Plant Expert Q&A: Gulmairam Bertuch-Sultanova
Gulia Bertuch-Sultanova, Horticulturist/ Plant Expert.
Continuing our 'Meet the Team' series, we're shining the spotlight on Gulia, one of Plantclub's leading Plant Care Experts, who has been with us for over three years. While Gulia prefers to stay out of the limelight, you can find her making all the green magic happen at Plantclub. With spring finally here, we sat down with Gulia for an interview to uncover some fascinating spring plant facts and get some tips to make the most of this enchanting season.
Plantclub: What is your background (education, etc.)?
Gulia: I studied at the University of Bonn and have a Master’s degree in Plant Sciences.
Plantclub: What inspired you to start working with plants?
Gulia: I love plants in general; there would be no life on this planet if they didn't exist. They serve humans in so many ways - from our surroundings to our food, clothes, and even plastic and fossils. So, plants are everything, really. I've always felt a special connection with them and enjoyed watching them grow.
Plantclub: Can you recommend some fragrant plants that are perfect for springtime?
Gulia: I would recommend planting Mediterranean perennial herbs such as winter savory, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, all of which are also edible. These plants will do best on sunny balconies or windowsills outdoors.
Plantclub: How can we encourage flowering in our indoor plants in spring?
Gulia: Plants require nutrients to grow. For this reason, during springtime, we start fertilizing our plants. Generally, plants can obtain macro- and micronutrients from compost. However, if plants haven't been fertilized for a while, either repotting them or feeding them with fertilizer may encourage new growth and blossom. Use specially designed fertilizers for certain plants like cacti and orchids. The others, for instance, geraniums (bot. Pelargoniums) will also be happy and produce more flowers if pruned.
Plantclub: What are some springtime pruning tips for indoor and outdoor plants?
Gulia: It's encouraged to prune indoor plants in spring as they will flourish during this time. Especially if you have cascading plants that lost many bottom leaves and look bare, they can grow back nicely within the season.
Pruning outdoor plants depends on the species. For example, it's best to prune lavender and thyme after they have finished flowering. Some plants flower on branches from the previous year and should be pruned just after flowering. This encourages more new growth, which will produce flowers next year.
Plantclub: What are some signs that a plant may need repotting?
Gulia: I would repot a plant if too many roots grow outside the nursery pot, or become visible on the surface of the soil. Additionally, for rosette plants that produce new growth from the rhizomes or roots, when the plant becomes too big and you only see branches or leaves, it's a clear sign it needs repotting. When repotting a plant, make sure the new pot is slightly bigger than the previous one. It's best to have about 3-5 cm of space around the root ball.
Plantclub: How often should we water plants during the spring months?
Gulia: When it comes to watering indoor plants, less is more. In most indoor spaces, watering them once a week should be enough. However, as plants sense longer hours of daylight and grow more actively in springtime, you can increase the amount of water, but keep the frequency of watering the same as before.
Plantclub: What dangers could await indoor plants during springtime?
Gulia: Warmer temperatures also increase pests in plants, so you might notice more activity in houseplant pests, especially if plants have been exposed to other stresses such as drought or overwatering, which can lead to stronger infestations. In general, if you notice any yellow leaves, brown tips, discolouration, or droopiness on your plants, it's a sign that they need help.
Plantclub: What is your favorite plant?
Gulia: I don't have a favorite plant, but if I had to choose, I'd say the Kentia palm is one of the coolest houseplants. It's lush and has a tropical vibe. Plus, I love that it doesn't require direct sunlight, making it especially suitable for city apartments.
Kentia palm at Intermate’s Hamburg space.
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