Latest news with #plantcare
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
$3 Bunnings hack to keep your plants watered while you're away
It can be quite depressing returning home from a long holiday and discovering that your plants haven't exactly thrived while you've been away. Unless you organised a house sitter or planned for someone to take care of them in your absence, chances are you probably just gave your plants some extra water before you left and hoped for the best. Aussie mum and professional homemaker Sophie Webb recently shared a video on Instagram showcasing her 'hack' for keeping your plants watered while you're away. She created an 'easy drip system' by filling a ziplock bag with water, using a toothpick to poke a tiny hole in it, and placing it in her pot to let the water slowly drip out. RELATED: $3.49 Bunnings product professional cleaner swears by: 'Quickly and easily' Laundry expert weighs in on divisive washing hack: 'Will reduce time' $7 Aussie-made Bunnings product cleaner uses all over the house: 'Incredible' While Sophie's followers praised the 'brilliant idea' and said they can't wait to try it out, Sydney Plant Guy Jan Gettmann tells Yahoo Lifestyle he wouldn't recommend it. 'The idea in itself isn't bad, but the execution is terrible,' he shares. 'There needs to be some sort of valve or mechanism that controls the flow of water. The bag is just going to empty pretty quickly, causing your plant to sit in too much water, which will lead to root rot.' Jan explains that one of the best methods to keep your plants healthy while you're away is to install self-watering spikes that slowly release water over a period of time, and can be purchased on Amazon and at Bunnings. The hardware store sells an Indoor Drip Spike Twin Pack for $3.12, which allows you to simply attach a water bottle to create your own self-watering planter. 'The key aspect here is that you want to be able to control how much water is released and how long the release of water takes. This ensures consistent moisture levels and avoids overwatering and root rot,' he details. 'My understanding is that you can regulate how fast it drips via the little dial, and you can control how much water you use by choosing an appropriately sized bottle.' Although Jan is yet to try the Bunnings product himself, he's currently experimenting with different brands and encourages others to do the same before going away. 'Every plant has different watering needs based on the species, the size of the plant, the substrate, the pot size, the environment it's in, etc. So the calibration of this system is painful, but it will be more reliable in dispensing water over time compared to the plastic bag, which just empties straight away,' he says. 'Might as well just pour a glass of water over it and not ruin the plastic bag.' SHOP: 🧽 Aussie mum's $6 solution to most hated household chore: 'Incredible' ☀️ Tax laws to burn Aussies on summer essential: 'Many of us struggle' 💁♀️ The lash and brow oil that will save you hundreds at the salon He adds that he understands not everybody would be willing to go to this amount of effort for their plants, so it all depends on how passionate a grower you are. 'For me, this is my business, so I can't afford my plants to die while I'm away, so this is something I'd only use if I go away for a short amount of time and cannot find someone to help me out,' he continues. 'Sometimes it's not about hacks and tools, but all about community.'
Irish Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Irish Times
My coastal trees and shrubs were damaged by Storm Éowyn. What should I do?
I planted my garden with shrubs and trees which would tolerate salty conditions, living only a couple of hundred metres from the sea. All was well for more than 20 years, until Storm Éowyn. Now there is extensive damage, mostly on one side, to pittosporum, escallonia hedging, evergreen honeysuckle, variegated holly, choisya and viburnum. Most of the leaves have now died and fallen off. On the sheltered side the leaves appear to be undamaged. Should I cut back the damaged side or leave things be and hope there will be new growth later on in the year? Sheila Power, Co Clare While Storm Éowyn caused extensive damage to many established trees and shrubs throughout the country, this was especially the case with coastal gardens along Ireland's west and northern coastline where it hit particularly hard. As I'm sure you know, it's not just the speed and force of these kinds of violent gale force winds that can be so destructive, but also the salt they carry. Such was the exceptional force of Storm Éowyn that it carried salt very far inland, even to counties in the midlands where it could be seen as a white-grey layer on windows and plants the following day. In your own garden where plants are especially exposed to these very salty winds, the extensive damage to the windward side of your evergreen trees and shrubs was caused by the extremely high levels of salt deposits it left on their stems and foliage. This typically burns plant tissue and ruptures plant cells, resulting in browning and discolouration of leaves, dieback of buds and stems, delayed bud break and reduced plant vigour. The resulting shock to plant health is considerable, but the good news is that most will eventually recover. READ MORE As regards cutting back the bare stems, one of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to wait and see. Very often plants will eventually produce new growth after these kinds of extreme weather events, so long as they're given sufficient time to do so, a process of many months. In the meantime, you can check if stems and branches are still alive by using your fingernail to very gently scratch away a small section of the outer layer of the plant cambium. If you see green, this is a very good sign. If the bare stems and branches have remained pliable rather than becoming brittle and brown, this too is a good sign. You can also help your plants to make a full recovery by watering them very well, then sprinkling some slow-release pelleted organic fertiliser around the roots, followed by an organic mulch of home-made compost or well-rotted manure. Unfortunately, the likelihood of these kinds of extreme storms becoming more frequent is much greater because of climate change, so I'd also suggest that you consider increasing the size and depth of your garden's shelterbelt planting if possible. Along with the species that you're already growing, the following will all tolerate exposed seaside growing conditions; Olearia macrodonta; Fuchsia magellanica; Hippophae rhamnoides; Phormium tenax; Pinus nigra; Pinus radiata; Acer pseudoplatanus; Alnus glutinosa; Pinus mugo; and Crataegus sp.
