas chlorine)
4. Distilled - For sensitive plants (no minerals)

Avoid:

• ❌ Softened water (high sodium)
• ❌ Very hard water (mineral buildup)
• ❌ Cold water (use room temperature)

Signs You Need to Water

Dry Soil Indicators:

• 🌱 Top 2-3cm of soil dry to touch
• 🪴 Pot feels light when lifted
• 🍂 Leaves drooping or curling
• 🌿 Soil pulling away from pot edges

Moisture Meter Reading: Below 3/10

Finger Test: Stick finger 2-3cm into soil - if dry, water!

Signs of Overwatering

Too Much Water Symptoms:

• 🟡 Yellowing leaves (especially lower leaves)
• 🫠 Soft, mushy stems
• 🍄 Mold on soil surface
• 🦠 Root rot smell (musty, rotten)
• 💧 Persistent wet soil (more than 3 days)

Recovery:

1. Stop watering immediately
2. Check roots for rot (brown, mushy)
3. Improve drainage (add perlite to soil)
4. Repot if root rot present
5. Let soil dry almost completely before next watering

Light Requirements Section

Optimal lighting for healthy growth.

Ideal Light Conditions

Light Type: Bright Indirect Light

What This Means:

• 🌅 Direct Morning Sun - 1-2 hours okay
• ☀️ No Harsh Midday Sun - Causes scorching
• 💡 Bright, Filtered Light - Near window, behind sheer curtain
• 🪟 Within 3-6 feet of window

Direction Recommendations:

• ✅ East Window - Gentle morning sun (ideal)
• ✅ North Window - Consistent indirect (acceptable)
• ⚠️ West Window - Needs sheer curtain (hot afternoon sun)
• ⚠️ South Window - Too intense (must filter)

Daily Light Hours

Recommended: 6-8 hours of bright, indirect light

How to Measure:

• Use light meter app (500-1000 foot-candles)
• Or observe: Can you read a book comfortably? → Good light!
• Shadow test: Hand casts soft, blurry shadow → Indirect light ✓

Current Location Assessment:

• 📍 "East Kitchen Window"
• ✅ Suitable - Matches light requirements
• 💡 Distance: ~2 feet from window (optimal)

Signs of Too Much Light

Light Stress Symptoms:

• 🔥 Scorched Leaves - Brown, crispy edges or spots
• 😵 Fading Color - Leaves bleaching, turning pale
• 😞 Wilting - Despite adequate water (heat stress)
• 📉 Slow Growth - Plant conserving energy

Solutions:

1. Move farther from window (increase distance 1-2 feet)
2. Add sheer curtain or blinds
3. Rotate plant so stronger side faces away
4. Relocate to east or north window

Signs of Too Little Light

Insufficient Light Symptoms:

• 🌱 Leggy Growth - Long stems with gaps between leaves
• 🍃 Small New Leaves - Smaller than older leaves
• 📉 Slow/No Growth - Plant not developing
• 🎨 Loss of Variegation - Variegated plants turning solid green
• 🍂 Leaf Drop - Lower leaves yellowing and falling

Solutions:

1. Move closer to window (within 1-3 feet)
2. Relocate to brighter window (south or west)
3. Add grow lights (supplement natural light)
4. Prune leggy growth to encourage bushier shape

Artificial Light Option

When to Use Grow Lights:

• Dark rooms, north-facing only
• Winter months (short days)
• Office environments
• Basement/interior spaces

Setup Recommendations:

• Type: Full-spectrum LED grow light
• Distance: 6-12 inches above plant
• Duration: 10-12 hours daily
• Timer: Auto on/off for consistency

Temperature & Humidity Section

Creating the ideal climate.

Temperature Preferences

Ideal Range: 18-24°C (64-75°F)

Tolerance:

• Minimum: 13°C (55°F) - Below this, growth stops/damage possible
• Maximum: 29°C (84°F) - Above this, stress occurs

Night Temperature:

• Slight drop okay - 15-20°C (59-68°F)
• Mimics nature - Helps some plants rest

Seasonal Considerations:

• Summer: Keep below 27°C with good airflow
• Winter: Keep above 15°C, away from cold drafts
• Spring/Fall: Ideal range naturally achieved

Temperature Warnings

Too Cold Symptoms:

• 🥶 Drooping, wilting leaves
• 🟤 Brown, mushy spots (cold damage)
• 📉 Stopped growth
• 🍂 Sudden leaf drop

