If you hold a love for plants and have made way for some greens at your home, there's a big chance you're struggling with the watering regimen. You could be either of the two: The ones who 'let them be' for weeks at a stretch, or the ones who water them beyond they can drink. And let us tell you, both these methods are bound to fall flat. Yes, all plants and soil come with their own algorithm of how much water, sunlight and air exposure they need (water being the trickiest), and are doomed if you goof up on either one.
If you have been following the pattern to water your plants at a certain time every day, you're quite likely overdoing it. That way, you've trained yourself to take watering as a daily chore rather than an art. Just allow your schedule a break, and check what the plant needs. Learn the art of analysing the soil before pulling the watering can out. You will also learn that some plants dry out sooner than others, thus calling for a more frequent watering.
If all the members of a home begin 'caring' about the plants, there is a big chance they will think of watering them foremost. After all, their sunlight and air intake is largely dependent on where they are placed, it's just the watering that can be counted as a real, visible activity. To prevent an accidental over-watering, assign the plant-care roles to one member of the house.
The best time to water a plant is when the top 1-2 cm are dry and crumbly. To check, poke a finger into the soil and check the texture when you pull it out. Sometimes, there is greenery covering up the soil and it's difficult to judge what soil is like. In that case, lift the pot and check. Dry soil feels lighter than the one with moist soil.
When watering the plants, the agenda should be to ensure that compost, as deep as the bottom, gets a uniform dose of water. But how much is too much? Well, just pull out a spoonful of soil into your palm, and try rolling it into a ball. If this leaves your palms muddy, you've over-watered. And if the ball doesn't hold up its shape and breaks apart, the soil is thirsty.
The best way to pour water is by spreading it out rather than in a stream. No matter what vessel you're pouring the water from, it's important to pour the water across the corners. That way, water finds its own way to seep down, also meeting the roots on the way. If you water at the exact bottom where the stem meets the soil, the water will only hit the bottom leaving the soil elsewhere as dry as earlier.
Since the sun in winters isn't too harsh and doesn't dry up too fast, most plants do not ask for much water either. Besides, they are not actively growing to be demanding much. That means beginning from November until March, the plants can make do with just a little water, slightly lesser than what you'd judge. However, if you've placed your plants in centrally air-conditioned settings, they may dry out and ask for your attention.
Do you have any favorite tricks to keep your plant healthy across the year? Share with us in the comments below!