We all desire healthy, beautiful plants. So it’s no surprise we do everything we can to keep them alive, like watering them everyday. But is that sufficient and how much water is required to keep plants blooming and thriving?
To know, you must consider the type of plant, its location, and weather conditions. These factors will dictate what’s appropriate. However, not thinking about these factors and arbitrarily watering may cause over or under-watering. These issues create challenges that contribute to the three reasons you need to monitor how much water your plants get. Let’s discuss those reasons below.
1. To Prevent Fungal Diseases
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Watering the leaves of plants and overwatering can cause fungal diseases like mold and black spots. Ensuring you use proper techniques, such as watering early in the morning and at the base of plants, can help prevent these issues. Also, knowing how much water is required for a particular plant helps you plan how much water to give and how often.
2. To Avoid Killing Plants
Over and under-watering can kill plants. That’s why it’s vital to know the water needs of each plant and monitor it. But considering the plant’s location (i.e., potted or planted in-ground) and weather conditions (direct or filtered sunlight, warm or cold temperatures) also play a role in ensuring adequate water.
For example, a plant can get more water than required if it’s shaded or temperatures are not as warm. Conversely, it may not receive enough water with hot temperatures, direct sunlight, or evaporation. Evaporation can occur if early morning watering is not done.
So, before watering, check the soil. You want to assess whether it is too wet or dry. When all factors are considered, it will help you determine if the plant requires more or less water than recommended.
3. To Avoid Depriving Plants of Nutrients
You also don’t want to deprive plants of adequate nutrients. Yellowing leaves are a sign of too much water, which drains plants of nitrogen. This is a vital nutrient for plants to survive. A continued deficiency of this nutrient will cause plants to starve, turning leaves yellow, and causing the plant to look wilted. Eventually, without proper water, a plant will die.