How to water carnivorous plants? Master these watering key points
Carnivorous plants sell extremely well in the hot summer, but if you want carnivorous plants to truly do their job of catching insects, a scientific cultivation method is very important. In the hot summer, how exactly should carnivorous plants be watered so they can grow better?
Carnivorous plants
The number of waterings mainly depends on the airtightness of the environment, temperature, pot size, plant size, water supply method and other factors. Watering on a fixed schedule is not suitable for plant growth. We should supply water according to the needs of the plants; "check on schedule, water on demand" is more reasonable. Carnivorous plants are divided into moisture-loving and dryness-loving types. Most Nepenthes need their potting soil to be on the drier side, loose and breathable, with no water accumulation; Venus flytraps, most populations of sundews, bladderworts and the like love moisture, so the potting soil should be relatively moist, and the pot can also be placed in a shallow tray of water; pitcher plants and the like are not demanding and can tolerate both dry and wet conditions.
The moisture level of the potting soil can generally be judged by eye. When the potting soil is moist, the color is dark gray, and when it is very wet or waterlogged there will even be small white glints of water; when the potting soil is on the dry side, the color is dull gray with no luster, and when the potting soil is completely dry the color is grayish white.
When the potting soil is on the dry side, we must water it. There are 3 watering methods: spraying, pouring and soaking.
Spraying, that is, using a spray bottle or similar to moisten the leaf surfaces and potting soil, is suitable for weekly cleaning of plant leaves, for supplying water during leaf cuttings propagation of Nepenthes, and so on. It can also be used for daily water supply to most carnivorous plants (except carnivorous plants with mucus such as sundews and butterworts, since frequent spraying will wash away the mucus, causing the mucus-secreting glands to wither and die, making it hard for the "dew drops" to form.)
Pouring, that is, watering with a watering can, is suitable for large carnivorous plants such as Nepenthes and pitcher plants.
Soaking, that is, pouring water into the saucer under the pot, relies on siphon action to keep the potting soil moist. This is the most convenient watering method; one watering can maintain moisture for a relatively long time. It is especially suitable for moisture-loving carnivorous plants, and is also the most suitable for carnivorous plants with mucus such as sundews and butterworts. It can also be used for dryness-loving carnivorous plants by adjusting the potting soil mix, adding more coarse granular drainage and breathable substrate.
An introduction to the watering key points for 10 common potted plants!
Water is the source of life. Watering can be said to be the most important part of the process of caring for potted plants, directly affecting plant growth, so mastering the right degree of watering is crucial. Many friends, precisely because they cannot get the degree right, worry that watering too much will rot the roots and watering too little will dry the plants to death, so they simply stop watering, causing the potted plants at home to wither and die one after another. So how should potted plants be watered? Below, the editor will introduce the watering key points for several common potted plants. Let's take a look together.
Image: Golden pothos
1. Golden pothos
Watering key points:Summer is when golden pothos grows most vigorously, so it needs more water; watering thoroughly once every 2-3 days is enough. In spring and autumn, extend the watering interval; watering once every 3-5 days is enough, and water again after the potting soil dries. Insert a disposable chopstick into the soil and take it out after a few minutes. If the chopstick is not damp and no soil clings to it, that means it is time to water; if there are water marks on the chopstick when you take it out, it means watering is not needed yet.
Image: Clivia
2. Clivia
Watering key points:Spring and autumn are exactly when clivia grows vigorously; water once every 3-5 days or so, just keeping the potting soil slightly dry. In summer, when temperatures are high, clivia enters a semi-dormant period; watering once every 7 days or so is enough, and normally spray water on the leaves to cool them down. In winter, when temperatures are low, clivia can be watered once every 5-7 days, with water sprayed on the leaves once every 2-3 days, keeping the soil dry.
Image: Kalanchoe
3. Kalanchoe
Watering key points:Spring and autumn are the growing season for kalanchoe; water once every 5-7 days or so, watering whenever you notice the potting soil has dried. In summer, when temperatures are high, kalanchoe enters dormancy; watering once every 1-2 weeks is enough, and only water when you notice the leaves have wilted, otherwise it easily develops black rot. In winter, when the temperature is below 10°C, kalanchoe also stops growing; watering once every 1-2 weeks is enough.
Image: Snake plant
4. Snake plant
Watering key points:The snake plant is somewhat drought-tolerant, so you must wait until the surface of the potting soil is dry before watering. In spring and autumn, watering once every 7-10 days or so is enough; too much water easily causes the leaves to turn pale. Water more in summer; if the soil is loose, water once every 3-5 days, and if the soil is compacted, water once every 7-10 days. In winter, reduce the amount of watering, and at the same time gently wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to keep them glossy and clean.
