We are now in the middle of summer, the favorite time for many people to go on holidays. Among the things to consider during the preparations, one of the most important is the care of the plants during our absence from home or office.
With some simple precautions we can avoid our plants to wither, whether we miss a few days, or that our holidays last a few weeks.
Hire a plant sitter
Traditionally, one of the most popular solutions is to ask for help from neighbors, friends and relatives.
In many other cases, especially if we have many plants or if we grow particularly demanding species, the most effective solution is to rely on a plant sitter.
It is a relatively new profession, carried out by independent contractors specialized in the care of domestic species.
They can take care of our plants coming periodically at our home or in the office, or at their home, where we will have to bring our vases.
If we decide to do it by ourselves, we can take care even remotely of our plants, observing some simple rules.
Adjusting light and darkness
First, it’s important that the indoor plants don’t stay too long in the dark.
For this, it is sufficient to avoid tightening the shutters, letting some light pass between the slats.
Instead, the plants on the balcony will be placed in the most shaded corner and approached as closely as possible.
In this way, while the larger plants will provide shelter from the sun, the smaller ones will form a shield around the soil, preserving its moisture.
Ensure the right soil and environmental humidity
If we plan to miss a few days, it is enough to water our plants more abundantly than usual, letting the earth absorb water and repeating the spraying after a few hours.
Especially if we have a sufficiently large saucer, this solution will ensure that the plant absorbs water little by little.
In addition, to reduce transpiration, and thus water consumption, we can move the plants to a less sunny location.
Instead, if our holiday will last a week or so, after having watered abundantly, it is necessary to cover the soil with some material that slows down the evaporation.
For example, a layer of sand, peat or gravel will keep the soil moist much longer.
In addition, especially in enclosed spaces, it may be useful to place containers full of water near the vessels.
The natural evaporation, increasing the humidity of the environment, will reduce the transpiration and the need for water of the plants.
Provide a water supply
In case our holiday lasts more than ten days, it is necessary to provide a water reserve for our plants, both inside and outside.
Of course, especially in the garden or on a very large terrace with numerous plants, the best solution is an automatic irrigation system with a timer.
Instead at home, one of the most used methods for small and medium-sized pots is to use a plastic bottle, to be filled with water and turned upside down in the pot of the plant to be watered.
Otherwise, you can place the bottle standing next to the vase and run the water using a strip of cloth long enough to dip one end on the bottom of the bottle, and bury the other in the vase.
Another system that can ensure the right hydration even up to a month, is to fill the bottom of a very spacious container, for example a bathtub, and immerse the pots so that the plants absorb water from the hole.
In addition, it is also possible to use a so-called hydroretentor gel. It is sold in the form of granules or small spheres that absorb a large amount of water and release it in a controlled and gradual way.
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