How can I water indoor plants when away? I can group them all in the bath tub. I don't want to lose my orchids!
By soncee
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
Yes I have put my plants in the tub while I was away since then I have tried several things that really seem to work better. Outside plants can be watered (large inside also) by using a plastic water bottle filled holes put in the cap. It comes out slowly and keeps everything evenly watered.
Depending on how long you will be away is to what size bottle you want to use.The large 2 liter bottles down to drinking 8 oz. size just fill and put a couple couple allowing the water to flow at a slow rate.
Taking this idea I took an empty pill bottle and did same thing for my inside plants. You can add a small amount of unflavored gelatin. This way you are also feeding the plant, giving soil a "boost" at the same time.
More delicate plants like orchids can be tricky. Be sure to spray lightly every day up to going away, since you will be gone hopefully reducing any air conditioning it will be hotter than usual in your home. Fill a container with water so it will evaporate into the air allowing moisture to be where in any other case there wouldn't be. Take a plastic container(13x9 or larger) or several plastic ice cube trays. Put holes throw out each container.
Next if possible put plants in sink or bath tun;instead of plants maybe getting too much water with tub filled you now have a slow, leaking allowing plants to get water at a even, steady flow. Remember to place a pan, pot or bucket filled with water it will evaporate making air moist; replacing misting you usually do.
I have tried filling the sink only to come back to where it had drained out, so I came up with the leak proof way. If you get ice cube trays they can be broken in how many ever squares you think that plant would need. Example 8in. planter could have 6 squares filled completely with water, slowly draining out into the plant.
You can buy more expensive glass bulbs that you put in soil however the empty drink containers and ice cube squares/plastic containers work just as well for me. When you use larger cake pan like container it is meant to use by putting several plants close together,so each plant receives water.
My neighbor went on a cruise we did this and he didn't lose one plant. Please make sure you place plants according to how much sun light is needed; only a few plants can't survive with not having sun for a week or more. If you have a plant that absolutely can not go without sunlight make sure you put them in a space where they receive only the smallest amount of direct sun, enough to thrive but no need to get more than needed makes the watering issue harder. I suggest closing all of the blinds (except if one is needed for sun light),curtains, etc. Plants won't need near as much water.
Once you get home I suggest a good "boost" if gone awhile (more than a couple days). I do this using diluted unflavored gelatin, if you have a regular food use it when returning. Get back to the normal watering routine and they will be fine. Discount stores,big box stores will have either inexpensive plastic food containers as well as ice cube trays. If using ice cube trays if possible put about 1/4 inch into soil. Have a great vacation with no worries!
So sorry. I'm Luana M. from San Diego who posted last post.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
