Farewell, Flowers

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By Rhonda Stansberry | WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

As you make your vacation checklist, don't forget your plants. You can't take them with you, and you probably want to see them alive and well when you return. The best way to ensure that your plants will survive your absence is to ask a friend or neighbor to water them. Give your friend a brief tour of your plants before you go, noting which ones are the neediest. If you can't give a tour, place notes by the plants with special requirements, grouping those with similar needs. We asked local experts to weigh in on vacation watering. They were: Kathleen Cue, a horticulturist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension for Douglas and Sarpy Counties; Scott Evans, horticulturist and garden shop manager at Mulhall's Landscaping, Nursery & Garden Center; and Mike Fink, store manager at Lanoha Nurseries. Here are some of their tips:

LAWN

Temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees for long stretches of time can cause turfgrass, such as bluegrass, to go dormant. That's normal and won't harm the grass. Reduce the amount of water you provide during extreme heat and water about once a month.

NEWLY PLANTED PERENNIALS, SHRUBS AND TREES

Established plants may be fine without supplemental watering for a short time, a week or 10 days. But if you're trying to get new plants established, even some second-year plants, give them supplemental waterings during dry spells.

INDOOR PLANTS

Depending on light, heat and the plant itself, most indoor plants can survive for a week to 10 days after receiving one good watering right before you go.

In general, move plants back from bright, direct sunlight into filtered light to help minimize water loss.

Wicking gives plants water without drenching them. Place a coil of fabric at least an inch into the pot, using a skewer or pencil to push the fabric down. Put the other end of the fabric into a dish, bowl, pot or pail of water. Let the wicking begin.

OUTDOOR PLANTS

Round up your pots and containers and tuck them into shady areas, where they're also protected from strong winds. Even plants that normally get full sun will be safer with this treatment.

Help your plant-care friend by having watering cans, a garden hose and other tools handy.

If your plants have dishes under them to catch water, ask your plant sitter to dump excess water to prevent mosquito breeding.
Some plants, such as geraniums, have large leaves that deflect water. Use a watering can nozzle under the leaf canopy to get to the roots.

Cacti and succulents can survive two weeks without water.

Some ornamentals need water every other day, depending on the temperatures, the wind and the plant. Many outdoor ornamentals may be in water overload because of recent rains. If leaves are turning yellow and dropping off, back off watering and ask your plant sitter to water those plants less often.

PRODUCTS

One option to amend soil in containers is Soil Moist, an inexpensive, granular additive that absorbs 100 times its weight in water. Follow the directions carefully. It should be worked deeply into the soil (the best time is when potting the plant). Don't use too much because it will retain too much water. Overwatering causes root rot.

Contact the writer:
402-444-1059,
rhonda.stansberry@owh.com