Watering plants

**Dougal** · 15-02-2007, 07:30 PM

I have a few of those ornamental banana plants, the type that spread their leaves out fan wise.

I have been watering them every day but they really haven't grown much. I always water at the base of the plant in the morning as I think (thought) that the leaves would burn if the sun was on them when they were wet.

I recently noticed, while driving past, that the garden centre were spraying water over the leaves in the late afternoon, so I decided to do the same. Now, some at least of the plants seem to have put on a spurt and are throwing out new leaves. I can't be sure whether this is just coincidence or not as I also gave them a sprinkle of 'gromore' type fertilizer at about the same time.

So my question to the panel is:

Would getting rid of that jerk Bush and bringing in a Democrat ..... whoops! wrong thread.

Is it the fertilizer that is encouraging the new growth or does spraying the leaves fool the plant in some way into thinking the rainy season has started?

**Scooter** · 17-02-2007, 11:36 PM

How much of a watering should the lawn get at this time of year? Am? Pm? Noon?

**Whiteshiva** · 20-02-2007, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Scooter

How much of a watering should the lawn get at this time of year? Am? Pm? Noon?

We normally water late in the afternoon/early evening. Reduces evaporation.

**Anonymous Coward** · 20-02-2007, 11:02 AM

I mist the orchids two or three times a day depending on the heat and humidity. But, the lawn and other plants just get water late in the afternoon. Same reasoning as Whiteshiva.

**klongmaster** · 20-02-2007, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Anonymous Coward

I mist the orchids two or three times a day

I've been inspired by you orchid-experts and the wonderful things I have seen on here...but I'm working and not able to mist them 3xs a day...will they suffer if only twice a day...or is it not good to mist them in the am?..

**Marmite the Dog** · 20-02-2007, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dougal

I always water at the base of the plant in the morning as I think (thought) that the leaves would burn if the sun was on them when they were wet.

This is BS, mate.

Originally Posted by Dougal

Is it the fertilizer that is encouraging the new growth or does spraying the leaves fool the plant in some way into thinking the rainy season has started?

A bit of both. Plants often like their leaves watered as well as the roots.

**El Gibbon** · 20-02-2007, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Dougal

I always water at the base of the plant in the morning as I think (thought) that the leaves would burn if the sun was on them when they were wet.

This is BS, mate.

Originally Posted by Dougal

Is it the fertilizer that is encouraging the new growth or does spraying the leaves fool the plant in some way into thinking the rainy season has started?

A bit of both. Plants often like their leaves watered as well as the roots.

This is NOT true for orchids... leaving water on the leaves in direct sunlight WILL leave black spots... guaranteed. done it myself.

Indirect OK but direct sunlight can be damaging to orchids and with water drops on the leaves its magnified.

E. G.

**Marmite the Dog** · 20-02-2007, 07:35 PM

^ I was talking about normal plants, old bean.

**Anonymous Coward** · 21-02-2007, 07:14 AM

Actually, Dendrobium quite like some direct sun. All the orchids below get direct sun for four to six hours a day and are misted all over a couple of times a day:

(Taken this morning.)

**El Gibbon** · 21-02-2007, 08:01 AM

^^ Got that one Mammers... just was trying to clarify that some orchid species really don't like the combo of water and sun.

^ AC very nice, and yes dendros do well with some sun. Some of the phals do also, those with the very thick heavy leaves. Oncids and especially some of the Cats don't like heavy doses of sunlight at all.

Misting is great, do it several times a day myself, the small droplets usually don't stay on the leaf long enough to do damage. Large drops usually stay for awhile and tend to magnify the sun, black spots resulting.... have ruined two myslef

Am no expert for sure but am learning from my own experiences and all I can read...

Maybe we should start and "orchid" thread here.

Have fun moving all those up to Mrs. AC's new place.

E. G.

**marooned** · 31-03-2007, 05:13 AM

We water everyday with a hose at about 5pm unless it rained. Prune and plant early morning. Seems to work fine. Have orchids in the open-roof bath so spray them during my showers.

**cali kid** · 31-03-2007, 11:35 AM

One reason for watering the leaves on your plants is to wash them off and get rid of dust particles which helps to increase photosynthesis which in turn of course helps new leaves sprout.

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