Temperatures rising by the day, some times taking two-degree leap in 24 hours, serve a notice to people towards caution in various aspects. The sun frowning down with scorching wrath hurries one towards emollients such as sunscreen lotions and face-covers, while coolants such as coconut water and fruit juices are gulped down in litres as defence against sunstroke.
If one assumes that summer heat would be as much enervating for our green buddies, one is not right in doing so. While those sensitive to heat demand more care during summer months, many outdoor plants enjoy the sun and show better growth during this season.
“After dormant winter, summer is the time of growth for many plants. In fact, provided with enough water and fertilizer, this is the best season for plant growth,” says an officer from Forest Department who is a green aficionado.
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However, one needs to take some additional precautions to preclude plant-damage due to heat. The drop in humidity should be adequately compensated by increasing the amount of water during the season. Pot plants especially face problem, as they do not have the option of sending their roots further down in search of moisture. If not watered enough, desiccation will soon set into the roots, leading to wilted leaves and eventually drying up of the plant.
Ideal amount of watering differs from plant to plant, and also on the soil type, says the officer. Blind rule is, one should see that the soil has moisture at all times of the day.
“Sandy soil becomes dry very soon while good amounts of clay in the soil will help moisture retention. So it is always advisable to add some heavy soil to the pot mixture as a summer precaution,” he says.
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One can also cover the top portion of the pot with some mulch to keep the moisture from evaporating. The mulch may contain fine wooden pieces, twigs or peat. Even small pebbles may be used to cover the soil.
Potted plants may be moved from their individual locations to form a cluster, so as to create a balmy micro climate. Keeping them grouped together will also ensure that each plant faces the sun only from one direction.
Just like we human beings enjoy swims and baths during summer, our plant counterparts too would prefer a daily shower. One may use shower heads while watering so that the plant may stay cool. However, watering must be either early in the morning or after the sun-down to keep evaporation to the minimum. Further, watering during hotter day will result in leaf burn, say experts.
“Plants can be prepared for summer through pruning of superfluous foliage so as to avoid excessive transpiration. Or else, 98 per cent of the moisture-loss will happen through leaves,” says the officer.
Most plants seed during summer, making it an ideal season for seed collection, he says.
The seeds can be planted immediately or preserved till monsoons for germination depending on the kind of the plant.
Plants could use more fertilizer during summer, as they are mostly starved during colder climates when they remain dormant.
One can use fertilizer in required amounts to aid growth and blooms.
Weeding is another imperative for summer months. The ground should be cleared of all kinds of weeds and unwanted plants, so that the water and fertilizer meant for the plants won't be wasted on weeds.
“Trees or plants grown in lawns too, may become victims of the voracious lawn-grass with its thick network of roots. It is important to clear certain portion of lawn around the plant or tree so that the water and fertilizer intended for the plant will reach it only instead of feeding the lawn,” the officer says.
It is a faulty idea to keep pots in shade for most part of the day, assuming that all plants suffer from the sun as much as human beings do. In fact, those demanding light will not mind the sun unless it becomes extremely scorching.
Plants preferring longer days will postpone flowering if kept constantly in shade.
So, one should exercise restraint when proffering shade to the sun-loving plants. Enough watering will, instead, keep them more than satisfied.
However, shade-netting of 50 per cent can be used for shade-loving plants, especially if grown on terrace.