Plant and Pest Management

Zamioculcas Zamifolia has a common name as ZZ plant and requires low to medium level light. Before watering, the soil should be allowed to dry. The plant is becoming popular because of its hardiness and low maintenance features. Its major problems are occasional scale and mealybugs.
Photo Courtesy of Lease A Leaf

What are some of the major problems that plants encounter and what can you do as a plant care specialist to address those needs? How can you identify what your plant needs based on physical characteristics? What is the right amount of water, so your plants can thrive?

These and many other questions were addressed by Heddy Salerno, owner of Inside Plants Inc. at the Plant and Pest Management seminar held at LA Tropicals in Whittier, Calif. on March 8.

"It takes about six months of training to be able to read plants," said Salerno. "The leaves will tell you everything. If the leaves are crunchy at the end, the plant isn't getting enough water."

Salerno addressed some ways to irrigate plants to help them survive. Too much water will cause it to die. Too little water and the plant will die. As a plant specialist you can control how much and when to water. Roots gather water all the time, so pay attention to roots.

Another way to help plants survive is by monitoring the amount of light the plant receives, said Salerno. Different plants require different light needs. Photosynthesis cannot take place without adequate light. Health problems in the plants will occur without light. The more light a plant receives, the faster it grows and the more water and nutrients it uses.

"A stress situation gives opportunity for the plant to get sick," said Salerno. "We want the plants to concentrate on the growing of leaves."

The environment that the plants live is also vital, the soil. Its composition should be 45 percent mineral matter, 5 percent organic matter, 25 percent air and 25 percent water. Varieties of soil differ due to areas. For instance California will have clay-based soils, while Hawaii will have more lava rocks.

"I don't like to use soils with wood products because gnats feed off the wood," said Salerno. "Soils need to have air in order for the plants to survive."