Too Hot Symptoms:

• 😓 Wilting despite water
• 🔥 Crispy leaf edges
• 💧 Excessive transpiration (water loss)
• 🐛 Increased pest susceptibility

Location Hazards to Avoid:

• ❌ Heating/AC vents (temperature fluctuations)
• ❌ Drafty windows (cold drafts in winter)
• ❌ Exterior doors (temperature swings)
• ❌ Radiators (hot, dry air)

Humidity Requirements

Preferred Level: Medium (40-60%)

How to Measure:

• Use digital hygrometer (~$10-15)
• Or observe: Comfortable for humans = Usually okay for medium-humidity plants

Why It Matters:

• Tropical plants evolved in humid environments
• Dry air causes stress (brown tips, slow growth)
• Too high humidity = Fungal/bacterial issues

Increasing Humidity

Method 1: Grouping Plants

• Place plants close together
• They create microclimate through transpiration
• Easiest, free method

Method 2: Pebble Tray

• Fill tray with pebbles + water
• Place pot on pebbles (not in water!)
• Evaporation raises local humidity

Method 3: Humidifier

• Most effective for large collections
• Place near plants (not directly on them)
• Maintain 40-60% range

Method 4: Misting (Temporary)

• Spray leaves daily
• Provides short-term humidity boost
• NOT a replacement for methods 1-3

Method 5: Bathroom/Kitchen Placement

• Naturally more humid rooms
• Perfect for ferns, calathea, tropical plants

Decreasing Humidity (Rare)

If Humidity > 70% (risk of fungal issues):

• Increase airflow (fan on low)
• Space plants farther apart
• Use dehumidifier
• Avoid misting

Fertilization Section

Feeding your plant for optimal growth.

Fertilization Schedule

Frequency: Monthly (during growing season)

Active Months: April - September (spring/summer)

Dormant Months: October - March (fall/winter) - Stop or reduce to every 2-3 months

Last Fertilized: Oct 3, 2025

Next Scheduled: Oct 31, 2025 (end of season - then pause until April)

Fertilizer Type

Recommended: Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 NPK)

NPK Meaning:

• N (Nitrogen) - Leaf growth, green color
• P (Phosphorus) - Root development, flowering
• K (Potassium) - Overall health, disease resistance

Alternative Types:

• Slow-Release Pellets - Convenient (apply every 3-6 months)
• Organic - Fish emulsion, compost tea (gentler)
• Specialized - Flowering (high P), Foliage (high N)

Your Plant: Balanced (10-10-10) works well for general foliage plants.

Application Instructions

Dilution:

• Standard: Half-strength (50% of package recommendation)
• Why: Prevents fertilizer burn, safer approach
• Example: Package says "1 tbsp per gallon" → Use ½ tbsp per gallon

How to Apply:

1. Water plant first (day before or morning of)
2. Mix fertilizer according to dilution
3. Water with fertilizer until drainage (like regular watering)
4. Mark calendar for next feeding

Best Time:

• Early morning (plant absorbs best)
• During active growth phase
• After watering (never on dry soil)

Signs of Over-Fertilization

Too Much Fertilizer Symptoms:

• 🧂 White crust on soil surface (salt buildup)
• 🔥 Brown, crispy leaf tips/edges
• 📉 Stunted new growth (burned roots)
• 🍂 Leaf drop, wilting despite water

Recovery:

1. Flush soil - Water heavily to wash out excess salts (let drain, repeat 2-3 times)
2. Stop fertilizing - Wait 2-3 months
3. Repot if severe - Fresh soil removes buildup
4. Resume at ¼ strength when plant recovers

Signs of Under-Fertilization

Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms:

• 🟡 Yellowing leaves (older leaves first)
• 📉 Very slow or no growth
• 🍃 Small, pale new leaves
• 🌱 Weak, spindly stems

Solution: Resume fertilizing at recommended schedule (monthly in growing season).

Pruning & Maintenance Section

Keeping your plant healthy and attractive.

