Watering and Humidity

1
Watering and Humidity

• Functions?
• Determining When?
• How Often?
• How Much to Apply?

2
Functions

• Photosynthesis
• Cell Protoplasm
• Turgidity
• incipient plasmolysis
• Nutrient Uptake
• CEC, pH. Salinity Levels

3
Determining When

• Determine Soil Moisture Content
• By Feel - touch
• By Sight - dark/light?
• Soil Moisture Probe - dip stick/float
• Moisture Meters - based on EC

4
FrequencyDependent on

• Environment
• Light
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Age of plant
• Species
• Size
• Volume

• Container Type
• clay vs. plastic
• built-in
• Growing Medium
• peat based vs. sand
• mulched?

5
Watering Considerations

• Moisture Content in Medium
• Wilting Considerations
• Leaching of Salts
• Humidity Levels
• Use of Wetting Agents

6
How Much to Apply

• Enough to thoroughly wet medium.
• Large or sufficient amounts
• Avoid small but frequent applications.
• Do away with saucers if possible
• Empty accumulated water ASAP.

7
Application Methods

• Top watering
• Bottom Watering
• Plunging/Immersion

8
Water Quality

• EC/Salinity
• Temperature

9
Soluble Salts

• Contributing Factors
• Excessive fertilizer applications
• Poor Water Quality
• Effects?
• Suppress water uptake
• Reduced growth
• Chlorosis
• Necrosis
• fertilizer burn

10
Contributing Factors to Soluble Salts

• Excessive Rates
• Frequent Applications
• Improper Watering Techniques
• High Salt in Water
• Poor Drainage
• Use of Soil with High Fertilizer Retention.
• Combination of Factors

11
Solubridge Readings

• Low Less that 100 ppm
• Satisfactory 100-200
• High 200-350
• Excessive above 350