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How to Water Aglaonema Plants at Home
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When to Water Aglaonemas
In my experience, the best aglaonema soil base needs to be well-draining and dry out a little in-between each watering cycle. The soil should not be left to dry out completely, but it shouldn’t always remain moist either. A balance is needed to ensure the plant has consistent access to water when it needs it, without sitting in water for long
My go-to signal to water an Aglaonema is a dry top layer of soil. When the visible soil surface is dry, check the moisture levels about 3 inches down. As soon as this top section of soil dries out, I know it’s time to water again.
If you happen to forget to water your plant, it will display some visible signs that indicate it needs a drink. The most common sign I notice is wilting or dropping leaves. As the foliage on some varieties is large and quite thin, they will begin to collapse when the cells don’t have enough water to hold up the leaves.
More structural varieties are less vocal about their watering needs and may only indicate a more severe problem when the leaf edges begin to turn yellow.
How to Check When to Water
I find the best way to avoid underwatering or overwatering is to check the moisture levels regularly and only water when necessary. The simplest way to do this is by sticking your finger in the top layer of soil. If you can feel the soil is dry or if no soil sticks to your finger, the plant needs water.
If you don’t feel like getting your hands dirty, you have a few other options, like a moisture meter. Simply stick the end into the top layer of soil, and it will provide a reading of how dry the soil is. Alternatively, you can use a far less technologically advanced method – a stick. Pop the stick into the top layer of soil, and if it comes back dry, you need to water your plant.
Aglaonemas also have relatively shallow root systems. In deep pots, the best way to test soil moisture is to pick the pot up. If it feels heavy, there is still water in the soil at the bottom of the pot. If it is light, it needs to be watered.
How Often Do Aglaonemas Typically Need Watering?
The time between watering will largely depend on other environmental conditions like where the plant is positioned, sunlight exposure, ambient temperature, and the season. However, the soil will generally dry out within 1-2 weeks, needing another watering within that period.
I always check the soil before watering rather than using a schedule, as this can lead to over or underwatering.
Environmental Considerations That May Impact Watering Cycles
Chinese Evergreens prefer a healthy amount of moderate indirect light throughout the day. When placed in lower lighting conditions, the soil will dry out far slower, increasing the time between watering.
Temperatures can also influence watering cycles. In hotter weather, the soil will dry out faster, needing additional watering sooner than usual. In cooler weather, the plant can be left for three weeks or so without requiring any water.
Placement is also a factor. Aglaonemas left in front of open windows or air conditioning units will dry out incredibly quickly. It’s best to keep these plants away from drafts to prevent them from drying out and facing stress.
Seasonal Considerations That May Affect Watering Cycles
Once the weather begins to warm in spring, the plant will need consistent watering every week or so (in addition to monthly fertilizing). This is not only due to higher temperatures but also due to the energy required to produce new growth.
As temperatures increase in summer, you can continue this watering frequency or potentially increase watering depending on your indoor home temperatures. Once the weather begins to cool in fall and winter, slow your watering to a minimum of two-week intervals, with up to three or four weeks in very cold winter temperatures.
The Importance of Good Drainage
Good watering doesn’t only involve how much water you give the plant and when. It starts with good drainage (and plenty of it). Drainage, both in the pot and in the soil mix you choose, will prevent water from collecting around the roots, limiting the risk of root rot.
A lack of drainage holes in your pot will cause water to collect and stagnate underneath the roots, encouraging bacterial growth. Excessively moist soil can also attract aglaonema pests and create the ideal environment for fungal growth.
What Type of Water is Best for Aglaonemas?
As tap water can contain excessive amounts of chlorine and fluoride, filtered water is best. Rainwater is even better as it is ideal for plant growth and saves water at the same time. If tap water is the only option, leave it out at room temperature for a day or two to let the chlorine evaporate out.
Room temperature or slightly warm water is preferred. Ice-cold water, especially in winter, will shock the roots.
How to Water Aglaonemas
It’s best to water your Chinese Evergreen with a watering can or over the sink. Water only the soil, avoiding the foliage to prevent moisture build-up and disease. Continue to water until you see water leak from the drainage holes.
If the soil is excessively dry, bottom watering is the best method. In this case, follow these steps:
- Fill a sink, bath, or bucket with enough water to reach halfway up the pot.
- Place the pot in the water, resting on the bottom of the container. If the pot is too light and begins to float, weigh it down with a few rocks placed on top of the soil.
- Leave the pot submerged for 15-30 minutes, or until you see the water level stop dropping.
- Remove the pot from the water, shake off any excess soil, and return the pot to its original spot.
