House plants—how to leave them for 6 weeks

This video shows several methods. We used the string option. We placed everything inside our bathtub and had the large pot sitting up higher as they’ve pictured.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQc3yENYuSk

This may not apply to you at all but I put all mine under a tree in our backyard yard that gives adequate shade and let the sprinkler system water every other day. I live in Texas and even in the unbelievable temperatures we’ve had all summer they are doing just fine. Obviously it wouldn’t work in winter.

Depends on where you live, but just putting them outside might work.

I planted most of mine outside in the shade where the sprinklers water them.

For some, I also added a little gravity watering reservoir that catches excess sprinkler water in the reservoir and gravity drips it slowly to the plant.

On my back patio, where I have a hose faucet, I installed a 4 way manifold. One outlet has a timer and connects to 1/4" tubing that waters the former houseplants on schedule.

This isn't quite the type of gravity watering device I have, but I may try it for plants that need a little more frequent water than the timed sprinklers provide.

These wouldn't work for long trips though. The ones I use catch water each time the sprinklers run so they are better for longer trips. The ones with the bottles only last until the bottle empties.

Another option is to hire a dog walker. Most are happy to stop by (for a cost of course) to water plants.

I found the gravity watering reservoirs that I use.

Used standalone, including indoors, these will last as long as the reservoir - a cup, a bottle, a jar or even a large bowl - you use with them.

Used outdoors, I place the reservoirs inside the plant pot, along with a small bubbler head on 1/4" tubing. The reservoir catches excess sprinkler water which then drips to they plant by gravity over a few days. When the sprinklers run again, they refill the reservoirs.

This makes it so that I don't have to run the big sprinkler system so often for just a few plants that need more frequent watering.

I'm dealing with this same issue. I live in an apartment so don't have the option of putting my plants outside. Never heard of these gravity watering reservoirs and while they look interesting for medium to larger plants I have African Violets in 4" pots.

I recently bought an "automatic watering system" that is a timer and tubes. I did some testing yesterday and I'm optimistic for my upcoming month long trip. Fingers crossed!

That is pretty compelling, Tom_MN!

I don't have any houseplants left or I would try it. In fact, maybe I could go back to having some! I do miss having them.

Thanks so much Tom_MN
This article was just what I needed to give this a try!!

Yes, thanks Tom, good to have such a simple solution.

https://laidbackgardener.blog/2015/03/23/bag-your-houseplants-before-you-leave/#:~:text=Inside%20a%20plastic%20bag%2C%20your,level%20will%20be%20essentially%20100%25.

The article mentions that bagging is not good for cactus and succulents.

I wonder if anyone has tried it with Christmas cactus?

They aren't really cacti and are called succulents.
But I know they do enjoy moist air and love being misted periodically.

I'm trying to keep some specimens alive that were given to me by my mother 40 years ago.
My current pet nanny is very good at judging their needs but the plants had been over watered by previous nannies.

I suspect the bags might work.

My goodness y’all this is such great information! Tom, especially: this may liberate my too-kind daughter from the chore of coming to my house every week that I am traveling. I really appreciate everyone’s ideas, descriptions, and links! This online community rocks!

Thanks, Tom! I'm going to try this next week.