I have a problem, and that is not being able to travel with so many plants that need to be watered. I have over 300 plants inside. Last year I lost so many plants and this year I do not want that to happen. I have been looking at some watering systems online and do not mind paying for a good product if it is reasonably priced. I just do not know what to buy. What do the rest of you do when you travel? How do you get your plants watered? Please help.
Jesse
What to do when you travel?
I never leave our home. Lot's of things can be done. Maybe the travlers can help you Jesse :))
Well, I do a few things. For my indoor plants, I had my best friend check on plants. A week before I left, i gave her a crash course on AV's and begonias. (I easily have 300 plans/leaves etc).
I explained everything in detail and made a chart for watering. Lucky for me, while I was wandering around Florida, California was getting steady rain for like 7 days, so the temps were low and things didn't dry out too fast.
So you could always train some friend to watch them for you.
For outdoor plants, I have things on a drip system with a timer. Same with my greenhouse. I put in an overhead sprinkler on a timer.
I didn't leave the indoor plants up to my DH because he was too busy. My best friend did a super job, and underwatered vs over watering. A few things were to dry (chirita) but it bounced back and I didn't lose any plants.
But no one will love your babies the same as you.
I think you could get a very big suite case.
Laurie had a big suit case when she traveled . lol
There is an article on what to do when you travel in the March/April Issue of the AVSA
oohhh... watching my mailbox now!
One thing I try to do to make it easier for somebody else to water myriad plants while I'm away is to put all smaller pots into plastic trays (like the standard nursery 1020 flats), preferably with a mesh tray nested inside, in order to facilitate bottom watering. My plants can all get by with a good soaking once a week, and even 10 days is OK since I use "moisture crystals" in my potting mix for nearly everything. I tell the person watering them to put plenty of water into the trays, and by the time they are done pouring 10 gallons of water into the big pots (which I gather all into the morning room so nobody has to search the house for plants), the smaller pots have soaked up all they can and are ready to have extra water poured out of their trays.
Whatever you can do to simplify the task... grouping plants, putting the "right" amount of water in a jug next to the plant, etc, will really facilitate things, especially if whoever is helping you isn't much of a "plant person."
If you're trying to have the plants survive on their own, wicking or capillary mats can help deliver water from a reservoir... Some folks put all their plants in the tub on top of folded towels (to keep the plants from sitting in a pond), then put a couple inches of water into the bottom of the tub.
There are also drip irrigation systems deigned for pots and containers outside (eg, on a patio)... If your climate permits, moving plants outside would allow you to use one of these systems... I'd be leery of hooking it up indoors, because malfunctions could lead to impressive flooding by the time you return, but perhaps there are low pressure systems that would be appropriate for in-home use.
did you see Nanna's New thread ? seems it would be good for travling ?
Oh let me check that out.
Jesse