If your plant is placed inside a decorative cover with no drainage holes, always remove it before watering and only return the pot to the cover when all excess water has drained. This prevents the pot from sitting in stagnant water.
Similarly, the pot should not be left in a tray filled with water. About 10 minutes after watering, ensure you remove all excess water from the drip tray and return it to its original place.
Signs You Might Be Overwatering
Overwatering is a common mistake when it comes to Chinese Evergreens. Your plant will display signs of overwatering through yellowing leaves or soft, mushy stems. To rectify the problem, leave the soil to dry out before your next watering and increase times between watering.
If you overwater the plant for extended periods, the roots may experience root rot. In this case, you will need to remove all the soil from the pot, cut off all the affected roots with clean, disinfected pruning shears, and repot into the new soil.
Signs You Might Be Underwatering
Drooping or wilting leaves are the most common sign of underwatering. Some varieties can even act as watering indicators, as their thin leaves begin to droop quicker than other foliage plants. As soon as you see the Aglaonema leaves starting to fall over, water immediately.
A more damaging and long-term sign of underwatering is dry leaves and brown leaf tips. This indicates the plant has been left without water for long periods and is desperate for a drink. Water as soon as possible and check the soil more frequently to determine the right time to water.
What to Do In Between Watering Cycles
When you’re not watering, always keep an eye out for signs the plant needs water by checking the soil and examining the leaves. Changes in temperature or light levels can also impact the soil, so check every couple of days at a minimum.
You can also improve moisture around the plant by increasing humidity to the levels it prefers. Chinese Evergreens will be happiest in rooms with about 60% humidity but handle less humidity better than other tropical plants. Use a humidifier to increase the humidity around your plants.
The large leaves can also collect dust over time. In between watering cycles, use a damp cloth to wipe down the leaves. This will improve photosynthesis and gas exchange.
The Role of Water in Plant Health and Development
Water is one of the most essential building blocks of life. When it comes to plants housed indoors, it is up to plant owners to deliver that water to the plants to keep them alive.
Without water, plants lose almost all function. As their cells are made up mostly of water, they begin to lose their shape without it, resulting in the wilting leaves indicative of a watering problem. Water is also the vehicle that nutrients travel through to get to the parts of the plant that need it.
And, on top of all that, photosynthesis is impossible without water, preventing your plant from producing any energy for growth and survival.
Watering Aglaonemas FAQs:
What are the most common signs an Aglaonema needs watering?
Drooping or wilting leaves are typical indicators, with browning tips being a sign of a more serious problem. If you notice the leaves aren’t standing as upright, as usual, give your plant plenty of water.
What is the best way to water Aglaonemas?
Water the soil around the foliage with a watering can or over the sink, avoiding the foliage. If the soil is extremely dry, water from the bottom by submerging half the pot in a container or bath of water for 15-30 minutes,
How much water do Aglaonemas need?
Aglaonemas are moderate water users, needing a deep watering (until water leaves the pot’s drainage holes) every 1-2 weeks.
Is it ok to get water on Aglaonema plant leaves?
Chinese Evergreens have large, dense leaves that can trap water if watered overhead. This creates the perfect environment for diseases to develop, so it’s best to avoid the foliage and focus only on the soil.
What do I do if I overwater my Aglaonema?
If you overwater once or twice, simply increase the time before your next watering, and your plant should survive. If the problem is more severe, you may have caused root rot, which is detrimental to plant health. In this case, remove the plant from the pot and wash all the soil off the roots. Trim off the affected roots with sharp scissors and repot into new soil, cleaning and disinfecting the pot before repotting.
Can I water my Aglaonema with tap water?
Avoid using tap water to water your Aglaonema as it can lead to chlorine build-up in the soil. Opt for filtered water, or leave the water out at room temperature for at least 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
Should I mist my Aglaonema?
Chinese Evergreens do prefer a higher humidity but will manage well in humidity as low as 40%. Misting the leaves is not necessary and may result in an increased risk of fungal diseases.
Wrap Up
If you’re looking for stand-out foliage guaranteed to turn heads, you can’t go wrong with this plant. Tolerant of a wide range of lighting, temperature, and humidity conditions, they only need consistent watering every week or two and a close eye for signs of over or underwatering to keep them healthy and happy.
For more, see our in-depth guide to the best types of aglaonema plants to grow at home.
The post How to Water Aglaonema Plants at Home appeared first on Petal Republic.
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Hydrangeas will grow 'masses of flowers' if you follow gardener's three rules
If you are trying to find a plant that can survive throughout the colder months then hydrangeas are ideal for your garden.
