What is the best way to water my Spotted touch-me-not?
To water Spotted touch-me-not, you can use a garden hose with a spray nozzle, a watering can, or just about any other common watering tool. Generally, Spotted touch-me-not is not too picky about how they receive their water, as they can live off of rainwater, tap water, or filtered water. Often, you should try not to water this plant from overhead, as doing so can damage the leaves and flowers and may lead to disease as well. At times, the best method for watering this plant is to set up a drip irrigation system. These systems work well for Spotted touch-me-not as they apply water evenly and directly to the soil. For one Spotted touch-me-not that grows in a container, you can use a similar watering approach while changing the tools you use. To water a container-grown Spotted touch-me-not, use a cup, watering can, or your tap to apply water directly to the soil.
What should I do if I water my Spotted touch-me-not too much or too little?
The remedy for underwatering Spotted touch-me-not is somewhat obvious. When you notice that your plant lacks moisture, simply begin watering it on a more regular basis. The issue of overwatering can be a much more dire situation, especially if you fail to notice it early. When your Spotted touch-me-not is overwatered, it may contract diseases that lead to its decline and death. The best way to prevent this outcome is to choose a proper growing location, one that receives plenty of sunlight to help dry the soil and has good enough drainage to allow excess water to drain rather than pooling and causing waterlogged soils. If you overwater your Spotted touch-me-not that lives in a pot, you may need to consider changing it to a new pot. Your previous container may not have contained soil with good drainage or may not have had sufficient drainage holes. As you repot your overwatered Spotted touch-me-not, make sure to add loose soils and to use a pot that drains efficiently.
How often should I water my Spotted touch-me-not?
Spotted touch-me-not needs water regularly throughout the growing season. Beginning in spring, you should plan to water this plant about once per week. As the season presses on and grows warmer, you may need to increase your watering rate to about two to three times per week. Exceeding at this rate can be detrimental to your Spotted touch-me-not. With that said, you should also ensure that the soil in which your Spotted touch-me-not grows remains relatively moist but not wet, regardless of how often you must water to make that the case. Watering Spotted touch-me-not that lives in a pot is a bit different. Generally, you'll need to increase your watering frequency, as the soil in a pot can heat up and dry out a bit faster than ground soil. As such, you should plan to water a container-grown Spotted touch-me-not a few times per week in most cases, versus just once per week for an in-ground plant.
How much water does my Spotted touch-me-not need?
There are a few different ways you can go about determining how much water to give to your Spotted touch-me-not. Some gardeners choose to pick their water volume based on feeling the soil for moisture. That method suggests that you should water until you feel that the first six inches of soil have become moist. Alternatively, you can use a set measurement to determine how much to water your Spotted touch-me-not. Typically, you should give your Spotted touch-me-not about two gallons of water per week, depending on how hot it is and how quickly the soil becomes dry. However, following strict guidelines like that can lead to overwatering if your plant requires less than two gallons per week for whatever reason. When growing Spotted touch-me-not in a container, you will need to use a different method to determine how much water to supply. Typically, you should give enough water to moisten all of the layers of soil that have become dry. To test if that is the case, you can simply stick your finger in the soil to feel for moisture. You can also water the soil until you notice a slight trickle of excess water exiting the drainage holes of your pot.
How can I tell if i'm watering my Spotted touch-me-not enough?
It can be somewhat difficult to avoid overwatering your Spotted touch-me-not. On the one hand, these plants have relatively deep roots that require you to moisten the soil weekly. On the other hand, Spotted touch-me-not are plants that are incredibly susceptible to root rot. Along with root rot, your Spotted touch-me-not may also experience browning as a result of overwatering. Underwatering is far less likely for your Spotted touch-me-not as these plants can survive for a while in the absence of supplemental watering. However, if you go too long without giving this plant water, it will likely begin to wilt. You may also notice dry leaves.
How should I water my Spotted touch-me-not through the seasons?
You can expect your Spotted touch-me-not’s water needs to increase as the season moves on. During spring, you should water about once per week. Then, as the summer heat arrives, you will likely need to give a bit more water to your Spotted touch-me-not, at times increasing to about three times per week. This is especially true of Spotted touch-me-not that grow in containers, as the soil in a container is far more likely to dry out faster than ground soil when the weather is warm. In autumn, while your Spotted touch-me-not is still in bloom, it may need a bit less water as the temperature has likely declined, and the sun is no longer as strong as it was in summer.
How should I water my Spotted touch-me-not at different growth stages?