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
The 8 hidden garden problems in that could be pointing to a MUCH bigger issue & it's bad news if yours has a weird smell
PATCHY lawns and annoying pests are just two of the problems you might encounter in your garden. But did you know there's a whole host of hidden ones that could be pointing to a much bigger issue in yours? 3 3 According to a gardening expert, one of the biggest signs is a weird smell in your green space - which could be an indicator of decay in your flowerbeds. "A strange smell in your garden can easily be overlooked but is a huge red flag as foul odours may indicate root rot or bacterial infections in your plants," Fiona Jenkins at explained. If you get a whiff of anything unusual in the garden, you should examine your plants for "any signs of disease or decay". "Addressing the root cause is crucial to preventing the problem from worsening, and your gardening habits may need adjusting," Fiona explained. Remove any decayed material, and use "appropriate treatments to stop the spread of infection". "Sometimes, plants may give off a natural scent, but you can never be too careful, and it is important to ensure that it is not indicative of a problem," Fiona concluded. Another sign of a hidden problem in your garden to look out for is yellowing leaves, as it's "an indicator of improper watering or nutrient deficiencies". "Overwatering can suffocate roots while underwatering dehydrates them, both leading to yellow leaves," Fiona said. "A lack of essential nutrients can also lie at the heart of the discolouration issue." To address the problem, have a look at your watering schedule - it might be that it "needs some simple tweaks". B&M launches their children's outdoor range which is perfect for summer - there's a £2 bargain that'll easily keep the kids entertained "If this doesn't solve the problem, it may be worth conducting a soil test to see what nutrients your plants are missing and invest in a good quality fertiliser to restore them to full health," she advised. A similar issue is pointed out by discoloured flowers, which can show that they are "in distress". "Environmental factors such as extreme heat or cold can cause discolouration, as can nutrient imbalances," Fiona said. "Start by evaluating the conditions – it may be as simple as adjusting sunlight exposure or providing more shade to the area. "A soil test will reveal any nutrient deficiencies, which can then be addressed with the right fertilisers to restore vitality." Japanese Knotweed, mould and mildew and annoying pests such as caterpillars and fruit flies can point to a bigger garden problem, as well as plants' stunted growth. The 8 hidden problems that could be pointing to a bigger issue in your garden GARDENING expert Fiona Jenkins at shares the early warning signs to look out in your garden for before the minor issues turn into major ones and prevent yours from thriving. This can indicate a root problem, which you can test for by "gently checking" the root. "Healthy roots should be white and firm," Fiona noted. "If rot is present, reduce your watering schedule and improve soil drainage as well as regularly inspecting for pests that may be targeting the roots. "By maintaining root health, you are ensuring that your plants have a strong foundation to support their growth." And lastly - one of the most obvious problems few gardens avoid - weeds. "Like many other garden plants, weeds thrive in the warm summer weather and could be taking away essential sunlight, water and nutrients from your beautiful summer flowers," Fiona said. "Applying a deep layer of mulch to your soil during the spring months can suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight and conserving soil moisture. "If you do see any weeds start to sprout, remove them promptly by hand, pulling them out or using garden tools to ensure that they do not regrow." 3
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Houseplant clinic: what kind of pots should I put my plants in?
