Plant care is an area that requires some knowledge. Our plants can indeed suffer from diseases, be infested with harmful insects and pests or require green manure to thrive. And of course, they also need a welcoming soil, temperatures to their liking, but also sufficient light. And if all these needs can be explained to you in the garden centre, there is one point which is rather left to the discretion of gardeners: watering! Several parameters can indeed influence the water needs of your indoor plants or outdoor plants (size of the pot, type of drainage, size of the green plant, etc.). So how do you know when to water them?
Knowing how to estimate the water needs of your plant, but also when to take out the watering can is not innate. Some tend to overdo it, while others (more careless or airheaded) tend to let the earth dry out. With these tips, you will finally know if your plants need water!
1) Learn about the water needs of each of your plants
Not all plants have the same water needs. Whether in the garden, in the vegetable garden or indoors, it is therefore necessary to take the time to find out before embarking on your gardening work. Here are some examples for know how often to water certain plants municipalities:
– Calathea: every 5 to 10 days
– Lemon tree: every 5 to 10 days
-Ficus: every 5 to 10 days
– Lyre fig tree: every 5 to 10 days
– Orchid: every 5 to 10 days
– Saw palmetto: every 5 to 10 days
– Peperomia: every 5 to 10 days
-Philodendron: every 5 to 10 days
– Spider plant: every 5 to 10 days
-Succulents and aloe vera: every 10 to 15 days
-Sansevieria: every 10 to 15 days
– Spathiphyllum: every 5 to 10 days
Also note that in autumn and winter, we tend to need less watering plants, because the soil dries less quickly. It is also the dormant period of plants. You will then be able to solicit them less!
2) Rely on the weight of the pot
A heavier pot indicates that the earth is waterlogged, hence its higher weight. You can use this index for all types of pots. For the heaviest or most imposing, the simple fact of tilting them will suffice. Ideally, underweigh the weight of the plant after watering to get an idea of its heaviest weight. Then check a few days later. Over time, you will become more familiar with the weights of the pots and what this means in terms of watering them.
3) Take a look at the land
A simple look into the pot can tell you more about your plant than you think! Wet soil is for example darker than dry ground (often light brown in color). For plants that need moist soil (like ferns), this visual cue can be very handy. On the other hand, avoid using it for plants that need less watering. If you bring them water as soon as the ground becomes too light, you risk drowning them! Also, for cacti, succulents and other ficus plants, for example, beware of excessive watering. Also note that the earth can appear dry on the surface, but be moist deep down. Also, it is better to couple this preliminary observation with a little verification (see below).
4) Put “hands in” (or rather in the earth!)
One of the best tricks for estimating whether or not your plants need water is simply to stick your finger in the soil three to four centimeters. Caution of do not damage the roots of your green plants ! Sticking your finger into the soil gives a better estimate, as the surface can sometimes look dry while the humus underneath is quite moist. However, this technique works less well for big pots. So only use it for your smaller plantings.
5) Know how to read the signals that plants send
Recently, we offered you a guide to understanding plant symptoms and how to react. As we explained in this article, certain telltale signs of drought can be observed in houseplants. In the event of a lack of water, you will notice, for example, soft, droopy leaves that may eventually turn yellow or brown. The stems may tend to droop as the flowers begin to wilt. In short, plants visually lose tone and life. Take the time every day toinspect your flower pots to keep you alert. And if your plants are indeed thirsty, take out the watering can as soon as possible!
6) A stick to control the water needs of plants
Here you can recycle an ice cream stick or a Chinese chopstick. Otherwise, a skewer or a stick could be suitable, the most important being to use an unstained and untreated wood. To use this technique, simply push the stick into the ground for several centimeters (always paying attention to the roots). Then make a trace at ground level with a pen to know which part to inspect. After two minutes, take out your wooden stick and check for traces of moisture. A net water mark shows that the soil is well hydrated. Repeat the test in several days. Conversely, a light mark indicates a lack of hydration. In this case, you know what you have to do!
7) Use a moisture sensor for a clear estimate of plant water needs
Grandma’s tricks are effective and simple. However, when you really love plants and have a lot of them, it can be quite tedious to check every pot like this. In this case, it may be wise to invest in a hygrometer with good humidity sensor. This will allow you to very easily determine the humidity of the soil very precisely. And rest assured: this device is far from expensive and is very easy to use.
