Inadequate amounts of water can stress even the smallest of bedding plants. This can lead to the oldest leaves showing symptoms by yellowing, drying out and falling off the plant, while flowers can start to curl and wither. In prolonged periods of dry weather, inadequate watering can also cause root damage, which can lead to premature death of the plant.
It is therefore important to ensure you have a good watering regime for your bedding plants throughout the dry period, to ensure their prolonged health and maintained appearance.
When to Water
Ideally, you should water plants early in the morning to avoid evaporation loss during the day. On warm summer days, evening watering is also effective, the dry soil soaking the water in readily. Also, the low humidity at night also reduces risk of disease. Avoid watering plants in the heat of the day, as hot, sunny conditions can lead to the marking or “burning” of flowers and leaves.
The Need for Watering
To determine the need for watering, inspect the soil at a spade’s depth. If the soil feels damp, there is unlikely to be any need to water, but if it is dry, then watering is probably required for some plants. Be aware that clay soils can feel damp even when all available water has been used and that sand soils can feel dry even if some water is available.
Bedding Plants in Pots & Containers
For bedding plants in pots and containers, the compost looking paler in colour or feeling dry to the touch with the pot becoming lighter in weight, and consequently more prone to blowing over, are all signs that the compost is beginning to dry out and is in need of water.
How to Water
It is better to water before a drought really sets in. This will maintain soil moisture levels even and avoid a soil moisture deficit building up.
Once drought has set in, it is futile to try and remedy this by light watering over a wide area. Light watering may encourage surface rather than deep roots, leaving plants more susceptible to drought. Instead, make a single thorough watering of the plants that are suffering. Try to water in the cool of the evening or the very early morning, so that less water is lost immediately to evaporation.
A Rewarding Show of Summer Bedding Plants
So, for a rewarding show of summer bedding despite the hot, dry weather; water early in the morning and/or later in the evening. Start a regular watering regime before a period of drought sets in and avoid watering in the heat of the day. Observing this method of watering will help you to maintain the health, appearance and life of your bedding plants and make the most of your summer display.
