One topic that can never be avoided when growing flowers and trees is watering. This is an indispensable task in the growth process of plants. When it is intensive, it should be done every day. When it is relaxed, it cannot be ignored for many days. Otherwise, there would be no such thing as "death or living in water". However, watering seems very simple, but in fact it is a task with many difficulties. How much to water, how to water, and when to water are all difficult to control. As the saying goes, the right amount is good. If it is too much, the plants will get waterlogged and their roots will rot. If it is too little, the plants will suffer from water shortage and their leaves will turn yellow.
Therefore, there is another famous saying: It takes three years to learn watering. However, as far as the actual situation is concerned, we can't afford three years, so what kind of plants should we raise? He has died dozens of times. Being able to quickly use some reasonable methods to determine when to water is what most of us ordinary people pursue. So, in the process of growing flowers and trees, what methods are there to judge? How should I water it? Are there any points that need to be avoided? These are the key points we need to consider. Below, we will analyze this topic in detail.
1. How to judge whether to water
Plants will not always be in a state of water shortage during their growth. Sometimes, there will be times when there is too much water. Therefore, we should make our own judgment at this time. Although it will not tell us directly, based on some past experience, we can still accurately judge whether we should water. Usually, the way of judgment is mainly based on the performance of plants and pot soil. In some cases, their symptoms actually say it's time to water. Therefore, the judgment methods mainly include the following three points.
1. Look at the pot soil
After all, water is poured into the pot soil. Judging from the moistness of the pot soil, it can be clearly judged whether there is a lack of water. Generally speaking, the condition of the pot soil will be related to various differences such as tree species, temperature, season, etc., resulting in different water absorption and evaporation speeds. However, the characteristics are all the same, dry or wet, wet or wet. Therefore, watching the soil and watering is the most direct and easy way to grow flowers and grass.
Recommendation: Water in time after the pot soil is dry. This must be done. However, there are two differences between potting soil: superficial dryness and full dryness. Surface dry means that the surface looks dry, and completely dry means that all the loam in the pot has been completely dry. Therefore, the treatment will be different. This requires reference to plant habits and the change of seasons. Generally speaking, plants that like moisture can be watered after the surface is dry. For drought-tolerant plants, it is not recommended to wait until they are completely dry. Watering can be done when it is dry. From the perspective of seasons, except for dry weather in winter, slightly humid weather is better in other seasons.
2. View leaves
The water of the plant is for it to grow and absorb, and the same is true for the original intention of watering it in loam. When the water absorption is not enough, the performance of the leaves becomes the easiest and more direct way of observation for us. However, not all plant leaves are the same, and there are various differences in size, shape, color, etc. Fortunately, no matter how big the difference is, it will definitely show up. This also provides us with judgment after watering after observation.
Suggestion: For most plants with smaller leaves, although their individual leaves have less transpiration, they are most unable to withstand water shortages because they store less water. Once there is not enough water, it is easy to become sluggish. At this time, it is best to replenish it in time. Those tree species with slightly larger leaves store more water. Even if they are already short of water, the entire leaf will not be short of water at the same time. The initial symptoms will be on the edges and tips of the leaves. When you find that the edges or tips of the leaves are slightly softer than usual, you should water them. Yellowing is a sign that they have been short of water for a period of time. The same goes for coniferous tree species.
3. Temperature
Regarding the consumption of water, only a small part is absorbed by plants, and most of them are actually evaporated. This is mainly related to What matters is the environment around it, including the dryness of the air, the temperature of the space where it is located, the alternation of the four seasons throughout the year, and the quality of the ventilation environment. Therefore, before deciding whether to water, the environment must be considered first. Sometimes evaporation is faster, so you should observe more and water more appropriately. Sometimes the demand is less, so it is necessary to observe less and water less.
Recommendation: Water more in spring and autumn. This is the growing season of plants and their demand for water is already high. In addition, the temperature is neither high nor low, and the water evaporation is not too small. You can water less in summer and winter. There are two key points in summer and winter: high temperature and severe cold. During this period, most plants are dormant, and their roots absorb very little nutrients. Moreover, it needs a good breathing environment with oxygen, and it would be better if the basin soil is slightly dry. Therefore, watering should be less. However, in these two seasons, there is either high temperature or dry air, and the transpiration of water is greater. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish moisture to the leaves through spraying.
