House plants: Expert advises on how to keep them watered
Dani Turner, customer experience director at online florist Bunches, has shared top tips on looking after both indoor and outdoor plants this week.
The expert said: “The best time to water the plants is early in the morning. Giving them a thorough drench before the day warms up allows for the water to run through the soil down to the roots ensuring you don’t lose water to evaporation.
“For your indoor plants, we always recommend to under water rather than overwater, as too much water can lead to root rot, amongst other issues.
“For a happy houseplant, as a general rule a weekly watering will provide all the moisture it requires.
In really hot weather, plants may need to be repositioned so they are away from direct sunlight. Dani explained: “The leaves of your plants are prone to being sun scorched, yes plants can get sunburn too.
“The best way to avoid this is to move them away from windows and further into your home.
“This helps to protect your plants from the harsh rays of the sun.” Container plants can also be moved out of direct sunlight for a couple of hours each day.
The plant pro also recommended leaving repotting, pruning or fertilising until after the warm weather has passed because this can cause plants “unnecessary stress”.
During warmer weather, both indoor and outdoor plants are trying to survive the hot water. Causing them stress may result in them becoming shocked.
Don’t miss…
Five ‘simple steps’ to ‘boost’ your home’s value – can ‘increase by 10 percent'[LATEST]
Methods to remove algae and grime from garden furniture[COMMENT]
55p method to kill houseplant aphids and mealybugs ‘on contact’[EXPERT]
The strong sun can harm any healthy leaves or fruits when pruning during a warm spell, so make sure to avoid doing so.
Nick Wood from Gardening Express added: “A common mistake people make is thinking plants need fertiliser in warmer conditions to make them stronger.
“You should actually avoid using fertiliser because when it is applied, it triggers the plant to grow, meaning more nutrients and water is needed.
“This will be hard to keep up with in hot conditions, the soil will be drying out quicker and your plant won’t really be able to absorb water properly in the heat.”
With many people heading off for a spring break, it is important not to forget about any garden plant.
Dani noted: “If you are planning a holiday, your plants should be fine for at least a week if given a big drink and moved to a shady spot before you go.
“For more than a week away, we recommend asking someone to come and check on them for you and give them water if required.”
Gardeners could also opt for mulching garden plants as this helps to lock in any moisture once they have been watered.
Mulch is a layer that can be placed on top of the soil to act as a barrier between the sun and the soil to help prevent it from drying out.
Source: Read Full Article