There are always those days in summer when it seems like just stepping foot outside makes you sweat through your clothes. Now imagine what that means for your flowers, which are enduring heat stress from the beaming sun and scalding air throughout the day. While too little light can be detrimental to plants, so can too much sun.
Typically, heat stress of a plant shows itself by wilting, a sign that water loss has taken place. Just as people and animals perspire, plants transpire, giving off water vapor through their leaves. When temperatures spike above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, plants can lose a lot of the water that they need to grow. This may also be manifested by a drooping leaf. Some plants even shed some of their foliage to try to save water, while in excessively hot weather, vegetable crops have trouble yielding. If this is condition is ignored, the plants will eventually dry up and turn crunchy brown or yellow before dying.
However, you don’t have to wait until it’s too late.So, here’s how to care for flowers in extreme heat:
1. Water
To restore lost moisture, make sure to water plants during the steamy days. If you can, use shade covers, especially on vegetable crops, to give the plants a respite from the sun. Generally, most flowers require the same care in heat, except container plants or ones that have been newly planted. For container plants, make sure you water them up to twice a day in high temperatures. Give these plants a thorough soaking until you can see water coming out of the drainage hoes. Meanwhile, some plants, like succulents, are well-equipped to manage heat by conserving water in their leaves. Most plants are not as lucky.
Want to water your plants throughout the day even when you’re not home? Try out water granules, which gradually release water into the soil over the course of several hours.
2. Move Potted Plants into the Shade
If possible, relocate your plants into the shade. Their leaves will begin to take a healthier shape as they can retain more H2O throughout the day. Your plants will thank you for it.
If you have something like Telefora’s Imperial Purple Orchid or Yellow Trio Basket of plants left in the sun, be sure carry these pots into a shadier area to prevent them from drying out.
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Imperial Orchid PlantBasket of plants
3. Mulch Plants
Besides suppressing weeds, mulching plants helps conserve moisture that keeps plants cooler. This eliminates stress in shallow-rooted plants and provide essential nutrients to the soil and flower.
Source: Teleflora – What To Do When It’s Too Hot Outside for Your Flowers
