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House Plants
MOISTURE (Page 2/2)
During the resting stage of plants, very little moisture
is needed at the roots. This is particularly true
of the palms, Pandanus and other tropical plants
which grow very slowly during winter. Plants with
broad, leathery foliage, such as the rubber plant,
prefer a highly-humid atmosphere, but are not tolerant
of poor drainage. These cannot be grown in water
fountains. Ferns, on the other hand, require an
abundance of water, but at the same time, must
also have sufficient drainage. There are comparatively
few plants which do not object to water-logged
soil. Sansieueria seems quite indifferent to “wet
feet”, and the umbrella plant (Cyperus) actually
thrives under such conditions.
When to Water
When the top of the soil in the pot shows signs of dryness, it is usually safe
to water. This should be done thoroughly so that the water runs through the ball
of earth and comes out of the drainage opening at the base. When a considerable
quantity of water is poured on the plant’s surface soil, the water passes
downward and not only moistens the soil particles thoroughly, but also forces
the air of the soil cavities out ahead of it and through the drainage hole, while
fresh air enters the soil from above. The practice of setting pots in a dish
of water and allowing the water to be drawn to the surface through the pot is
advisable only if precautions are taken against waterlogging of the soil.
Just like People
Actually, watering may be likened to the proper and
improper way of feeding yourself. If you eat three
meals per day at regular intervals, you use up enough
food to supply you with energy until the next meal.
The same is true of watering plants. Give them a good
soaking to wet through the entire pot and have some
surplus running out of the drainage hole.. Do the same thing again when the soil becomes
dry. The usual method of wetting the top of the soil
frequently may be likened to “piecing” between
meals. The results are similar-you would suffer, and
so does the plant. In the case of the plant, roots
at the bottom of the pot go unwaterered
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