Temperature & Plant Responses to Temperature

Temperature & Plant Responses to Temperature Floral Careers Plant Propagation

Air Temperature • Most buildings, offices, and homes are maintained at temperatures between 60-80 degrees F. throughout the year.

Microclimates • Climatic conditions will vary from location to location within a home or building. • temperature • humidity • light

Causes of Microclimates • Heating/AC vents • Windows • Doors • Fireplaces • Incandescent Lights • Ventilation Fans Dieffenbachia

What Can Be Done? • People can move to a more suitable location, plants can’t! • Choices • Move the plant, or • Try to change the climate

Cold Temperatures • Causes: • Drafts from windows or doors • Air-conditioning vents

Cold Temperature Damage • Plant symptoms: • Downward- curled leaf margins • Water-soaked lesions Severe Cold Injury on Chinese Evergreen

Cold Temperature Damage • Little to no new growth • Reduced need for water Severe Cold Injury to Dieffenbachia

Warm Temperatures • Causes: • Exposure to direct sunlight • Heating vents • Fireplaces • Incandescent light bulbs • Ovens

Warm Temperature Damage • Symptoms: • Leaves turn yellow and develop brown, dry margins and/or tips. Leaves may turn all brown. High Temperature Damage to Heart-leaf Philodendron

Warm Temperature Damage • Plants become “stretched” or spindly. • Problems with insects, especially spider mites.

Rule of Thumb... • Most interior plants are more tolerant of HIGH TEMPERATURES than of COLD TEMPERATURES. • Many interior plants are damaged at temperatures of only 50 degrees F, or less!

Humidity • Foliage plants like 80%. • < 20% during the winter. • How can we increase humidity?

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Temperature & Plant Responses to Temperature