Spotted touch-me-not will move through several different growth stages throughout the year, some of which may require more water than others. For example, you will probably start your Spotted touch-me-not as a seed. While the seed germinates, you should plant to give more water than your Spotted touch-me-not will need later in life, watering often enough to maintain consistent soil moisture. After a few weeks, your Spotted touch-me-not will grow above the soil and may need slightly less water than at the seedling phase. Then, once this plant is mature, you can begin to use the regular watering frequency of about once per week. As flower development takes place, you may need to give slightly more water to aid the process.
What's the difference between watering Spotted touch-me-not indoors and outdoors?
There are several reasons why most Spotted touch-me-not grow outdoors rather than indoors. The first is that these plants typically grow to tall. The second reason is that Spotted touch-me-not needs more daily sunlight than most indoor growing locations can provide. If you are able to provide a suitable indoor growing location, you may find that you need to give your Spotted touch-me-not water a bit more often than you would in an outdoor growing location. Part of the reason for this is that indoor growing locations tend to be a lot drier than outdoor ones due to HVAC units. The other reason for this is that soil in containers can dry out relatively quickly as well compared to soil in the ground.
Is pruning necessary for my Spotted touch-me-not?
Spotted touch-me-not is a kind of annual plant so it doesn't need much pruning. You only need to cut off and clean the diseased, yellow or dropped leaves and stems during its growing period. This will help your Spotted touch-me-not to stay away from pathogens infection.
How do I prune my Spotted touch-me-not?
During the growth of the plant, yellowing, drying and spotted leaves are produced, and these spotted and discolored leaves need to be trimmed off. If the whole piece of leave is discolored or infected, you will need to cut it off completely. In other situations, you will only need to cut off the discolored or infected part on certain leaves. Spotted touch-me-not above the ground will die and dry up in the winter, and the dead plants need to be cleaned up.
Are there any cautions I should be careful with when pruning my Spotted touch-me-not?
Spotted touch-me-not leaves are delicate, so take care not to score or bruise them. Unless the leaves are withered or heavily discolored, do not prune the leaves from the lowermost branches unless they’re damaged. They typically grow the largest, so they supply the plant with critical energy to keep it growing right. Please prevent the wounds from water after pruning until they are fully recovered. Remember always sterilize the tools before pruning. When the pruning is finished, please throw all the waste leaves and stems into the trashbins to avoid diseases and bugs.
Are there any tips for pruning my Spotted touch-me-not?
Sterilize all the tools before pruning; unclean tools will pass pathogens to the plant through wounds; Prune on sunny days because the new cuts will be infected by pathogens if they're distained by rain or water. Throw all the waste leaves and stems into trashbins, they will easily rot and attract diseases and bugs
When should/shouldn't I prune my Spotted touch-me-not?
Expect to prune your Spotted touch-me-not every week if it’s growing well or every two weeks if it grows slowly. It is always good to prune it on sunny days because if you prune it on rainy days, the rainwater will distain the cuts and cause the whole plant to be infected.
What should I look for when pruning my Spotted touch-me-not in different seasons?
Because Spotted touch-me-not is an annual plant, the pruning should take place basically during the seasons that the plant grows rapidly. During the growth of the plant, yellowing, drying and spotted leaves are produced, and these spotted and discolored leaves need to be trimmed off.
How many hours of sunlight does Spotted touch-me-not need to grow?
The Spotted touch-me-not prefers partial sunlight and will do well with a minimum of 3-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. When planting the Spotted touch-me-not in your garden, it's best to choose a spot that has morning sun and afternoon shade. You can also plant the Spotted touch-me-not under a tree that provides filtered sunlight. The Spotted touch-me-not can be grown in containers and placed on a patio, balcony, or porch, but they should be moved around to get the right amount of light throughout the day.
What will happen if Spotted touch-me-not doesn’t get enough sunlight?
When the Spotted touch-me-not does not get enough sunlight, they will not grow well and will become leggy, with thin and long stems that tend to seek sunlight. They will not bloom or produce seeds in the shade. They will also develop yellow or pale green leaves, which will stunt their growth. The Spotted touch-me-not will become more susceptible to diseases and pests if they are not getting enough light.
What will happen if Spotted touch-me-not gets too much sunlight?
The Spotted touch-me-not can be damaged by too much sunlight, especially during the hot summer months. They will develop brown spots on the leaves and flowers, and the leaves may even start to fall off. The Spotted touch-me-not may also become dehydrated, and the leaves may wilt. If you notice any of these signs, move the Spotted touch-me-not to a location with more shade or reduce the amount of sunlight they are getting.
