What kind of water and how often should you water indoor flowers?

Author: Elena N. https://floristics.info/ru/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=19 Category: Houseplants Published: December 03, 2011Republished: February 03, 2019Last edits: March 12, 2021

The quality of water for watering plants is as important as the quality of drinking water for people. With a lack of moisture, our plants literally starve, because water is involved in the processes of photosynthesis and the absorption of mineral compounds from the soil.

Water for watering indoor plants must have a neutral acid-base balance, a minimum of harmful impurities, such as heavy metals, chlorine and others. Some water the flowers with water from a well, some with tap water, and some collect rain moisture to water the flowers. Let's look at all the options and determine which one is correct. As a result of laboratory studies, the following facts were revealed.

What determines the water needs of home flowers?

The water need of plants depends on several factors:

1. Visualization. Some plants require more moisture, others less. For example, orchids need to be watered every day because they grow naturally in rainforests. On the other hand, cacti and other succulents need to be watered no more than once every one to two weeks, as they grow in very dry climates.
2. Temperature and humidity in the room. The drier and warmer the air in the room where the flowerpot is located, the more often it needs to be watered, as the water evaporates faster. If the room is cool and humid, you need to water less often.
3. Substrate. Moisture retention depends on the type of substrate. For example, traditional soil without drainage retains it for a long time. And coconut substrate or drained soil will only last for a day or two.

Important: some flowers require changing types of watering depending on the season. As a rule, they require less intense humidity in winter. For example, this rule applies to cacti.

Is it possible to water indoor flowers with water from an aquarium?

An aquarium is a closed ecosystem. Microorganisms and bacteria live in it. Dissolved minerals, vitamins, humic acids. The liquid is warm and oxygenated. Inhabitants are fish and snails, which add urea.

Is it possible to spray geraniums with water and how to water them correctly

Water from an aquarium is no longer just life-giving moisture, but an organic substrate.

Regarding its use, the opinions of flower growers are completely opposite. Some consider aquarium substrate an elixir for moisture-loving species. They notice the lush flowering and lush greenery of the potted inhabitants. Others are not seeing fantastic growth.

Even specialists are not enthusiastic about the method. The undoubted benefits are considered:

• temperature of the irrigation liquid;
• savings on fertilizing;
• oxygen saturation;
• no chlorine.

But it cannot be called clean, even despite the filters. There will be no harm to plants from aquarium liquid if you moisten the soil periodically - once a month.

Important! Before watering, the aquarium substance is aerated by blowing atmospheric air through the water column with an aerator.

Aquarium - organic substrate

How to understand that a plant needs watering?

There are several ways to understand that a plant needs watering:

1. By the appearance of the flower. Usually, with a lack of moisture, the leaves turn yellow and become limp.
2. From the state of the base. To understand whether it is necessary to water, just touch the soil in the pot with your finger. If it is damp or slightly damp, no water is needed. If it is dry, watering is required.
3. Soil moisture indicator. There are special devices that show the degree of moisture in the substrate, thanks to which you can easily understand whether watering is needed.

Important: yellowing or wilting of leaves can be caused not only by a lack of water, but also by its excess, as well as a lack of nitrogen or the presence of parasites.

Harm to plants from tap water

The growth and development of all indoor plants depends on the composition of water. But in tap water the amount of substances harmful to plants often exceeds permissible standards. It contains numerous soluble salts, as well as bromine, chlorine, sodium and fluorine salts. For example, fluoride salts have a toxic effect on plants. Plants such as palms and dracaenas may even die.

The harm of tap water for indoor plants lies in the high salt content in it. Salts prevent the roots of plants from absorbing the required amount of water, which means that the plants feel a lack of moisture. But a low level of salts in irrigation water can harm indoor pets. True, the process of plant withering will be longer. The flower will slowly die, starting from the root part, and then the above-ground part. And it doesn’t matter at all how much water is used for irrigation if it contains a high level of salts. Damage to the plant is caused by both large and small volumes of water, because the flower cannot use this water.

How do soil moisture indicators work?

A soil moisture indicator is an inexpensive but very practical device that shows how much moisture the substrate contains. Costs from 100 to 300 rubles.

The indicator is used as follows:

• stuck several centimeters into the ground;
• follow his instructions;
• If the indicator shows that there is not enough moisture in the soil (usually it turns red), water the flower.

