When we are not very familiar with plants, we believe that the most important thing is to maintain a generous and regular watering on all plants. But not all of them have the same needs. Underwatering and overwatering are usually the most common reasons why our plants begin to decay, yellow, and then die.
How Water Works on Plants
Let's briefly discuss, to begin with, how the effect of watering works on your plants. This way you will know why water is so important in your plants.
For starters, during the plant's water cycle, moisture is absorbed through the roots by osmosis. It is then transported upwards through the stem until it reaches the leaves.
However, approximately 90% of this water is lost through transpiration. Transpiration is the process by which water vapor is released through the stomata, which are the tiny pores on the underside of leaves that allow gas exchange and water evaporation.
This transpiration regulates the temperature of the plant and helps draw water and nutrients from the soil. As a plant absorbs water, turgor pressure builds up inside the plant's cells, allowing the plant to remain stable and rigid. Sunlight, heat, and high humidity increase the transpiration rate. If soil moisture is not replaced by watering, the plant loses turgor and wilts.
The watering needs of each plant
Plants require varying amounts of water, depending on their species and growing conditions. In addition, young plants need more watering than longer-lived plants, which have already developed their roots.
To know if you're watering your plant in the right amount, in addition to monitoring rainfall in case they are outdoor plants and controlling the amount of water you supply through watering, you need to observe them carefully. Because plants also provide physical signals if they're running out of water.
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Signs That My Plants Are Suffering From Lack of
Watering Stressed and Unproductive Plants
If a plant doesn't have enough water to grow properly, we get "stressed" plants. Yes, like when we overwork, when we are tired and therefore unproductive! Drought often shows a decrease in production in fruit trees, for example, or in plants that produce vegetables. That is, with the lack of irrigation, fruits and vegetables produce fewer crops, which affects their overall yield during the growing season. In addition, fewer buds grow from flowering plants, trees, and shrubs, resulting in fewer flowers. However, many times we are in time to redeem our mistakes! If watering is increased during the growing season, the plant can recover and increase its production.
Changes in the blades
The leaves of the plant often show the first signs of lack of water. They usually begin to wilt or fall off due to lack of moisture. Grass leaves, for example, wilt and do not rise again when stepped on. You may also notice that the shiny leaves of the plants become dull. Over time, the wilting becomes more pronounced and sometimes permanent.
On the other hand, the leaves and stems may begin to yellow or turn brown due to prolonged lack of water. Some plants with "drought stress" may also begin to change to build dryness along the edges of the leaves.
Long periods without irrigation: irremediable consequences
Prolonged periods without enough water can cause more serious damage to our plants. That is, instead of simply wilting, the leaves eventually begin to die and fall off the plant. In addition, the stem becomes more susceptible to insect damage and disease.
Lack of watering can quickly turn plants into wilted, unhealthy vegetation. The severity of the damage depends on several factors, including the duration of the lack of irrigation, soil conditions, and plant species. While a plant may recover from short-term moisture loss, a persistent lack of water often leads to long-term damage, including stunted growth, weakness, and death.
Slow Growth
Plants that do not receive enough water show a slowdown in their growth, but when watering resumes it is very likely that the plant will resume growth as well. Lack of long-term watering can cause your plant to stop growing altogether or cause the leaves to grow smaller than usual. On the other hand, in trees and shrubs, some branches can die or fall.
Lack of watering eliminates photosynthesis
On hot afternoons, plants may temporarily wilt but revive again during the coolness of the night. If, on the other hand, water deprivation continues for a long time, physiological changes occur in the plant, such as water loss through transpiration. This also reduces carbon dioxide uptake and alters photosynthesis. As a result, the plant produces fewer carbohydrates, proteins, and enzymes, which are necessary for plant growth and resistance to diseases and pests.
Pests and diseases: another consequence of
lack of irrigationPlants weakened by lack of water are more vulnerable to insects, bacteria and fungi. Pests, such as spider mites and beetles, are attracted to dry plants. This, added to the fact that weakened plants are less resistant to fungi and bacteria, which are often carried by insect pests, means that the lack of watering is decisive for a plant. Absorb or be able to fight pesky pests.
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Selecting
plants thatare resistant to lack of water, particularly native species, is the best way to avoid problems related to the dryness of the plants in your garden.
Young or newly planted specimens that have not yet developed strong root systems are particularly vulnerable to lack of irrigation. As a result, they require more water than longer-lived, well-established plants.
Another idea to prevent dryness on your plants is to use mulch. It is an organic fertilizer that enriches the soil to improve its structure. In addition, this fertilizer adds nutrients to your plants, prevents the growth of weeds and decreases your maintenance work in the garden or orchard.
All you have to do is place a noticeable amount around the base of the plants and shrubs and let it sit. This fertilizer will help you retain moisture and keep the soil cooler. To this task, he adds that of pruning or destroying dead or insect-infested branches to prevent the spread of diseases.
Vacation Mode ON! Yes
,the long-awaited summer moment of leaving your responsibilities behind has arrived, but before you leave, make sure you keep your plants in mind. Since you've taken such good care of them throughout the year, wouldn't it be traumatic to find them withered when you come back from your vacation?
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There are solutions to this that are quick and long-lasting. Without a doubt, the best bet is automatic irrigation. Whatever it is, a specific method should be your ally during these days. You can go for "the glass bottle", for example, a method that you can create on your own at home. All you have to do is drill holes in a bottle cap with a nail.
To make sure you don't deform the plug, start by nailing the hole from the inside. Then, refill the bottle with water and put the cap back on. Finally, dig a hole in the soil of the plant you're watering. Place the bottle on the side of the cap in the hole you dug and you have a good solution to go away for a long weekend!