First of all – it’s time!
1. Different types of plants like to be watered in different ways.
2. Water thoroughly and evenly.
3. Water the substrate, not the leaves.
In fact, watering is one of the most important conditions that must be met when caring for potted plants so that they can thrive in the home jungle. Improper watering is the most common cause of dying plants in our homes. If you want to learn what to do to water like an expert, read this post.
First of all – it’s time!
Once we decide to create a home jungle, we want to take care of the plants as best as possible. Watering our precious specimens is the most important part of the care ritual. Therefore, it is worth doing it properly from the very beginning and knowing the answer to an important question – when is the best time to water potted plants during the day?
There is only one answer here – the best time to water potted plants is in the morning! When they are watered at this time, they have the whole day to draw water from the ground and use it optimally with natural sunlight. Watering the plants starts the water processing process, which requires sunlight. If a plant receives water when it is dark, its roots remain wet until the next day, which can encourage root rot.
When it comes to sprinkling, it is worth imitating Mother Nature when doing this. In a natural environment, fog usually appears in the morning and early evening, and these are the two optimal times during the day to sprinkle plants that appreciate this type of treatment (ferns, air plants, phytonias).
Now that you know when to water your houseplants, it’s worth learning more.
1. Different types of plants like to be watered in different ways.
The plant species we keep in pots at home have their history and origin, which dictate their watering preferences. Succulents like to be kept in dry soil and are very susceptible to rot if overwatered. Tropical houseplants, such as ferns and calathea, prefer their soil to be constantly moist, while other plants like to dry out well between waterings. You should understand that a common day of watering for all plants does not bode well for them.
2. Water thoroughly and evenly.
Only then will the plant be able to grow evenly and sprout leaves in every direction. You cannot moisten the root system on one side, because this will certainly affect the appearance of the entire plant. Always water so that the water covers the entire surface of the substrate and flows out through the drainage holes. Never leave excess water in the casing/saucer. Roots that are in constant contact with excessively moist soil do not have sufficient access to oxygen and, as a result, rot.
3. Water the substrate, not the leaves.
This way you will avoid fungal and bacterial infections resulting from the leaves coming into contact with moisture. You can implement a system of watering plants from below in your jungle. It is convenient and effective because the moisture goes through the drainage holes directly to the lower part of the pot, which is where the roots are. This method results in overwatering of plants less often, and there is no fear of nutrients being washed away with the water.
When the next watering time comes, place the plant in a pot with holes in a shallow bowl/tray filled with water and leave for 30-40 minutes to absorb as much water as it needs. And that’s it!
Although watering is a seemingly simple activity, if performed improperly for a long time, it can certainly damage the plants. Therefore, it is worth doing it consciously. We hope that these tips will take you one step closer to knowing that you really have a hand with plants!
Please read the post: Am I overwatering my plants?