Foliage Fundamentals Slides
Junior Horticulture Plant Care 101
Care Tag Translation
Reading Plant Tags
How to decode nursery care tags and create the right conditions for Light, Water, Soil, and Fertilizer.
Follow along on your Graphic Organizer Light • Water • Soil • Fertilizer
1. Light Requirements
Care Tag Decoding
🏷️ Common Tag Wording
- • "Full Sun / Direct Light"
- • "Bright, Indirect Light"
- • "Low Light Tolerant"
đź’ˇ How to Achieve It
- • Direct Sun: Unobstructed South or West windowsill.
- • Bright Indirect: East window, or 3–5 feet back from South.
- • Low Light: North window, or add an LED grow bulb.
The Sky View Test
"Bright indirect" means the plant sees open sky, but direct sunbeams never hit the foliage.
Record Light notes in Box 1 of your organizer 02 / 05
2. Water Requirements
Care Tag Decoding
🏷️ Common Tag Wording
- • "Keep Consistently Moist"
- • "Allow Top 1–2 Inches to Dry"
- • "Allow to Dry Thoroughly Between Waterings"
đź’§ How to Achieve It
- • The Knuckle Test: Feel soil 2" deep before watering.
- • Drench & Drain: Water until it runs out bottom holes.
- • Empty Saucer: Never let pots sit in standing water.
Signal, Not Schedule
Overwatering is watering too frequently, not giving too much water in a single drink.
Record Water notes in Box 2 of your organizer 03 / 05
3. Soil Requirements
Care Tag Decoding
🏷️ Common Tag Wording
- • "Requires Well-Draining Soil"
- • "Rich, Loamy Potting Mix"
- • "Fast-Draining Cactus / Succulent Mix"
🪴 How to Achieve It
- • Add Perlite or Pumice (25%): Creates air pores.
- • Add Orchid Bark (25%): Adds chunky root structure.
- • Drainage Holes: Must have bottom holes for runoff.
Substrate Aeration
"Well-draining" means water exits in seconds so roots get both moisture and fresh oxygen.
Record Soil notes in Box 3 of your organizer 04 / 05
4. Fertilizer Requirements
Care Tag Decoding
🏷️ Common Tag Wording
- • "Feed Monthly During Growing Season"
- • "Apply Balanced Liquid Plant Food"
- • "Do Not Fertilize in Winter / Dormancy"
🧪 How to Achieve It
- • Dilute to Half Strength: Prevents root burn.
- • Feed Spring & Summer: Only when active growth occurs.
- • Water First: Never apply liquid fertilizer to bone-dry roots.
Less Is More
Houseplants grow slowly indoors. Over-fertilizing leads to salt crusts and leaf edge scorch.
Record Fertilizer notes in Box 4 of your organizer 05 / 05
Plant Care Reference Sheet
Reading Plant Tags Graphic Organizer
Junior Horticulture • Decoding Light, Water, Soil, and Fertilizer
Name: ____________________________________
Date: _______________ Period: _______
1
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
Care Tag Translation
🏷️ Common Tag Wording & Meaning
"Full Sun / Direct Light": Plant receives 6+ hours of intense, unfiltered sunbeams.
"Bright, Indirect Light": Plant can see the open _______________, but direct sunbeams never _______________ the leaves.
"Low Light Tolerant": Plant survives in minimal light (50–250 fc), but growth will _______________.
đź’ˇ How to Achieve These Conditions
• To get Direct Sun: Place right on an unobstructed _______________ or _______________ windowsill.
• To get Bright Indirect: Place directly in an _______________ window, or set the plant ______ to ______ feet back from a South window.
• To manage Low Light: Place in a _______________ window, or install an artificial LED _______________ light bulb.
2
WATER REQUIREMENTS
Care Tag Translation
🏷️ Common Tag Wording & Meaning
"Keep Consistently Moist": Soil should feel like a wrung-out sponge; never bone-dry or soaking wet.
"Allow Top 1–2 Inches to Dry": Upper soil dries out so roots are not suffocated of _______________.
"Allow to Dry Thoroughly": Entire root ball dries out completely between waterings (cacti & succulents).
đź’§ How to Achieve These Conditions
• The Knuckle Test: Push your finger ______ inches into the substrate before deciding to water.
• Drenching: Always water thoroughly until water freely drains out the _______________ holes.
• Runoff Rule: Empty the drainage saucer after 15 minutes so the pot does not sit in _______________ water.
• Golden Rule: Overwatering is watering too _______________, not giving too much water in one drink!
Houseplant Care 101 Graphic Organizer • Section 1 & 2 Page 1 of 2
Reading Plant Tags Graphic Organizer
Junior Horticulture • Decoding Light, Water, Soil, and Fertilizer
Sections 3 & 4
3
SOIL REQUIREMENTS
Care Tag Translation
🏷️ Common Tag Wording & Meaning
