Baylor said:
Don’t water based solely on a schedule. Instead, check the soil with your finger or a stick each time. Most plants do well if you let the top few inches dry out. Research each plant’s moisture needs.
I check every Friday night or Saturday morning. If the soil is still damp, I leave it until my next check. It works for my plants.
If your Bougainvillea isn’t blooming despite frequent watering, cut back on the watering. It needs dry conditions and drought to bloom.
Kirby said:
If your Bougainvillea isn’t blooming despite frequent watering, cut back on the watering. It needs dry conditions and drought to bloom.
That’s interesting! The same goes for dendrobium orchids and likely others too. Temperature drops and day length can be triggers too, like on Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving cacti.
Kirby said:
If your Bougainvillea isn’t blooming despite frequent watering, cut back on the watering. It needs dry conditions and drought to bloom.
Bougainvilleas can be tough! We had one at our summer house that sounds fancier than it was, but we barely did anything for it except water it during the summer, and every winter it shed its leaves and dried up but bloomed beautifully every summer for over 20 years. It was two stories tall and amazing!
A few years back, my roommate tried growing one in a pot and over-cared for it, and it died fast.
@Sam
They really do look stunning when they bloom with all those colors. My favorite is red, with white being a close second. I have a big one as a privacy hedge with purple flowers. We have had little rain lately, but it’s thriving!
Spend a lot more time watching your plants than other people’s. Many of us have probably killed at least 5 plants. It happens to everyone. If you’re just getting started, stick to plants that cost $10 or less. As you get the hang of things, you can gradually increase your plant budget if you want.
If your plant is thriving in ways that seem unusual, just let it be and continue caring for it as you are.
Use pot weight to determine if a plant needs watering - when it’s dry, the pot feels very light.
Alix said:
Use pot weight to determine if a plant needs watering - when it’s dry, the pot feels very light.
That’s if your plant truly needs to dry out completely. Many will start drooping and turning brown if they dry out too much.
@Lane
True, the example I gave was just a simple one.
I have other plants that I don’t let dry out completely but still keep an eye on pot weight, as it makes it easier than sticking my finger in to check the moisture level.
Alix said:
Use pot weight to determine if a plant needs watering - when it’s dry, the pot feels very light.
This is exactly how I decide when to water. I could never tell properly with the poke test.
Know your water’s pH, which means its acidity or basicity. Ideally, it should be 7 or neutral, but it can vary depending on where you live. Let tap water sit for a bit before using it to water. This is crucial for certain acid-loving plants since water above 7 pH can block nutrient absorption. If you mistakenly think a plant needs more fertilizer, you can hurt it. When you fertilize, don’t let the water touch the leaves since some plants can absorb nutrients through leaves up to 10 times better than through roots. This can lead to burns or even kill the plant.
@Blaine
I didn’t know that! Thanks for the tip. When you let the tap water sit, how long should I leave it out?
Shan said:
@Blaine
I didn’t know that! Thanks for the tip. When you let the tap water sit, how long should I leave it out?
About an hour or two is enough. They add a bit of chlorine to kill bacteria in the water, and plants benefit from bacteria. Colder water works better since it has less dissolved disinfectant.
Most houseplants can survive at least a week or even two without watering. If you’ll be away longer, you need to trust someone with your plants. The clearer and simpler your instructions are, the better. Number the pots to avoid confusion about what each plant needs.
Leave them be! Overwatering is often worse than underwatering.
Cacti should not be kept indoors unless you have a grow light that can provide full, direct sunlight and heat. Even then, for larger cacti, a grow light is often insufficient unless you create a space with almost commercial-grade lights and control temperature and humidity.
@Lane
The same goes for Sempervivums. It frustrates me that both big box stores and many small retailers sell them alongside regular indoor succulents—they’re not houseplants!
Lane said:
@Lane
The same goes for Sempervivums. It frustrates me that both big box stores and many small retailers sell them alongside regular indoor succulents—they’re not houseplants!
Yikes, I just bought three small ones today, thinking of trying succulents. I have a big south-facing window but right below the sill is the radiator, so my other plants dry out too quickly if they sit there. Would it be better to plant the Sempervivums outside and find another succulent for my warm dry windowsill? I live in Northern Europe, so it gets pretty cold at night.
@Micah
It’s too early to plant them outside now. If possible, keep them somewhere cool to let them stay dormant and water very little. Alternatively, you could keep them by the window but try to protect them from the heat if possible. In spring, gradually get them used to outdoor conditions before planting them. Semps are hardy outdoor plants that do best in full summer sun and need cold to go dormant in winter, which they won’t get indoors.