Underwatering
The plant droops, the leaves turn dull, curl or get dry brown edges, and older leaves drop. The compost is dry and light and shrinks away from the side of the pot.
The plant loses more water than its roots can take up, because of drought, heat, a pot that is too small or a young tree that has not yet rooted in well.
What can you do?
- Stand a dried-out pot in a bucket of water for half an hour until no more air bubbles rise, then let it drain.
- In the garden, water thoroughly once a week rather than a little every day, in the morning or evening.
- In dry spells, give newly planted trees and shrubs a good bucket of water every week for their first two or three summers.
- Cover the soil with a layer of mulch or compost to reduce drying out.
Prevention
Check pots daily in warm weather and choose drought-tolerant plants for dry spots.
When to watch out: June–August