Potted plants can be difficult to keep happy and healthy during extreme heat, particularly when rainfall is hard to come by. No matter how much water we provide, it is just not the same as rainfall. Plants in containers often struggle and seem like they are not getting enough water even though they are being watered every other day, or even daily.
Sometimes it is because the soil gets really dried out, and this is particularly true of certain potting soils, and repels water. Then it becomes difficult to re-wet. Even though you are watering, the root ball is not getting wet. To break the surface tension, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a one-gallon container, and water the plant slowly with the mixture. After an hour or two, water again slowly with plain water.
Water finds the path of least resistance and may just drain through the soil without wetting it or run down between the pot and the root ball. I have had success with poking holes with a pencil in the soil in pots so the water goes into new places.
An effective method to rewet the root ball is to soak potted plants in a container of water for one to three hours. Just put the whole thing in a bucket or tub and fill it with water almost, but not quite, to the top of the pot. When you remove it, let it drain in the grass so the water draining out is not wasted.
If the plant is too large to put in a tub, water it very slowly (just a trickle) for a much longer than usual time (be sure to set a timer so you do not forget it). Or water it slowly for a bit, then water again in an hour or so and repeat one or two more times during the day.
Before watering, check the soil to see if the plant actually needs water. Stick your finger into the soil ½” to 1” below the surface; if it is moist, it does not need to be watered yet. Another way to check is to use an inexpensive soil moisture meter with a probe (similar to a meat thermometer used to check a roast) to get a read on it. It is easy to kill a plant by watering too frequently.
One of my favorite types of plant container is unglazed terra cotta pots. I really like the look of them and that they have enough weight to them that they do not blow over easily. They dry out quickly though because the unglazed clay is porous. In addition, when these terra cotta pots dry out, they start pulling moisture out of the soil, requiring more watering. When it rains, the entire pot, along with the soil, gets wet and it is not a problem.
Plants in terra cotta pots, if small enough, benefit greatly from being soaked, as mentioned above. If pots are too big to put in a container, make an effort to wet the pot itself each time you water the plant.
Adding a couple inches of mulch such as wood chips, partially decomposed leaves (oak leaves are fine), or compost will help the situation. It reduces evaporation from the soil surface, so it does not dry out so quickly. In addition, the mulch will more easily absorb water, making it less likely to run-off and more likely to soak down into the soil. Mulch can be used in pots as well as on the ground.
Whenever you water, you should try to get the entire root ball wet. And remember the smaller the pot, the more frequently it will need to be watered.
If you have an irrigation system, remember that we are in Mandatory Stage 2 water conservation measures, which means you can water every other week (except for newly planted plants). Hand-watering and drip irrigation is not restricted. Find out more at Helpful Links: https://cityofrockport.com/494/Water-Plan. To be the most effective, water during the evening or the early morning.
We all get our water from the same source in the lower part of the Coastal Bend, so everyone in the area is under Stage 2 measures. Let’s all remember what a precious resource fresh water is and use it wisely.