ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN, APPLIED...

From Interior Plantscaping- by DelPrince

Principles and examples:

• Balance- physical and visual -having to do with the distribution of objects (asymmetrical and symmetrical) 

• Proportion- how big or small it is in comparison with other objects

• Rhythm- a sense of movement in a design

• Scale- measurement of the plant size within its measured space

• Unity- helps people feel connected to nature. Unity shows similarities

• Dominance- focal or emphasis plants that are bigger or brighter than others (naturally)

• Harmony- a diverse palette of plants that work well together.

Elements of design and examples:

• Color- combining colors (ie-warms, cools, opposites) from the color wheel. Certain colors have certain psychological effects (ie green is calming)

• Pattern- repeated visual images

• Form- the shape of the plat (linear, hanging, upright, etc.)

• Texture- the surface of objects, it appeals to the sense of touch

• Space- positive (where there are objects) and negative (open space)- they can create different statements about a room

• Line- what direction the plant is growing (you can have fun with this in the growing process)

For more on the principles and elements of design:

http://www.johnlovett.com/test.htm

http://www.slideshare.net/catherinepatterson/landscape-design-and-principles-presentation

plant pictures sources:

http://www.thegrowingcompany.com/interior_plants.htm

http://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/my-2-favorite-indoor-plants/

http://www.home-designing.com/2014/07/avant-garde-apartments-feature-the-latest-lines-and-lighting-visualized

http://www.botanical-journeys-plant-guides.com/garden-landscape-design.html

http://hawaiirenovation.staradvertiser.com/2014/06/exterior/fall-love-landscape/

http://www.100bamboo.com/blog/19/growing-lucky-bamboo

http://www.plantscapeinc.com/interior-landscaping/landscaping-designs-plant-service-programs.html

http://www.talnursery.com.my/landscape.html

http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/garden-designers-roundtable-speaking-of-texture/

http://www.aliexpress.com/popular/hanging-house-plants.html

http://www.plantinterscapes.com/category/Blog/page/6/

Business model case study: Sub irrigation, controlled watering

http://tournesolsiteworks.com/category-Container%20Irrigation.html
There are self watering pots- this could solve problems of overwatering, forgetting to water (for example when you leave on vacation), or water spilling over. The sensor checks water and waters when the plant needs it- this is more efficient watering.

http://www.primescapeproducts.com/ for their catalog: http://www.primescapeproducts.com/downloads/pdfs/2011_supply_web_LR.pdf

http://www.newprocontainers.com/accessories/sub-irrigation.html

Containers with sub-irrigation systems. 

1. In agriculture, subirrigation, also known as seepage irrigation, is a method of irrigation where water is delivered to the plant root zone from below the soil surface and absorbed upwards. The excess may be collected for reuse.

Here is a video on how to build your own sub-irrigation system:

http://www.familyhandyman.com/video/v/63610686/how-to-build-a-sub-irrigated-planter-system.htm

1. 
   

ACCLIMATIZATION

Acclimatization (UK also acclimatisation; US also acclimation) is the process in which an individual organism adjusts to a gradual change in its environment (such as a change in temperature, humidity, photoperiod, or pH), allowing it to maintain performance across a range of environmental conditions

Most of the plants that we use indoors were grown in environments very different than the one indoors- there was more sunlight, humidity, perhaps they grew in a rain forest...how do they adapt to the change?

Plants grown in high light situations have more chloroplasts which causes them to have thicker leaves. When they switch to being grown indoors they must make new leaves with less chloroplasts (thinner) so they can photosynthesize more efficiently. (this may include a lot of leaf-drop initially) When changing environments it is better to decrease the light gradually so as to not shock the plant.
When homeowners bring plants home they should at first place them in higher light areas and then gradually move them into their permanent home. 
This also needs to be taken into consideration when taking plants indoors for the winter or outdoors for the summer. Because plants get used to conditions in a certain place it is better to gradually get them used to conditions in the new place.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/houseplant/houseplant.html

On moving plants indoors or outdoors:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/acclimatization-tips-bringing-147047

Research on Acclimatization:
http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/Resrpts/rh_91_5.htm

NUTRITION, SOIL, SOIL ENVIRONMENT, WATER RETENTION

Environmental factors for growing a plant:
Light, water, temperature, humidity, ventilation, fertilization, and soil
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/houseplant/houseplant.html

LIGHT:
tips on light:
http://www.thesill.com/pages/plant-care
South windows provide the most sunlight, followed by east and west, and North windows provide the least sunlight. You can tell how much light an area has by how clear of shadows it makes. Plants can also be harmed by too much direct light (leaves can burn). If you do not have windows in your space- get a low light plant and it can live off of artificial light in the room.


WATER:

tips on watering:
http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/water-well?page=0,0
You can check the soil's moisture with your finger (if the top inch is dry it is time to water). Watering in the morning is better so the plants can drink the water before it is evaporated in the heat of the day (and so it wont get fungal disease if constantly wet at night). Overwatering causes a lot of problems. When you do water- do so thoroughly.


TEMPERATURE:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/weather/temp-houseplants.html
Most plants like temperatures between 60-80 F. Basically if a human would be comfortable with the temperature- most likely a plant would be too.


