🎶 It’s getting hot in here, that means our plants will grow 🎶 - In more good news, this is written content so I don’t need to subject you to my singing this lil homage to early 2000s hip hop. Singing’s not my forte, but plants are! - Plant Doc Brocc
Right, back to the topic at hand: it’s summer, plants are in growing season, and their behaviours and needs are changing. All of this can lead to an increase in alerts from your Sensor. So, what can you expect?
Heat Alerts
As temps rise outside, they will inside, too. You can expect to hear more from your plants who are feeling the heat.
What can you do if your houseplants are too toasty?
- Move them a little further from the sun than usual
- Give them a shadier spot in your home
- Add airflow, opening windows will let a little breeze come through
- Turn on the AC, making sure plants aren’t situated where the cool air is blasting
Too Bright Alerts
With the sun in full swing over the summer months, sun exposure may come down hard on our green mates.
There’s definitely such a thing as too much sunlight and here’s what you can do to help.
- Move your plants back from the windows and give them some breathing room from the direct sun.
- Use sheer curtains or shade cloth around patio areas and plants that don’t have access to shade.
- Make sure your plants aren’t sitting in bone dry soil. Too much sunlight and very dry soil are a bad, possibly fatal, combination for our beloved houseplants.
If your plant says it’s too hot or too bright, then consider changes for the warmer months ahead.
Water Alerts
Get your watering can and wipe off the winter cobwebs, it’s time for a drink! You’ll be seeing a lot more water alerts over the hot summer. As our plants gear up into action for growing and deal with longer, warmer days, you'll need to up the frequency of your watering visits.
Willow only notifies you when an action is necessary so it’s important to keep on top of your alerts. If you leave your soil dry for too long, it may end up harming your plants.
- Double check the Willow fertiliser schedule to make sure your plants don’t need a feed. If they do, add some liquid fertiliser to the can; and
- Thoroughly water your plants. Take them somewhere like the shower or kitchen sink, remove your Willow Sensor, and absolutely drench every part of their soil. Let them drain out any excess water and then put them back in their favourite spot.
Willow Your Way
A reminder you can set your growth goal in your plant’s profile to Thrive or Survive. Set to survive and your Willow Sensor is looking for just enough light to stay happy and healthy, and during the growing season produce new leaves (albeit perhaps on the smaller side). Set to Thrive and the Sensor is looking for light to kickstart some serious growth.
Lastly, if you're unable to produce certain conditions in your home, as a last resort you can switch off individual plant notifications in your preferences on your profile page.