Important: Be very careful when installing the device in the ground. The fact is that during the procedure it is very easy to touch the roots, and this can cause disease or even death of the flower. The optimal solution is to place the device in the pot at the same time as planting. True, such an opportunity is not always available.

How to water correctly according to the seasons?

Most types of plants are watered differently at different times of the year. Consider the basic rules of watering depending on the season.

Summer

In summer, most flowers require repeated watering. This is due not only to high air temperatures, but also to plant biorhythms. In summer, metabolic processes in their tissues accelerate, and moisture begins to evaporate more intensely from the stomata on the leaves.

Here are the basic rules for summer watering:

• You need to water as the substrate dries;
• most flowers are watered once every two to three days;
• Succulents are moistened once a week.

Winter

Reduce watering frequency at this time of year:

• for succulents - up to once every three to four weeks;
• for other species - up to once every three to four days;
• It is necessary to water taking into account the drying out of the soil and not to take too long pauses between wetting the substrate.

Autumn

In autumn it is necessary to water indoor plants somewhat less frequently than in winter, but somewhat more often than in summer. In this case, the frequency of humidification should be gradually reduced to the minimum used in winter. This will ensure a smooth transition of the flower to a new regime and relieve it of stress.

Spring

The same rules apply in the spring as in the fall. Only in this case, the frequency of fluid administration, on the contrary, gradually increases, bringing it to this summer. The main goal of this approach is the same - to prevent stress, as a result of which the flower can get sick.

Is it possible to water flowers with beer?

Flower fans on forums discuss not only what kind of water is suitable for watering indoor plants, but also what else to irrigate their pets with.

How to water indoor flowers for rapid growth and abundant flowering

Gardeners know about the benefits of yeast - they are used as a top dressing.

Yeasts are fungi. In the ground they awaken microorganisms that actively process organic matter. A lot of nitrogen and potassium are released, which are necessary for green spaces.

The soil in a flower pot is quickly depleted, and yeast comes in handy here. They are found in abundance in beer. Without even doubting whether it is possible to water flowers with beer, flower growers practice this method.

The beer method is beneficial only if the drink is “alive”. Preservatives and stabilizers, which preserve bottled beer for up to six months, are harmful to plantings.

The indoor rose is considered a beer “admirer”. Money trees, dracaenas, and spurges are tolerant of such moisture.

Important! Before watering, “live” beer is diluted with water in the ratio: 1 part intoxicating drink to 10 parts liquid.

In the evening or in the morning?

It is best to water indoor plants in the evening rather than in the morning. This is due to the following reasons:

• In the morning, drops of water left on the stem and at the base of the roots can act as small magnifying glasses and intensify the sun's rays, which will burn the flower;
• due to the higher temperature in the morning, water from the substrate evaporates faster, and the plant may not have time to absorb it;
• In the evening, the roots better absorb liquid and nutrients.

Important: If it is winter or cloudy weather outside, watering can be done in the morning. This is due to the fact that in this case the flower does not receive sunlight and the air does not heat up much. Thus, the plant is not in danger.

Mistakes when watering flowers

The most common mistakes gardeners make are insufficient or excessive watering of flowers.

Insufficient watering

Lack of moisture in the soil causes changes in the appearance of the plant and disrupts the flow of natural processes.

The most common symptoms of insufficient watering:

• shedding of lower leaves with exposure of the trunk;
• falling buds;
• interruption of the flowering stage;
• sluggish, soft leaf structure.

It is clear from the lower leaves of the geranium that it needs more abundant watering.
An overdried clod of soil almost does not absorb water and prevents the plant from regaining its strength when watering is resumed. To gradually moisten the soil, you need to place a damp sponge on the surface of the substrate or resort to the drip method of watering. When the optimal level of humidity returns to the soil, the flower will again be able to absorb water and nutrients.

An overdried plant should not be immersed in a container of water. When watering using the immersion method, the earthen ball quickly gains moisture. But its excess quantity provokes the development of putrefactive processes. If gradual moistening methods do not bring the desired results, the flower just needs to be transplanted into a fresh substrate.

Excessive watering

Too frequent moistening and watering with large portions of water also lead to the fact that the root system is deprived of the ability to breathe and absorb nutrients, putrefactive bacteria and pathogenic fungi actively multiply, and the soil becomes sour.

For overflows:

• the foliage turns pale, turns yellow or acquires a dark brownish color, then falls off en masse;
• the tops of the shoots darken;
• the lower part of the plant rots, the upper part dries out.

