What is the best way to keep container plants from drying out?
Question:What can I put in the pot with my container plants to keep them from drying out?
Answers:
Repot using vermiculite, or the granules that swell when wet, both methods retain water longer.
Get overnight disposable diapers. Soak them for at least 1 hour in water. Put the whole wet diaper in the very bottom of the container and fill with soil. plus moisture granules Water the soil really well, wait an hour and water again and then plant your flowers.
You still have to keep watering your plants but they won't dry out as completely.
Also add mulch to the top of the pot to retain moisture.
put a bottle of waterthat you have put small holes in the bottom of and the water will slowly drip out and keep the plant watered,not holes that are too big,use a push pin or thumb tack, put 2-3 holes that should do it and unscrew the top not all the way, so the bottle can breathe and the water can flow,just watch the water,if its comming out too fast tighten the top a little
Moisture retention granules are great for holding the water and then slowly releasing it back into the soil as it dries out. Remember to place granules about 2" below the surface so that the water is released to the roots where it is needed. Besides, when the granules swell with water they look like big clumps of white goo on top of the soil where they aren't serving any useful purpose. You can get this from any garden centre.
Cut a sponge into small pieces and mix it into the soil. It absorb water and release it as the plant dries.
Also if your container plants are drying out to quickly you should check to make sure they are not root bound. Too much root and not enough dirt.
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