I’m On Vacation, I Should Leave My Plants Without Water!
Most of you must be wondering if you want to holiday, how to take care of your plants while you away? Plants without water that are fully grown can go for a week before showing symptoms. Succulents can live for months without water, dormant plants for weeks, but fruit, vegetable, and blooming plants will only endure 4 to 7 days.
Tips To Water Your Plants While You Away!
I recognize that you may be overthinking about your plants without water conditions. Perhaps you’ve forgotten. Or perhaps you have a lot of travel to do. Don’t be concerned. There are various ways to water your plants without having to be present.
Use A Self Watering Pot
A pot (typically terra cotta or clay), a reservoir, and a wick make up a self-watering container. The wick permits water to be drawn from the reservoir and into the plant’s soil. In this manner, you only have to fill the reservoir with water when it runs dry. Depending on the type of plant and the size of the reservoir, water should be added every 2-7 days. You can make your own self-watering container or buy one that is already prepared. Before you buy a self-watering container, check sure the plant you’re planning to put in it can withstand that type of container and that the design is appropriate for your needs.
Set Up An Inverted Bottle System
Filling 1 or 2-gallon bottles, closing the top, then poking tiny holes in the cap is another inexpensive solution for the problem of plants without water. The bottle can then be inverted and inserted 2-4 inches into the soil near the plant. The water will slowly drop out of the holes, moistening the roots of the plant. You can fill several inverted bottles with water and position them near the plants to offer water for the few days you will be gone. The length of time this will deliver water to the plants is determined by the size of the bottle and the amount of water consumed by the plants. This inverted bottle approach can also be used to set up watering for plants in pots.
Move Plants Indoor
This is an option to consider if you’re growing plants in containers and plants without water conditions. Because of the warmer weather, the soil outside will quickly lose moisture. Because the inside air is much colder, the plants will require less water if you bring them inside. If you are unable to water the soil, the plants will survive on the moisture that is already present. You might also consider relocating some of the plants to a bathroom or kitchen. Showers, humidity, and cooking all add moisture to the air in these spaces. It will allow your plants to endure longer without needing to be watered.
Avoid Adding Too Much Fertilizer In Soil
Make sure you don’t add fertilizer to the soil if you’re going to be gone for a few days. Excess fertilizer causes the plants to absorb more water since the moisture is required to circulate the nutrients to the plant. In addition, if the plants do not receive enough moisture, the fertilizer can burn the roots and cause damage to the plants. If you absolutely must use fertilizer, go for a slow-release organic fertilizer. This will not release into the soil unless you water it thoroughly. And, because it’s organic, there’s less of a possibility that an overabundance of such fertilizer will burn the roots.
Add Water Absorbing Crystals
Water-absorbing crystals are materials that soak in the water you pour on them and then gently release it over time. This is advantageous since the roots require a steady release of water. The water-absorbing crystals are usually applied when potting soil for container plants is being prepared. However, if your plants without water conditions for several days, you can use this as a solution. Before you leave for a long period of time, mix these crystals into the garden soil or potting soil. Then water the soil thoroughly until all of the crystals have been saturated.