Watering a plant is always a tricky situation, especially for newbie gardeners. One day your plant looks plump and healthy, and the next, it looks droopy and sad. Plants need enough amount of water to carry out life processes. When we say enough, we mean not being over or underwatered.
Giving the right amount of water involves proper timing. Hence, the timing of watering is a crucial decision to make. You must understand your plant’s watering needs before deciding whether to water.
How to Tell When Your Plant Needs Water
Plants aren’t so different from us – they’ll show signs when they need a nice, cool drink of water. Here’s what to watch for:
- Droopy, wilting leaves that curl at the edges. It’s like when we get dehydrated and our skin is less elastic.
- Completely dry soil. Lift the pot – does it feel incredibly light? Then the soil is parched dry, desperately needing moisture.
- Stunted growth and smaller leaves. Without enough water, plants can’t grow properly.
- Newly planted or repotted plants need more care. Like a newborn, their roots are still getting established and need frequent hydration.
- Did you just feed it fertilizer? Fertilizers accelerate growth, so your plant will be drained after eating all that plant food. Give it some extra water.
- Is it sitting in heat or dry air? We get thirstier in summer heat, and plants do too when temperatures are high or humidity is low.
When is the Best Time to Water Your Plants
These times are the best opportunities to give your plant a drink.
Morning Time
Early morning to late morning are the best times to water a plant. The temperatures aren’t that high during these times, resulting in a slower evaporation process. This means your plant has enough time to utilize the water for itself rather than lose it in the air.
In the same way, it has enough time to evaporate excess moisture. So, when evening comes, there’s no moisture build-up happening.
Growing Season (Spring to Summer)
From Spring to Summer seasons, most plants are actively growing. They need a consistent supply of resources, including water, to support growth and development. It’s best to water your plants during the growing season because they need it a lot.
When You Should Avoid Watering Your Plants
If you’re watering at the wrong time, it’s time to make adjustments now. You’ll relieve your plant from a number of problems, including overwatering, root rot, pests, and diseases if you give the right amount of moisture at the right time.
Here are the times when you should avoid watering your plant.
Avoid Midday Watering
During midday, the temperatures are high because the sun is hot. Watering at this point will result in quicker evaporation. Your plants will lose moisture faster than usual, which can be stressful for them.
Late Afternoon or Evening time
The problem with late afternoon and evening time is that the temperatures drop during these periods. With low temperatures comes a slower evaporation process. If you water your plant, there’s a high chance that moisture will just build up. This condition invites the growth of pathogens like fungi and other pests.
Watering in Cold Weather – Use Caution!
During the cold season, most plants go dormant. When they’re at rest, they operate on the minimum. This implies that plants don’t need as much resources as they normally do when they’re active. Also, temperatures are low when cold resulting in slow evaporation. Wearing plants frequently may lead to soggy soils and root rot.
