There are many factors that can determine how often you should feed or water a plant, including the size of the plant, the size of the pot, the genus of the plant and the environment in which the plant is situated. One thing that’s for certain is that neglecting to feed a plant, and over or under watering it, can lead to serious damage and can even kill it.
Every plant needs a certain amount of water for it to survive and grow, even cacti which are renowned for needing small amounts of water. But there are some factors that can help to determine how much water a plant will need.
What types of plant may need, more water and what types less?
If a plant’s native environment is marshland, which applies to different types of rush, then it will need a soggy soil to flourish and should never be allowed to dry out. Plants that have thin foliage which is fragile are likely to need more water as their leaves can otherwise turn brown and crack. Succulents are an obvious choice for a plant that can normally survive for longer periods with little or no water.
How can you tell if a plant needs water and when is this more likely to happen often?
When a plant is growing it needs more water to facilitate the process. This can especially be the case if it is in a warm or dry environment, of it is being grown in a clay pot. You will often be able to tell if your houseplants need water if their leaves begin to wilt or they turn brown on the edges. Once you get used to a plant you can also often tell if it needs watering by gauging the weight of the pot in which it stands. Check out gaddys to learn about indoor plant hire and proper care of the most popular houseplants.
Remember it’s not all about under watering
Sometimes people can kill a plant with kindness if the urge to care for it leads to over watering. This can be just as detrimental to the health of the plant as leaving it with too little water. You should also never leave a plant to stand in water.
For instance, some plants, such as the African violet, need to be watered from the bottom up to protect their leaves. You have to stand them in a saucer of water, but they should never be left to stand for more than 30 minute.
What should you do about feeding your plants?
Feeding is important during a plant’s growing and blooming period; for most plants this is during the spring and summer. During this period you should feed your plant with liquid fertilizer every 10-14 days. Obviously, the same applies to all plants whatever time of year their growth and blooming period happens to be. Most plants don’t need to be fed during their dormant period and you can also reduce the amount of water you provide at this time.