How do you water plants while on vacation??

[DawnCt1]

I have three plants that I water weekly. We will be gone two and a half weeks. I don't wan to trouble anyone with having to come in and water then and they are really to large to move easily. In the past, I have gotton them good and moist prior to leaving. Then I take a 2 liter coke bottle, fill it with water and turn it upside down, putting the bottle opening into the plant pot soil. As the plant dries out, the water seeps into the plant. When I come home, the plant is still alive and the bottle is empty. Does anyone have a better method? Thanks,

 

[Planogirl]

I'm wondering why the water doesn't continue to run out of the bottle. I guess that the moist dirt holds it back. But I've been wondering what to do too and this sounds like a great idea. I've heard of self watering planters but I've never tried one.

One thing I will do is carry all of my plants (including potted outdoor plants) into my bathroom and leave them locked in there with the light on. It's too hot in Texas to leave them out all of that time without care.

 

[jipsy]

There are these granules you can buy - I think they are called water grabber - you mix in with the potting soil. They help the soil retain moisture.

Water your plants thoroughly. If the leaves can get wet, I usually do this in the tub. Move your plants into the shade so they don't bake in the hot sun while you are gone. For smaller plants, fill a tray with pebbles and water and set the plants in it. For larger plants, set a bucket of water next to them, then put kerosene lamp wicks into the soil of the plants and the other end into the bucket. How big the bucket needs to be depends on the size of your pots and the number of plants, but I usually count on about 2 gallons per plant.

You can also buy small drip irrigations systems with a timer, but that's obviously more expensive.

The easiest is to just pay someone to come in while you are gone and do it for you.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Planogirl
I'm wondering why the water doesn't continue to run out of the bottle. I guess that the moist dirt holds it back. But I've been wondering what to do too and this sounds like a great idea. I've heard of self watering planters but I've never tried one.

.

The moist dirt does hold the water back but you really have to burrow a little hole to accommodate the top of the bottle and move quickly to submerge it. Try it before you leave so you can see how long it takes to empty. I think I will try it this week. We are going to HAWAII in ten days. Can't wait!

 

[SetzKitten]

I read about this method but haven't tried it. Take a small terra cotta pot (I'm guessing it would hold about a cup of water)and plug up the bottom hole. Dig a hole in the dirt and place the pot in the hole. Fill it with water. Cover the top of the plant with a piece of cork, cutting a hole in the middle for the plant to stick out of it. The water should slowly seep out of the sides of the terra cotta pot and the cork keeps the top soil from drying out.

 

[HollyJoy]

Water Worm

 

[RAZ24]

Dawn-
Sorry OT- also going to Hawaii in a couple of weeks. Any last minute websites you found useful or any info. would love to hear about them.

I ask a friend to water our plants.

Christine

 

[DawnCt1]

I like Fodors. Which islands are you going to? I always check the lava flow at the Volcano's National park website. Frommer's is okay but isn't as easily navigated. We leave a week from this Wednesday. Can't wait! DH and I are taking a small plane to Molokai from Kapalua and then mule riding down to the Kaulapapa pennisula.

 

[DawnCt1]

I like the water worm idea. I wonder if they have them at any of the garden shops. I don't have the time to send for one at this point.

 

[RAZ24]

Dawn-we are leaving the 28th. Will be in Maui (Kapalua) the first 6 nights and The Big Island (Hualalai) the las 6 nights. I will check out the volcano website.

Only ressie I made is younger DD swimming w/ the dolphins. Are you doing a luau? Which one?

Thanks-
Christine

 

[DawnCt1]

Hi Christine, We will be at the Hale Koa for the first three days in Honolulu and then we are off to the Big Island for five days at the Hilton Waikaloa Village. My DS swam with th dolphins there on our first Hawaiian vacation. It was a highlight. After than we will be off to Maui, Ka'anapali for 7 days at the Marriott. Our first luau will be at the Hale Koa, military rates $32 pp, and then on Maui at the Marriott. I have boys, they like fire dancers, which are Polynesian but not Hawaiian. Which Hotel will you be at on "da big island"?

 

[Beastlover]

How about a really long hose??



Seriously, I have the neighbor water the plants....

 

[aprilgail2]

I usually put them outside under the porch for shade and let the automatic sprinklers water them as they water the grass every morning.

 

[Jockaroo]

There is a device (hard to find though) that screws onto the opening of 2 liter soda bottles. It is a hollow spike and it has holes in it. Mine are green and came from Lowe's Home Improvement--few years ago. You water the plant thoroughly, then invert the filled water bottle and ram the spike in the soil. As the soil dries out, water will slowly trickle out. The key is to make sure the water is really activated--you have to squeeze the bottle a few times and get air bubbles out.

I have mixed the water saver granuals into my soil. Some of my plants have saucers that I fill with water and let the plant take the water from the bottom (only works if planter has drainage holes). Most of my plants are lipstick vines or goldfish vines and do well being watered from the base.

I try to avoid watering indoor plants more than every 10 days. That way if I am gone for 2 weeks they will do just fine using these methods. It won't work for all plants though!

 

[RAZ24]

Dawn-staying at the 4 seasons on the big island.
Sounds like we might be in maui at the same time.
The luau in maui that you"re doing sounds like it's the one for my 17 yr old son.
Anyway, have a great time. This will be our first visit to Hawaii. Any last minute advice before we go, let me know.
Thanks for the info.

Good luck with your plants.

Christine