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best way to water plants
Hi,
I would like to know what is the best way to water potted, water from the top (i.e. not african violets, etc.) plants. I have a problem in that either the soil stays too wet, or it dries out too much, both of which are hard on the plants. Drainage is fine, humidity in my apartment varies. I have watered with a can, most generally every other week. This tends to let soils dry out, but generally stay a bit damp if I stick my finger down in the soil. This causes the top of the soil to get weird though, it is almost hard, and coated, not soft and slightly airy like below the surface. The plants grow, some do better than others, but they stay alive. However, I dont thik that my weatering schedule and plan is what is best for keeping plants indoors. I am thinking that I should water lightly every other week, and then spray the plants and soil with a spray bottle every week, or every half week. Is this a good routing for most plants that are kept inside? Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks JMH |
best way to water plants
Watering plants is not done by a schedule. They require different rates of
watering based on their consumption and transpiration rate. For example: I have not watered my cacti or succulents since last October. I water my Rex begonia about twice a month, but the spathaphyllum need watering almost every fourth day because they are very large. I have a whole house humidifier, but you can easily increase humidity around the plants by placing several saucers of pea gravel with water in it. The soil you are using may have too much clay, which would form a crust. I suggest you use a premium potting MIX which has no soil in it at all. I make my own using peat moss, compost, granite sand, and Osmocote (a prill shaped, slow release, synthetic fertilizer). I only use Osmocote on potted plants. To break the tension of the soil surface, you can scratch it up with a fork before you water so the water doesn't run off to the sides of the pot and out the bottom. Believe it or not, Walmart makes a potting mix which is excellent and it already has the Osmocote in it. Less watering is better than over watering. The single most killer of house plants is over watering. I always water from the top, unless, as you said, it is an African violet (which I gave up on). Victoria On Fri, 28 Feb 2003 10:13:36 -0600, (JMH) wrote: Hi, I would like to know what is the best way to water potted, water from the top (i.e. not african violets, etc.) plants. I have a problem in that either the soil stays too wet, or it dries out too much, both of which are hard on the plants. Drainage is fine, humidity in my apartment varies. I have watered with a can, most generally every other week. This tends to let soils dry out, but generally stay a bit damp if I stick my finger down in the soil. This causes the top of the soil to get weird though, it is almost hard, and coated, not soft and slightly airy like below the surface. The plants grow, some do better than others, but they stay alive. However, I dont thik that my weatering schedule and plan is what is best for keeping plants indoors. I am thinking that I should water lightly every other week, and then spray the plants and soil with a spray bottle every week, or every half week. Is this a good routing for most plants that are kept inside? Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks JMH |
best way to water plants
I would like to know what is the best way to water potted (plants),
Water with a watering can, water from the top until it runs out the bottom, then don't water again until it starts to dry out. Water African violets by putting the spout between the leaves. either the soil stays too wet, or it dries out too much, If the soil stays too wet, repot in a more open mix, with added sand or Perlite. If it dries out too much, you may need to repot in a bigger pot or water more often. This causes the top of the soil to get weird though, it is almost hard, and coated, not soft and slightly airy like below the surface. That is the fault of poor soil, not the watering method. You can't water plants on a time schedule. You must water thoroughly. The timing depends on the size & needs of the individual plant. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
best way to water plants
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best way to water plants
On Fri, 28 Feb 2003 16:51:00 GMT, animaux
wrote: Less watering is better than over watering. The single most killer of house plants is over watering. I always water from the top, unless, as you said, it is an African violet (which I gave up on). Victoria How should one water an African violet? I bought my first recently, and I've only been watering on top, taking care not to wet the leaves. I bought it from Franks, and it came in a plastic container with no holes in the bottom. Should it be transplanted? It seems to be thriving -- the flower stems are about 3" tall now. Swyck |
best way to water plants
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best way to water plants
Yes it will most likely die without great drainage. Bottom watering is
best recommended because of some thoughts about the delicate nature of the crown, but seeing as you can root them with a sneeze, I've never bothered. Do wait for the top to be dry before watering. The can take more sun (here in the north) then many people give them credit for, but large eastern windows are best perhaps with summer dappling. Fluorescent light is better then natural light for violets, one of the oddities of nature (natural fluorescent or red blue mixed). |
best way to water plants
How should one water an African violet?
