Clinton News-Record, 1985-4-17, Page 69How about a nice little drink?
If plants could talk, they would tell you
when they're thirsty.
But, since they can't, watering is one of the
most common plant problems, and it's up to
you to recognize some of the signs that
indicate exactly when it's watering time.
WHAT'S TOO MUCH?
Most plants need constant moisture in
their root area for best growth. The soil
should be pleasantly damp -not oozing with
mud, and certainly not dusty dry. However,
you have to be particularly careful because
over -watering is as harmful as not giving
nough.
What exactly is too much water?
Since roots need a growing medium in
which air can move freely to bring oxygen to
the plant, and remove carbon dioxide, too
much water will cut off the air supply by
filling the pores in the soil. The longer the
air is cut off, the greater the damage to the
roots.
On the other hand, you have to be sure to
give your plant enough water, or it will have
to work too hard to grow. And, if you wait too
long, it will start to wilt, and look withered;
then you've got a problem.
If this occurs, don't despair. Just sink the
plant, container and all, in a pail of water or
in the sink, and wait until the soil is
thoroughly moist. Then drain off the excess
water and put your potted pal back in its
usual spot.
In just a few days it will look as good as
new.
Rather than wait for your plant to fall
apart to see if you're watering properly, try
Container -grown
plants versatile
and convenient
gging your finger into the earth about an
inch. If the soil feels pleasantly damp, the
water supply should last at least 24 hours.
If your finger is coated with water or mud,
don't add any more water for a while. If,
however, the soil feels like powder, add
water quickly.
If all this sounds a bit confusing, or you
just don't want to take any chances, there
are moisture sensitive dip sticks available at
most garden centres, like Ortho's "Water
Reminder," which will tell you exactly when
it's time to water.
And, as long as the soil is well -drained,
overwatering and underwatering will rarely
be a problem.
Water Reminders get rid of the headache
of when to water, because they're so easy to
use. Generally speaking, one stick should be
used for each plant in a container not larger
than 12" in diameter.
Just insert your Water Reminder into the
soil to the depth indicated by the line on the
stick, and place it as close to the stem of the
plant as possible. Then, water thoroughly,
allow the excess to drain off and discard it.
CONSTANT REMINDER
W ithin minutes after watering, depending
on the composition of your soil, the word
"moist" will appear on the Water Reminder
and remain as long as the moisture in the
soil is sufficient. When the word "moist"
vanishes, it's time to water again. You can
use this process for at least 45 waterings.
E xaetly how often to water is very difficult
to determine, because it depends on so many
variables -the plant itself, the soil, the
container, the weather, etc.
Another common problem found in
watering is the temperature of the water.
Water should always be mom temperature
or tepid -never hot and never cold.
With water problems down the drain, your
plant should thrive, healthy and happy. And
on the subject of drains, be sure that the
water drains properly.
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By Glen L,amis
Department of Horticultural Science
University of Guelph
Container nursery stock is becoming
increasingly popular with growers and
gardeners because it offers versatility and
convenience.
For the nursery grower or producer,
container plants havd several advantages.
Container -growing requires less land area
per plant, and does not require fertile soil.
Even marginally productive agricultural land
can be used, providing the surface drainage
i§ good, because plants are grown in pots
above the ground.
Perhaps the most important advantage of
container -growing is that plants can be sold
and transported at any time of the year.
Fleld-grown plants, however, must be
transplanted in the spring or fall.
(Continued on Page 35)
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(Continued from Page 30)
before the new roofing materials are
installed. An impermeable type of insulating
board, like urethane or extruded polystyrene,
is a good choice because it also acts as a
vapour barrier, Make sure the soffit vents in
the original roof are closed off to prevent air
from getting in under the new insulation.
The alternative and more complex optionis
to build a new frame roof on top of the original
roof, filling the new rafter cavities with batt
insulation. Leave 64 mm (2,2 inches) of
unobstructed space for ventilation between
the batts and the new roof sheathing. Don't
forget that an air -vapour barrier should be
laid on the existing roof, below the insulation,
unless there's one already present.
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