HEAT AS BAD AS FROST
All through the spring season from late April to late May we are all so very concerned with the cold and frosty weather. But what happens when the weather turns extremely hot without warning? This is what I call the “one, two punch.” One day we are covering our plants and the next day we are watering them to death. This is why there are no rules for when to water. Everyone wants life to be simple such as, “water once a week.” Who’s to say how often the sun will shine or how warm it will be each and every day. This is why we professionals only say, “water when they are dry.”
Another combination of weather that will fool you is when you have 2 or 3 days of cloudy, rainy weather and then on the 4th day it becomes sunny and hot. Under these conditions even a wet plant will wilt. It is funny to me that people think that watering is so simple. We consider it the most complicated part of growing quality plants and we also recognize that some people just never get it.
There are many ways of determining whether or not a plant needs to be watered. Look at it. Not the soil but look at the foliage. Is it shiny and green or has it gotten dull in color. Next look at the soil. Look around the foliage in order to see the soil. Is it dry on top? Is the soil separating from the edge of the pot? This is a good indication. Do not stick your finger in the soil. It will usually feel damp. Do not use moisture meters as they usually register the soil as damp until it is too late. Also look at the size of your pot to plant ratio. The smaller the pot, the more often you must water. Large, over-sized pots may never dry out. Plants that look dry in the morning may be dead when you come home from work.
Many times, especially during a very hot spell you must water 2 times per day. If you work, then you will have to water before you go to work and again after you get home. Watch the weather report. If you are in for cloudy, rainy weather, then on that day you may cut back to 1 time per day or maybe not at all for 1 day. Watering is all determined by weather, pot size and which plant varieties you are growing.
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