Watering plants is necessary to help them thrive, grow and reproduce. Without water plants would not exist; they will wilt, turn brown and eventually die. Plants provide us with great beauty, flowers, food and oxygen. They provide shelter and food for insects and animals. It’s important to care for plants, just as they care for us, bringing life and light into our lives.
There are a few common mistakes that can cause big problems for our green friends, including:
Letting plants sit in water
Using softened water
Wetting Leaves
Watering at the same level all year
Click the button below for a plant watering journal, it helps to make keeping track and caring for your plants much easier. With so much going on, it's easy to forget when you watered, how much or which plants, jotting it down will help you keep your plants happy.
1. Letting Plants Sit in Water - Root Rot
If plants are allowed to sit in water they risk becoming waterlogged, causing their root systems to be unable to breathe and eventually leading to root rot. Plants that have more water than they can consume develop root rot because the roots are unable to get the air they need. Using terracotta pots that absorb water or pots with drainage holes help alleviate this concern. It’s also important to allow your plants to slightly dry out between watering.
Also, something to always keep in mind is that it’s easier to fix a thirsty plant than one that has had been over indulged with water. You can try using self water plant spikes to help regulate how much water your plant is getting. These plant spikes are super helpful if you're travelling or just have a hard time remembering when to water your plants.
2. Using Softened Water, Too Much Salt
If you have a water softener in your home make sure to use water from a different source as the salt content in softened water is too high for plants. Also, take time to remove chlorine from water that you are using to water plants. If you simply fill a jug with regular tap water and let it sit for a day or so the chlorine will evaporate.
3. Wetting Leaves, Especially in the Sun
It’s important to keep leaves dry when watering. Wet leaves become diseased leaves. If leaves have water on them and are left in the sun they can burn, causing brown spots and dead leaves. Using a long spout watering can helps control where the water goes. There are tons of cute and functional options, but here's another great option.
4. Watering at the Same Level All Year
It is important to adjust your watering for the season, based on whether the plant is growing or dormant. Also, keep in mind the temperature. In warmer weather the water will evaporate more quickly and in cooler weather the soil will remain wet longer.
For more tips and tricks and common mistakes that area easily avoidable, check out this great plant care journal.
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