If you use your hairdryer on the plant without first removing it from the container, you will only be able to dry out the uppermost layers of the soil.
To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden.
Too much water can be just as damaging to plants as too little water. Before watering, check your garden's soil moisture with your finger. Push it into the ground around your plants. You want the top 2 or 3 inches of the soil to be dry, and the soil below that to be moist.
No plant wants to be stuck into bone-dry earth.
That's because plant roots need moisture. Not only do they need water to run their physical systems, but moist soil also enables them to root into the ground well.
Most plants benefit from drying out completely between waterings; some moisture-loving plants like ferns can be watered again when the soil is mostly dry. Step 2: If the soil is dry, fill a watering can or vessel with room temperature water.
Deep roots allow them to get water more consistently, so they won't be as susceptible to variations in temperature and humidity. For most plants it's ok/good to allow the top couple inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. When you do water, make sure the water is really soaking down to the roots.
The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.
“I would say overwatering is one of the biggest reasons for houseplant deaths. People tend to 'overcare' for their plants and over water. Overwatering can 'drown' your plants and lead to root rot. I would definitely under water than risk overwatering a plant.”
Growing in saturated soil is a challenge because it can drown plant roots, which require oxygen to breathe. This can lead roots to rot, fungal diseases to develop, and ultimately, spell death for the plant. If you have an area with wet soil in mind for planting, the soil should drain 24-48 hours after a rain.
It's easy to assume that all plants benefit from rich, moist soil, but on the contrary there are lots of plants that thrive in quite the opposite. To survive in these sun-baked, often shallow soils, plants have to be tough.
Or, there are plenty of plants you can grow in the meantime that love dry soil, too. Some ornamental plants suited for dy soil include: sedum, Foxtail Lilies, Agave, Bearded Iris, and Passion Flowers. Plenty of herbs appreciate the dry soil, too.
Overwatering your plants often has a side effect that oxygen can't reach your plant's roots anymore. By letting the soil dry out, oxygen will once again be able to reach the roots. This is often enough to help your plant recover and you can water it again.
Yellow Leaves + Fading to Green + or Bright Yellow =
These symptoms together mean that your plant is overwatered. Usually lower leaves drop first, although the whole plant may be affected. The solution = repot (to remove soaked soil) and water less, or let soil dry out and water less.
Rescue Techniques for Wilting Plants
Move your plant to a shady area even if it is a full-sun plant. Remove any dead or dying leaves. These should be easily recognizable. Check your pot for proper drainage and, if possible, create additional air space around the roots.
Make a ball of soil and drop it. If the ball crumbles, your garden is ready for seeds. If it holds its shape or breaks into two clumps, it's still too wet for planting. You can also step into the garden and then step back and look at the footprint you've left in the soil.
It may take an hour or more to thoroughly re-wet the soil. Be careful not to leave pots soaking in standing water continuously. Check them after an hour or two and remove them when they are hydrated.
Water once or twice per week, using enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of about 6 inches each time. It's okay if the soil's surface dries out between waterings, but the soil beneath should remain moist.
The best time to water your garden in summer is from 6 am to 10 am—before the heat of the day sets in, giving your plants plenty of time to drink up and any moisture on the leaves to dry off before nightfall. What is this? If watering in the morning isn't possible, the next best time is from 4 pm to 7 pm.
When a plant is first becoming overwatered, leaves turn yellow. If soil doesn't have a chance to dry out before you water again, leaves start to wilt. When overwatering is the problem, wilted leaves are soft and limp. (If too little water is the issue, wilted leaves are dry and crispy.)
The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening.
Morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.
After the soil is in place and well-watered, level the soil with a garden rake. A level soil will ensure that water flows down and through soil, and will help prevent surface erosion. STEP 2: Rest the Soil – Don't plant for at least 3 days!
You can either go for the bath method and bottom water, or thoroughly top water. I prefer to give plants a bath (bottom water) as step one, a day or two before I repot, then I like to thoroughly top water drench after repotting, as top watering also helps flush out excess dirt and silt from the new substrate.