I bought it from Franks, and it came in a plastic container with no holes in the bottom. Unbelievable. Are you sure it isn't in a pot inside a cachepot? If it otherwise doesn't need repotting, see if you can make holes in the bottom with a soldering iron or a sharp tool. I water African violets by putting the spout of the watering can between the leaves. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
best way to water plants
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best way to water plants
I bought a hydrometer for a few dollars and it is fantastic. I learn to k=
now my plants this way without guessing. Some plants need to dry completely befo= re watering others like to stay a bit damp and do not like being too dry. I = test my plant and water only those who need to be watered. Fran=E7oise. JMH wrote: Hi, I would like to know what is the best way to water potted, water from t= he top (i.e. not african violets, etc.) plants. I have a problem in that eithe= r the soil stays too wet, or it dries out too much, both of which are hard on= the plants. Drainage is fine, humidity in my apartment varies. I have watered with a can, most generally every other week. This tends = to let soils dry out, but generally stay a bit damp if I stick my finger down = in the soil. This causes the top of the soil to get weird though, it is almost= hard, and coated, not soft and slightly airy like below the surface. The plan= ts grow, some do better than others, but they stay alive. However, I dont = thik that my weatering schedule and plan is what is best for keeping plants indoors. I am thinking that I should water lightly every other week, and then sp= ray the plants and soil with a spray bottle every week, or every half week.= Is this a good routing for most plants that are kept inside? Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks JMH |
best way to water plants
My secret for healthy potted plants is not to simply water the plants
where they sit, but to take each plant to the kitchen sink and give it a good soaking (if practical). I'll stream water in the pot until it's about to overflow, let it drain, and repeat two or three times. This helps flush the buildup of minerals out of the soil. Peace Lillies are especially susceptible to salt build up in the soil, which results in the leaf tips turning brown. Since I've been watering in this way, my plants never get that burnt tip look. It's important to add a good fertilizer once a month during the growing season. As for African Violets, those you want to water from the bottom, and don't get the leaves wet. (Most fuzzy-leafed plants don't like getting their foliage wet.) I have mine in self-watering pots which keep them happy. I also add African Violet liquid fertilizer every time I add water to the pot. African Violets like to be a bit root bound, so they'll really put on a show once the roots get a little crowded. A north window gives them good light. Don't set them in direct sunlight. Pinch off faded flowers. I usually pick a day of the week, like Wednesday, to water my plants. Most of them do fine with a weekly watering, and picking a certain day helps me to remember to do it. Some plants you may need to water more often, some less. You'll get into the swing of it after a short time. Good luck with 'em. -Fleemo |
best way to water plants
I bought a water meter for my houseplants and was surprised to see what was
actually happening in pots I thought were wet or dry. It sounds as though you may have a salts build-up on the top of your plant soil. You may want to take off the top layer and replace it. Also another trick with indoor plants is to pull them out of the pots to see what is happening with the roots. If a potted plant is rootbound, watering it is difficult. Some of my very large plants are turning into bonsai simply because I can only provide so big a pot. Eugenia, zone 6, two towns west of Boston "JMH" m wrote in message ... Hi, I would like to know what is the best way to water potted, water from the top (i.e. not african violets, etc.) plants. I have a problem in that either the soil stays too wet, or it dries out too much, both of which are hard on the plants. Drainage is fine, humidity in my apartment varies. I have watered with a can, most generally every other week. This tends to let soils dry out, but generally stay a bit damp if I stick my finger down in the soil. This causes the top of the soil to get weird though, it is almost hard, and coated, not soft and slightly airy like below the surface. The plants grow, some do better than others, but they stay alive. However, I dont thik that my weatering schedule and plan is what is best for keeping plants indoors. I am thinking that I should water lightly every other week, and then spray the plants and soil with a spray bottle every week, or every half week. Is this a good routing for most plants that are kept inside? Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks JMH |
best way to water plants
On Mon, 3 Mar 2003 09:20:35 -0600, "harrison"
wrote: I bought a water meter for my houseplants and was surprised to see what was actually happening in pots I thought were wet or dry. It sounds as though you may have a salts build-up on the top of your plant soil. You may want to take off the top layer and replace it. Also another trick with indoor plants is to pull them out of the pots to see what is happening with the roots. If a potted plant is rootbound, watering it is difficult. Some of my very large plants are turning into bonsai simply because I can only provide so big a pot. Eugenia, zone 6, two towns west of Boston Haven't been following thread closely, so excuse if duplicate: Spurred by "salts build-up" on previous message, would urge you to catch as much rainwater as you can, to flush out the *&^^%$#* in faucet water, especially if you can't put the plants outdoors in the rain because of cold weather. BIG difference between sky water and faucet water! "JMH" m wrote in message ... Hi, I would like to know what is the best way to water potted, water from the top (i.e. not african violets, etc.) plants. I have a problem in that either the soil stays too wet, or it dries out too much, both of which are hard on the plants. Drainage is fine, humidity in my apartment varies. I have watered with a can, most generally every other week. This tends to let soils dry out, but generally stay a bit damp if I stick my finger down in the soil. This causes the top of the soil to get weird though, it is almost hard, and coated, not soft and slightly airy like below the surface. The plants grow, some do better than others, but they stay alive. However, I dont thik that my weatering schedule and plan is what is best for keeping plants indoors. I am thinking that I should water lightly every other week, and then spray the plants and soil with a spray bottle every week, or every half week. Is this a good routing for most plants that are kept inside? Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks JMH -- Polar |
best way to water plants
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