Some houseplants will thrive outside

By REBECCA COUDRET
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE
This is a good time to pay some attention to your houseplants.
Some of them you'll want to keep inside -- those with delicate flowers, such as orchids, will thrive in a room with southern window exposure. But others can be moved outside.
Just be careful where you put them. "Give them a new environment and tender loving care," said Master Gardener Julie Mallory of Evansville, Ind. "Plants don't like to be shocked, so you'll want to ease them into their new location.
"If you're moving plants to an outdoor location, choose a protected site, such as a porch. Direct sun can burn the leaves."
Master Gardener Judy Schneider Kron, also of Evansville, said shady spots in a garden or under a tree are good locations, too.
As you move the plants outdoors, inspect them for any damage, such as broken branches or insects. Prune and shape the plants.
"You can divide and repot them using a potting soil designed for the type of plant you have," Mallory said. Specialty potting mediums -- for orchids or for cacti, for instance -- are available at nurseries and garden centers.
"Use an appropriate container, size-wise; when repotting without dividing, use a pot that has a 2-inch-wider diameter than the previous pot. That will allow the roots and growth to expand."