Knowing when and how much to water your plants is one of the most difficult parts of plant parenting.Because overwatering and underwatering are equally stressful on your plants, it's important to find the right balance: the sweet spot where your plant is happiest. Let's look at how to determine if your plant needs more or less water and tips for finding the perfect balance.
Symptoms
Symptoms of over and under watering can be similar, so we're here to shed some light on what each symptom could mean! Examine your plant for the following signs of water stress and determine which ones you are dealing with.
Display:Plants will wilt if given too much water. If they are underwatered, check the soil to determine which one it is. If the soil is wet, it has too much water; if it is dry, it is under water.
Browning edges:Another symptom that can go either way. Determine which one by feeling the brown leaf: if it feels fresh and light, it is under water. If it feels soft and limp, water it.
Yellowing Leaves:Usually accompanied by new growth falling, yellow leaves are an indication of too much water. However, yellow, curled lower leaves can also be an indication that the plant is under water. Check the soil for moisture to determine what this might be.
Bad smell from the ground:A foul odor coming from the soil may indicate that the roots underneath are rotting, indicating too much water.
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Mildew, mold or mold growth:If mold growth occurs on the plant or soil, this indicates too much water.
Slow, stunted growth:If your plant is growing slowly or not blooming, it may be underwater.
Crazy, crunchy stem:Healthy stems should be strong and flexible, so if the stems break or look particularly brittle, your plant may be under water.
Soft, mushy stem:An indication of the presence of root rot underground due to too much water. Root rot will appear as mushy, slimy black, gray or brown roots (not the healthy white they should be).
Soil loosening from the sides of plants:This is a sign of being underwater.
Loss of leaves:Plants dropping leaves can be an indication of too much water or too little water, so check for other symptoms and monitor soil moisture.
Blisters on the leaves:If you see growths or blisters on the undersides of leaves, you may be dealing with plant cells that have burst because they contain too much water, a sign of overwatering.
Pests:Depending on the pests, pests can be an indication of too much or too little watering. Pests such as fruit flies and fungus gnats thrive in moist conditions, possibly indicating overwatering, while pests such as spider mites prefer dry conditions, possibly indicating underwatering.
What to do when you are underwater
If your plant is underwatered, give it a good drink of water, making sure water reaches the roots, and consider shortening the time between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil for moisture with your finger. Once you feel it is at least 2 inches dry, you can continue watering. If your plant regularly dries out too quickly, consider repotting your plant; he might need more space!
Tips to prevent too much water
Overwatering can cause plants to suffocate from a lack of oxygen in the soil, can cause root rot and mold to grow in soil that does not dry out, and can be misdiagnosed as pests. This way you prevent your houseplants from getting too much water.
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1. CHECK THE GROUND FIRST
Check the soil individually before watering each plant.Use your finger to test about 2 inches deep into each planter and feel for moisture. If the soil is dark and you feel even the slightest bit of moisture, don't water - most plants only need water when the soil is dry and light. color Naturally, each plant has individual care requirements, so keep that in mind!
If you can't tell how moist the soil is with your fingers, use an unfinished wooden chopstick (check to see if the wood gets wet) or you can always purchase a soil moisture meter or meter to take the guesswork out of watering!
2. AVOID THE LEAVES BECOMING WATER
If the leaves are sprayed with water too often, mold can sometimes develop. So try to prevent the leaves from getting wet when watering. Water from the bottom of the plant, or if you are using a Wally Eco, directly into the watering channel at the back of the planter, behind the perforated divider. Check out oursdetailed watering tips for Wally Ecofor information only!
3. WATER DURING DAYLIGHT
Try to water when the sun is shiningso that the moisture can evaporate more easily. If you water at night, the soil will remain moist for too long and can promote rot and mold.
4. Cast off
Drainage is critical when considering how to prevent overwatering.If your planter cannot drain the excess moisture, the moisture will become trapped in the soil and lead to root rot and all kinds of problems.
- Afwatering in Wally Ecoachieved by the design of the perforated panels. The holes in the front of the planter and in the divider at the back help aerate the soil so that excess moisture can evaporate naturally. However, this does not mean that overwatering cannot occur. For outdoor applications in rainy areas, we recommend drilling a small hole of up to 3/8 inch in the bottom of the planter to drain excess water.
- Drainage in Wally Pro bagsachieved through the design of the 'tongue flap', the felt panel at the back of the bag that directs excess moisture to the top of the bag where it evaporates. However, if a bag is flooded and the felt is completely saturated, it can be difficult to dry completely. We therefore recommend placing plastic foil behind your Pro Pockets for indoor applications to prevent damage to the plasterboard behind it. You can also take a vacuum cleaner to the front of the panel and suck out excess moisture and built-up minerals.
What to do if you have given too much water
If you suspect your plant has been overwatered, it may not be too late to save it! Here's what you can do to bring your plant back from the brink.
1. REMOVE EXPIRED LAWS
Prune awayany dead or dying leaves. Dead leaves can promote fall, rot and pests, and dying leaves provide a drain on nutrients that can be used elsewhere in the plant.
2. REFRESH ROOTS AND SOIL
To check for root rot,Dig a little into the soil and look at the roots. If you find mushy, black roots where healthy white roots should be, remove the root ball completely from the planter, remove any dead or dying roots by hand, and replace the soil completely with dry, fresh soil after removing as much moisture as possible . soil from the roots if you can. Spread the roots apart to create some extra air space (but not too much) for oxygen to reach the roots.
Remark:Root rot is a fungal disease that can spread to other plants, so be sure to isolate plants in which you find root rot.
3. FUNGICIDES
If you see signs of mold or root rot,you can also treat your plant with a spray fungicide. Just follow the instructions on the bottle to remove mold and other mold you encounter.
4. DO NOT water or fertilize for a while
Once you've given your plant a fighting chance,avoid watering or fertilizing again until you are sure it will survive. Wait a week or more and make sure the plant is healthy before resuming plant care. Always check the soil for moisture first!
For more tips on watering Wally Eco planters, see ourWally Eco bewateringsgids!
