I don’t know about you, but the first time I ever owned a plant years ago, things didn’t go well. I had no clue about how to take care of a simple houseplant, let alone a bonsai that I received as a gift. The sun’s rays didn’t quite hit my room so I thought that by giving it enough water, I’d be able to sustain it. I’ve never been so wrong.
Within a week, its leaves began to shed incessantly until I couldn’t save it anymore. I found out later on that overwatering is just as harmful as under-watering to plants. So for first-time plant owners out there, don’t be as naive as me. Whether you have a green thumb or not, it pays to read up before buying the plant that you want. Above all, you have to make sure that you have a suitable environment for your plant.
Needless to say that being a plant parent requires responsibility, but there’s a new device that can help you do the job. International brand Sustee recently launched their water indicator in the Philippines, which tells you when you are supposed to water your houseplants.
Sustee measures the moisture in your plant’s roots based on pF values or soil moisture tension. No batteries are needed in the device. Just insert the device into your potted plant, wait for a couple of minutes, and watch how the indicator changes its color. Blue tells you when there’s enough water in the soil; otherwise, the color white signals that your plant needs some watering.
The amount of water needed by each plant varies from another but Sustee notes that the device can be used for “almost all plants cultivated in soil,” including planters or pots. It’s neither affected by water sprayers or rain because it only registers the amount of water in the soil.
It’s environmentally friendly, too, as its inner core is made of natural fibers and therefore, can be consumed by microorganisms. The core has to be replaced after six to nine months once it stops turning blue after watering.
Sustee is currently available in small, medium, and large sizes in colors white or green. You can place an order on their website here.
Header image courtesy of Sustee Philippines
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Writer: JILL CHUA
