| Houseplants have the wondrous ability to gain most of | | | | soil. Soil with moisture feels spongy while hard soil |
| what they need to thrive through elements in the soil | | | | indicates a lack of moisture. |
| and natural sunlight. The houseplant however does not | | | | A cheap tool is a wooden chopstick or a tongue |
| have the luxury that its outdoor counterparts do in | | | | depressor. By simply inserting the wood into the soil, |
| regards to obtaining much needed water. Therefore, | | | | then withdrawing it, you should be able to see signs of |
| houseplants must depend solely on the gardeners | | | | moisture. If moisture is present below the surface, the |
| hand to provide this essential nutrient. | | | | wood will absorb it, displaying a darker shade. While it |
| Many garden professionals believe that over fifty | | | | is true that surface moisture will be absorbed into the |
| percent of the houseplants in the world receive | | | | wooden tester, if done quickly, the surface water |
| improper watering. Giving too much moisture will result | | | | absorption will only count as a very small amount of |
| in root rot or diseases and too little water is also | | | | the moisture collected. |
| negative. But with some know-how and guidelines, you | | | | The saucer trick is a good gauge of how much water |
| can learn how to and when to water your plants | | | | a plant needs. Just fill the one third of the saucer and |
| easily. | | | | put it at the base of the plant. Keep doing it until there |
| Many gardeners will say with confidence that a | | | | is moisture in the saucer. This process allows the |
| Hygrometer is a tool that is useful. This handy tool | | | | water to be absorbed through capillary action from the |
| allows the plant owner to receive a more accurate | | | | drainage holes. Remember to take note of the actual |
| water level reading of the plants soil. This lets the | | | | absorption of water by the plant. It will give a good |
| gardener regulate the amount of water given to | | | | gauge of the moisture needs of the plant. |
| ascertain the plant is taken care of. The price of these | | | | Finally, there is another way to reduce stressing the |
| handy gadgets can range from a couple of dollars to | | | | plant. Everything has a certain amount of weight to it, |
| a pretty high price range, however, the cheapest | | | | thus wet soil will weigh more than dry soil. After |
| version will still provide the essential information the | | | | applying a water regiment discussed above, weigh |
| gardener is looking for. | | | | your plant. If you do this over some time, it will give you |
| The Hygrometer comes in several varieties, including | | | | a good gauge of the amount of water the plant needs. |
| one that has a digital display. It makes it far more | | | | By now, you would not need to use the weighing test |
| convenient to check the moisture level in the soil. Quite | | | | anymore. |
| a few do come packaged with a useful thermometer. | | | | Although you have ascertained the amount of |
| This is ideal for checking on soil temperature which is a | | | | moisture the plant needs, other issues can cause that |
| crucial point in maintaining the plant's health. | | | | measurement of moisture to fluctuate. Factors such |
| If you'd rather use the old fashioned ways to check | | | | as soil composition, humidity, seasonal changes and |
| for the water levels needed, you can try this. | | | | temperature changes are things that can change a |
| Many still use the finger test. By simply placing your | | | | plants water requirement. Keeping to a few tips and |
| finger on the soils surface and applying a slight amount | | | | some tests can aid in maintaining your plants health |
| of pressure, you can determine if the soil is wet or dry. | | | | throughout the year. |
| This method also allows you to feel the texture of the | | | | |