Pine Cone Trick
This extends the lifespan of plants
Watering plants made easy with the pine cone trick.
© Pereslavtseva Katerina/Shutterstock.com
Overwatered or dried out: Many a plant has died as a result of incorrect watering. A life hack from Japan is supposed to prevent that.
Who does not know it? Hardly bought, the leaves of the plant hang down limp or turn brown. The reason for this is usually too much or too little water in the pot. Moisture measuring devices specially developed for plants should make dosing easier – at least that’s the theory. In the practical test, however, neither the function nor the sustainability of the battery-operated helpers made of plastic are convincing. The Japanese have therefore switched to an environmentally friendly alternative: the pine cone method.
how it works explains content creator Hiro on his TikTok channel. All he needs is a pine cone, ideally from a spruce or pine tree. This is inserted about two centimeters deep into the potting soil and watered with water. If the environment is humid enough, the scales of the cone will close. By opening again, the pine cone indicates that it is time to water.
With the locking technique, the cone protects the seeds inside, writes the “WWF”. The unilaterally winged seed spreads in propeller flight through the wind. This works best in dry conditions. Rain is a hindrance to the spread. In order not to waste seeds, the pine cone therefore only releases them in good weather conditions.
SOS help with sick plants
If plants are already weak, they can possibly be pampered again with the right care. When it’s dry, a dip works wonders. Place the plant in a bucket of water and only remove it when there are no more air bubbles. Then drain. A pot with a drainage hole will help. Cut off the dried shoots and put the plant back in its place. Water regularly over the next few days.
If the leaves do not turn brown but turn yellow and feel soft, the plant has received too much moisture. In this case, it is important to drain off the excess water, take the plant out of the pot, let it drain and free it from the rotten leaves.
The success of the rescue operation depends on how badly the roots are damaged. If they are affected, it is worth taking the plant out of the pot, shaking off the soil and cutting off the diseased roots. Then place the plant in fresh soil and a new pot.