HUMIDITY:
why plants need humidity and how to give it to them:
http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/humidity.html

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-care-for-house-plants3.htm

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/houseplant-humidity-guidelines/

Plants have humidity in their natural environments- some ways to give them humidity indoors are: humidifiers, watered rock trays underneath the plant, and spraying the leaves.

VENTILATION:
ventilation tips and why it is important for growers:
http://www.just4growers.com/stream/ventilation-and-environmental-control/ventilation-basics.aspx

Plants need moving air (but not heaters or coolers blowing directly on them). Still air can cause diseases.

SOIL:

Plants need a good mix of different kinds of soil to get good nutrients. Different soils will have different capacities to hold moisture (different plants have different needs).

Learn about potting soil and the different kinds/what is a good mixture:
http://www.junglemusic.net/palmadvice/palms-potting-soil-for-palms.htm

How to compare potting soils:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/compare-potting-soils-23482.html

The effect of different kinds of soils on plants:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5848658_effect-potting-soil-plant-growth.html

FERTILIZATION:
As plants use up the nutrients in their soils we can replace them through fertilizers.

Why do I need to fertilize my plant?
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Fertilizer.html

What's in fertilizer?
http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/fertilizer-basics/5161.html

When should I fertilize and how do I know what fertilizer to use?
http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/factsheets/FertilizingHouseplants.html

What fertilizers can I use for my plants?
http://www.grow-n-thrive.com/

http://www.miraclegro.com/smg/goprod/miracle-gro-liquafeed-advance-hose-end-feeder/prod140002/

miracle grow is my personal favorite

(http://www.miraclegro.com/smg/templates/index.jsp?pageUrl=GrowSomethingGreater)

http://www.scotts.com/smg/templates/index.jsp?pageUrl=scottsLanding

http://www.sungro.com/

PLANTS CLEAN THE AIR...

We need plants indoors to help clean the air we are living in.

How do they do it?

http://www.alphabotanical.com/air_rx_improve_air_quality.php

http://www.livescience.com/38445-indoor-plants-clean-air.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tIs_0DZcwU
this video shows how some plants commonly used as indoor plants can get rid of harmful substances in your home.
Different plants are able to take different pollutants out of the air! For example: peace lily can remove acitote, Spider Plant can remove asthma causing mold, Bamboo Palm can remove carbon monoxide, Janet Craig can absorb gasious chemicals, Mother-in-laws-tounge can remove airborne toxins, Chrysanthemums can also absorb toxins.

Plants also change CO2 into Oxygen to better improve the air quality in your home or office.
how photosynthesis works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJxZH_Y5D4s

Sick building syndrome: 

1. a condition affecting office workers, typically marked by headaches and respiratory problems, attributed to unhealthy or stressful factors in the working environment such as poor ventilation.

This can be improved by using plants indoors!


For an article on air purification:

http://www.wholisticresearch.com/info/artshow.php3?artid=356

PESTS AND DISEASES OF INDOOR HOUSE PLANTS

Quick look:
Common pests include: aphids, Fungus Gnats, Leafminers, Mealybugs, Scale, Shore Flies, Thirps, Whiteflies, and Spider Mite. The best way to fix the problem if you have then is to get ride of infested leafs or plants before others get the pest without letting it touch and infest other plants. Other ways to get rid of the pests include- insecticidal soap water, soapy cotton swabs, water blasting them off, colored sticky cards (depending on the pest), pesticides, insecticide, horticultural oil, or other beneficial insects. Pests cause problems suck as- killing some or part of plants, damaged leaves, honeydew, ants, mold, black speks on leaves, damaged roots, etc.

The main cause of disease in plants is problems in the environment. It can be caused by: other plants with diseases, still air, bacteria, surface moisture, too much salt, wounds/damage, etc. When plants are diseased they may have: dead plant tissue, yellowing, dead shoots, dying patches, rotting roots, or wilting. Diseases can be cured with sprays and dusts.

 The best way to prevent getting pests or diseases is to keep the plant healthy and not stressed. (Just like humans get sick when stressed)- that means correct watering habits (avoid overwatering), temperature, light, don't overfertilize, don't dry out the plant, don't put plants too close together, etc.


For information about plant pests, prevention, and treatment:

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/indoor/hgic2252.html

Common insect pests (damage they cause, and how to control them)

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/top-ten-garden-insect-pests

http://extension.missouri.edu/p/g7273

Indentify and fix what's wrong with your plant (disease, pests, nutrient deficiencies, pesticides, etc.)

http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenproblems/u/Garden_Pests_and_Problems.htm

Pest problem solver:

http://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/


Identify the plant disease and how to fix:

http://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/plant-disease/

http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/common-plant-diseases-and-disorders-pictures

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/menu.disease.html

INDOOR PLANT IDENTIFICATION

For pronounciation of many indoor plant's scientific names:

For more indoor plants and their scientific names:

Click here to learn common indoor plants (with picture)

Glossary of plant terms:

Need to Identify your Plant?

60 Common Indoor Plants and their scientific and common names!