I'm going to be out of town for a week starting next week, and while I'm pretty sure my one plant will manage just fine, my other plant needs watering every 1-2 days to stay healthy. I can't leave it with anyone because all my friends are also away. What do you all do in situations like this? Any tips on how to keep my thirsty plant alive while I'm gone?
6 Answers
When I travel, I usually just give them a good watering before I leave and cross my fingers! I know which ones can handle being neglected for a bit. The ones on my closed balcony worry me more since they get hotter and don't get rain at all.
Have you thought about using those glass watering balls? You fill them up and insert them into the soil. I’ve had mine for over 20 years, and they work like a charm! Not sure if you can still buy them, but they're great for situations like yours.
Honestly, I don’t do much because my plants have the right type of soil, so they don’t dry out that fast. Most of mine only need watering every two weeks if I remember! Just make sure they’re in a good soil mix.
You can also try the bottle method. Just poke holes in the lid of a plastic bottle, fill it with water, and bury it upside down in the soil. Just make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight so the chemicals don't leach into the water!
When I leave for less than three weeks, I water all my plants thoroughly beforehand. I usually bottom water them and take an afternoon to do it one by one. Also, I move them away from under the grow lights to prevent them from drying out too quickly.
Another option is to put your plant in the sink filled with water on top of a brick. If it’s terracotta, it can soak up the moisture without drowning the plant. You can also use acrylic yarn to pull water from a bowl to the plant. It works really well, and I've used both methods with success!