Listed all irrigation errors in a short video
one Follow a strict watering schedule
Often, houseplant owners choose a specific watering schedule and strictly follow it. For example, water a flower every other day or every Sunday. But all plants are different, and even one variety may have a different need for water. After all, the frequency of watering is affected by the place where the flower stands, the level of humidity in the room, the proximity of the hot battery, and even the color of the pot. For example, plants standing in the sun in a dark pot will need to be watered more frequently.
How to do better
It is worth knowing the recommended watering frequency for a particular plant and stick to it. But also carefully monitor the green pet so as not to destroy him with such pedantry. What to pay attention to?
- Leaf condition. If they droop or lose their elasticity, try watering a little more often.
- Soil condition. If the top layer of soil has dried out and hardened, there is no need to wait for the scheduled day. An exception may be perhaps cacti, which accumulate water and feel good in dry soil.
2 Water at the same frequency throughout the year
If the temperature at home does not change in winter and summer, this does not mean at all that the plants should be watered with the same frequency throughout the year. They have their own biological rhythm: in spring and summer, plants bloom and need more water, and in winter they slow down all processes and do not absorb moisture so actively.
How to do better
Find out if your plant is hibernating and how much to reduce the amount of water with the onset of cold weather. You may not only have to reduce watering, but also move the pot to a cooler place.
3 Leave water in the tray
Water is left in the pan, believing that this is what it is for: supposedly, the plant will gradually absorb this water, and it will be possible to water it less often. This is not entirely true. Stagnation of water and damp bottom soil in a pot can lead to root rot, mold and mildew.
How to do better
You can leave the water in the pan for 15-20 minutes. This is enough for the soil to absorb the required amount. And then the residues need to be drained and the pan wiped.
Occasionally, you can not drain excess moisture if, for example, no one is at home for several days, and the plant will have to wait longer than usual for water. But this method should not be abused.
four Water only from above
The most popular watering method that everyone knows is the top one. According to this method, the soil is watered from a watering can or mug, water also falls on the leaves. After that, the remains are drained from the pallet.
The problem is that this method is not suitable for all plants. There are species that do not like wet leaves, such as violets, geraniums, gloxinia, begonias, coleus, and many succulents. It is easy to identify a flower that does not need to be wetted — it has fleecy or matte leaves, as if covered with wax.
How to do better
If the plant is one of those that cannot be wetted and sprayed, just water it according to the lower method — pour water into the pan — the soil itself will absorb the right amount. Just make sure there are enough drainage holes in the pot so that the soil or drainage layer will be in contact with the water.
5 Use cold running water
For indoor plants, the composition of water and its temperature are important. Cold tap water can kill some flowers. Of course, there are unpretentious plants that do not respond to these parameters. But even they will grow better with quality water.
How to do better
Use a water filter or let it sit for a couple of days so that all the elements settle to the bottom. And always use room temperature water for irrigation.
