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Ever wondered how to tell
when you need to water your plants?
In Garden Gate issue 67, we talked about using the drooping
leaves of some plants, like ligularia and New Guinea impatiens,
as a sign it's time to water. Many plants' leaves will wilt in the
heat of a summer day. But if the plant is still wilted in the morning
after a night of cooler temperatures, it's a definite sign of water
stress. Here are a few more "indicator plants."
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| Plant
name |
Comments |
Astilbe Astilbe spp. |
Drooping leaves |
| Astrantia Astrantia
major |
Drooping leaves |
Birch Betula spp. |
Drooping leaves |
| Coleus Solenostemon
spp. |
Drooping leaves |
Dogwood Cornus spp. |
Drooping leaves and stems |
| Impatiens Impatiens
spp. |
Drooping leaves and
flowers |
Ligularia Ligularia dentata |
Whole plant droops dramatically |
| Plectranthus Plectranthus spp. |
Drooping leaves |
Plumeria Plumeria spp. |
Drooping leaves |
| Primrose Primula spp. |
Drooping leaves |
Squash Cucurbita hybrids |
Drooping leaves |
| Tomato Lycopersicon hybrids |
Drooping leaves and stems |
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Remember that the best way to water is early in the day and close
to the soil with a watering wand, drip irrigation system or soaker
hose. Much of the water from a sprinkler used on a sunny or windy
summer day evaporates before it can do the plant any good.
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