"Chris Hogg" wrote

Jack wrote:

My question is about having several small pots, and putting them in a
shallow plastic tray with water in it.

Is this OK?

Would it be a bad idea because the water would never be able to get up
from the tray through the soil to the roots?

Or would it be a bad idea because it would be like leaving the plants in
standing water?

Would it be better than leaving them completely without water if you're
going on holiday?

Sorry if this is a naive question.


Not a naive question at all. Very pertinent at this time of year.

It's never a good idea to let pot plants stand in water for any length
of time. If you're just watering them by filling the saucer that
they're in and letting it wick up into the pot, that's fine, but any
water that's left in the saucer after say an hour or so should be
tipped out.

If it's going on holiday you're worried about, the standard method
recommended in days past was to water the pots well and let them
drain, then line the bath (plug out) with wet newspaper several pages
thick and stand the pots in there. The damp newspaper maintains a high
humidity in the immediate area of the plants, and bathrooms are
usually cool and away from direct sun, so when you come home in two
week's time or whatever, they'll be fine.

Being summertime you could always put your houseplants outside in a non
sunny place and hope it rains while you are away or get a neighbour to water
them occasionally.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK