How can you tell when plants are short of water? Most green plants are killed by improper watering
Whether you know how to grow green plants comes down most of all to whether you know how to water them. Beginners either forget to water their plants or water them too often, and when the weather is changeable it becomes even harder to get the amount of water right, which is undoubtedly a tremendous test for any grower. When the amount of water is not right, leaves will keep turning yellow, losing their plump texture, and even withering and drooping. How should such a sickly green plant be rescued? The following few tips will help you diagnose and solve watering problems.
1. The appearance of the green plant
When you see the leaves of a green plant starting to turn yellow and droop, sag or fall off, it means the plant has begun to suffer from a lack of water, and the whole plant looks completely lifeless.
2. The color of the potting soil
The appearance of the potting soil can also tell you whether a green plant needs watering. When the potting soil dries out, its color becomes lighter, so when you notice the potting soil looks paler, you need to replenish the water in time. When watering green plants, follow the principle of watering when dry; if the surface of the potting soil has water that cannot soak into the soil, it means you have watered too much and need to help the plant drain.
3. Holding the pot in your hand
The weight of the flower pot can reveal the moisture content of the potting soil. This method is more suitable for potted green plants, and specifically for smaller pots, since a large pot cannot be moved without any strength at all, let alone weighed in your hand. When you pick up the pot you will feel its weight. If you feel the weight of the pot has changed noticeably, note that it has become lighter; a lighter pot means it is time to replenish the water. If the pot still has some weight, it means the potting soil still contains some moisture, so you can hold off on watering for now.
4. Touching the potting soil
Personally, I think this is the most intuitive method: use your hand to push aside the potting soil directly. Sometimes potting soil that looks dry on the surface is not necessarily dry inside, so push the potting soil aside with your hand and feel its moisture. If the potting soil is fairly dry, then it needs watering; if it is still somewhat moist, then there is no need to replenish.
5. The scientific method
The most scientific way to identify this is with the help of a tester. A small tester can fully display the temperature and humidity of the soil, isn't that even more convenient?
The several signs of water shortage in green plants summarized above are a simple, blunt wake-up call that your green plants need their water replenished. In addition, when watering green plants you must water thoroughly to keep up with their daily needs. Whether you have watered thoroughly can be identified by water draining from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, so when water appears in the saucer, it means the water has soaked through.