When to Prune

Regular Maintenance Pruning:

• Monthly - Remove dead/yellowing leaves
• As needed - Trim leggy growth
• Spring - Shape plant before growing season

Pruning Purposes:

• ✂️ Remove dead/damaged foliage
• 🌿 Encourage bushier growth
• 🎨 Shape and control size
• 🌱 Promote new growth
• ✨ Improve appearance

How to Prune

Tools Needed:

• Sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears
• Rubbing alcohol or bleach solution (sterilization)
• Paper towel

Pruning Technique:

1. Sterilize tools - Wipe with alcohol, let dry
2. Identify cut location - Just above a node (leaf junction)
3. Cut at 45° angle - Promotes healing, prevents water pooling
4. Remove entire leaf/stem - Don't leave stubs

Where to Cut:

• Leaves: Cut stem at base (where it meets main stem)
• Stems: Cut ¼ inch above a node (new growth emerges from node)
• Dead parts: Cut into healthy tissue (remove all dead/brown)

Propagation Pruning

Taking Cuttings:

• When: During active growth (spring/summer)
• Where: Cut 4-6 inches below a node
• Include: 2-3 leaves on cutting
• Method: Rooting in water or soil (species-dependent)

After Cutting:

• Parent plant will branch from below cut → Bushier growth!
• Cutting can become new plant → Share or expand collection

Other Maintenance Tasks

Repotting:

• Frequency: Every 1-2 years (spring)
• Signs: Roots growing out drainage holes, water drains too fast, plant top-heavy
• New Pot: 2-4 cm larger diameter
• Fresh Soil: Well-draining potting mix

Soil Refresh:

• Top Dressing: Remove top 2-3 cm of soil, replace with fresh (annual)
• Benefits: Adds nutrients, removes salt buildup

Cleaning Leaves:

• Frequency: Monthly
• Method: Wipe with damp cloth or shower rinse
• Benefits: Removes dust, improves photosynthesis, deters pests

Support Structures:

• Stakes: For tall, single-stem plants
• Trellises: For vining plants
• Moss Poles: For climbing aroids (Monstera, Philodendron)

💡 Tips & Tricks

Bookmark This Tab

Quick Reference:

• Open Care Info when unsure about care
• Especially useful for seasonal adjustments
• No need to Google - it's all here!

Compare with Species Defaults

Edit Mode → "Reset to Species Default":

• Restore care settings to species norms
• Useful if you've over-customized
• Then tweak for your specific conditions

Print as Care Sheet

Share with Plant-Sitter:

• Settings → Export → Print Care Info Tab
• Gives physical reference to caretaker
• Includes all essential care details

Use Warning Signs Sections

Troubleshooting Guide:

• Plant looks weird? → Check "Signs of..." sections
• Match symptoms → Find solution
• Example: Brown tips → Probably over-fertilization or low humidity

Seasonal Review

Change Care Settings 4x/Year:

• Spring (March-May): Increase watering/fertilizing
• Summer (June-Aug): Maintain active care
• Fall (Sep-Nov): Reduce watering/fertilizing
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Minimal care, no fertilizer

❓ Common Questions

Q: Can I edit the care instructions shown here?

A: The content comes from your plant's care settings (editable via Edit Plant). Some sections have species-default guidance that can't be changed (based on scientific data), but your personal schedule (watering frequency, etc.) can be customized.

Q: My plant needs different care than what's shown. Is this wrong?

A: Not necessarily! Care varies by:

• Your climate (humidity, temperature)
• Your home conditions (light availability, airflow)
• Plant maturity (young vs established)
• Pot type (terracotta dries faster than plastic)

Adjust settings in Edit mode to match what works for YOUR conditions.

Q: Should I follow watering schedule strictly?

A: No! Use as guideline, not rule:

• Always check soil moisture before watering
• Seasonal conditions change needs
• Plant growth stage affects consumption
• Trust soil, not calendar 🌱

Q: How do I know if my plant's care info is accurate?

A: Care Info is based on:

1. Species data (if species identified correctly)
2. Your custom settings (what you've set in Edit mode)

If plant isn't thriving, double-check species identification (use Plant Doctor) and adjust care settings experimentally.

Q: Can I copy care settings to similar plants?

A: Yes! Bulk edit feature:

1. Select multiple plants of same species
2. Bulk Edit → Copy care settings from this plant
3. Apply to all selected

Perfect for multiple plants with identical needs.

🔗 Related Topics

Essential Reading

• Overview Tab - See current care status
• Editing Plants - Customize care settings

Monitoring & Tracking

• Growth Tab - See if care is working (growth metrics)
• Diary Tab - Log care activities

Advanced Features

• Plant Doctor - Care Advice - AI-powered care recommendations
• Reminders - Creating - Automate care schedule

Last Updated: October 24, 2025
Document Version: 2.0 (Modular Structure)