Image: Bougainvillea
5. Bougainvillea
Watering key points:In spring and autumn, watering once a week is enough, and in the morning and evening you can spray water on the leaves 1-2 times with a spray bottle. In summer, water evaporates quickly, so water about 1-2 times a week. Controlling the water for bougainvillea can make it bloom earlier. When the potting soil is completely dry and the branches droop, water thoroughly once; repeat this for half a month, then resume normal watering, and it can make bougainvillea bloom earlier.
Image: Gardenia
6. Gardenia
Watering key points:In spring and autumn, water to keep the potting soil moist; watering once every 2-3 days or so is enough. If you use tap water to water the flowers, it is best to let it sit for 2-3 days before use. In summer, evaporation is high and more water is needed; for those kept indoors, water once every 1-2 days, and for those kept outdoors, watering 1-2 times a day will not waterlog them. During the growing season, apply a 0.2% ferrous sulfate solution or alum fertilizer water once every 7-10 days to avoid the soil becoming alkaline and causing large areas of yellow leaves.
Image: Rose
7. Rose
Watering key points:In spring and autumn, watering once every 3-5 days or so is enough, and you can choose to water in the morning. Water more in summer; indoor roses can be watered once every 1-2 days, and outdoor ones can be watered 1-2 times a day without any problem. Water again after you notice the potting soil has turned pale, until water leaks from the bottom of the pot, proving it has been watered thoroughly. To make roses grow rapidly, you can water once every 7-10 days or so with fermented fish intestine water, making the rose flowers large and brightly colored and grow more vigorously!
Image: Jasmine
8. Jasmine
Watering key points:In spring and autumn, water once every 2-3 days, and at the same time spray water on the leaves 1-2 times in the morning and evening to ensure jasmine does not lack water. In summer, it needs plenty of water and full sun; those kept indoors can be watered once every 1-2 days, and those kept outdoors can be watered 1-2 times a day without any problem. About every 10-15 days, you can use a 0.2% rice vinegar solution to spray on jasmine leaves, reducing the occurrence of yellow leaves.
Image: Pennywort
9. Pennywort
Watering key points:Pennywort loves water. In spring and autumn, watering thoroughly once every 2-3 days or so is enough for it to grow vigorously; in summer, watering 1-2 times a day or so is enough, and a lack of water easily causes the stems to fall over. For hydroponic pennywort, changing the water once a week is enough; for half-soil half-water pennywort, changing the water once every 2-4 days will let it grow vigorously!
Image: Orange jasmine
10. Orange jasmine
Watering key points:In spring and autumn, orange jasmine can be watered once every 3-5 days, and at the same time spray water on the leaves in the morning and evening to ensure sufficient moisture. In summer, the water demand is high; watering once every 2-3 days or so is enough, and if the soil is loose and breathable, watering twice a day is no problem. In winter, orange jasmine enters a semi-dormant state; just keep the potting soil slightly moist, and spray water on the leaves about once every 10 days to clean the leaves and thereby promote photosynthesis.
[Editor's concluding remarks]Watering is a very important part of the process of caring for potted plants, directly affecting the healthy growth of plants, and should be taken seriously. Above, we introduced the watering key points for 10 common potted plants, and hope it can help everyone!
Watering key points for potted flowers in September
For some flowers, September is just after they have passed their dormant period, so if they are not cared for well, it easily causes problems with autumn blooming. So how should potted flowers be watered in September to ensure their subsequent growth?
Potted flowers
For some ornamental plants that prefer moisture, such as Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium faberi, Monstera deliciosa, Aspidistra elatior, Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua, Syngonium podophyllum, Chloranthus spicatus, bromeliads and so on, they can be placed on wooden slats resting over a balcony water basin or water vat, or placed in a simple self-built sand bed, and normally sprayed with water instead of watered. For potted foliage plants placed indoors, you should also spray more and water less, so as to keep the potting soil loose and moist; especially in air-conditioned rooms, spray water at least 1 to 2 times a day, otherwise even a relatively drought-tolerant five-needle pine bonsai will dehydrate and die if not watered or sprayed for 5 to 7 days. For potted ornamental plants with strong resistance placed on the balcony, you can continue to water once a day and spray 1 to 2 times, and you can also use the soaking pot method to prevent the phenomenon of the potting soil being wet on top and dry at the bottom. The watering time should still avoid the 2 to 3 hours around noon, be careful that the water temperature does not differ too much from the soil temperature and air temperature, and add a small amount of light green ferrous sulfate to the irrigation water to avoid physiological yellowing of the plants.