This is what a “flooded” flower looks like.
If the soil is light and the flood is detected quickly, ordinary loosening of the soil will help to cope with the problem. The procedure will return the root system’s ability to breathe. In advanced cases, the flower must be replanted.

What need to do:

1. Remove the plant from the pot.
2. Clear the root system of soil and rinse it in warm water.
3. Remove damaged roots and treat cut areas with wood ash or crushed activated carbon. Dry the root system for 1 hour by placing the plant on a paper towel.
4. Wash the potty.
5. Place a layer of expanded clay or other drainage material 3-5 cm thick on the bottom of the container.
6. Mix soil suitable for the plant with vermiculite, sand or other loosening agent.
7. Place a layer of soil over the drainage.
8. Place the plant in the pot.
9. Pour the remaining soil into the space between the walls of the pot and the root system.
10. Water the flower with a small amount of a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Place the transplanted crop in a place with a temperature of 20-22°C for 7 days and do not water for the first 2-3 days.

If foci of gray rot or other fungal disease are found on the plant, it should be treated with a fungicide solution.

What water is best to use?

Soft or medium-hard water is optimal for irrigation. Chlorinated tap water is not suitable. However, it can also be used as long as you protect it during the day first.

Various nutrients can be added to water, namely:

• store-bought liquid fertilizers;
• weakly brewed tea;
• weak sugar solution.

Important: fertilizers should be used sparingly and no more than once every two weeks. Otherwise, this can lead to disease or even death of the plant.

Watering methods

There are several main methods of watering:

1. Traditional or improved. This method involves applying liquid directly to the base. At the same time, it is carefully poured in a thin stream into the root zone, trying not to erode the soil. After the moisture has thoroughly saturated the soil and settled in the pan, it is drained from there.
2. Lower. This is necessary for some plants that do not like the contact of liquid with the stem and roots protruding from the substrate (for example, cyclomena or violets). This method involves placing the pot in a deep tray filled with water. When the soil is sufficiently saturated with liquid, the pot is returned to the main tray. Some manufacturers use only the main humidification tray.
3. Dosed. It uses special devices that provide moisture in small doses. It’s good if the florist leaves home for a long time (for example, on vacation).

Spraying rules

Here are a few simple rules that will help you avoid problems when spraying indoor flowers:

• do not spray the plants in the morning - drops of water can refract bright sunlight and burn the leaves;
• Don't apply too much moisture - everything is fine in moderation;
• for spraying, use only stabilized water;
• add nutrients to the spraying liquid (many people use simple hydrogen peroxide for this - 5-6 drops per liter of water is enough).

Important: If you don't have the opportunity to spray during the day or evening, simply remove the plants from a sunny windowsill and moisten them. This will protect them from negative consequences.

Is it possible to water indoor flowers with serum?

People are returning to nature, everything natural: fabrics, food, drinks. This slogan was transferred to home flora. Now the question is no longer which liquid to choose for irrigation. They take natural products, without pesticides and chemicals. Whey came under the gun. And for good reason.

Home indoor flowers blooming all year round

The whey is acidic. Useful substances: amino acids, trace elements, phosphorus, potassium, lactic bacteria. An invaluable fertilizer and pest suppressant. An undiluted product will damage the flora and disrupt the soil balance. Suitable ten times mixed with liquid. This is the base solution.

Fertilizer recipes:

• Add 0.5 kg of sugar per 10 liters and a pinch of yeast to the whey solution. Fill the cut grass.
• Dissolve iodine in diluted whey (10 drops per 10 l), add ash.

To water under the roots, dilute 1 part fertilizer in 10 parts of liquid. For spraying, take 1 liter of solution for 3 liters of water.

Important! In a dormant state, plants are not fed with whey.

Serum for watering a home greenhouse

How to help flowers that are sensitive to lime?

Often tap water contains excess limestone, and even pouring it over does not help get rid of this substance. This has a detrimental effect on indoor plants - they begin to deteriorate or become sick.

There are several ways to avoid negative consequences:

• use bottled water from the store for irrigation;
• freeze tap water, then defrost and water the flowers;
• pass water through the filter;
• Use water only after boiling.

Important: water can be softened with regular baking soda. But in the case of irrigation liquid, this must be done very carefully - you can upset the acid-base balance of the soil and destroy the flower.