Watering for indoor plants plays an important role. Proper care is the key to good growth and abundant flowering. Often, in recommendations for caring for home plants, experts advise using regular and moderate watering. But how to water all the flowers on time, especially if there are more than 15 of them? In this case, you can pay attention to wick watering. It is about this method of soil moisture that will be discussed in this article.
Features of wick watering
Many gardeners love small plants that grow in small pots with a loose substrate. Hirits, senpolis, achimenes, descriptions, gloxinia and other flowers must be watered every other day. If you have only a few of these plants, then you can still cope with their watering. But if the collection is large or you have to go on vacation for a week, the problem of watering becomes quite acute. In this case, experts recommend paying attention to wick watering. This method provides water and all the nutrients of the plant on time. The liquid rises along a synthetic cord to the roots of plants. So, how to make wick watering?
Advantages and disadvantages
Wick watering is used by many growers. This method of care has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Watering plants is minimized: 1-2 times a month.
- Plants grow actively and bloom faster.
- The roots do not dry out, because they get the necessary amount of water.
- You can leave home for a long period without worrying about your home green garden.
- Such plants bloom profusely, luxuriantly and brightly, in comparison with other plants. Buds and flowers are larger.
Minuses:
- The vital activity of these plants is faster, so their aging is faster.
- In a room with high humidity and air temperature below + 18 ° , there is a risk of developing fungal diseases and decay of the root system.
Growing plants on a wick in a land mixture
First of all, you need to choose the soil that is suitable for a particular plant. For the manufacture of wick watering of plants, it is necessary that perlite occupies 35-40% of its volume, which ensures loosening of the soil. Fertilizing on the wick can be done in the usual way, applying the solution in small doses, watering the soil from above. But make sure that fertilizers do not get into the water with a wick watering tank. You can use foliar top dressing.
Be sure to watch the plant. If the leaves have become discolored or yellow, it is better to transplant the plant into a new soil.
Growing in a landless mixture
Many flower growers also use the method of growing plants on a wick in a landless mixture. In this case, the soil will consist of perlite and peat, taken in equal proportions. Such a mixture practically does not contain nutrients, therefore, when wickly irrigating violets, all plants are grown in special containers with a nutrient solution. In this case, such fertilizers are often used: Kemira Lux, Etisso, Pokon.
To create a nutrient solution, it is necessary to study the manufacturer's recommendations. For example, for the manufacture of a nutrient solution from the Etisso Hydro fertilizer, 3 ml of the product should be used per 1 liter of water.
Wick Cord
Having decided to make wick irrigation yourself, you need to pay special attention to the choice of cord. It must be made of synthetic material. This eliminates the possibility of decay of the material.
The cord should conduct water well. To do this, just take a small piece of material and immerse its tip in water. He should get wet quickly.
On a flower pot with a diameter of 9 cm, you must use a cord with a diameter of 1.5-2 mm. The cord must be long enough to reach the bottom of the container.
After installing the wick cord, it is necessary to check how wet the earthen lump is during the first 2 weeks. Note whether the plant turgor changes, whether the water in the tank decreases.
If the soil in the pot is dry, an additional cord must be drawn. If the soil, on the contrary, is waterlogged, it is necessary to observe the plant for several days. Perhaps you have chosen too thick a cord or the root system of plants is not too developed.
Watering tank
Tanks for plants and for the accumulation of water should be made of plastic. They are easy to wash and disinfect if necessary.
As a container, you can use a plastic disposable cup or container with a lid with a hole. It is better to use transparent containers. So monitor the water level.
A plastic tray with a grate can be used as a total capacity.
Some gardeners notice that green algae appear on the walls of the water tank. They are not dangerous to the plant. Simply wash the container thoroughly.
How to put the cord in the pot
There are several ways to lay the cord in a flower pot.
In some sources, it is recommended to lay the cord on the bottom, twisting it in a circle.
But experienced flower growers recommend stretching the wick diagonally.
In the middle of the bottom of the flower pot, you need to make a hole for pulling the cord. Pay attention to this, because most manufacturers of pots make holes in the bottom on the sides. In this case, soil wetting will be uneven, which means that the root system will not develop properly.
With an uneven arrangement of the wick, only one side of the plant can receive moisture. For example, the roots of a streptocarpus, improperly planted and located, on the one hand can dry out, which will affect its aerial parts. So the plant can die at all.
Features of wick watering
When planting a plant in a pot, never compact the soil. After all, air is also important for a plant, like water. As a planting mixture, it is better not to use a large amount of horse peat. After all, it will be difficult to moisten. How to make wick watering of violets correctly?
As a drainage layer, it is better to use a synthetic winterizer. It is chemically neutral, conducts both water and air well. Coarse perlite can also be used. The net at the bottom of the pot will not allow him to get enough sleep.
A plant will be able to absorb enough water if its root system is well developed. After transplanting, it is advisable to place the plant in a greenhouse for 2 weeks. After 1-2 weeks under normal conditions, it is better to keep the flower in normal watering. It is advisable that the liquid is in the pan so that the earthen lump does not condense.
For a good development of the root system, you can use a solution of zircon or ecogel. Only a grown plant can be transferred to wick watering.
Reviews and recommendations of gardeners
Wick watering accelerates the course of all plant vital processes. They grow faster, bloom actively and abundantly, and age quickly. Soil often needs to be changed, due to deposits of salts that can be found at the edges of the flower pot.
Wick watering orchids is also successfully practiced. This method allows you to get abundant flowering plants in a short period of time.
There are flower growers who bring the plants on the wick to the moment of flowering, and then transfer them to normal mode. So they can quickly verify the correct varietal color. Deciding to do the same, do not forget to transplant the plant into a nutritious new soil.
Reviews gardeners avoid mistakes in growing plants. For example, at the bottom of the pot it is recommended to leave the date of planting. So you can determine when the plant needs a transplant.
Wick watering violets
Violet is the favorite of many gardeners. This plant is quite picky in terms of watering. Therefore, for many, wick soil irrigation is an ideal option. Less problems in care, abundant flowering of your favorite plants.
So, we will take a step-by-step look at the stages of creating wick watering for violets:
- We select the correct cord.
- We are preparing a container with a polyethylene lid wider than the diameter of the pot.
- We pass the wick through the hole in the pot, after having previously placed a piece of mosquito net on the bottom.
- Pour a layer of drainage (polystyrene, expanded clay, vermiculite).
- We lay out the cord in a circle around the diameter of the pot.
- We fall asleep the soil.
- We transplant the plant.
- We close the container with a plastic lid, making a hole for the wick in its center.
- The lower edge of the cord is lowered into a container with standing water. In this case, 1/3 of the wick is in the water, 1/3 - between the soil and water, 1/3 - inside the pot.
Equipping wick watering for violets is quite simple. And after a while you can enjoy the result of your labors.
Conclusion
Wick watering is an easy way to create the right conditions for the development of plants. Especially if they grow in small pots with loose earth. Thanks to the correct placement of the wick system, your plants will bloom profusely, fragrant and delight you.