The vacation is finally here, the pen is dropped, the suitcases are quickly packed and off we go But stop! What about the lovingly cared for and cared for balcony plants? If you can't quickly find a friendly neighbor or helpful friend to take on this task while you're away, you'll need to use a tried-and-tested DIY system.
How do I water my balcony plants on vacation?
Methods such as inverted PET bottles, watering cones or balls and placing the plants in a bathtub filled with water are suitable for watering balcony plants while on vacation. For longer absences, we recommend purchasing an automatic pumping system.
4 tips for bridging a few days
If you only need to bridge a few days, for example because you are only traveling for the weekend, measures like these are usually sufficient:
- Water your plants thoroughly before leaving.
- Then place it in the shade.
- Less water is used in the shade than in a sunny location
- You can also put the plants in the apartment while you are away.
When watering, make sure that excess water can drain away, otherwise the roots can rot - most potted plants cannot tolerate too much moisture.
The best methods for a long vacation
If, on the other hand, you are on vacation for longer than a few days, you will of course need a more efficient irrigation system. Either you spend a lot of money on a corresponding system from a specialist retailer. You can rely on the reviews from Stiftung Warentest, which only took a closer look at some of the most popular products in 2017. You can also try one of the following DIY systems.
PET bottle
The PET or glass bottle, which is upside down and inserted deep into the substrate, is probably one of the best-known (and simplest) irrigation systems, but it does have some pitfalls.
Watering cone or ball
The bottle method works most reliably if you screw a watering cone (€15.00 on Amazon) made of plastic or clay onto the neck of the bottle instead of the perforated lid. This ensures that the water is released slowly and evenly. Also very practical - and working on the same principle - are so-called irrigation balls, which are often made of glass.
Bathtub
The bathtub, which you line with thick towels and let water run in about five centimeters deep, has also proven to be effective. Put the balcony plants in there, but only in the plant pot and without a planter.
Tip
If you are traveling for more than one or two weeks, it makes sense to purchase an automatic pumping system. You can also build this yourself with a little craftsmanship.
