Well, that's it! Dresses and shorts are out, ice-cream vendors are out too, and metro journeys are unbearable (more than usual, I mean...): no doubt, it's finally summer! You might say, about time... Only I, who easily get caught off guard, am leaving tomorrow for a week and hadn't planned this avalanche of sunshine... In short, panic: how will my plants cope without regular watering?
Some of you may be in the same situation as me. Leaving for a few days? Here are a few last-minute tips to limit the damage:
Gather plants in the shade
Your plants will cope better with lack of water if they are in the shade, which seems obvious. Do not hesitate to move them to a more suitable spot: a better-oriented window, a corner under an awning. You can also use solar protection in the form of filtering screens (fabric shade cloth, reed screens...). They will considerably reduce the negative effects by removing direct sun that can be fatal. You could also bring some indoors. It's not ideal, but if you really have no choice, it can prevent unnecessary heat stress for plants that tolerate a more confined atmosphere.
Place saucers under pots
Many of us remove saucers for aesthetic reasons, but believe me, this is a question of survival. Ignore the look (after all, only your neighbours will have to put up with it 😉 ) and put a water reserve under each pot. The aim is to make a good store of water before you leave.
Water very regularly a few days beforehand
Of course it all depends on the plant concerned (cactus lovers, this isn't for you!), but thorough watering will help the plant tolerate a prolonged absence. Personally, I made sure not to miss a single watering (unlike usual...), preferably early in the morning or late in the evening. If you're at home, it's easy to fix a missed watering. If you're away, it's better that the plant is as robust as possible to face future heat and water shortages.
Likewise, don't hesitate to "bassin" your most fragile plants (this also applies to houseplants). A prolonged soak of the pot in a water tray allows the plant to hydrate deeply, which is very beneficial.
Finally, don't skip the very last watering, just before you leave. This final care can really make a difference. It will prolong plant hydration as much as possible, leaving them to wait for your return or a providential rain... Ideally, proceed twice: give a first generous watering. Then after half an hour, check pots and planters again. At that point, top up water for the plants that have already absorbed everything: besides deeply rehydrating the rootball, you can be sure the plants will be fully watered.
Watering tip: the perforated water bottle
This trick is very simple: recycle a mineral water bottle to make a water reserve. Once turned upside down and with a small hole pierced in the cap, you can place it at each pot and planter. The bottle will return water to the plant slowly and regularly. It's the good old drip technique! It can really help for a last-minute departure.
There you go! I hope these few tips have helped. Of course, you can still rely on a friendly neighbour to look after your little darlings, but it's better to organise for next time. For example, favour drought-tolerant varieties (sedum, santoline, gaura, nepeta....). And don't skimp on tricks that make all the difference: for example at Promesse de Fleurs, you can find the stockosorb, a water-retainer that significantly reduces watering, absorbing the water and releasing it when required... Magical, isn't it?
Right then, I'm off to do some waterings... 😉
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