The hardy plant will survive the winters because they aren't sensitive to low temperatures or freezing, and Hydrangeas come in a range of shapes ranging from circular balls to gorgeous cones.While they are good at surviving the winter, the plants will lose most of their blooms and what is left over often turns dry and brown. The plant will need some care during the winter season and one expert has shared tips on how to help the plants.
Ben Hayman, a gardening expert at Hoselink shared a TikTok video where he says hydrangeas will gain "spectacular blooms" and grow "healthier" during the growing season if pruned properly.
Ben shared a video on how to go about pruning hydrangea paniculata - one of the most popular types of hydrangeas. He said: "Today I'm going to show you how to prune and get masses of flowers on your panicle hydrangeas, or as you may know them, hydrangea paniculata."
"These are the ones with the big cone-like flowers that look just as stunning in the garden as they do in any flower arrangement. We prune these guys in winter to early spring - and they're really easy to prune they flower on the coming year's growth."
In the TikTok, Ben encourages gardeners to remove dead, damaged and diseased parts of the plant as a first step. After that step is done, you can begin to prune the plant back to a solid framework.
The next step is to thin out the dense area which will allow light and airflow into the centre of the plant. After this, you will need to tackle the height of the plant.
The aim should be to reduce it to 30 to 40cm from the ground, this will promote new growth. In the TikTok, he said to make sure to prune just above a double bud to ensure "as many flower stems as possible."
If you are worried about getting things wrong, you really should not be according to the expert. He says one of the best things about this type of hydrangea is that you can prune it above rot or below that 30 to 40cm guide and it won't matter.
Ben said: "Basically, you can't get it wrong as it flowers on new wood. So that's it, one of the easiest jobs in the garden done, and I bet you it was nowhere near as scary as you thought."
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How often to water aloe vera plants — from green-thumbed gardening experts
If you're a new gardener, you'll need to know how often to water aloe vera plant so your greenery stays happy and healthy. While it's a pretty low-maintenance plant with other handy uses including skincare, aloe can go wrong if watered incorrectly.
Not enough H2O and your plant will dry out and turn brown. Too much, and the leaves may become become waterlogged and drop off. Luckily, our green-thumbed plant experts have all the answers.
While nailing the watering for an aloe vera plant may seem a little intimidating, you can get the balance just right with our expert advice. We've rated it as one the best indoor plants as you can use it for so many purposes so it's worth the effort.
How often to water aloe vera plants
Before picking up a new one at your local nursery, do some research on how to grow aloe vera as you might be able to cultivate one instead. Check you have the right sun requirements and your environment is a good fit.
Luckily, aloe vera is a pretty easy house plant to take care of so don't stress too much. One of the most common aloe vera plant care problems gardeners run into is maintaining its water level.
We recommend watering an aloe vera plant about once every two weeks. In the colder winter months, drop this down to to about once a month.
"How often you water will depend on the conditions your succulent is kept in," says Nastya Vasylchyshyna, botany expert at Plantum. "In winter, when temperatures are cool and there’s little natural lighting, you only need to water your plants once every three to four weeks."
During the active growing period, succulents generally require watering about once every one to two weeks, depending on the species. It's always a good idea to check the plant care label when you buy yours, and make a note of it somewhere you won't forget. Try adding a repeating calendar reminder to prompt you to check in with your aloe every seven to 10 days.
How to tell if aloe vera needs water
You can make knowing how often to water succulents a lot easier by investing in this GROWIT Soil Water Monitor for Plants on Amazon. A soil monitor will confirm if your plant needs water by assessing the moisture levels.
If you'd prefer to go the old-fashioned route, look for some tell-tale signs of dehydration.
"Keep an eye out for leaves that start to shrivel or lose their plumpness. Another sign is if the soil has been dry for a while, so always check the soil before watering to avoid overdoing it," says Bryan Clayton, CEO and co-founder at Green Pal.
If your environment is very dry and warm, you may have to increase your watering schedule. But if it's cooler and damp, you'll want to reduce watering.
Price: $8
One of Target's best sellers, this self-watering pot features a built-in tray. But be sure to keep an eye on the water pooling to avoid attracting pests and resulting in you having to learn how to get rid of gnats.
Price: $13.97
Create your indoor garden with this simple aloe vera plant. Great for beginners, you can re-pot this aloe plant out of its grower pot into a cute plant pot come springtime.
Price: $9.99
With over 7000 positive reviews, this budget-friendly watering can is loved by customers. It comes with a detachable nozzle so you can choose a direct stream or a gentle shower.
