If you are one of those people who has fought to keep your plants alive, if you are
one of those who feel that these living beings are almost part of your family and that they are like your children, or if you would simply hate to see how your precious plants die of thirst after taking a well-deserved break, Then you need to keep reading, because we will give you some great tricks to water your plants on vacation.
4 Methods for Watering Plants on Vacation
There are people blessed by fortune who have a responsible neighbor, friend, roommate, or family member who can take care of following a rigorous watering schedule that is appropriate for each type of plant, but not all of us are so lucky. That's why we propose several simple, inexpensive and homemade methods that will ensure that your plants receive the right hydration for their species.
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We
know you don't need an excuse to drink a good wine, but glass bottles can be recycled to water your plants while you're away. With this method, you can guarantee about 5 or 6 days of watering for a medium to small pot. If it's too big, you can use a couple of bottles.
All you need is a bottle with a metal cap, nails, and a hammer. Start by removing the plastic coating on the inside of the metal lid. With the nail and hammer, drill about 4 or 5 holes in the lid. To prevent it from bending, place it on a firm surface and drill the holes from the inside.
Fill the bottle with water to the brim and place the hole cap. Dig a small hole in the substrate of your pot and place the bottle upside down, burying the end with the lid. The water will be in contact with the substrate and the plant will be able to remove it when it needs it.
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Immersion bath:
This method is perfect for plants that require high humidity levels and don't require a lot of sun. It can sustain your tropical plant for a week or more, depending on how much water it needs.
It is not recommended for succulents or cacti, as constant contact with moisture can cause root rot.
To do this, you must fill the bathtub, dishwasher or large container (where the entire pot will fit) with about 3 cm of water. You can place a towel on the bottom so that the pots don't scratch the bottom of the surface. Then place the plants in the water and leave them there. They will drink the water they need.
This
method is ideal for small to medium-sized plants. It can maintain your plant's humidity level for about a week.
To apply it, you'll need a water container and a piece of cotton thread or braided fabric. It should be more or less thick and long enough to reach the bottom of the pot with water and the bottom of the pot. Moisten the substrate very well.
Place one end of the thread inside the
jar where the water will go and bury at least 8 cm of the thread inside the substrate of the plant, at the base of the plant. Fill the canister to the brim with water. Remember that the rim of the water canister should always be higher than the pot, so that gravity helps the water drain into the pot. You can take the opportunity to put some liquid fertilizer in the water. Avoid leaving it in direct light, as the sun can dry out the thread and damage the system.
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The mini-greenhouse
If your holiday will extend more than a few days and the above solutions fall short, you can make a mini-greenhouse. This works great for small to medium-sized plants, which don't require direct light.
You'll need a large clear plastic bag, which can completely cover the plant and its pot, as well as rubber bands/elastics.
Place a damp towel at the bottom of the bag. Water the plant in the usual way, without oversaturating it. Place it inside the bag, on the towel, and blow some air, to create a balloon around it. If the bag sticks to the plant, you can attach some rods to support it. Close the bag with the help of the rubber bands. Fold it again and reseal with another rubber band. This will prevent moisture from escaping. The plastic bag will act as a greenhouse, in which the plants will remove the moisture for the daughters, which will fall back into the substrate. You should just keep them out of direct sunlight.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
Don't let your lifestyle get in the way of your desire to live in a home full of greenery.
If you travel frequently or have to spend a few days away from home during the week, it's a good idea to get plants that fit that lifestyle. You can look for some low-maintenance, hardy plants that can live in low-watering conditions: cacti, succulents, and plants like mother-in-law's tongue and pothos are perfect for you.