Excess water is the main cause of plant death. We have a great tendency to think that, since water is the liquid that gives life, the more we give them, the better they will grow. But the truth is that, in the same way that we would not feel very well if we drank two liters of water in an hour or less, if we water them excessively, the roots will be forced to absorb more water than they need, which would weaken them.
For this reason, whenever there are doubts it is better not to water, as it is much easier to recover a dry plant than one that has a permanent wet substrate. So I'm going to tell you what can you do to avoid excess water.
Check the moisture of the soil before watering
Before watering it is advisable to check the humidity of the soil or substrate. To do this, we can do the following:
- Insert a thin wooden stick to the bottom: if when you take it out it comes out practically clean, we can water since the earth will be dry.
- Using a digital moisture meter: when introducing it into the ground, it will immediately tell us what degree of humidity it has. To make it more useful, we have to introduce it again in other parts (further away from the plant, in another of its sides, ...).
- Take the pot once watered and again after a few days: as the humid earth weighs more than the dry one, we can be guided by this difference to know when to water.
Choose a substrate that drains well
It is very important that the land chosen to plant the plants allows rapid drainage of water. Sometimes in the nurseries they sell substrates that, although they are already prepared to cover the basic needs of a specific type of vegetable, are usually not adequate enough for them as they retain water for too long.
With this in mind, it is highly recommended to take a look at our substrate guide, so that in this way we make sure that the drainage is going to be adequate.
Prevent the roots from being in contact with excess water
Whether we have plants indoors or on the patio or balcony, In the event that we have put a plate underneath, we will have to remove it ten minutes after having watered to discard the water that has been left over.. If we leave it too long, the roots will rot. Therefore, it is also advisable to place a layer of expanded clay balls between the pot and the plate.
With these tips, we can prevent the plants from having excess water.