Hey everyone! I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed with the whole watering process for my plants. Currently, I have to haul them all to the shower in big buckets, let them drain, then carry the heavy buckets downstairs to dump the water in the garden, and finally bring them back upstairs. This whole ordeal takes me about 2-3 hours!
I'm using a light mix, mainly orchid bark, which dries out quickly—about a week. With summer on the way, I'm worried I'll have to water them more than twice a week, which would be exhausting! I've previously overwatered them, so I'm hesitant to switch to a denser soil mix. Ideally, I'd love to water them every three weeks without any issues, but every two weeks would also work if I could do it in their usual spot.
Living in The Netherlands, it's a bit colder and more humid, contributing to my challenge. My plants get southeast light, plus some have additional grow lights. I really want to keep my plants healthy without all the dragging and cleanup. Any helpful tips?
3 Answers
Have you thought about using self-watering pots? I got some a while back, and they’ve seriously made my life so much easier! You just fill the reservoir and let the plants take what they need.
Wow, that sounds exhausting! Honestly, I wouldn't keep plants if they needed that much effort. I have a fast-draining soil too, and I just water them in place. Sometimes I put them in a dishpan with a few inches of water to soak from the bottom for a bit. Makes it way easier!
That sounds like a great idea! I might try that setup. And what do you think about adding some heavier soil to hold more water? I'm exploring options since I want to keep my plants alive!
I totally get the struggle! Why do you have to move them to the shower? If the soil is as light as you say, can't you just water them where they sit? I water mine in place—my mix is similar, and when it's dry, I either lift the pot or use a moisture meter to tell. I also switched to plastic wick pots, and bottom watering has worked wonders for me!
I move them because they need to be fully soaked, and that's tough since the water drains right out. Plus, the stairs are a bit tricky with carpet, and it feels unsafe. Do you collect the water that drains out? I'm guessing the soil could be an issue since the bark doesn't hold moisture well.
I've been considering hydroponics too, but I'm a bit nervous about making that jump!