going on holiday

[Anthonyox10]

What is the best way to keep the plants alive when i go on holiday? Going for 5 days but as i live in a 3rd floor flat and the plants are on my balcony i dont have any neighbors to ask to do it. Also my family live a while away so eont make the trip to save me haha.

Im sure there was a sticky but i cant seem to find it now.

Many thanks

[Sharpy]

What kind of plants and what are they in Anthony ?

[Kirk]

Just water them before you depart and they will be fine.
I used to work away and the plants were left on a Sunday until I returned on a Friday. They got watered twice a week Friday/Sunday and they were the best I ever saw them.

[Jay22]

When we went for a longish holiday we used to place a bucket of water next to the plant and trail a piece of cotton cloth from the bucket to the plant, worked a treat. Not sure how it would work if you have loads of plants though!

[Nicos]

Are they well mulched?
That'd help them last longer between waterings

5 days isn't so bad tbh .

[WendyC]

If they are on a very sunny window sill, I'd move them away from that. Too much sun could have longer lasting effects than too little sun in the short term. Here's wishful thinking of course!

[Anthonyox10]

They are all on the balcony, kinda hoping the weatger isnt too good while im away so they dnt get to much sun haha. Will water them subday nught and hopefully they will be ok for wen i get bk

[Jungle Jane]

Could you fit a plastic bottle filled with water into the pots to act as a drip feed,make holes in the lid,I don't know? But don't do this if it would disturb roots?

[Philthy]

Check the weather forecast for the coming week the day before you leave.
That, and how much of a sun trap your balcony is would I think be the key factors to consider.
For 5 days away a good watering the night before should suffice. Smaller pots (that may dry out quicker) you could stand in a tray / deep saucer and fill that with water also.

[Alison]

Also depends on a) what they are and b) what size pot they're in

[Ovce domácí]

Its a bit late now, but maybe for next year google "self watering pots".

We got a couple this year for our basil, fill to max level on the indicator and they dont need topping up for a week. The basil leapt up quick in them too. Can also make your own there are a few guides about the web.

[kathyd]

If you're worried about scorching (if your weather is better than mine for example ), maybe you could hang some fleece or something over your balcony rail to diffuse direct sun for a few days?

[Scoot]

Try filling some 500ml/l ltr bottles full with water and then tip them up and quickly digging them into the soil. That way the water comes out slowly.