Holiday season has hit us, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the packing and planning, but don’t forget about your indoor plant family that you are leaving behind. Just as a pet would, they need regular watering to stay green and healthy.
There are many ways of keeping your plants hydrated whist on holiday and a lot of our suggestion will not break the bank and even make use of everyday household item.
Here are a few ideas that you can use;
The first thing you will need to do, no matter which method you use, is to give all your plants a thorough watering before you begin. Give all your indoor pots a good soak, not forgetting to drain them. It is alway advisable to repeat this process.
Once they have had a good soak, collect all of your plants and place in a cool shady room, the less sun and heat they have, the less water they
will use.
Plastic Bottle Method
This method is great for recycling old plastic drinks bottles. Cut a plastic bottle in half and place them on top of the plant and pot to create a terrarium, this will capture the condensation, recycling captured water and reduce evaporation. Please note this method is not suitable for cactuses and succulents.
Water Wick method
Water wicks can be use in 2 different ways;
1/ Fill a container with water and pop one end of the wick in the water, making sure it hits the bottom and the other end of the wick into the soil at the base of your plant, about a couple of inches deep. Water will be absorbed when needed.
2/ Fill a container with water and pop the end of the wick in the water and with the other end of the wick, pop it in the base of the pot through the drainage holes. Sit the pot on the water container making sure the pot is not sitting in water. Again water will be absorbed when needed.
Self watering Spikes / Drip feeders
These come in all shape and sizes and can be bought in any good garden centre or plant store. Place the spike in the pot and fill the reservoir with water. Water will slowly feed your plant throughout the holiday period.
Capillary Matting
Another easy watering method is to use Capillary matting. Fill a shallow watering container or a bath with water and submerge one end of the matting, the water will be absorbed by the matting keeping the pots moist through capillary action.
Irrigation system.
If you have the budget, invest in an indoor irrigation system, not only will it water your plants on holiday but throughout the year.