Everyone needs a vacation from time to time. If you have a pet, you can ask a friend, neighbor, or daycare provider to take care of it. However, what about plants? Some plants can survive long periods without water, but others require weekly or even daily care. If you plan to go on a trip, make sure the plants can get enough water during your vacation. In some cases, you may not need the help of friends or neighbors to look after your plants!
Step
Method 1 of 5: Making a Plant Watering Bottle
Step 1. Make sure the soil is completely wet
Soil that is too dry will absorb all the water in the bottle. If the soil is too dry, water it now.
Step 2. Prepare a narrow-necked glass bottle
A wine bottle is ideal as it is large enough to water an area of 0.4 to 0.6 square meters for a maximum of 3 days. If the area to be watered is not too large, use a smaller bottle, such as a soda or beer bottle.
Alternatively, you can buy a watering globe or aqua globe at a store that sells gardening supplies
Step 3. Fill the bottle with water
Do not fill the bottle to the brim, just to the bottom of the neck of the bottle. At this stage, you can add other needs, such as liquid fertilizer.
Step 4. Cover the mouth of the bottle with your thumb and turn the bottle upside down
Position the bottle right next to the plant to be watered.
Step 5. Push the neck of the bottle into the ground, pulling your thumb as you do so
Make sure the neck of the bottle is buried a few inches in the soil. It's okay if the bottle is slightly tilted, but make sure the bottle is firmly planted and doesn't wobble.
Step 6. Make sure the water drains out properly
If the water doesn't come out at all, the mouth of the bottle may be clogged with dirt. If so, pull the bottle off the ground, clean it and put some kind of filter in the mouth of the bottle. Refill the bottle, and plug it into the ground one more time.
Draw a marking line on the bottle with a permanent marker, parallel to the water level. Check back after a few hours (or even a day). If the water level is below the line you drew, it means the water is flowing properly. If the water level doesn't change, it's possible that the mouth of the bottle is clogged
Method 2 of 5: Creating a Drip Irrigation System with Thread
Step 1. Make sure the soil is wet before you start
If the soil is too dry, all the water in the water tank will be absorbed before you leave the house. Once you return, there may not be any more water left in the container.
Step 2. Place a one-gallon (about 4 liter) container of water near the water
Make sure the container is not exposed to direct sunlight to reduce evaporation of water. If you're only going out for a few days and the plants are small, you can simply use jam jars. Do not fill the container with water just yet.
This method will irrigate the plant for a maximum of one week
Step 3. Cut a piece of cotton or nylon thread
The thread should be long enough to run from the bottom of the container to the base of the plant. If you can't get a cotton or nylon thread, or if the thread is too thin, braid the three threads together before using.
The thread must be able to hold water. This method will not work if the thread cannot hold water
Step 4. Place one end of the thread in the container
The thread should reach the bottom of the container. If you want to water more than one plant, you may want to prepare more than one container. One container of water for each plant. That way, your plants won't run the risk of running out of water while you're out and about.
If you have some plants that don't need a lot of water, such as succulents, you may want to use one water container for two or three plants. Even if the water in the container runs out, the plant will still be able to survive because of its ability to hold water
Step 5. Plant the other end of the twine in the soil near the base of the plant
The thread should reach a depth of about 7.5 cm. Make sure the yarn is not exposed to direct sunlight. A little sun is fine, but too much of it will dry out the threads before water can reach the plant.
Step 6. Fill the container with water
If the plant needs fertilizer, you can add a small amount of liquid fertilizer to the water at this stage. If the plant is in a sunny spot, consider covering the mouth of the water container with tape. Be careful not to cover the thread. This will help reduce the evaporation rate of the water.
Step 7. Make sure the position of the mouth of the container is higher than the base of the plant
If the container is too low, place it on top of a book, wooden block, or upside-down pot to make it higher up. That way, water can drip down the thread.
Method 3 of 5: Creating a Drip Watering System with a Bottle
Step 1. Make sure the soil is completely wet
If the soil is too dry, all the water in the bottle will be absorbed before you even step foot from the house. If you moisten the soil first, the plants won't absorb the water too quickly.
Step 2. Take a 2 liter plastic bottle
If the plant is smaller, you can use a smaller bottle. This method is done by burying the bottle in the ground so that it is more suitable to be applied to plants grown in gardens or in large pots.
Step 3. Use a hammer and nails to make 2 holes in the bottom of the bottle
This step is very important. If you don't make drainage holes in the bottom of the bottle, the water will pool in the bottle, not draining out. Stagnant water will encourage algae growth.
Step 4. Make a few more holes on the sides of the bottle
You don't need too many, just 3-5 holes. If you make too many holes, the water will drain out too fast. You don't want that to happen.
- Pay attention to the holes on the sides of the bottle. When you plant your bottle in the ground, rotate the bottle so that the hole is facing the plant you want to water.
- It's better if you drill too few holes than too many. You can always add a new hole if needed, but it will be difficult to close a hole that has already been made.
Step 5. Dig a hole in the ground, near the plant
The hole should be deep enough to bury the bottle up to the neck.
