6 tips to keep your plants healthy during monsoon

While the rainfall promotes greenery, this time of the year is also a difficult time for the plants. With the rains comes moisture, infections and pests that make it difficult for the plants to grow and survive.  Check out tips that will help your plants stay strong in the rainy season.

Keep a check on how much you water

While water is key for growth of a plant, do keep a check on how much you water your plants during this season.  Different plants have different water requirements.  For instance, a cacti’s water needs are much different from that of an annual plant. While over watering may result in root rot of succulent plants, fruit-bearing plants do need a good amount of water for their survival.

Note that during the rains, the moisture content in the air is already very high. It’s recommended to check the moisture on the soil before watering. If you find the soil high in moisture, then do not water.

A plant needs water if the top soil is dry. So, check that before watering your plants. Also, while watering them, it’s recommended to use sprinklers so that you don’t indulge in over watering.

Loosen the soil in the pot

By loosening the soil in the plant, you make space for the roots to breath and stretch, while also improving the circulation of air. If the soil is tight and rigid, the soil deep inside the pot doesn’t get a chance to dry and this trapped moisture leads to rotting of the plant.

Safeguard from pests and fungi

Rains are the time when plants get infected with a lot of fungal diseases. Just before the onset of the monsoons, clear all dead and wilted leaves from the plants. It’s recommended to prune the plants, which will effectively help in preventing fungal growth and eliminate insect infestation. Pruning will ensure that there is a good amount of air circulation that the plant needs to prevent fungal diseases from developing. It will also help in better growth of the plant.

One of the plant diseases that is common during the monsoons is powdery mildew, wherein a white powder sets on the surface of the leaf and eventually leads to wilting and dying of the leaf and plant. This can be prevented by keeping the plant in sunlight. In case of absence of sunlight with the rainy season going on, apply neem oil on the leaf’s surface. Anthracnose is another fungal infection that is prevalent during the monsoons. To address this, it’s better to prune the affected part of the plant so that the remaining part of the plant is saved.

Use a disinfectant to get rid of fungus

Disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide can be used on plants during the rainy season to get rid of the fungus that may develop on them. A portion of hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water and sprayed is an effective disinfectant. You can spray this disinfectant every fortnight during the monsoon season.

Ensure good drainage in potted plants

Root rot is a common problem that affects the life of a plant. Ensure that all potted plants in your home or garden have proper drainage so that all the excess water gets drained out properly instead of settling at the base of the pot. If it does, it may start impacting the roots, resulting in the wilting of the plant.  Ensure that the drainage holes on the pot are not blocked. Also, check the soil at the base of the pot. If it is too sticky, it’s a good idea to repot the plant with fresh soil.

Fill the pot completely with soil

During monsoons, fill the pot completely with soil- preferably a mix of soil and manure as this will prevent waterlogging at the top of the plant.

This waterlogging is not good as nutrients may take time to reach the plant and pests like mosquitoes can breed.