A Growing Trend However, many interior plantscapes — like those commonly found in resort lobbies or hotel atriums — use traditional growing medium. These systems are, essentially, large pot-ted plants grown indoors. Regardless of the type of system select-ed, a key consideration is the amount of light received by the plants. Without adequate lighting, photosynthe-sis will not occur and the plants will not survive. The best location for an interior plantscape is one that receives plenty of indirect natural sunlight — direct sunlight can cause premature drying of soil and degradation of greenery in some species. “You can grow them with artificial light-ing, but it is not very environmentally con-scious,” points out McCann. and nonliving plants and tilling and measur-ing the pH of the soil — if applicable. The ideal pH for most plants is between 6.5 and 7.5, with 7 being neutral. Anything too acidic and the soil can begin to eat away at the roots; if the alkalinity is too high, it can actually poison the plants. There are exceptions, such as plants native to desert areas that prefer more alkaline soil, and some fruits and vegeta-bles that thrive in slightly acidic soil. While basic plant maintenance is not overly difficult and can be done by in-house staffs if the plantscapes are not too large or complex, some facilities look to a special-ized contractor or landscaper familiar with the specifics of the plants in their buildings. Pest Management For Indoor Plantscapes By: Dr. Ron Harrison, director of technical services for Orkin LLC Interior plantscapes can provide visual impact to the atmosphere of your facility. But, without diligent inspection and maintenance, they can also harbor and attract unwanted pests. The key to a pest-free environment is prevention. Incorporate the following basic pest management tips into the continual main-tenance of your interior plantscape: ■ Inspect plants for pests before bringing them inside your facil-ity. Often times, infested plants go unnoticed and are taken inside, spreading the infestation further. ■ Work closely with your supplier to find out if plants have been treated. Vegetation isn’t the only component that can be infested; potting material can be, too. Use a sterilized potting mix to prevent unwanted pests from infesting your plants. ■ Healthy plants require adequate sunlight, moisture and nutrients, but make sure not to overwater your plants. Heavy watering can cause fungus, and fungus attracts fungus gnats — the most common interior pest. ■ Select plant species that are less susceptible to pests. Stay away from plants that are extremely dense, positioned close to the ground or flower-producing. ■ Install fly lights and glue boards. There are various products on the market today designed to blend in with a facility’s environment, such as fly lights that look like light sconces. Holistic Benefits It is undeniable that interior plantscapes — in their many sizes, configurations and functionalities — look great; but, they can also help lift the spirits of building occu-pants. In speaking of the healing properties of vegitecture, Sue Wieland, national sales and design consultant for Ambius, says, “We believe that incorporating foliage into the public spaces of the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center brings peace and a sense of calm to this high trafficked healthcare facil-ity where plantings lift the spirit of patients, family and visitors alike.” Studies have suggested that “green” buildings lead to higher productivity and increased morale and, beyond the literal green color of plants, interior plantscapes can help a facility qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification points. Interior plantscapes, according to McCann, can positively impact sever-al aspects pertaining to LEED, including energy efficiency performance; occupant comfort, green cleaning and innovations in operation; and best management practices. Vertical walls, vegitecture, living art, ver-tical gardens, biotecture, green walls and other interior plantscapes can be a sense of pride for occupants and owners and an impressive statement to visitors. And, because they can be incorporated into virtually any space, the only question is, “Are you ready to let your aesthetic and environmental creativity bloom?” CM A Green Thumb Unlike the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie info-mercials that used to dominate early morn-ing airwaves, there is no “set it and forget it” option with interior plantscapes; like anything in a commercial space, they need ongoing maintenance. The simplest aspect of maintenance is adequate watering. While soil-based systems generally do not require daily watering — dirt is very good at retaining moisture — those that use stone or synthetic medium will need to be watered every day, if not multiple times per day. For larger plantscapes, it is recommend-ed that irrigation systems be incorporated into the initial design, virtually eliminating the guesswork around watering. McCann asserts that regular mainte-nance is about the same with a soil-based or nontraditional setup. One factor to consider, however, is root binding and nutrient depletion in soil-based systems. “Depending on the situation, a soil-based system will probably need to be changed out every two to three years as the soil wears out and the plants become root bound,” cautions McCann. This is not dissimilar to what occurs with household plants. Other things that will need to be done with regularity are removing dead leaves 14 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • July 2012
CMM – Archives July2012: 14
