It was that I'd water everything heavily once I remembered (every 2-3 weeks), then forget for another 2-3 weeks. My plants were either drowning or in a drought, never just normal.
The fix was embarrassingly simple: small amounts, regular schedule. I now water less per session but more consistently and I haven't lost a plant in 8 months.
Wish someone had told me this when I started instead of all the obsessive light/humidity/soil discourse.
by Temporary-Carrot-363
7 Comments
The plants need water
Depends on the plant, its needs and the amount of sun it gets etc – some plants like to be fully soaked then dry out completely in between.
I think forgetting to water is the most common beginner mistake lol. We all do it when starting out. And then we have to figure out how often each plant needs to be watered and what each plants signs of needing water are, they’re just so different and have so many different needs.
I will say though, if giving them a bunch of water in a single session is hurting them, then they’re not in the right kind of soil. You should be watering them until the water pours out of the drain holes, that way you can ensure all of the roots have access to water. Over watering doesn’t have anything to do with the amount you give per session, but rather how frequently you water them.
Most plants need to be FILLED (as plants with Krystal says, “drown that hoe!”), all of the soil should be situated, no dry spots (which can turn your soil hydrophobic and create pockets that won’t take in water, which is not good). But if your soil is holding onto moisture for too long, to the point that you limit how much water you give in a single watering, then it’s not the right kind of soil. For example, cacti and succulents like a really chunky soil with lots of inorganics that drains quickly, tropicals like airy soil but with better moisture retention, etc. Basically, mimicking their natural environment.
I’m curious about what other kinds of plants you have??
> water less per session
Who’s gonna tell them?
Your Livistona chinensis needed literal gallons passing in and out of it multiple times a week in a loose mix with ample drainage.
Palms are all I grow indoors. Ask me anything 😜
https://preview.redd.it/b52l8rod44zg1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=01c1ac4ecefa5053696835bc16110ebfd7c274d0
As a beginner self-watering vases changed my life, they’re very expensive though.
I don’t think your conclusions are right, plant friend. Every different type of plant has different needs, and also it depends on substrate, light and ambient conditions. Watering on a schedule usually does not end well. Being watered shallowly is also not what many plants prefer.
Instead do research about what each plant needs and learn to read the signs they give to decide on when to water. Once you know how wet or dry your plants prefer to be, feeling the weight of the pot to determine how dry/wet they currently are and using your finger to feel it are useful techniques.