Watering advice please!
Happy Saturday all! Since I learn so much from this group #TheWateringHole figured I’d ask you all a general watering question. I usually bottom water with a top flush occasionally for all my plants. I understand the “chopstick method” BUT some of the planty people I follow on socials also say “water when 50% dry,” 100%, “the top two inches are dry,” etc. Are there some plants that you should NOT let dry out fully? Are there specific plants that do better in self-watering so they always have water? 💦 And is there an easy way to remember this?? 🤔 TIA!! #help #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #NewPlantMom #GregGang
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@SlinkyFivespot8 , great question and in my experience, yes there are plants that like their soil to stay evenly moist. Most ferns need to stay damp, peace lilies and Aglaonemas or Chinese Evergreens like their soil slightly moist. I water most of my Aglaonema plants every 4-5 days. Personally, I don’t use the self watering pots. I’ve not had good luck using them. Many of my plants got root rot from staying wet too long.
@SlinkyFivespot8 I agree with @Shells_Garden ! Self-watering pots keep the soil too wet. The reason most plant you buy at big dept stores use this is so they don’t ever have to water them while waiting for them to sell. I’ve NEVER had luck with even a single one! I still use them, but I don’t put any water in them! Bottom watering is great way to keep from getting fungus gnats, but I like to top water so I can tell how moist the soil is. It is really a personal choice and experience teaches you which one is better for your plants😁🪴🌺🌸
I used to use moisture meters and they stink. Also tried self watering pots, and they stink worse lol. Honestly- I like the Greg app because it tells me when I last watered, even tho I don’t always follow their watering schedule. I do stick my fingers in the soil…but I just bought these little terracotta moisture worms…they are about 4.5 inches long- longer than my fingers can go down in the soil, and I’ve only had for about 4 days- but it’s cool to watch them turn color when wet, and then dry up when not wet.
@SlinkyFivespot8 @Shells_Garden @Ponytailmom @SillyPlantGirl all great suggestions and approaches! Typically all my plants are bottom watered, with the exceptions being orchids, syngoniums, my Silver Dragon, and one FLF that didn’t grow getting bottom watered and thrives with top watering 🙃 Many of mine are just too large to move so definitely bottom watered in a pan or saucer right where they live. I’ve used moisture meters 🫤 not too reliable. I tried the skewer or chop stick method but only when I’m in doubt & again meh 😑. And sticking my finger ☝️ 2” into the soil of each plant, really?? First how does that work with a 2” pot 😒 you’ll displace the plant 😝! And how about the recommendation of “water when the top 2” are dry” - in a 4” pot that means 50% dry??? Plus to avoid transmitting pests or bacteria you’d have to wash 🧼 up in between finger pokes ☝️ 🤪. Most plant parents get to know the ‘feel’ of how heavy or light the plant gets. Then use that with your visual signs - skewers, meters, terracotta worms🪱 @SillyPlantGirl I’m definitely getting those 🙌, then decide if it needs water or not. You’ll win some/lose some but you definitely learn a lot!!!
Plants that must dry out for me Hoyas, String of Anything’s, Snake plants and many succulents- not bone dry but very dry. And for these guys if I’m not sure, I wait a day.
Plants that must dry out for me Hoyas, String of Anything’s, Snake plants and many succulents- not bone dry but very dry. And for these guys if I’m not sure, I wait a day.