Do you have any trips and trick to water plants when you are away
By sofs
@sofssu (23660)
October 16, 2015 1:10am CST
I have a house full of plants, my balconies are full and my terrace is almost full.. I will be away for a few days and I am stuck as the person who promised to come and water my plants has now said that he is busy. I have no chance of finding someone to help in this new area at such short notice.
It hasn't rained in the last few days and its blazing hot once again.. I am stuck as I know I might lose some plants when I come back. 
I have stuck soda bottles of water with pin holes in them to keep some plants alive.. I have used sponges on the others but I don't know how long that will keep the roots moist..
Do you have any tips and tricks?
Have you had anyone letting you down at the last minute leaving you all troubled and anxious?
I have stuck soda bottles of water with pin holes in them to keep some plants alive.. I have used sponges on the others but I don't know how long that will keep the roots moist..
Do you have any tips and tricks?
Have you had anyone letting you down at the last minute leaving you all troubled and anxious?11 people like this
11 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
16 Oct 15
We have a good neighbor who will water our outsides plants if there is no rain while we're away. Inside, I keep the blinds closed so that the house stays cooler, water them well before we leave and they are fine. I'm talking about a week, no longer.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
•
20 Oct 15
@AbbyGreenhill Lucky you.. 
I wasn't so worried about the plants inside.. sponges were enough to take care of them.. the ones on my terrace troubled me the most and and I am happy to see most of them doing well except for a gourd and some sunflowers.
I wasn't so worried about the plants inside.. sponges were enough to take care of them.. the ones on my terrace troubled me the most and and I am happy to see most of them doing well except for a gourd and some sunflowers.1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
20 Oct 15
@sofssu Before we had a neighbor to help, we used to take the hanging plants down and put them in the shade, water them good and pray it rained for the veggie garden.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
16 Oct 15
yepperz, had a delay in goin' home when needed coz somebody backed outta tendin' my herd 'n it took a few days to find a replacement...but we'll not go there.
's fer those plants? sounds like ya got a good system set up. 'nother thingy ya can try is to put a 'wick' in each plant 'n attach such to jugs'f water. they'll soak up what's needed.
's a future precaution, ya can use that gel schtuff that's in diapers. mix it in with yer pottin' soil. it'll hold water 'til needed 'n usually lasts a couple'f years. that way ya aint gotta worry 'bout o'er/'r under waterin'.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
•
16 Oct 15
@crazyhorseladycx I love the wick and the diaper idea.. I used diapers for the plants in my patio.. the afternoon sun directly hits that part of the house. It works well with those plants.
I will use the wick.. on some plants .. i didn't think of that.
I am still upset at this guy for waiting till the last minute to tell me he can't be here.
I am still upset at this guy for waiting till the last minute to tell me he can't be here.1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
•
20 Oct 15
@crazyhorseladycx Hmm that is even worse,, and that too with living creatures.. how did you manage that?
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
17 Oct 15
@sofssu last time that happened here, i was 'bout 300 miles down the road 'n'd to turn 'round
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
16 Oct 15
Just one. Have someone stop by and water once a week.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
•
20 Oct 15
@ElizabethWallace That is exactly what I tried and the guy was to to help me backed out at the last minute. Once a week is not enough .. we need to water some plants at least once a day.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
•
24 Oct 15
@ElizabethWallace small they aren't.. anyways they survived.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Oct 15
@sofssu Once a day? Yikes. Good luck with that. Maybe, if they are small, take them to a neighbors so they will have it easier.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Oct 15
I am going away for a few days too.
I do not as many plants, but I do have some plants to worry over.
These are the potted vegetables. I pluck off all the leaves today, so the pots look bare, and ugly.
I am sure when I return, the vegetables will grow again.
As long as the soil retains the moisture, and the roots do not die, they will grow after a good watering when I return.
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
19 Oct 15
Thankfully I've never had anyone back out of helping once they've said yes. I usually just water them extra good before I leave and when I get back. If it's only a couple of days that might be good enough. Longer than that and it won't be. Good luck, I hope all the plants survive.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
•
16 Oct 15
@boiboing I have planned for some plants to be kept in the garage. That is last resort for me.. which mean carrying them down and up again .. but its better than having them dry up and die on me. Thanks for chipping in with more ideas..
I hadn't though of the bathroom.. I may have to do some floor protection before i put plants there..
I hadn't though of the bathroom.. I may have to do some floor protection before i put plants there..1 person likes this
@NeldaHoxie (1381)
• United States
16 Oct 15
I take my indoor plants and put them outside in the summer. Let Mother Nature water them. In the winter I do the soda bottles. My life is pretty boring, I am only usually gone a few days.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
•
20 Oct 15
@NeldaHoxie some of those are huge bushes which would make it impossible to carry into the house. Thankfully they seem okay with all the tips given here.
