It may seem strange, but leaving a nail in the plants before you leave for an extended period of time is an effective trick. Here’s why.
When we’re preparing for a vacation, one of the most common problems we face is how to keep our plants hydrated in our absence. Regular watering of plants may not be possible if we are outside for a long time. For this reason, many use an unusual but effective method: leaving a nail in the plants as a DIY watering system.
Leave a nail on the plants to water them
To make this system, you will need a nail at least 10 cm long and a meter and a half of natural thread capable of absorbing water, such as wool, cotton or hemp thread. Also, get a bottle, keeping in mind that a larger bottle has a higher water supply capacity and will last longer.
Let’s start assembling the system. Take the nail and thread, leaving one end of the thread about 10 cm above the head of the nail. Then wrap the entire nail with the thread so that only 1-2 cm of free thread remains at the tip. Once you’ve wrapped the nail completely, tie a knot to secure the thread. You now have two ends: one 10 cm long to leave it above the head of the nail, and the other longer. Take the longer end of the wire and attach a counterweight, such as a nail or longer bolt. Attach the counterweight tightly to the wire. At this point, soak the entire system you just created in water for a few minutes. The yarn absorbs water and gets soaked and wet.
A DIY irrigation system
After a few minutes, remove the system from the water and remove the bottle. Then fill the bottle with water and insert the counterweight into the bottle with the wire. Make sure that the clove penetrates the soil of the pot where the plant is located. In this way, the water is distributed to the roots of the plants through the principle of capillarity. How does it work? The principle of capillarity is based on the property of water rising in small tubes, like the blood vessels of plants. Through the forces of cohesion and adhesion, water moves against gravity and thus ensures that plants are irrigated by capillarity.
With this simple artisanal irrigation system, water is gradually released to the roots of the plants, so that they stay hydrated over time. The absorbent wire acts as a transport channel and directs the water from the bottle to the surrounding soil. As the soil dries out, water is gradually carried by the fibers of the yarn and drips into the soil, providing constant and adequate watering of the plants.
A nail in the plants saves the holidays
This home watering method is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and can be a lifesaver for those who want to travel without worrying about their beloved plants. However, it is important to consider the specific needs of the plants that you want to water in this way. In fact, some plants need more or less water, so it is advisable to carefully test and monitor the plants while we are away. So if you need a practical solution for watering tough plants
