Foreword by Joseph Cialone, PhD., Industry Pioneer "I've long valued Hamilton's plant care series. I'm thrilled these books—emphasizing precise watering—are being reissued and now benefit a new generation, extending plant life and minimizing replacements. With more than 50 years of experience, as both a grower and a provider of computer technology and plant imaging for the interior industry, I’ve witnessed the constant need for reliable information and training tools for those tending to plants daily, weekly, or monthly. This book, reissued after a successful run in the 1980s and 90s and a recent reprint in 2021, is a practical guide to effective plant care. In just 80 pages, you’ll find the insights needed to prolong the life of indoor plants successfully. The “questions and answers” section offers specific guidance on plant issues, and plants are categorized based on similarities in growth, care, and watering needs. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned plant care professional, this book provides proven information that ensures the longevity and health of your plants—ultimately leading to satisfied customers." — Joseph Cialone, Boynton Beach, Florida INTRODUCTION FOR BEGINNING HORTICULTURISTS As soon as you finish reading this book, you will know 95% of the secrets to professional indoor plant care. The remaining 5% will become obvious after you have watched how plants respond to minor variations in environmental conditions – over the course of a calendar year. Indoor plants are easy. They respond primarily to light and water. And, although you have no control over the light after they have been installed in a particular spot – current maintenance techniques make watering an exact science. Thus, after you learn how easy it is to water correctly, you can devote all your working hours to becoming an efficient interiorscaper. As you make your rounds, you will notice how impressed the office people are with your plant skills. They will constantly ask you for advice. They will also notice, however, your overall attitude toward plants. It is imperative that you learn how to put on a ‘show’ for them. They are paying your company for two things – your watering expertise, as well as your personality. You benefit your company by doing both to the limits of your ability. Proper watering means that plants never need replacing through careless inattention; and when you are cheerfully conscientious, the customers will be favorably inclined to continue doing business with your company. If there is a single important ‘don’t’ in interiorscaping, it means never offering an excuse for an error on your part. Sometimes you may miswater a plant, but one mistake is never fatal. When a customer points out that “the plant is dying” (because it has 2 or 3 yellow leaves), make a fuss over the plant and correct the problem – but never make an excuse. They want you to give full attention to the perceived problem. It cannot be stressed too strongly that watering is the key to your success with indoor plants. Every time you water, you must strive to give the plant exactly as much as it needs. Too much or too little water causes the plant to grow less optimally. You will notice that when your plants are growing strongly, they rarely need any trimming. Therefore, when you water accurately, you will be able to care for more plants during each working day. To make learning easier, the sections in the front of this book (preceding the actual plant information), have been arranged to read in consecutive order. Because all the physical and environmental influences on a plant are interrelated, you must understand all of them to get a clear picture of the best way to make a plant grow and flourish. — David L. Hamilton