Add some greenery to your space by creating an indoor garden complete with aloe vera. This versatile plant can be used for skincare and medicinal purposes, so you'll want to make sure it's leaves are hydrated and plump by watering regularly to keep it happy as possible, for as long as possible.
Pair your aloe vera plants with tropical indoor plants for a summery feel. You'll be in an indoor paradise in no time.
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Essential 65p cupboard staple can stop killer white mould on plants and improve growth
As the weather slowly starts to get warmer and the sun is finally shining, you might be spending more time outdoors in your garden or on your balcony.
But your space of tranquillity might be looking a bit worse for wear if it hasn't been tended to until now.
If you decide to plant some new flowers or greenery, it's worth not letting them go to waste by caring for them properly and helping their chances of surviving for longer.
Luckily, even the least green-fingered among us can follow some simple steps to keep plants healthy - and one includes using a 65p cupboard staple that can stop them from being plagued by infection.
This National Gardening Week, property experts Savoy Stewart have shared three easy ways you can treat your plant's soil, with ingredients you might already have at home.
While gardening expert Julie Kendall, from The Eden Project, explains why now is the perfect time to start planting your own back garden vegetables.
Household items to rescue plants
1. Cinnamon
You might use cinnamon to add flavour to meals and for baking, but it can also be used in the garden.
Studies have found that the 65p ingredient can be used to treat mould on plants - which can happen in the early spring period when white mould can infect plants.
White mould is a disease that causes wilt and the death of many common flowers.
Meanwhile, cinnamon also helps protect seedlings against rot, which can also accelerate growth.
To treat plant mould, all you need to do is take one teaspoon of ground cinnamon and let it sit for a few hours in five litres of warm water.
Your cinnamon fungicide will be ready once this is complete.
For seedlings, you don't need to prepare the solution, just simply sprinkle some ground cinnamon directly onto the seedlings, and let it get to work.
2. Coffee grounds
Coffee, which can be as cheap as £1.99, can be essential for our daily morning routines, and the same can be applied to our plants.
Plants such as roses and tomatoes thrive best in acidic soil, and coffee grounds can help to achieve this.
You can either sprinkle the used grounds over the surface of the soil, or you can make coffee and pour it onto your soil.
Soak up to six cups of used coffee grounds for up to a week to make garden coffee, then you can use it to give your plants some care.
3. Using eggshells
If you're the proud owner of plants and vegetables that prefer less acidic soil, using eggshells could be the answer. This includes plants such as soybeans and lentils.
Instead of throwing the eggshells in the bin, simply clean them out and crush them among the soil.
As well as lowering the acidity of your soil, it provides plants with the essential nutrient of calcium.
Growing your own vegetables
If you're now feeling especially garden-savvy, you could turn your hand to planting your own vegetables, with spring being the perfect time.
The Eden Project's Living Landscapes Manager, Julie Kendall, suggests starting out with three favourites - bell peppers, potatoes, and carrots.
She told Savoy Stewart: "Now is the time to start sowing crops.
"Some harder crops, such as carrots and peas, can be sown directly into the ground outside.
"Tender crops, like sweetcorn and courgettes, will do better in a greenhouse, shed with windows or sunny windowsill. You don't necessarily need to have a dedicated vegetable plot if space is limited.
"Vegetables, fruit and herbs can be mixed together along garden borders, like a potager garden, and many can also be grown in pots, such as salad leaves and radish."
Here is how...
1. Bell peppers
It's important to use the correct fertiliser when it comes to growing your own bell peppers.
A fertiliser which is low in nitrogen should be used in order to ensure the rate of growth isn't stunted.
Alongside this, companion plants can also be crucial to plants thriving. Bell peppers reportedly thrive well around cucumbers and carrots, but less so around cabbage family plants.
2. Potatoes
Spring is the ideal time to plant potatoes because they prefer slightly cooler weather.
But it is important to make sure you are planting certified seed potatoes to avoid starting off with any nasty diseases.
Growing potatoes requires a bit of attention as you have to water them consistently with about one to two inches per week. And you must grow them in acidic and well-drained soil whilst in full sunlight.
Additionally, ensure you are covering the potatoes with soil or mulching heavily so that the skin does not turn green.
3. Carrots
Carrots require particular conditions to grow. They begin as tiny seeds, which shouldn't be planted too deep, and then take up to three weeks to germinate in moist soil.
To achieve this, the best way is to sprinkle the seeds on the surface of the soil and then lightly brush the soil up with your fingers.
Once growing, it's important to thin the sprouts - removing any extra sprouts so that each carrot has one to two inches of space around it to grow.
If you don't do this step, then it could stunt their growth.
Story by Saffron Otter : Mirror