 I hope you spent some time thinking like a plant. Today we have an exercise that requires you to become a plant.
On any hot day, go outside around 9 am and find a plant you admire. It can be a flower, a bush, a vegetable...whatever is handy. Stand or sit by the plant. Stay there as long as you possibly can. Try to stay by its side for 4 hours.
What's one of the first things that creeps into your mind after, oh, 15 minutes or so?
Right! "I'm thirsty."
This lesson is about water. All plants need water. Some need just a very little bit every so often. Some need a drink once a week. Some want water every day. Some plants even live in ponds, taking in water continuously.
If you get one thing from this lesson, remember that plants need water. Inside your house (or outdoors in containers), they are unable to get it themselves. You must do it for them. Sometimes you even need to water plants that live outdoors in the ground. Really!
If you get two things from this lesson, remember that plants need water and that each plant has different tastes. Get the tag out that came with your plant from the store. What does it say about water? Lots of it? Just a bit? How much have you been giving your plant? The tag wasn't written for fun...pay attention and try to follow what it says and your plant will be happy.
OK, so now you know that you must water the plant on a regular basis, but you are afraid you will give it too much or too little and kill it, right? Relax. I've got you covered.
To water properly, all you have to do is pay attention to your plant and it will tell you what it needs. Look at your plant. Really look at it. Does it look healthy and happy? Things are probably fine. Does it look like it is drooping, or becoming parched? Does it look thirsty? Water it.
You can feel the soil, or even lift the pot and see if it feels wet (heavy) or dry (light and airy). Does the plant look bloated? Have you been watering a lot, but the plant gets sicker and sicker looking? Maybe it is getting too much water.
Think like a plant! Pay attention to what you do, and how it responds.
I like to make a routine once I know what my plants like. I have one in a window that likes shady conditions and very moist soil, so I water it every day or two, and spray its leaves with a mister when I think of it. I have another plant that wants almost no water. When I gave it too much, it turned pale and yellow. I cut back to watering it just a little bit once a week and it is much happier.
Finally, here is my last-chance watering method. If you are totally clueless and are completely freaked out by the idea of watering (why did you buy this plant, anyway?), try this: each time it rains, or snows, soak the plant. It won't always work, but it might keep a few things alive long enough for you to figure out what to really be doing.
Lesson 3: Dirt!
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