2. How to water bonsai
In addition to the above-mentioned judgment methods, there are other aspects that should be treated differently before watering the plants. After all, not only do plants differ in species, but they also do not require exactly the same amount of water.
It also includes differences in the growth environment, and the acceptance and consumption of water are not exactly the same. This depends on the tree species and the environment, deciding how to water it. Generally speaking, the following methods can be used for better results.
1. Different tree species. Each tree species has different water requirements. The root cause is its own growth situation. To be precise, it is its appearance that determines its demand for water. Generally speaking, tree species with slightly larger leaves have stronger transpiration, which results in greater absorption and faster pot soil drying. For those tree species with smaller leaves and leathery leaves, they have better water retention properties and less evaporation.
Suggestion: Watering should be increased if the leaves are large, and watering should be reduced if the leaves are small. However, evaporation can only be a reference, and its own habits cannot be ignored. Tree species that like dryness do not like to let their roots soak in places with a lot of water. Tree species that like moisture are prone to damage if the capillary roots are too dry. Therefore, the final decision must be made based on the actual situation. If you are really unsure, it is recommended to combine the above observation methods.
2. Environmental differences. The environment is also the main basis for determining how to water, including temperature conditions, the growth environment of tree species, and the size of the pot. All should be referenced together. We all know that water evaporates quickly in summer, and small pots with shallow soil can store less water. There are also differences in the environment between the north and the south. In the south, the humidity is high and evaporation is relatively slow, while in the north, the humidity is low and water evaporates faster. These are all aspects that cannot be ignored during the watering process.
Suggestion: When growing a tree from the north to the south, you should water it less appropriately. Since it is a northern tree, it likes to be dry in nature. When it comes to maintenance in the high-humidity environment of the South, watering less will not go wrong. The reverse is true for plants grown in the south and north. Bonsai that is small and shallow should be watered more often. It stores too little water and is easily consumed. It is necessary to water more appropriately during high temperatures in summer. After all, it is not only the absorption of the plants but also the rapid evaporation that is important. Although the air in the north is dry in winter, plants do not absorb it well. The potting soil is on the dry side, and it is better to supplement it with leaf spray.
3. What kind of water to use?
Not all water is the same. Roughly speaking, there are differences between seawater and freshwater. Looking deeper, freshwater The water quality is not exactly the same either. There are also various subtle differences such as rainwater, well water, and tap water. Including any temperature, it will also have different effects on plants. Therefore, when preparing to use water, this must be a link that needs reference.
1. Water quality. Water quality cannot be ignored when watering bonsai. As far as our country's environment is concerned, the water quality north of the Yellow River is mostly alkaline, which is not particularly suitable for the growth of acid-loving plants. However, this is a problem that is not easy to solve. Therefore, it can only be slightly improved through some later processing methods.
Improvement suggestions: For friends who have the conditions, it would be better if they could use river water and rainwater to water the plants. However, most friends do not meet this condition. Playing with bonsai is all about playing. If the difficulty is too high, there is no need to play. Therefore, direct watering with tap water is the method used by most people. However, if used for a long time, it will definitely alkalize the soil. Therefore, it is recommended to use acidic fertilizers such as ferrous sulfate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate to irrigate the soil every season. Make up for water quality deficiencies.
2. Water temperature, in terms of water temperature, will also be different from the soil condition. Usually, the temperature in summer is very good, and the pot soil also has relative heat. The tap water just released from the water pipe The temperature is relatively low. If you water it directly in the potting soil, the instantaneous alternation of hot and cold will directly weaken the absorption capacity of the root system. Therefore, although it is watered in time, it is not absorbed effectively. It will also have a certain impact on plants. It's the same in winter.
Water temperature suggestion: Be sure to avoid too large a difference in water temperature, especially in summer and winter, when the temperature difference during this period will be particularly obvious. It is better to leave the cold water that has just been taken out for a period of time before using it. It will not only keep the temperature equal to the air temperature, but also release some harmful gases that are not conducive to plant growth. This is a more reliable method.
Summary: As far as watering plants is concerned, you can judge when to water by looking at the pot soil, looking at the leaves, and dividing the temperature. When deciding how to give the plants the amount of water, it should be divided. Depending on the tree species and the environment, appropriate methods should be adopted. Finally, when watering the plants, water quality and water temperature should also be taken into consideration. Only by combining the various conditions mentioned above. By making a comprehensive judgment, you can naturally come up with the correct watering method.