Holiday time’s here…yippee! And if you’re lucky you’re off somewhere special, mind you a week or two off is always enjoyable even if it’s not at the most glamorous resort in the world.
Myself I’m having a “stay-cation” which these days I love, mainly because I’ve rather over-dosed on hotels and being away from home (huh work!) and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
If you are going away don’t forget the plants in your “to do list”, you know the one… empty fridge of perishables, unplug non essentials, let the neighbour know etc. If you’re lucky you’ll have a user friendly neighbour / friend who pops in regularly to water plants, check on the house and pick up the post, if not there’s a few simple things you can do so you don’t come home to half dead plants.
First off make sure ALL plants are well watered before you go which of course is key for ones in containers – inside and out. Outside containers that are in an open sunny place are best moved somewhere less sunny – ideally in dappled light – so they don’t dry out so quickly; also stand them in trays so if there is any rain or they’re watered it catches the excess. If you want to splash out and make life really easy install drip irrigation, ideal for containers, greenhouses and those special plants. Top notch systems are fully automated with a programmer (working off the outside tap) or the more simple version that works by gravity.
You could go for a cheap and cheerful, if basic DIY alternative using large plastic soft-drinks bottles, cut the bottom off, pierce a small hole in the lid, place upside down next to the plant or in the container (that you want to water) – fill and the water will slowly drip out. Couple of tips – you may need to dig it in slightly to make it stable and it’s sometimes worth putting gauze in the neck to stop the hole in the lid blocking.
With your house plants (once watered), move large ones into the centre of a cooler more shady room, and the smaller ones can stand in the bath or kitchen sink on an old water soaked towel, you may need to shade them from direct sun light. One other tip – best not to clean the bath / sink with lots of bleach (etc.) just before you go, the plants can react badly to the fumes. A little prep means your plants will be just as happy and content as you on your hols!