How Do Beginners Water Flowers? A Beginner's Guide to Watering Potted Plants
For gardening beginners, watering seems like a simple task, yet if you don't get the method right, no matter how many flowers you have at home, they may all be ruined. Below is a beginner's guide to watering potted plants to help you properly replenish moisture for your flowers.
Understand the water requirements of different flowers
Different flowers have different water needs. Generally speaking, drought-tolerant plants such as succulents and cacti need less water, while moisture-loving plants such as ferns and prayer plants (Maranta) need more water. Before growing flowers, understanding the type and characteristics of the flowers you are growing is the first step to reasonable watering.
Observe the degree of soil dryness and moisture
An important way to judge whether watering is needed is to observe the degree of soil dryness and moisture. You can insert your finger into the soil; if the soil feels dry, and there is no moist feeling 2-3 cm below the surface, then it is time to water. Alternatively, you can use a soil moisture meter to measure soil moisture more accurately. 2-3
Choose a suitable watering time
The time of watering is also crucial. Generally speaking, morning or evening is a more suitable time for watering. Avoid watering at noon when the sunlight is strong, because at this time the water temperature and soil temperature differ greatly, which can easily damage the flower roots. In addition, in winter, watering should be done at noon when the temperature is higher, to prevent the flowers from freezing.
Master the correct watering method
The amount of water should be moderate. Too much watering will cause waterlogging in the soil, depriving the flower roots of oxygen and leading to root rot; too little watering cannot meet the growth needs of the flowers. Generally speaking, water thoroughly, that is, let the water flow out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, but do not overwater.
Avoid "half watering." So-called "half watering" means only the soil surface is moistened while the soil at the bottom remains dry. This prevents the flower roots from absorbing enough water and affects the growth of the flowers. When watering, pour slowly to ensure that the water can fully penetrate into the soil.
Misting the leaves. For some moisture-loving flowers, you can appropriately mist the leaves to increase air humidity. But be careful not to let water droplets remain on the leaves for a long time when misting, to avoid causing leaf rot.
Pay attention to water quality issues
The quality of the water used for watering also affects the growth of flowers. Generally speaking, natural water such as rainwater and river water is better for watering flowers. If using tap water, it is best to let it sit for a while so that the chlorine in the water evaporates before use. In addition, avoid using water that contains too much salt or is too alkaline to water flowers.
Adjust the amount of watering according to the season
The water needs of flowers also change with the seasons. In summer, the temperature is high, water evaporates quickly, and flowers need more water, so the amount of watering should be appropriately increased; in winter, the temperature is low, flowers grow slowly, and their water needs decrease, so the amount of watering should be controlled. In spring and autumn, adjust the amount of watering reasonably according to the growth of the flowers and the weather conditions.
When growing flowers as a beginner, you should observe more and learn more about watering, and master the correct watering method according to the characteristics of different flowers and the growing environment.