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- 11 February 2010: Waimea Valley Audubon Center, Oahu, Hawaii
- 9 February 2010: Visit to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
- 26 January 2010: Help, we need Water!
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Hot Tamale!
Wow! It sure got hot really fast. Gardening is fun, even therapeutic - but I don’t know how long I can take it in the heat! We have had some crazy weather patterns lately, ranging from cool days at the end of May to 95 degrees now (and very humid)! The heat is typical for here and I was ready for that but those cool days sure were nice.
These weather patterns wreck havoc on those of us who love to garden! But it probably has affected the plants just the same. At least we can get into the air conditioning every once in a while. The plants have no alternative to the heat. And, just like us they go through the weather changes which is not normal.
So, we know how it affects us, but what about the plants? Any ideas?….
2 Responses to “Hot Tamale!”
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9 June 2009 at 22:00
When plants droop in the afternoon due to heat stress, some folks may think that the plants need water to restore turgidity. But first it’s important to check the soil moisture level before watering, either by means of a moisture meter or by sticking a finger deep into the soil in the root area. If the soil is moist, the urge to add water should be resisted because it will only lead to root rot if done repeatedly. Typically, plants suffering only from heat stress will perk up in the evening. For example, impatiens are very subject to wilting in the summertime heat. Plants such as some gingers will sometimes fold their large leaves to reduce transpiration when temps climb, but should reopen when temps cool down in the evening.
When watering is needed, it’s a good idea to make a habit of always providing water early in the day so that plants do not have to endure the extra stress of being hot and thirsty, too.
10 June 2009 at 07:39
Ahh! Yes, like us, plants show heat related symptoms in the hottest part of the day but recover when temperatures cool off. It is always important to check moisture levels before watering.