How to prevent water stains forming under indoor plant pots
HU-234353229
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (20)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoHU-234353229 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)Related Discussions
Help: indoor plant pots leaving water marks on windowsill
Comments (12)In winter, next to the window is very cold and it follows outside temperature in some fashion. That causes the condensation of the water vapour from the plants, the medium and standing water in saucers. Right after watering the problem is most apparent. The air inside a room is quite stagnant unless it is used often (assuming windows are closed). If you can, I would suggest not to keep anything on the sill itself. To me it is asking for trouble to keep stuff that have any connection with water on the sill itself. A narrow shelf say couple of inches from the sill is far better. The natural but slight movement of air around the window area reduces condensation. There will be a bit of reduction in light but not significant. This is how I have some of my plants. If you have to put them on the sill do as Rina suggested - raise the saucers to create an air-gap. May be that is a good idea anyway. You can also try a fan that runs may be 3-4 of times a day for an hr each time or so. A low flow fan that runs continuously is better....See MoreFirst Indoor Fall Watering is the Toughest
Comments (36)So many new neighbourhoods are three story town houses here too. They can be so tiny! And I used to think a 10'x10' room was small... Square pots are exceedingly difficult to find here as well. I only found one place that imports and sells them in the Toronto area. Last year I spent so much time going to different greenhouses and garden centers but they never have square pots. You'd think that since they sell so many succulents in square pots here that they would sell the pots too! I find the roots grow a bit differently in my square pots. Terra cotta is obviously better and ends up with better root systems that end up gathering and circling around the inner edge of the pot. With square pots I don't find that quite as much (or perhaps I haven't had them long enough to have that happen). Despite having a great stockpile of nice, clean, and newish terra cotta pots the convenience factor of square was well worth the compromise....See MoreWatering when growing under lights
Comments (3)Your mix sounds good for plumies and should drain really well which will help your pots dry out much better than a heavy mix so good job on that! After you work with them for a while you should begin to get the feel for the weight of your containers to give you a very good indication as to whether the pots are still really wet. Inserting a chopstick down in the soil is also a great way to tell if they're wet deeper than a finger poke will go. Like Kms said, it's impossible to give an exact amount because it varies so you have to begin to use your intuition, by weight, by how the leaves look, etc. When I root cuttings I root them in a water bottle or Gatorade bottle with the top cut off so I can see when the roots develop - once it has roots I water it until water runs out of the bottom and all the soil is saturated & then I can also see when the soil looks pretty dry and it then basically gets watered like any other plumeria - water thoroughly and then let get fairly dry and repeat. Same with seedlings - I would usually mist them twice a day just so they didn't dry out completely and then when the bulk of the soil they're in is getting dry I water thoroughly. Once they are big enough to be potted up out of my seed starter I usually stop the misting. I water them pretty much just like the adult plumerias and the cuttings. I would at least sometimes water until the water runs out of the container to flush accumulated salts in the soil that remain from fertilizer. Keeping your warmth up indoors is key, and the lights will help too. If you have a fan going that would be even better to help dry the soil a bit and help deter spider mites a bit. I think you'll find that as long as they don't stay really wet and cold they are actually pretty resilient and easy to grow. Please keep us updated on your progress!...See MoreIndoor Succulent Bottom Watering Setup
Comments (11)While we’re on the subject of watering, just a note on how to fertilize lots of plants quickly. I used to use a 3 gallon pump sprayer and it took hours to fertilize everything. Even watering section on different days took forever (Kevin knows my setup). I got a Venturi watering device and now I water EVERYTHING in 20 minutes or less. There are several types of Venturi devices out there. This one was given to me by an orchid friend. ALL of them are based on water flow requiring a minimum of 2.5 gal/min. Some require even higher flow rates. This is definitely a downside, This device is significantly less costly than a commercial metered proportioning device. This particular device comes with various proportioning nozzles to adjust the fertilizer concentration. I mix a gallon of fertilizer concentrate, attach the device and I’m done in a short time. The other downside, of course, is the amount of waste and having a location appropriate to use such equipment....See MoreHU-234353229
4 years agoMike the Fiddle Leaf Fig Guy
4 years agoKaren S. (7b, NYC)
4 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoMike the Fiddle Leaf Fig Guy
4 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
4 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
4 years agoMike the Fiddle Leaf Fig Guy
4 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoHU-234353229
4 years agotropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
4 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agotropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
4 years agopopmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
4 years ago
Related Stories
SUMMER GARDENINGHow to Water and Refresh Your Potted Plants Over the Summer
Keep container gardens looking lush by cooling them down when temperatures rise and by giving them a seasonal spruce-up
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTS12 Potted Plants That Make Long-Lasting Holiday Gifts
A miniature conifer, blooming amaryllis or desktop succulent could be the perfect gift for someone on your list
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTS8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants
Houseplants add so much to our homes — and can thrive when grown in the right conditions. Keep these tips in mind
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTS10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors
Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall
Full StoryWINDOW TREATMENTSA Surefire Way to Prevent Sun Damage Indoors
Why let light ruin your furniture, floors and artwork, when the solution could be as simple as applying high-quality window film?
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSIndoor Plants Add Style and Cheer in Winter
Bring more life and color to your interiors with container plants in every room of the house
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSWant Compelling Garden Minimalism? Think One Plant, One Pot
Highlight a show-worthy stunner or elevate a pedestrian plant by giving it a solo starring role in the garden
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Paddle Plant
If you're looking for awesomely strange foliage and low care requirements, this succulent is right up your alley
Full StoryPRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: 20 Uncommonly Attractive Pots and Planters
Cultivate some personality indoors with plant containers that are as unique as the greenery they hold
Full StoryDIY PROJECTSA Colorful DIY Water Garden for Your Patio
See how to turn a standard stock tank into a customized container garden for floating and potted aquatic plants
Full StoryMore Discussions
Karen S. (7b, NYC)