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Watering plants is an extremely crucial factor. A sufficient amount of water allows plants to thrive throughout all growth phases. If they receive too much water, they can suffer damage to their roots, stems, and leaves.
On the other hand, if they receive too little water, they risk drying out and dying in a short time. During periods of absence, the risk of doing something wrong and causing them to die is even higher.
Plants continue to need their primary source of life, and unless your loved ones can come to your home to water them, a smart and economical system is necessary to replace you.
So, here are some brilliant techniques for "watering" plants without wasting too much water. These solutions allow you to avoid manually watering your potted or non-potted plants, including your garden, for days on end, allowing you to go on vacation or go away for a weekend without having to ask your neighbors and friends to water them. Let's discover together the zero-impact techniques for watering your plants.
1) How it works
This may seem like a complicated process, but in reality, it only takes less than 5 minutes to install each watering device. The first step is to obtain plastic bottles of two different sizes: half-liter and one-and-a-half-liter bottles can be combined: the larger the containers, the longer the watering will last. Depending on your needs, obtain plastic bottles of different sizes and follow the instructions to create your own zero-cost, zero-impact watering system.
2) Building the reservoir
Take the smallest plastic bottle and cut it in half, creating a kind of plastic cup. Make a hole to bury it up to the brim and fill it with water. Now take the larger plastic water bottle and cut it in half as well. Then place the larger bottle, upside down, on top of the smaller container, so that you have a sort of large lid. Your irrigation system will now be complete and operate automatically: the more sun there is, the more your plants will be watered.
The water heats up and evaporates, but the steam, instead of escaping, rises along the plastic cover and condenses, falling onto the soil, wetting the earth based on the heat received.
3) The advantages of this irrigation system
This irrigation system (but it's not the only one; you'll find others in the following pages!) is completely automatic and free, and it's much more efficient than any other method. Here are the reasons for its excellent quality! The warmer and sunnier the climate, the thirstier the plants will be... And the more steam will be emitted to water them; everything will be proportionate without ever having to be intervened. Every drop will fall directly onto the soil, without being directed onto the pots or nets, but will always end up falling a few centimeters from the roots. You can also recycle and use your glass jars, vases, etc.
4) A filter mat
If you have a lot of potted plants at home, you can use another very simple method. Simply spread a small mat under the plants on a flat surface. Part of the fabric should be soaked in a basin full of water, which you should position lower than the plants. This way, the water will rise up into the soil and water the plants.
5) Connecting siphon
Another very effective method for watering your potted plants while you're on vacation is the connecting siphon. To make this method, you'll need a bottle if you only have one plant to water, or a larger container if you have more, and long strips of filter mat or woven wool. Place one end of the strip on the bottom of the bucket or bottle, and bury the other 2/3 cm under the potting soil. Moisten each strip thoroughly before placing it. The container with the water should be placed slightly higher than the pots.
6) Upside-Down Bottle
For a maximum of 7 days, simply fill plastic water bottles. 1/2 liter is enough if your plant is small and 1.5 liters if it is larger. After filling the bottle with water, pierce the cap with lots of small holes, turn it upside down in the pot with the cap still in the soil, and your plant won't die of thirst. This way, the water will gradually seep down without over-wetting the soil.
7) Alternatives to the Upside-Down Bottle
First of all, you'll need to know the requirements of the different varieties you have at home. For example, ferns require large amounts of water, orchids hate waterlogging, and succulents simply need to be watered before leaving. Depending on this, it's easy to take good care of them with a few DIY tips. Plants that are watered abundantly and kept on the balcony will survive your vacation for up to 3-4 days. However, if you're spending more time on vacation, it's best to prepare a saucer with a 5 cm layer of pebbles or gravel, and pour a little water into it.
8) Watering Plants While You're on Vacation
When you go on vacation, those of you who love your plants and have lots of them at home face the same problem: who will water them while you're away? If no one can help you, don't worry, you'll find a solution yourself! Follow these DIY tips and your plants will be safe and sound when you return.
10) The communicating siphon principle
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