Doing something special for your beloved plants when you go on vacation is always the first thing that comes to mind. Whether it's a short weekend or longer trips, It's important to spend a little time making sure your plants are cared for while you're away.
It is best to be prepared and plan the best way to maintain your plants so that they stay healthy and you do not get any unpleasant surprises.
Here are some helpful tips and tricks on what you should do to keep your plants in tip-top condition while you're away from home.
Rigorous watering before you leave
It is essential to ensure that the plants are well watered before your departure. If you are gone for more than a few days, Make sure you really saturate the soil so that it provides enough water for the duration of your absence.
You may want to consider installing a drip irrigation system or putting your plants on a timer, so they can be checked periodically to make sure they are getting enough water and nutrients.
Make sure they have enough light
Most plants need light, although there are undoubtedly some that do not. But for those that do need it, make sure they are placed near the windows, so that they receive enough light.
You can consider using some grow lights if necessary. You can also purchase a miniature greenhouse that has timer-controlled light-emitting diodes. that help plants grow properly while you are not at home.
Leave something in the water saucer
If you have plants that need to be top watered or whose leaves need to be watered periodically, Make sure you leave some in the water saucer below.
A small cup, some marbles or pebbles large enough to keep the roots and leaves from getting wet should do. This will ensure that the plants are hydrated while you are away.
Installation of irrigation cones
Watering cones are a great and easy way to water plants while you're away from home. Simply fill the cone with water and it will slowly water the plants as the water evaporates.
It's a great option for those who are gone for long periods of time and don't want to worry about checking the plants every day.
The wool trick
The wool trick is a popular and very effective way to keep your plants healthy when you are not at home. Just place wool around the stems of the plant and fill the pot with water.
The wool will absorb water and slowly release it to the roots of the plant, keeping it well hydrated for a long period of time. It also helps prevent the leaves from drying out.
Drip irrigation installation
If you're feeling a little ambitious, you can build your own drip irrigation for your plants. This will allow you to control exactly how much water each plant receives while you are away.
To build a drip system, you will need a container to hold the water, a tube, some pipe clamps, and some irrigation tubing.
The water slowly drips from the container through the tube and directly onto the plant, so you can keep your plants hydrated without having to check them every day.
Sally Hambleton's trick
If you're looking for an even easier solution to keep your plants hydrated while you're away from home, Sally Hambleton's Hack is the perfect solution.
Just place a container of water in the pot next to your plant. Water drips slowly and regularly over the roots, providing them with sufficient moisture while you are away.
Use plastic bags to hydrate plants
This method works for longer vacations and if you have many plants you can practice the system with each of them.
It consists of getting a transparent plastic bag large enough to cover the plant and the pot. You incorporate some stakes to prevent the bag from sticking to the plant, that is, the leaves have to have little or no contact with the bag.
Place the plant in the bag and blow out some air before sealing it, that way the bag swells around the plant and doesn't put pressure on the leaves.
The plant should not receive direct sunlight so that it does not overheat the bag. It's actually a mini greenhouse, it's going to help capture water as it evaporates and gently drip into the plant, hydrating it.
The irrigation system
Another trick is to set up a simple irrigation system for your plants while you are away. To do this, you will need a piece of cotton cord and a container with water. Place the container near the plant and let the cotton cord slowly drip onto the plant's roots.
Place plants in a bathtub
An ideal system for indoor plants is to cover the hole in the bathtub or sink with a plug and fill it with a few centimeters of water.
Then you place some towels on top of the water, forming a layer so that all the water is soaked by them. You place all the houseplants in the bathtub or sink on top of the wet towels.
When the soil is dry, the plants will absorb the moisture that evaporates very slowly from the towels.
This irrigation system can hydrate plants for a week.
Find a caretaker for your plants
If you are going on vacation for a very long period, the ideal would be to remove all the indoor plants and place them near the entrance door of your house, or any place that is most convenient.
You can ask a friend, neighbor or trusted relative to water them when you are away.
Finally, taking care of your plants while you are away doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right tools and knowledge, you can ensure your plants stay healthy and happy while you're away.
Whether it's using a timer, leaving something in the water tray, installing watering cones, the wool trick, building a dripper, or the Sally Hambleton trick, there are many ways to keep your plants healthy and hydrated while you're away. .
So, the next time you plan your vacation, make sure you take the time to plan the care of your plants.