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As I was just watering my garden, I was thinking of the poor plants of some people who are left to wilt and die. Do you not realize they are living things, just like you, and need water to live?
Just because SOME hardy plants in some areas can make it through the summer without water, doesn't mean that most can or that they should.
I think it verges on cruelty to just watch something wilt and die and scratch your head and say, "Does my dying plant need water?" I hate to say it but it seems just plain dumb.
Wait until it is either evening or very early morning....
I water around 6 am. Best wishes for your hydrangea...they usually love moisture. It has been miserable here with many days over 100....Monday is supposed to be 83! Yeah!
We are expected to get the same weather as you on Monday. Let's hope for the best....We may even get rain tomorrow..For many of us, it is so hard to deal with this weather. If we live in an area that normally gets a lot of summer storms we are not prepared for the drought that has hit the last couple of years. As you have said, overhead watering is a waste, it does nothing but wet the leaves, but never penitrates the ground. No matter how much water you give them it is almost useless. Luckily the plants we can hand water seem to be surviving.
We all need to think about the farmers; they are losing everything. Some can say it is crruel to let the plants die, obviously they have no clue what they are talking about. My heart goes out to those who depend on water to help their crops grow and their crops are their livelihood.
Most of us are putting out buckets of water for the wildlife cause they have no water, if only we could do as much for our plants..
We are expected to get the same weather as you on Monday. Let's hope for the best....We may even get rain tomorrow..For many of us, it is so hard to deal with this weather. If we live in an area that normally gets a lot of summer storms we are not prepared for the drought that has hit the last couple of years. As you have said, overhead watering is a waste, it does nothing but wet the leaves, but never penitrates the ground. No matter how much water you give them it is almost useless.
We all need to think about the farmers; they are losing everything. Some can say it is crruel to let the plants die, obviously they have no clue what they are talking about. My heart goes out to those who depend on water to help their crops grow and their crops are their livelihood.
Most of us are putting out buckets of water for the wildlife cause they have no water, if only we could do as much for our plants..
As I was just watering my garden, I was thinking of the poor plants of some people who are left to wilt and die. Do you not realize they are living things, just like you, and need water to live?
Just because SOME hardy plants in some areas can make it through the summer without water, doesn't mean that most can or that they should.
I think it verges on cruelty to just watch something wilt and die and scratch your head and say, "Does my dying plant need water?" I hate to say it but it seems just plain dumb.
I'm not sure if I agree, because there are plants which wilt as a survival mechanism. So, wilting may look scary, but the plants may be fine. For instance my jewelweed wilts during the day in summer, but it perks up during cooler weather and survives to flower every Autumn.
Nevertheless, I understand the sentiment. I feel a bit strongly about nurseries now selling tropicals or perennials from different zones as "annuals." So pretty much, they're encouraging people to plant items unsuited for their zones, and leave them outside to die from frostbite?
I mean, there are actual annuals, aren't there? Why don't the nurseries sell those?
I'm not sure if I agree, because there are plants which wilt as a survival mechanism. So, wilting may look scary, but the plants may be fine. For instance my jewelweed wilts during the day in summer, but it perks up during cooler weather and survives to flower every Autumn.
Nevertheless, I understand the sentiment. I feel a bit strongly about nurseries now selling tropicals or perennials from different zones as "annuals." So pretty much, they're encouraging people to plant items unsuited for their zones, and leave them outside to die from frostbite?
I mean, there are actual annuals, aren't there? Why don't the nurseries sell those?
Actually many here in Kentucky (and other states too) that overwinter their tropicals and other tender perennials. I overwintered my scented and regular geraniums and mandivilla. I keep them in the garage during the winter (the garage doors have a long 18 inch strip of windows so they get light)....I didn't cut anything back...they came back beautifully with the mandevilla continuing to trail and grow throughout the winter. I have friends who have gorgeous potted gardenias - they bring them into the house in late fall and keep them near a sunny window during the winter and they have done fine....and also a friend who has a potted camelia that grows in the house during the winter - even flowers inside. I have a large potted fig leaf tree that I keep outside from late spring until the end of fall (on a covered patio) but it lives inside during the winter....my husband has warned me that our 9 foot ceilings can no longer accommodate the fig leaf unless I cut it back.
I agree that some plants are more prone to wilting (my pink cone flowers are prone to wilt in the heat of the afternoon even when the soil is moist) but most plants that wilt because of lack of water are much more prone to die and or be unhealthy.
Actually many here in Kentucky (and other states too) that overwinter their tropicals and other tender perennials. I overwintered my scented and regular geraniums and mandivilla. I keep them in the garage during the winter (the garage doors have a long 18 inch strip of windows so they get light)....
Aww, that's nice. But I bet a lot of buyers are like I was. I think the responsible sellers use the term "Tender perennial" or something and indicate the hardiness zones. I've recently noticed a lot of sellers calling these "annuals." I suspect a lot of people don't overwinter the plants.
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I have a large potted fig leaf tree that I keep outside from late spring until the end of fall (on a covered patio) but it lives inside during the winter....my husband has warned me that our 9 foot ceilings can no longer accommodate the fig leaf unless I cut it back.
I got a fig tree for the first time this year. Maybe I'll try to overwinter it inside and put it out next Spring...
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I agree that some plants are more prone to wilting (my pink cone flowers are prone to wilt in the heat of the afternoon even when the soil is moist) but most plants that wilt because of lack of water are much more prone to die and or be unhealthy.
Awww...well, I think the OP at least watered her hydrangea. Luckily, it seems our heatwave is going to be over soon.
There are businesses here in KY that will pick up your large and small potted perennials and keep them in greenhouses over the winter...it would be nice to be able to afford that. Most of my friends overwinter their gerraniums at least - some just cut them back and cover them - watering infrequently - putting the plants to sleep for the winter in the garage....others like me give them some light, water when they need it and just let them grow....plants are very expensive here -much more than in So. California where gardening takes place year round.
There are businesses here in KY that will pick up your large and small potted perennials and keep them in greenhouses over the winter...it would be nice to be able to afford that. Most of my friends overwinter their gerraniums at least - some just cut them back and cover them - watering infrequently - putting the plants to sleep for the winter in the garage....others like me give them some light, water when they need it and just let them grow....plants are very expensive here -much more than in So. California where gardening takes place year round.
wow, that would be so cool. I always have something on the front porch that is beautiful but won't survive the winter, I would love to be able to find a home for them so they could be used next year. It isn't the cost of replacing them as much as watching them grow all summer, just to see them freeze in the winter.
wow, that would be so cool. I always have something on the front porch that is beautiful but won't survive the winter, I would love to be able to find a home for them so they could be used next year. It isn't the cost of replacing them as much as watching them grow all summer, just to see them freeze in the winter.
I agree. I have a lovely friend who has the cutest cottage and yard...she has beautiful potted citrus on her outdoor patio - she hires a company that uses a forklift to place them in a truck and transport them to a green house....they always look so beautiful.
Right now I'm lucky to keep everything alive...104 right now...this weather is the pits!
Hooray for rain! A storm blew in this aftenoon, now it's sprinkling. I had just hand watered about 30 minutes prior, though. LOL
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