Cautions and tips
When planting the Spotted touch-me-not, it's important to choose a spot that provides the right amount of sunlight. The Spotted touch-me-not prefers partial sunlight, and you should avoid planting them in areas that are in full sun all day. If you are growing Spotted touch-me-not in a container, you should also choose a location that can tolerate partial sunlight or provide shade in the appropriate position to ensure they get the right amount of sunlight. When transplanting the Spotted touch-me-not, it's important to avoid sudden sunlight exposure. Give the Spotted touch-me-not time to mature before transplanting outside. In conclusion, the Spotted touch-me-not prefers partial sunlight and can grow well with a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct sunlight each day. They can be grown in containers and placed on a patio, balcony, or porch, but they should be moved around to get the right amount of light throughout the day. The Spotted touch-me-not will not grow well if they do not get enough sunlight and can be damaged by too much sunlight, especially during the hot summer months. When planting the Spotted touch-me-not, it's important to choose a spot that provides the right amount of sunlight and to avoid sudden sunlight exposure when transplanting.
What is the optimal temperature for Spotted touch-me-not?
The best temperature for Spotted touch-me-not depends on the time of year. There are two primary seasons to discuss for temperature: the growing season, and the dormancy season. During the growing season, once Spotted touch-me-not has begun to sprout, the ideal temperature range should be anywhere from 65~80℉(18~27℃). Any colder than 15℉(-10℃), and the plant will suffer; its leaves may brown and wilt, but if this is a short cold snap, then Spotted touch-me-not may be able to survive with some help. During the warmer parts of the year, Spotted touch-me-not will need to be similarly protected from temperatures that are too high. 95-105℉ (35-40℃) is the top of this plant’s temperature range, and anything above that will compromise the integrity of the foliage and blooms of Spotted touch-me-not. Hotter temperatures can cause wilting, drooping, and even sunburn on the leaves, which can be difficult for Spotted touch-me-not to recover from. There are quite a few ways to combat this issue that are quick and easy!
Temperature requirements for first year or seedling Spotted touch-me-not
If this is the first year of your Spotted touch-me-not outside as a new plant, then it may need a little extra tending during the coldest months of the year. Not only can frost more severely damage a first-year Spotted touch-me-not, but it can also prevent it from growing back as a healthy plant come spring. This plant needs to be kept at 40℉(5℃) or above when they’re not yet established, which can be done either by bringing your Spotted touch-me-not inside for a month or two, or putting up mulch or fabric barriers that protect from frost damage. It’s also a good idea to plant Spotted touch-me-not in a shadier spot during the first year or two, as smaller and weaker plants have a more difficult time maintaining their own temperatures in the heat. First-year Spotted touch-me-not should receive no more than five hours of direct sunlight per day, particularly if the ambient daytime temperature gets above 80℉(27℃). Shadecloth and frequent watering or misting are the keys to summer heat control.
How can I protect Spotted touch-me-not from extreme temperatures?
If cold temperatures (below 15℉(-10℃)) do occur during the growing season, there are a few measures you can take to help protect Spotted touch-me-not from frost or cold damage. If you’re growing Spotted touch-me-not in a container, then the container can simply be brought inside in bright, indirect light until the temperatures rise up over the lower threshold again. Another option that’s better suited for ground-planted Spotted touch-me-not is to use mulch or horticultural fabric to create an insulated barrier around the plant, which will protect the plant from frost and cold wind. For temperatures that are hotter than 80℉(27℃) in the shade during the day, be careful to only expose Spotted touch-me-not to six hours or less of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning hours. Putting up shade cloth, or a fine plastic mesh, can help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits the plant during the hottest parts of the day. You can also install a misting system that allows for a slow release of cooling mist around the base of the plant during the day to lower ground temperatures.
Dormant season temperature recommendations for Spotted touch-me-not
During the cold winter months, Spotted touch-me-not needs a certain measure of cold in order to stay in dormancy until it’s time to sprout. Sprouting too early, that is before the danger of the last frost has passed, can be fatal to Spotted touch-me-not, especially if it’s already had a head start when the frost hits. Winter temperatures should ideally stay below 32℉(0℃), but if they get up to 40℉(5℃), everything will be just fine. An unexpected warm spell during the cold months, which can happen in more temperate climates like woodland rainforests, can trigger a premature sprout from Spotted touch-me-not. In this case, if there’s still imminent danger of frost, you may want to try covering it with clear plastic on stakes so that the cold has less of a chance of damaging the new sprout. This setup can be removed when the danger of frost has passed. Occasionally, Spotted touch-me-not will be able to resprout at the correct time without any help, but this method increases the chances of a successful second sprouting.
