It is imperative to say that water is life in case of both animals and plants. It is important that plants get enough water for photosynthesis. But excess of everything is bad and it is true in case of water too. It is possible new gardeners are often overwatering or underwatering their plants and both of these conditions lead to diseases and problems in their gardens. This article will touch upon the issues caused by underwatering and overwatering followed by some factors that help in determining watering requirements. After that, some tips are shared on how to water your plants properly without damaging them.
Effect of Overwatering and Underwatering
Let us first discuss underwatering. When the plants are underwatered, they go into survival mode and try to conserve food for survival. They stop developing new leaves and their growth is stunted depending on severity of their condition. Plants may die off gradually if it is constantly having shortage of water.
On the other hand, overwatering leads to a number of fungal growths both on leaves and roots. Moist soil is also welcoming for the pests such as aphids. If overwatering persists for some time, it may kill the plant entirely.
Different Requirements
Just as the human body require different amount of calories for daily activities and survival, plants also have different nutrient and water requirements. When it comes to watering your plants, there is no magic number or the correct answer. It all depends on a variety of factors such as flowering plants, fruiting or non-fruiting plants, potted or not, indoor or outdoor, ambient temperature and weather.
Effect of Fruiting and Non-fruiting Plants on Water Requirements
Generally speaking, fruit and vegetable bearing plants require more water than non-fruiting plants. The reason is simple that in order to develop fruits and vegetables, they require more water. Watermelons require about 2 inches of water every week. Some plants such as chili plants prefer moderate amount of water. Each fruit and vegetable bearing plants and trees have their own requirements. Improper watering cause reduce the yield greatly.
Some desert based varieties such as Cactus and Aloe Vera require watering deeply only once a week. Here, more water will do damage than good.
Effect of Weather on Water Requirements
One of the factor that affect the water requirement of plants is the weather. If the plants are kept outdoor and it 30℃ or above during the day then watering on daily basis is recommended. The reason is that a lot of water would have evaporated by the end of day and if you don't water the next day, it is possible that the plant might not be able to produce enough of its food through photosynthesis. If this continues for some time, it will severely affect the growth and health of the plant.
If the weather is cozy say temperature is 15℃ or less during the day, you may water on alternate days. It might actually be helpful for the plants as overwatering can too lead to diseases and pests.
Wilting of Leaves
Wilting is the first sign of both overwatering and underwatering. So how to tell if your plants are underwatered or overwatered. A number scenarios can possible identify the problem.
A. You have been watering your plants daily and the soil is wet too, then it is possible that the wilting is due to overwatering. Hold back on watering for a day and see if it improves.
B. You have been watering daily but the soil dries off quickly and the leaves are wilting. In this scenario, you are possibly not watering enough. Try increasing the amount of water a little and see if it improves the wilting.
C. If the leaves become stiff again after 4-5 hours of watering then the wilt was definitely due to underwatering.
Smaller Pots Vs Bigger Pots
For the potted plants, they can only hold as much water as the amount of soil in them. A smaller pot will dry out quickly due to lesser quantity of soil in it. On the other hand, bigger pots will hold more water as it has more soil in it. But the size of the pots are often dictated by the size and variety of plants in them. Try to find the perfect size of pots for your plants. Consult your local nursery about it.
Tips For Better Watering Of Your Plants
1. Water near the stems. Most of the roots of plants are concentrated within the one foot diameter around the stem. By watering near the stem, you are making sure that water reaches the root ball of the plant.
2. Do not water the leaves. Watering the leaves is not beneficial at all. It promotes fungi and pests on the plants. Water drops on the leaves acts as a magnifying glass and concentrates Sun's light on tiny parts of leaves. This causes small holes or burns to the foliage.
3. Check the soil for moisture. You can visually inspect the soil for wetness before watering. If the top 3 inches of soil are thoroughly wet then there is no need to water.
4. Water early in the morning. If you are an early riser then water your plants early. This is specially recommended for vegetables and fruits bearing plants and trees. It takes a few hours depending on the soil before the water seeps through the soil and reaches the root ball of your trees and plants. By watering early in the morning you are making sure that they have water all day for photosynthesis.
5. Making sure soil is porous. After some time, the top layer of soil in the pots become hard which makes it difficult for water to seep through and reach the roots. There are two ways you can overcome this problem. The first way is to use a knitting needle and make half inch deep holes in the soil. Do not punch holes near the stem as it may puncture a root rather punch holes about 2-3 inches away from the stem. The second method is to scratch the top 1/4 inch of soil with the help of a trowel. This will allow the water to reach the roots quickly.
6. Water your seedlings adequately on daily basis. If you have seedlings in small containers then watering them daily in moderate amounts is recommended. The reason is that since they are placed in smaller containers, the soil cannot hold much moisture and will dry off quickly. Watering on daily basis ensures that the seedlings always have enough water for their growth.
7. Always water your plants before and after transplanting them. Water your plants at least 2-3 hours before transplanting them. It will help in transplanting by loosening up the soil and the plant will be well hydrated at the time. It will reduce the effect of shock to the plants. Similarly, after you have transplanted them to their new pots, water them adequately. It will help the roots pull down on the soil and provide them with hydration.
8. Pay attention to your rainfall schedule. Needless to say, you have to always pay attention to the local weather. Some places get plenty of rainfall for many consecutive days. You may not need to water your outdoor plants or your garden during those days. Make sure that the soil does not become waterlogged.
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