What is the best time to water flowers?
When choosing a time to water, it is best to keep the water temperature close to the soil temperature. Under normal circumstances, when the difference between water temperature and soil temperature is within 5°C, watering flowers is relatively safe and will not cause root damage. As for the specific daily watering time, spring, summer, autumn, and winter are all different.
In spring, autumn, and winter, around 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. are suitable times to water flowers.
At noon in midsummer, the temperature is very high, and the temperature of flower leaves can often reach around 40°C. Transpiration is strong, and water evaporation is also fast. The roots need to continuously absorb water to make up for the loss from leaf transpiration. If cold water is poured at this time, although water is added to the potting soil, the sudden drop in soil temperature stimulates the root hairs with low temperature, which immediately hinders the normal absorption of water. At this time, because the flowers are not prepared in any way and the leaf stomata are not closed, water loses the balance between supply and demand, causing leaf cells to change from a turgid state to wilting. This causes the plant to suffer “physiological drought”, with leaves scorched and withered, and in severe cases can cause the death of the whole plant.
This phenomenon is especially obvious in herbaceous flowers. For example, geraniums, cypress vine, and China asters are most averse to being watered with cold water at noon in hot weather. Therefore, never water flowers at noon in the hot summer.
By the same reasoning, in winter there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, so of course flowers should be watered at noon when the soil temperature and air temperature are relatively close. Many flower growers are accustomed to watering in the evening, mistakenly thinking this is best, but in fact it is the opposite. Especially in winter or indoors, if watered at night, water dissipates slowly, increasing the humidity of the potting soil and air and easily causing flowers to become infected with diseases and suffer cold damage.
Grasp the best time to water flowers
When choosing a time to water, it is best to keep the water temperature close to the soil temperature. Under normal circumstances, when the difference between water temperature and soil temperature is within 5°C, watering flowers is relatively safe and will not cause root damage. As for the specific daily watering time, spring, summer, autumn, and winter are all different.
In spring, autumn, and winter, around 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. are suitable times to water flowers. At noon in midsummer, the temperature is very high, and the temperature of flower leaves can often reach around 40°C. Transpiration is strong, and water evaporation is also fast. The roots need to continuously absorb water to make up for the loss from leaf transpiration. If cold water is poured at this time, although water is added to the potting soil, the sudden drop in soil temperature stimulates the root hairs with low temperature, which immediately hinders the normal absorption of water. At this time, because the flowers are not prepared in any way and the leaf stomata are not closed, water loses the balance between supply and demand, causing leaf cells to change from a turgid state to wilting. This causes the plant to suffer "physiological drought", with leaves scorched and withered, and in severe cases can cause the death of the whole plant.
This phenomenon is especially obvious in herbaceous flowers. For example, geraniums, cypress vine, and China asters are most averse to being watered with cold water at noon in hot weather. Therefore, never water flowers at noon in the hot summer. By the same reasoning, in winter there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, so of course flowers should be watered at noon when the soil temperature and air temperature are relatively close. Many flower growers are accustomed to watering in the evening, mistakenly thinking this is best, but in fact it is the opposite. Especially in winter or indoors, if watered at night, water dissipates slowly, increasing the humidity of the potting soil and air and easily causing flowers to become infected with diseases and suffer cold damage.
How to water flowers correctly
The amount of water to use should be determined by many factors, including the texture of the potting soil. Watering is a highly practical task, and the first hurdle in growing flowers well is watering. So here we only introduce some general watering methods.
(1) Seasonal differences in watering. The approximate water requirements of most plants throughout the four seasons are as follows: In spring, plants gradually enter a period of vigorous growth, so the amount of water should gradually increase, and watering should preferably be done before noon. In summer, flowers grow vigorously and transpiration is strong, so the amount of water should be sufficient, and watering should preferably be done in the morning or evening. After the Start of Autumn, because the temperature drops, flowers grow slowly, so the amount of water should gradually be reduced, and watering should preferably be done before 10 a.m. Some flowers undergo a second growth period in autumn, and at this time they should still be given relatively sufficient water to avoid affecting the growth of new shoots. In winter, the temperature is relatively low, and many flowers enter dormancy or semi-dormancy, so the amount of water must be strictly controlled, and watering should preferably be done between 1 and 2 p.m. In addition, when watering, the water temperature should be close to the soil temperature, and the difference between water temperature and soil temperature should not exceed 5°C. Whether in summer or winter, it is best to let the water sit overnight after drawing it. On the one hand, this allows the bleaching substances in tap water to decompose and volatilize; on the other hand, it avoids too great a difference between water temperature and soil temperature, which can cause flowers to catch a “cold”.
(2) Correctly grasp the timing of watering. How much water to give potted flowers and how to control the degree of dryness and moisture in the potting soil largely determine how well the flowers grow. Generally speaking, when the surface of the potting soil turns white and hard, water should be added. If the soil color is dark, it indicates a relatively high water content, and watering is not needed. You can also touch the surface of the potting soil with your hand. If the soil is hard and crumbles into powder when pinched with your fingers, it indicates the potting soil is already dry and should be replenished with water; if the soil is loose and soft and forms a mud pie when pinched, then there is no need to water. If potted flowers are grown in clay pots, you can lightly tap the pot wall with your fingers or a wooden stick. If the sound is crisp, the potting soil is already dry; if it is dull, there is no need to water. If grown in plastic pots, you can gently lift the flower pot with one hand. If the bottom of the pot feels very light, it indicates a lack of water; if it feels very heavy, there is no need to water.
(3) Control of watering amount. If the potting soil becomes too dry for a time because of drought or a missed watering, and the potted flowers show drooping tender branches, shriveled leaves, leaves of evergreen plants that are shiny but not moist, or yellowing leaf edges, it indicates the plant is severely short of water. At this time, do not immediately pour a large amount of water. Instead, place the flower pot in partial shade, pour a small amount of water into the pot and spray water on the leaves, and after the stems and leaves stand upright again, water thoroughly. This can prevent root damage and yellowing and falling leaves. If watered too much, the plant's leaves droop, the leaf tips first dry out, and then the edges turn yellow, indicating waterlogging damage has occurred. If it is not dealt with in time, once yellowing appears on 1/2 of the leaf area, the plant will gradually die. The key point for watering potted flowers is to alternate between wet and dry. Most flowers need to be watered thoroughly only after the potting soil has dried out. Never give a superficial watering or a half watering.