What do we pay attention to when we water the plants and what is the most effective way for better watering? All plants need water to stay healthy. They can live for a short time without water and for this reason watering is perhaps the most important cultivation care, both for flowers and for vegetables , aromatic plants , trees and shrubs. Although watering seems a relatively easy process, most of us unknowingly make some basic mistakes when watering plants. Excessive watering, as well as underwatering, can create significant problems in plant growth. In today’s article we will cover the secrets of proper watering with useful tips on how to water, when and how often to ensure healthy, green plants with vigorous growth, vigorous flowering and abundant production
Improper watering is one of the most common causes of plant problems, either due to insufficient or excessive watering. Plants suffer when they do not have a sufficient amount of water to absorb from their roots, show reduced growth, leaf drying or gradual leaf and flower drop, and reduced fruiting. Accordingly, excessive watering can cause symptoms such as root rot, yellowing of leaves , leaf and flower drop,
as well as disease growth conditions.
When is the right time to water the plants? Watering is very important to be done at the right times. In any case, we avoid watering our garden during the lunch hours, due to large water losses and the possible development of diseases. We prefer to water early in the morning, as in the morning hours the plants are sufficiently watered and we have little chance of developing fungal diseases. The second option is to water at dusk, since in the evening hours we do not have water losses from evaporation. The last option is to water our plants during the night, although in this case there is a risk of developing fungal diseases due to excessive soil moisture.
How often do we water our garden plants? The frequency of watering the plants depends on many factors, such as the type of plants, their growth stage, the type of soil and the prevailing climatic conditions. For example, horticultural and ornamental shrubs need more water than succulents and cacti . A plant that we keep in a pot has greater water needs compared to the same plant that is planted in the ground. Sandy, draining soils hold less water and need more frequent watering than heavy clay soils. In summer, due to high temperatures, plants have greater water needs than in spring, autumn and winter. When it is windy, the soil dries out faster and more frequent watering is required. Advertising
How much do we water our plants depending on the growth stage?
Our plants have different water needs depending on the growth stage they are in.Let’s look in detail at the plants’ watering needs according to their growth stage. How much watering do the seeds need when planting? When we plant plant seeds, the soil needs relative moisture for the seeds to germinate. We prefer gentle daily watering that keeps the soil slightly moist,
so that the seeds we planted will gradually germinate
We avoid excessive moisture because we can cause rotting in the roots of the plants
Is it good to wet plant foliage with watering? As a general rule, we avoid wetting the foliage of the plants when watering, especially at noon because we lose water due to evaporation, while at the same time burns may appear on the foliage or the development of various fungal diseases. There are, of course, exceptions such as for example in indoor plants or in ornamental plants such as gardenia and camellia that need a cool
How do we improve irrigation efficiency? We can improve the efficiency of irrigation and save water by increasing the water holding capacity of the soil. The improvement of water retention by the soil is done by the proper preparation of the soil before planting , adding various soil improvement materials . In particular, manure and compost help to increase moisture, while at the same time enriching the soil with organic matter and nutrients. In addition, we can add zeolite , perlite and attapulgite , which are natural minerals that have the property of holding a significant amount of moisture, helping to better absorb water from our plants. Soil improvement materials to improve the physical properties of the soil
Is it correct to water the plants with hose?
Although it is very common to water plants with a hose, this is not the best watering option. When we water with a hose, many times some plants receive more water than they should or we may leave some others behind, as well as we also have large water losses due to evaporation. Also, when watering with a hose, there is a risk that diseases will develop in the plants from contaminants that are in the soil and will be washed onto the foliage of the plants with the water. It is worth mentioning that due to the large surface area in the soil that gets wet during watering, we have a lot of unwanted weeds (weeds) growing between our plants. 8 secrets for watering vegetables in the garden and in pots .
What is the best way to water our plants?
In the drip irrigation system, we have small water losses due to evaporation. We ensure a significant reduction of unwanted grasses (weeds) due to the small surface of the soil that gets wet around the plants. It can be