Plants produce energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water, and what our houseplants really need is for us to actively provide them with these things. However, we are sometimes too busy to meet human needs and want to provide them with fresh water. We go on vacation, we are busy, we are sick and we forget or postpone our irrigation work.
Fortunately, the plants are quite tolerant of their watering schedule. The worst mistake you can make when watering plants is leaving them in a pot without drainage, which can cause root rot and death within two weeks. So don't worry if you get a little careless when watering. Most plants can handle occasional drought. Especially if you take steps to make each installment as efficient and sustainable as possible.
Touch the floor to check for moisture
If you water the plant, do so abundantly. Then your houseplants' soil should have a pressure-sponge moisture content, says Kathy Wagner, professor of horticulture at Utah State University. "The best test is to stick your toes in the ground to see if you're okay, even with moisture," says Wagner. The dirt should not drip water, but you should be able to feel it getting wet. Like a sponge, houseplant soil needs to be filled with air pockets to allow the roots to breathe, Wagner adds.
Increase the humidity around your houseplants
Our homes and apartments are inevitably drier than the environment in which our plants evolved. Most plants do not absorb water efficiently through their leaves, so increased humidity does not affect the amount of water a plant absorbs. But hot and dry conditions cause plants to shed water more quickly through their leaves, which means they become weaker. need to drink more often.
Fortunately, there are many ways to increase the humidity around your plants. You can encase the plant in glass or clear plastic, this is the only way to keep my carnivorous plant alive. You can place a bowl of water or a humidifier near the plant (do not submerge the plant in water as this can cause root rot).
Keep your home cool while you're away
Plants generally like warm. However, if you're going on a long trip, it's a good idea to let your plants cool off a little more than usual and protect them from the sun. According to Wagner, extending your last flush a bit longer can help.
Use ice or a pear glass to gradually pour it in
Many supermarket orchids come with care instructions that recommend giving them ice cubes rather than liquid water. However, this orientation is controversial. Wagner says you need to make sure there's soil between the ice and your plant roots, but you'll probably be fine with this long-term watering strategy. Hilary Juffer, horticulture program manager at Cornell Cooperative Extension, notes, "Where ice touches plant material, it can damage tissue and rot."
You can also use a glass jar or even a glass bottle to gradually provide the same type of water supply to your plants. Just fill a bulb or bottle with water and leave it in the ground. The water will slowly drain over time.
cover the floor
Wagner began wrapping paper around the base of his plants to prevent the cats from scratching the stems. She has since found that the cat's defense strategy also helps keep the potting soil moist longer. "It's almost like a layer of mulch," he says.
Do homework
Too much delay in treatment cannot be helped. But if you can spare the time, tending to plants or "horticultural therapy" is good for your mental health. Taking care of my plants helped me recover from hard work and adjust to 2018 like the loneliness of freelancing. If you are careful, your houseplants will provide you with oxygen and company when you are able to return to them.
