Benedict T Palen Jr. - How To Control Watering For Indoor Plants

Interior plants are very effective in improving the appearance and mood of any interior environment. Unfortunately, water is a crucial factor when it comes to maintaining the health of houseplants. Overwatering and underwatering are two major problems that can affect the growth of plants in your garden. According to Benedict T Palen Jr. managing frequency is actually quite easy since one only has to monitor the growth of the plants and the soil moisture content. Below are some guidelines on how you can effectively manage the watering process for the welfare of your indoor plants.

Understand How Each Plant Requires Watering

The first step is to get to know about your specific plants. As much as there are general rules on watering the house plants, every kind of plant has its own watering needs. Find out whether your plants are more on the moist side, like dry conditions or somewhere in between. For instance, ferns are watered frequently, while cacti require watering mostly infrequently. This information will help you to create the right watering schedule that your plants require.

Check Soil Dryness

According to Benedict T Palen Jr. the other effective way of determining the right time to water your plants is by assessing the moisture content of the soil. Stick your finger approximately an inch into the ground. Because the ground can become either too wet or too dry, and if you notice it is dry and crumbly, then it is time to water. If it still feels damp to the touch, wait until the soil becomes drier; it should not be too dry, either. Within several weeks, you should be able to establish how fast your plants are dehydrating.

Consider Pot Size

The size of the plant pots also determines the frequency you are supposed to water your plants. Small pots and containers will require frequent watering compared to large pots since there is less soil, and therefore, the water dries up quickly. The plants that are drying out very quickly should be transplanted into slightly larger pots so that the soil gets to hold water longer before the next watering.

Adjust for Seasons

Most houseplants require less water during shorter and darker autumn and winter periods when plants are in their dormant phase of development. During spring and summer seasons, most plants grow and transpire, therefore requiring more water than during other seasons. Consider the conditions of your plants and possibly reduce watering during fall and winter and increase watering during spring.

Water Thoroughly

When watering your house plants, it is more appropriate to water them adequately and in a single sitting than watering them occasionally with small amounts of water. When a plant is well watered, water infiltrates layers in the ground that roots can reach. Light watering only moistens the upper layer of the soil, which consequently leads to the development of shallow root systems.

Conclusion

Bringing green plants into the home increases its aesthetic value, but to maintain them, one has to water them appropriately and not overwater them. Besides soil dryness, it is important to observe all the signs that each plant shows in order to be able to see what it lacks. According to Benedict T Palen Jr. water your plants in a different way depending on the seasons so that you are able to keep them healthy all year round. Just a little attention and adjustment contribute a lot to maintaining the health of the plants indoors, especially with regard to moisture.