When transporting interior plants, remember the two seasons of the year that can cause damage to the plants, the hot summer and cold winter. In the summer, avoid placing the plant in a vehicle and leaving the vehicle closed. Heat will build up and may possibly destroy the plant. This heat build-up can occur in a very short period of time.
If you have to set the plant near a window in the vehicle where the sun is shin ing directly on the plant, make sure that the plant is covered with newspaper. An alternative would be to cover the window by placing paper so that the sun will not shine directly on the plant. If traveling for any distance, this is extremely impor tant. Plants can be burned by the sun shining through the glass in the vehicle even though the air conditioner is on and you are comfortable.
During the winter months, make sure you insulate the plant thoroughly before leaving the store to carry it to the vehicle. This may be done by wrapping the plant in newspaper, plastic, or special plant sleeves designed for this purpose. In severe weather, even a short run from the store to the vehicle may be sufficient to injure the plant. If the plant is properly insulated and protected, this is not a problem
Make sure that the plants are placed in the vehicle with the heater on. Do not place them in an unheated trunk compartment as this is usually a very cold area. If the plants are wrapped carefully and placed in the front or heated part of the vehicle where the temperature is comfortable, they will survive the delivery trip. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE PLANT GROWTH Light, temperature, water, humidity, fertilizer, containers, and soil mixes are chief factors that affect plant growth. Any one of these in the incorrect portion or of the wrong type will prevent proper growth of interior plants. Each of these factors will be discussed in the following portion of this article. Suggestions will also be made on how to manipulate them to get optimum plant growth.