Hot Weather Watering Tips from Parkview Gardens June 18, 2021
Yep – we are having a heat wave…so help your plants survive with these tips.
The extreme heat we are having interrupts the transpiration process of plants. “Transpiration” is the process of water movement through the plant and its evaporation from the leaves, stems and flowers. Transpiration also helps cool the plants so when we have hot temperatures it is not uncommon to see desiccation with our plants. “Desiccation” is where the plant dries out from sunlight or drought; the plants look as if they are wilting. They are unable to keep up the transpiration process! This is where we see plants that are overwatered even in this extreme heat.
So, now that you know this bit of science, what can you do to help your plants??
1. Check to see if they are moist and have adequate water. Poke your finger down into the soil before you water. Dry on the top doesn’t mean it’s dry.
2. It’s better to water deeply than just a squirt! Water your container until water runs through the bottom of the pot. Don’t let your plants sit in a saucer of water for more than 20-30 minutes…especially in this weather, it would be like cooking them plus, the excess water doesn’t allow for oxygen uptake. You are drowning your plants!
3. Water early in the day or after dinner – this gives the leaves time to dry before the sun magnifies the water droplets on them and scorches them, or before they go into a cooler night wet – which promotes disease.
4.Keep as much water off the flowers and foliage as you can! Water at the soil level and don’t shower the plants – this will help with your water bill, too. On plants with big leaves and foliage, the water just runs off anyway.
5.Hanging baskets, window boxes and coco moss lined baskets will need to be watered more often. Wind often is the culprit of drying out your containers, too – sit them on the ground.
6.Yes – Fertilizer is a must! But only what is recommended on the label. Additional fertilizer is not good for the plants and can burn the roots. Because you are watering so much more during the hot times, you need to use a liquid fertilizer, so the plants have an opportunity to take up some food. Extra watering flushes out the nutrients quickly so they will need extra food.
7.Tom’s rule of fertilizing; Watering once a day, then fertilize once a week. Watering 2 or more times a day, then fertilize twice a week.
8.If you are able, move your containers and baskets into a spot that gets a break from the hot summer sun. Or for the next couple of days, just sit them in a shady area – remember to move them back after the heat wave.
9.Don’t be surprised if many of your annuals stop blooming for a while. That is normal – the plants are more concerned about surviving a taking up water than blooming! They will go back to blooming as the temperatures cool back down.
10.Expect to lose a couple of plants during extreme periods of heat…that’s one of the reasons, we grow annuals through the summer!
Just remember…Heat Happens in Missouri!!!
