In the world of gardening and plant care, watering is undoubtedly the most basic and important part. However, the question of how long a plant should be watered often leaves many beginners confused. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Water too little, and the plants may wither. So, how to control the duration of watering, so that plants thrive? This article will delve into the scientific methods and principles of plant watering to help gardeners get out of the misunderstanding, precision irrigation, and care for every piece of green.
1. Understand The Water Needs Of Plants
Different plants, due to their different growth habits, origin, growth stage and environmental conditions, water requirements are also significantly different. Therefore, before watering plants, first understand the water needs of the plants you are caring for.
Plant type: In general, drought-tolerant plants such as succulents and cacti have low water requirements, while aquatic plants, tropical rainforest plants, etc., have high water requirements.
Growth stage: Plants have different water requirements at different stages, such as growth stage, flowering stage and fruiting stage. For example, during the growing season, plants need more water to support their rapid growth. During the dormant period, watering should be reduced to avoid excessive moisture resulting in root rot.
Environmental conditions: Environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light also affect the water requirements of plants. For example, in a hot, dry environment, plants need more water to maintain their water balance. In a cool and humid environment, watering should be reduced to prevent excessive moisture resulting in the breeding of diseases.
2. Judge The Watering Time Of Plants
In addition to understanding the water needs of plants, it is equally important to determine when to water plants. Here are some tips to tell if a plant needs watering:
Observe soil moisture: Check soil moisture by touching the surface of the soil with your hand or by inserting a small stick into the soil. If the surface of the soil is dry and the stick is removed with a small amount of wet soil, the plant needs to be watered.
Observe plant status: When plants lack water, they usually show symptoms such as drooping leaves, dull color, and slow growth. At this time, water should be timely.
Consider seasonal changes: In spring and summer, plants grow strongly and have higher water requirements; In the fall and winter, plants grow more slowly and need less water. Therefore, watering frequency and duration should be adjusted according to seasonal changes.
3. Scientific Watering Methods And Principles
After understanding the water needs of plants and the timing of watering, the next step is to explore how to water scientifically. Here are some scientific watering methods and principles:
Even watering: When watering, ensure that water can evenly penetrate into the soil to avoid local too wet or too dry. A tool such as a watering can or watering can can be used to water evenly.
Avoid water: After watering, check whether there is water on the bottom of the basin. If there is standing water, it should be dumped immediately to avoid excessive moisture causing root rot.
Adjust the watering time according to the needs of plants: for plants with high water demand, the watering time can be extended appropriately; For plants that require less water, the watering time should be shortened. In general, the length of each watering should be considered according to the type of plant, size, basin soil and environmental conditions.
Use of drip irrigation or micro-sprinkler irrigation technology: For large plants or flora, drip irrigation or micro-sprinkler irrigation technology can be used for precision irrigation. These technologies ensure that water permeates evenly into the soil while reducing water evaporation and waste.
Pay attention to watering time: in the summer high temperature period, should avoid watering at noon, so as to avoid water evaporation too fast to cause heat damage to plants. In the winter low temperature period, you should try to water at noon to increase the water temperature and promote plant absorption.
4. Common Plant Watering Errors And Correction Methods
In the process of plant maintenance, many beginners often fall into some watering misunderstandings. Here are some common watering mistakes and how to correct them:
Frequent watering: Many beginners believe that plants need frequent watering to keep growing. However, frequent watering can cause soil moisture to be too high, which in turn affects the respiration of the plant roots and even causes root rot. The remedy is to water the plant according to the water needs and watering time to arrange the frequency and duration of watering.
Watering all at once: Some gardeners believe that watering all at once ensures that plants get enough water. However, watering all at once can result in too much water in the soil, and the plant roots cannot absorb it in time, resulting in water waste and root rot. The correct method is: use the method of watering in batches, wait for a period of time after each watering to check the soil moisture, and continue watering as needed.
Ignoring seasonal changes: Many gardeners ignore the impact of seasonal changes on the water needs of plants when watering. For example, during high summer temperatures, water is still watered according to the frequency and duration of spring watering, resulting in heat damage to plants. The remedy is to adjust the frequency and duration of watering according to seasonal changes to suit the water needs of the plants in different seasons.
Water directly with tap water: Some gardeners use tap water directly to water plants. However, tap water may contain chlorine, fluorine and other chemicals, which have a certain inhibitory effect on the growth of plants. The remedy is to leave the tap water for a period of time (such as 24 hours) to evaporate the chemicals before using it, or choose to use a natural water source such as rain or river water to water the plants.
Conclusion
To sum up, the duration of plant watering is not static, but needs to be considered according to the water needs of plants, watering timing, scientific watering methods and principles, and avoid common watering mistakes. Only by mastering these techniques and methods can you ensure that plants get the right amount of water, thus maintaining their healthy growth and good condition. Therefore, gardening enthusiasts should continue to learn and practice plant conservation knowledge, with scientific irrigation to care for every piece of green.
Related topics: