What are the precautions for watering potted flowers?
1. Water at the right time: To tell when a potted flower needs watering, you can use the sound, color, and soil-squeezing methods. Tap the flowerpot lightly with your finger: if it gives a dull, muddy sound, the potting soil is moist and does not need watering; if it gives a clear, ringing sound, the potting soil is dry and needs watering. Look at the color of the potting soil: if it is grayish-white, the soil is dry and needs watering; if it is dark, the soil is moist and does not need watering. Squeeze the potting soil with your hand: if it holds together in a clump, the soil is moist and does not need watering; if it crumbles into powder, the soil is dry and must be watered.
2. Water in the right amount: For potted flowers, the timing, frequency, and amount of watering should be determined comprehensively according to the flower species, soil, climate, season, plant growth condition, and environment, so as to water in the right amount and promote the growth of the flower plant.
3. Water at the right temperature: The absorption capacity of plant roots is closely related to temperature. A drop in soil temperature increases the viscosity of water and slows the speed at which water enters the roots; a sudden drop in temperature makes the effect even greater. Therefore, when watering potted flowers, the timing and the water temperature must be considered, so as to water at the right temperature. In summer, water in the morning or evening; in winter, water in the afternoon; in spring, water before noon. The water used for watering should not be 5°C lower than the air temperature; otherwise, the water should be placed in sunlight to warm up before watering.
4. Water with soft water: Water dissolved with more calcium ions and magnesium ions is called hard water, while water containing no or only a small amount of calcium ions and magnesium ions is called soft water. Hard water contains more salt, and when used to water flowers it often causes brown spots on the leaf surface, affecting the ornamental effect; at the same time, the accumulation of salt in the potting soil also affects the growth of the flower plant. Soft water has strong activity and is easily absorbed and utilized by plant roots. Generally, rainwater, river water, and pond water are soft water and can be used to water flowers; spring water and well water are hard water and are not suitable for watering flowers. When there is no soft water, tap water can be placed in a basin or vat for several days and then used to water flowers. In addition, cold boiled water and magnetized water have very strong activity and are good materials for watering flowers.
5. Water thoroughly: If the amount of water applied can only moisten the surface soil layer but cannot soak through the middle and lower layers of soil, the flower's roots cannot grow deep and instead float in the upper layer of soil, making the flower plant intolerant of drought and causing a top-heavy, bottom-light condition, stunted plants, drooping leaf stalks, loss of green color in the leaves, and even death by withering. Therefore, when watering potted flowers, you must water thoroughly until it reaches the bottom of the pot; only then is it beneficial to the growth and development of the flowers.