Step 6. Insert the bottle into the hole you dug
Pat the soil around the bottle and be careful not to let any soil get into the bottle.
Step 7. Fill the bottle with water
At this stage, you can also add liquid fertilizer.
Step 8. Close the bottle, if desired
The lid will help slow the flow of water. This step is perfect for plants that don't need a lot of water, or if you're planning a long trip. The tighter you close the bottle, the slower the water will flow.
Make a marker on the bottle with a marker, parallel to the water level. Check back after a few hours. If the water level does not change, loosen the bottle cap slightly. On the other hand, if the water level drops drastically, tighten the bottle cap
Method 4 of 5: Asking a Friend or Neighbor for Help
Step 1. Find a trusted friend or neighbor
You'll need to give him access to your yard or, in some cases, your house (if there are plants in the house). Make sure you trust the person. If you ask him to water the plants in the house, don't forget to leave a spare key for him to enter.
Step 2. Consider a reasonable course of action
Don't ask for help from someone who lives far from your home, or has to make the arduous journey to get to your place. Make sure he doesn't have to come too often. He may be willing to come once or twice a week, but will object to having to come every day, especially if his house is very far from where you live.
Consider using a homemade irrigation system. That way, the plants will be able to survive on the homemade irrigation system, and the neighbors will only have to refill the bottles after the water runs out
Step 3. Group plant pots based on water requirements
This step will make it easier for neighbors to remember. For example, you could put all the succulents in one area, and the ivy in another. To keep the house clean, place all the pots on a tray.
Step 4. Write down how to care for and water plants that are specific
Give complete instructions, but don't go overboard. Friends or neighbors may not have the same gardening skills as you. Something that you think is just basic information may be difficult for them to understand.
- Examples of specific watering instructions include: Water this plant with cup (120 ml) of water every Saturday afternoon.
- Examples of specific care instructions include: Remove excess water from the basil pot coaster every day.
Step 5. Water the plants before you leave, and make sure there are no pests or diseases
Watering the plants will ease the task or minimize the visits the plant nurse has to make. To ensure plants are in good health while you are traveling, check to see if they are free of pests or diseases. If plants develop pests or diseases while you're away, friends or neighbors may not know what to do. If a plant dies while it's their responsibility, it can lead to guilt!
Step 6. Return their kindness
Even though they may reject it, there's nothing wrong with offering to repay their kindness. This will show that you're not just taking advantage of them. They probably won't mind helping take care of the plants again the next time you go on a trip. If they accept your offer, do a good job!
Method 5 of 5: Setting Up a Mini Greenhouse
Step 1. Choose a clear plastic bag large enough to wrap the plant in the pot
The plastic bag will trap the moisture released by the plant. This water vapor will drip back onto the plants, as well as irrigate them. Plastic bags must be clear so that sunlight can penetrate them.
Step 2. Place a damp towel at the bottom of the plastic bag
The towel will help the plant retain moisture and prevent the soil from getting too dry.
Step 3. Place the plant pot on a towel
Adjust the number of plant pots with the size of the plastic bag. Try not to let the leaves touch each other. If the leaves overlap, use another plastic bag.
Step 4. Tie up the plastic bag and make sure you trap as much air as possible in the bag
You can tie the plastic bag with a rubber band or cable tie. To make the bond tighter, fold the end of the plastic tied down, and tie it again with a rubber band.
Step 5. Move the plant out of direct sunlight
You can place the plant indoors or outdoors, but make sure it is not exposed to direct sunlight. A little sun may not be a problem, but if exposed to direct sunlight, the plant will 'ripe' due to the heat trapped in the plastic bag.
Step 6. Place the larger plants in the tub
If the plant is too large to fit in a plastic bag, simply line the tub with a plastic sheet and some newspaper. Place the plant on the newspaper and water it until the newspaper is wet. Close the shower curtain.
Keep the lights on if possible
Tips
- Bringing potted plants indoors will help conserve water.
- Think how long you will be gone. If you're only going for the weekend, watering the plants the night before departure may suffice.
- Consider what the weather will be like while you're away. If you live in a hot, dry climate, you'll need more than just a bottled watering system for your plants. Asking neighbors to help water the plants might be better.
- Consider your plant type. Young plants will require more care than mature plants.
- If you ask someone to help you take care of a plant, remember to return the favor. Otherwise, he'll mind tending to the plants the next time you have to travel.
- Cut and prune the plant the day before you leave. That way, your plants will need less water, and your artificial irrigation system will last longer.
- Check the plants to make sure there are no pest problems. Even if your plants get enough water during your trip, pests or diseases can kill them.
- Cover the garden and plants with mulch. This will help the soil retain water.
- Soak the plants for 20 minutes every night, 2-3 days before you leave. This will ensure that the soil will be sufficiently moist for the duration of your trip.
- Test your watering system a few days before leaving to make sure it's working as intended.
Warning
- The advice mentioned above won't water the plants forever!
- Be careful when you tell someone that you will be leaving the house for a while.
