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need watering tips for being away

16 years ago

Hi, I water my house plants about every 4-5 days. They are all doing fine. I am going away for 9 days. Is it better to bring them all to the bathtub with sitting water in the tub, or to stick water bottles to the soil? Any other better ideas? Thanks

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Comments (6)

birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Cheuh...what type of plants do you have?
Cactus/succulents shouldnt sit in water..they'll rot.
What size pots are your plants in?
If pots are 8"+, they'll be fine where they are now..Small pots, soil dries quick, plants that require moist soil can be placed in the tub..1/2" - 1" water is sufficient..The tub is only necessary for plants that dote on water..espeicially if your plants are kept in windows, and sun is blazing..Toni
riptidefrog
16 years ago
Id move them away from the windows a bit so they dont get as much light and then water them right before you leave. They should use less water with less light and it shouldnt harm them too much if they still get at least some light.
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lucy
16 years ago
Hi, the worst thing you could do is leave them sitting in water, and it's not necessary for 5 days. Do water them well before you leave, and do leave them in the tub, but also make sure there's no direct or even bright light available (tho' 'dark' is not necessary, but dull is good). Cover a window if you can with something dark, but that lets in some light.
chueh
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you all. I have three 12" pots (philodandron, indoor dwarf banana, and peace lily), one 10" some kind of foliage, two 8" tropical plants, four 6" pots (3 kalanzoo??, 1 tropical plant with a red torch like in the center), and one 4" christmas cactus. Most of them are very close to the windows. The peace lily drinks a lot of water. It's very healthy. I will lower the shade for the windows, so they can all watch movies together. lol.... Thank you all
birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Chueh..The red torch could be Ginger or Bromeliad. W/O a pic it's hard to say.
Kalanzoo??? What's that? LOL. Maybe Kalanchoe?
If peace lily soil dries fast, then for the time being, place in a shadier spot, or move back from window..You can even keep them in the bath tub..:)
Your other plants are in fairly large pots, so soil can dry out without harming plants. Especially succulents.
Is your home kept on the hot side? 72/3F+? Soil dries faster if rooms are too warm. Since you'll only be gone 9 days, if you have control of the thermastat, set to 67/68F. Or lower.
If outdoor temps are warm where you live, your heat is probably off..Also, if drop no lower than 50-55F, keep a window open an inch or two..For safety purposes, place a stick so window can't be opened from the outside, especially if you're on the first floor.

A few years ago, I bought several water spouts..think I got them at Carol Wright..You screw spouts onto clean 12oz bottles..fill with water, place bottle upsidedown in soil..water seeps from spot holes, one drop at a time..slow leaks, so your plants aren't overwatered..They work great for people who travel. One winter, I added Superthrive..it worked out fine.
It wouldn't hurt having these spouts around, especially for ppl who leave town regularly.
Good luck, Toni
chueh
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, Hope, it is bromeliad (I checked the name you provide with the photographs online). My husband bought it for me, and there is no label. Kalanchoe....Yes..They are kalanchoes.LOL LOL LOL...I can never remember all these plant names; they all sound like native indian......

Thank you.....

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