The Harm of Overwatering or Underwatering Flowers and Methods for Preserving Edible Mushrooms

When potted flowers are overwatered, water fills the soil gaps and replaces the air in the soil. At this time, outside air cannot enter either, thus causing soil oxygen deficiency, hindering root respiration and lowering physiological function, and blocking the roots' ability to absorb water and nutrients. At the same time, because the soil lacks oxygen, aerobic bacteria in the soil that decompose organic matter multiply and become highly active, increasing soil acidity. Due to the vigorous activity of butyric acid bacteria and others, a series of toxic substances such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia are produced, directly poisoning the root system. Meanwhile, because of oxygen deficiency, the plant consumes a large amount of soluble sugar in its body and accumulates excessive amounts of substances such as alcohol, causing photosynthesis to drop greatly, and finally causing the flowers to die of starvation. In the practice of growing flowers, one can often see cases where excessive watering causes the flower roots to turn black and rot, "drowning" the flowers. Therefore, when cultivating flowers, watering must be done in the right amount.

Because potted flowers have little soil and do not hold much water, during the flower growing season it is necessary to replenish water frequently to ensure normal flower growth. If the water supply is insufficient, the leaves and leaf stalks will shrivel and droop, and the flowers will show wilting. If flowers are provided with insufficient water for a long time, the older leaves and the leaves at the lower part of the plant will gradually turn yellow and dry up. If most herbaceous flowers remain in a drought state for a long time, the plants will be stunted, the leaves will lose their fresh green luster, and the entire plant may even die. Some flower growers, fearing excessive watering, give "half-way water" every time they water, that is, the amount of water given can only moisten the surface soil while the lower soil remains dry. This watering method likewise affects the development of the flower root system and can also produce the above adverse phenomena. Therefore, watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet, and when watering, water thoroughly.