What's the problem? I'm not sure which pots are better than others, or whether I can just leave my plants in their plastic nursery pots. Diagnosis Nursery pots – the plastic containers plants are often sold in – are typically designed for short-term use and can easily crack. Although choosing the right pot for your plants is about more than just aesthetics, I believe every plant deserves a great pot, the same way as a piece of art is enhanced by a great frame. A good pot can elevate your plant. Prescription If your plants are thriving, you can keep them in nursery pots. But consider repotting if they show signs of being rootbound, growth is slowing or water isn't draining properly. Terracotta pots are porous, promoting airflow and moisture evaporation. These work well for plants that don't like overwatering, such as cacti. Plastic or glazed ceramic pots are good for plants that need more moisture retention, such as ferns. Make sure your pots have drainage holes. Prevention You should never repot more than one pot size up. If the pot is too big for your plant, the soil will hold on to too much water, causing root rot.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts reveal the huge gardening mistake that is stopping your orchids from flowering
Many British gardeners enjoy keeping orchids in their homes thanks to their pleasant scent and ability to flourish in the UK's cooler climate. However, according to gardening experts, there is a mistake many people make which means the plants may never flower. Luckily, this mistake is very easy to rectify, and so frustrated orchid owners can finally enjoy their plant in bloom. It's all to do with how they are watered: when it comes to orchids, they take moisture from mist in the surrounding air - as opposed to taking it from water-soaked soil. As a result of this, it's easy to over water them, which is a common mistake made by orchid owners, according to the experts at DIY Everywhere. 'Orchids are epiphytes, meaning they naturally grow on trees and have adapted to receive moisture from the air rather than from soil,' they said. This means that soil which has a high water count can affect the plants. 'Overwatering can lead to root rot, which prevents the plant from absorbing the nutrients it needs to flower,' the experts explained. Being unable to absorb all the necessary nutrients means orchids are likely to suffer. And being nutrient starved can result in leaves turning yellow, developing black tips, and even falling off in the worst cases. But the experts at DIY Everywhere have suggested an easy way that plant fans can prevent this from happening. They suggest that after watering, people make sure that soil has thoroughly dried out before watering again. Alternatively, rather than pouring water into the soil, people can mist the plants with water. This is simple to do, by simply using a spray bottle filled with water. Another step keen gardeners can take is opting for the right kind of water for their orchids - the sensitive plants tend to fare better when water with an alkaline pH of between 5.5 to 6.5 is used. To achieve that, boiled or rainwater should be used, rather than water straight from the tap, which can contain too many minerals that are damaging to orchids. These include fluoride and chlorine. According to gardening expert Monty Don, there are a number of other things to bear in mind when trying to cultivate the plants. He has previously said: 'Orchids have something of a reputation for being demanding and even downright tricky, but in fact some are very easy indeed, and most are not too difficult if you get the basics right.' Ideally, the plants should be kept at 15-20°C at night and 20-30°C during the day, he said. They do not fare well if they are too cold, or too hot. He added: 'Orchids need light to trigger flowering, but they can scorch, so never put them on a south-facing windowsill – a west- or east-facing one is ideal, or set back in a bright room. Each flower spike can bear over a dozen flowers and will last for months. 'But once it is spent – and has not produced new flowers for a week or two – cut back the spike to the first node. This will stimulate a fresh side shoot, which will develop flowers.' When the roots spill out, it's time to repot them, he added. Gardeners should gently untangle the roots, before cutting off any shrivelled or damaged sections and shortening the healthy white roots to about 12cm. Should the plant fit in the same pot, it should be returned to it: if it doesn't fit, it should be moved to a slightly larger container. 'Use proper orchid potting compost, which contains very coarse bark chippings,' he added. 'Hold the plant in position and fit the bark chippings around the roots so that the plant is really firm.' When it comes to watering plants, he advised: 'The best way to water orchids is to soak them once a week, ideally with rainwater, then let them drain completely. Don't worry if they seem totally dry in between. However, as with many tropical houseplants, a daily misting is always beneficial.'
