Wood Chopsticks

Home > Uncategorized > Wood Chopsticks

February 9th, 2008 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Wood Chopsticks

Indoor House Plants Watering Facts and Guide

Houseplants are blessed as they are built to get the majority of what they need mainly from sunlight and what is found in their pots of soil. The only problem they might face is a lack of water if the owner forgets to water it, as it is difficult for them to get other sources of water.

Many garden professionals believe that over fifty percent of the houseplants in the world receive improper watering. Mistakes such as over watering can lead to disease and root rot, while under watering can have severe effects as well. But with some know-how and guidelines, you can learn how to and when to water your plants easily.

Many gardeners will say with confidence that a Hygrometer is a tool that is useful. This handy tool allows the plant owner to receive a more accurate water level reading of the plants soil. This will allow the plant owner to adjust the watering routine to ensure maximum benefits to the plant. The price of these handy gadgets can range from a couple of dollars to a pretty high price range, however, the cheapest version will still provide the essential information the gardener is looking for.

The Hygrometer comes in several varieties, including one that has a digital display. This makes for a much easier reading of the water level in the soil. Quite a few do come packaged with a useful thermometer. This little addition is perfect for testing soil temperature which is another very important factor in the healthy growth of your plants.

If you are a true believer in the old tried and true methods of water level testing, here are a few ways to accomplish it.

One method that has been used for many years is the finger test. By simply placing your finger on the soils surface and applying a slight amount of pressure, you can determine if the soil is wet or dry. This method also allows you to feel the texture of the soil. If the soil is sponge-like, it has moisture, if the soil is hard and resistant, the soil is dry and lacking much needed moisture.

Another simple and inexpensive tool for water level testing is a tongue depressor or wooden chopstick. By simply inserting the wood into the soil, then withdrawing it, you should be able to see signs of moisture. If moisture is present below the surface, the wood will absorb it, displaying a darker shade. While it is true that surface moisture will be absorbed into the wooden tester, if done quickly, the surface water absorption will only count as a very small amount of the moisture collected.

The saucer trick is a good gauge of how much water a plant needs. Simply fill a sauce about one third of the way full of water and place it under the plant. Continue doing this until there is water left in the saucer. This process allows the water to be absorbed through capillary action from the drainage holes. Make sure to keep track of how much water was actually absorbed. This will give you a pretty accurate measurement of how much water your specific plant/soil/pot requires.

Lastly, there is one more method which does not disturb the plant in any way. Everything has a certain amount of weight to it, thus wet soil will weigh more than dry soil. After applying a water regiment discussed above, weigh your plant. After performing this routine several times, you are certain to get a feel for the accurate amount of water your plant requires. By now, you would not need to use the weighing test anymore.

It is important to remember that even after finding the right watering amount for your plant, there are many factors that will allow that measurement to change. Factors such as soil composition, humidity, seasonal changes and temperature changes are things that can change a plants water requirement. Keeping to a few tips and some tests can aid in maintaining your plants health throughout the year.

About the Author

Moses Wright enjoys working in his garden when he is free. He provides more resources on indoor houseplants gardening and houseplants soil Preparation tips on his web site.