Why do I need to fertilize my Spotted touch-me-not?
All plants need nutrients to grow, but some types are able to take what they need and don’t need any supplementation with fertilizers. Spotted touch-me-not, like other plants, use nutrients to support growth and all internal processes. Each of the main nutrients that plants use (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) contribute to one or more of a plant’s essential functions, and in the case of foliage it is nitrogen that provides the most support. It can be difficult for a Spotted touch-me-not to get enough nitrogen from the soil, which is why many gardeners prefer to supplement by feeding Spotted touch-me-not with a source of nitrogen.
When is the best time to fertilize my Spotted touch-me-not?
Spotted touch-me-not generally grows well, but a fertilizer can be applied about once a month to give the plant a boost when it is actively growing. You should fertilize Spotted touch-me-not about once a month only during the spring and summer months, but not during fall and winter when it becomes less active and does not use as many nutrients. You’ll know when to start fertilizing Spotted touch-me-not if you see signs of new growth. The fertilization schedule remains the same whether the plant is grown outside or indoors in a container. However, if your Spotted touch-me-not is in a container, you probably will not need to fertilize for the first one to two months. Potting soil made for container plants already contains plenty of nutrients, so you should only start to fertilize after your plant has been in the same soil for a while.
When should I avoid fertilizing my Spotted touch-me-not?
Never fertilize your Spotted touch-me-not if it is not healthy, for example if it has developed a disease or has insect pests on it. Also do not fertilize a dehydrated plant, since the fertilizer will make this problem even worse. Only fertilize healthy plants. Do not splash fertilizer onto the leaves or stem of this plant when watering, since it can cause burned spots. Be careful not to allow the fertilizer to make direct contact with the plant, unless you are usually a special fertilizer designed to be applied to the foliage.
What type of fertilizer does my Spotted touch-me-not need?
Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, along with other essential nutrients such as iron, manganese and zinc. These are all necessary elements that promote growth in Spotted touch-me-not. A balanced fertilizer works well for Spotted touch-me-not, for example an all-purpose fertilizer with a 10-10-10 NPK number. For natural fertilizers, blood meal or worm castings work well. You may also choose a fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen than other nutrients, such as fish fertilizer. Nitrogen provides support to leaves, which are the main feature that people want from Spotted touch-me-not. There is no point in providing a lot of supplements for flowers or seeds if that is not your purpose in growing the plant.
How do I fertilize my Spotted touch-me-not?
Apply fertilizer based on the instructions on the particular type you have purchased. It is generally a good idea to start with half-strength fertilizer to avoid accidentally over-fertilizing your Spotted touch-me-not. Since this plant requires frequent fertilization, it is common to accidentally fertilize too much. Remember that it’s always easier to add more fertilizer than it is to try to save an over-fertilized plant. Don’t apply fertilizer to dry soil - it should already be at least somewhat moist before fertilizing. This helps the fertilizer absorb more easily and helps avoid fertilizer burn. You should also water after applying dry fertilizers to your soil. Some fertilizers are meant to be mixed into the soil when planting, while others are applied on top of the soil and then watered in. For most types of Spotted touch-me-not, a water soluble fertilizer is an easy choice. Simply mix the fertilizer solution into your watering can at the recommended dosage for Spotted touch-me-not and then water the plant as usual. Slow-release granules or fertilizer spikes can also work well if you prefer not to remember to fertilize monthly.
What happens if I fertilize my Spotted touch-me-not too much?
Over-fertilization leads to a build-up of salts in the soil which leads to a lack of vitality overall and pale coloration in the leaves. Leaves may also wilt or develop brown tips as the excess salt from the fertilizer tries to make its way out of the leaves. Too much fertilizer makes it impossible for the plant to take up water and nutrients, which will eventually kill it if you don’t take steps to save your Spotted touch-me-not. If the Spotted touch-me-not is in a container, you could either remove it from the pot and repot it in fresh potting mix, or flush out the soil by running a lot of water through and letting it drain out thoroughly. If your Spotted touch-me-not is outdoors, the same theory applies, although it can be more difficult to flush outdoor soil. Water thoroughly and hold off on fertilizing again for a while. You may want to perform a soil test before you add any more fertilizer to make sure you don’t provide too much of any one nutrient.