We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it.
-John Lennon
When I was in the military, specifically during my basic training days, every night for months after long days of running around and getting yelled at by drill sergeants, I was forced to drink endless amounts of water. The drill sergeant would yell, “DRINK WATERRRRR”, and I had to drink a whole canteen within a matter of seconds. To ensure that the water canteen was empty, at the request of the drill sergeant, I had to turn the canteen upside down on top of my head. And repeat, repeat, repeat!
At that time, I was 18 years old, and had no idea why I was being asked drink so much water at night before going to sleep. Years later, I realized that my drill sergeant was helping me stay hydrated so that I could function the next day. Who would have thunk that water was really important for my body!
The drill sergeant’s method worked and now, I use that same method on my plants! Water! Water! Water! I make sure that my plants get enough water so that they can make it through a hot humid day. And I repeat, repeat, repeat.
I have often been asked why plants die even though they are watered regularly.
In my experience plants die because they are not watered enough even if they are watered regularly.
Here is the Tea: what I have noticed is that most people water their plants with a nozzle attached to the water hose and believe that sprinkling water on top of the plant for a few seconds is enough water. However, that nozzle is a liar, cheater, and deceiver because it makes people think that enough water is reaching the roots of the plants.
Think of it this way: when you water with a nozzle, you are probably not too close to the plants which means that you are really watering the leaves. Also, more than likely, you are watering like a sprinkler system…sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle…. for about 1 to 2 minutes (time yourself next time). So, by watering like this for 1 to 2 minutes:
25% of the water ends up on top of the plant;
25% bounces off the plant and ends up somewhere else;
25% evaporates the second it touches the plant or soil;
25% makes it to the soil which is immediately suck up by soil instead of the roots.
As a result, I do not use the nozzle as much when watering my plants. Instead, I take the nozzle off and place the hose as close as possible to the soil (base of the plants). A lot of water needs to reach the base of the plant, to me A LOT is when I see water pooling at the base of the plants. That water drenches the soil and roots which means that the plants are hydrated enough to make it through a hot humid day and possibly half of the next day. However, it takes more than 1 to 2 minutes, I tend to give myself close to 15 to 25 minutes. This method has worked for me in keeping my planter plants and in-ground plants healthy and happy!!!
Note: I would like to say that I do use the nozzle only when my plants are small and have very few leaves. The nozzle helps control the power of the water and prevents my small plants from breaking. Also, small plants do not require as much water as bigger plants.
Picture below: My Garden!
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