Important tips about plants and water

• A plant is a continuous water pipe from the tip of the deepest root to the end of the tallest leaf.
• More than 80% of a plant’s weight is water. The plant must have access to water at its roots constantly.
• Water keeps the plant from wilting and carries nutrients from the soil through the roots to the plant.
• Dry fertilizer can do nothing until it’s dissolved and carried by water to the plant, therefore nutrient compounds must be water-soluble.
• Plants stay cool by transpiration (like perspiration). Those with a larger leaf area require more water for transpiration.
• Soils are not dams for storing water, therefore frequent small waterings are better than flooding once each week.
• Sprinkling is a very inefficient method of watering. Three negative effects of sprinkling include:
  1. Wastes water.
  2. Encourages weed growth in the aisles.
  3. Promotes fungus diseases such as mildew and mold.