How will indoor and outdoor potted plants survive this Summer and the high temperatures?
We are already in the Summer of 2022, a Summer that meteorologists predict will be warmer than normal. According to the experts, it will be 70% warmer than the average of the summers of the year 1981 up to the year 2010. This means we need to take steps to cope with the heat and stay hydrated. Something similar applies to the plants we have at home, whether indoors or outdoors. But how do you manage to keep them alive and healthy despite the adverse conditions? Below I will give you all the useful tips to help you achieve your goal.
General tips for potted plants
Regardless of the location of the Plants you have in the pot, there are a few tips you should always keep in mind. Let's start with watering: don't fall into the trap of thinking that because the temperature has risen you should "drown" your plants in water, but also that you shouldn't water them every now and then. An empirical trick says to stick your finger in the soil for 2 to 3 cm and only water your flowers if they are not wet. As you can easily understand, watering in Summer will be more frequent than in Winter. On the other hand, as harmful as it is to plants to water them too often, it is equally harmful to leave them unwatered. So set a schedule or even a reminder on your phone. In general, the more you know about your plant after research and the better you observe it, the more you will understand its needs.
Tips for houseplants
It goes without saying that every houseplant is different and has its own rules when it comes to its care. But there are a few things that if you take into account, you will get the best possible result. Let's start with the position of the plant which should be close to the windows, without being directly hit by the sun's rays. It is also preferable to place it in a ventilated spot, away from heat sources such as radiators. As for watering, opt for a watering canister with holes to drain off excess water. In general, home pots need watering from 1 to 3 times a week depending on the type of plant and the season. Don't forget to use a damp cloth to clean the leaves from dust. In addition, keep in mind that special soil for houseplants will help them grow more as it retains moisture.
Tips for outdoor plants
The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to potted plants is that they are living organisms that have their own needs. In relation to watering, use the finger trick on potted plants outside the house as well. Temperature, humidity and winds all affect our plant's water needs. An important tip is to pour water slowly near the root of the plant, primarily in the morning or afternoon hours but not in the midday hours. Something many people skip is fertilizer. Usually in pots we use water soluble fertilizers. Another tip that I have seen work is one that calls for not moving your pots every three and a half hours. Plants adapt to the conditions of where they are placed and they don't like to change position. Repotting is another important chapter. Some signs to let you know that your plant needs to be transplanted are yellowing leaves, limited growth and the constant need for watering.
