How I water my moss poles?
Different methods suitable for your living conditions.
As indoor garden enthusiasts, ensuring our leafy companions are in their prime condition is a constant quest. This blog focuses on the importance of maintaining adequate humidity, preventing exposure to extreme temperatures, and applying fertiliser in a targeted manner to keep your indoor oasis flourishing all year round.
One of the primary challenges for indoor gardeners is caring for climbing plants. These plants often utilise moss poles, structures that serve as an extension of the pot and host a significant portion of the plant's root system. While moss poles are a brilliant tool for supporting your climbers, they can be notoriously tricky to water due to their large surface area which tends to dry out faster than the substrate in the pot.
Fear not! I have three tried-and-true methods for watering moss poles to ensure your climbers stay hydrated and healthy.
Method 1: The Gravity-Assisted Water Bottle
This method involves using a water bottle (I use Fiji bottles) with holes drilled into the lid, filled with water and liquid fertiliser, and inverted onto the moss pole. The brilliance of this method lies in its simplicity: gravity ensures the water seeps into the pole, providing your plant with a steady supply of moisture and nutrients.
Method 2: The Pressure Sprayer
This technique is particularly suitable for moss poles that haven't fully established yet. It involves using a pressure sprayer to keep the part of the pole that the plant is supposed to attach to moist. While the water from this method may evaporate quickly, it's effective for poles without deeply embedded roots.
Method 3: The Bathroom or Balcony Spray
The third method involves taking smaller, manageable poles to the bathroom or balcony and spraying them thoroughly with water. After the initial spray, which helps the moss absorb water, water the pole thoroughly with a fertiliser-filled water bottle. This method also allows for leaf cleaning, an essential step in preventing pest issues.
Each of these methods caters to different plant and pole conditions, but the golden rule remains: no set watering schedule. The frequency of watering depends on various factors, including the environment, the thickness of the moss pole, and the plant's needs. Instead, squeeze the moss pole to check its moisture level and water it when it feels too dry.
Best advice I can give you is to make sure your moss pole or 'Grow Pole' always remains moist. If you let it dry too much, your sphagnum moss will most likely become hydrophobic (water repellent) and it take longer to water the whole thing. Pay particular attention to the top of the moss pole, which tends to dry out first. Sometimes, watering less ensures the top part of the pole maintains its moisture. The surface of the pole can dry out a bit, but it should never dry out completely.
Incorporate these methods into your plant care routine and watch your urban jungle thrive.
Remember, optimal plant care is a delicate balance of humidity, temperature management, and targeted fertilisation. Happy planting!
