We clarify
10 Gardening Myths You Didn’t Expect
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There are many different myths surrounding gardening and plant care. Should plants really not be watered in the sun? Do plants grow better when you talk to them? Does beer help against pests? We clarify what this is all about.
1. Never water the plants in full sun
There is actually something to the myth that plants should not be watered in the blazing midday sun. What is meant by this is the “burning glass effect”. This states that the drops of water on the leaves cause individual burns because the sunlight is concentrated there. While this is possible, it is relatively unlikely.
However, the much more likely reason to water plants better at a different time is that the blazing sun causes the water to evaporate more quickly and therefore does not reach the roots in time – pure water wastage, so it is better to water plants when it is getting dark outside.
2. Rusty nails make for extra colorful blooms
Sticking rusty nails into the ground so that the flowers get particularly colored leaves is a very old myth. The plant is said to absorb the iron of the nails. But is there something to it?
no Other important factors play a role in flower discoloration, such as pH and aluminum content. In order for iron ions to be able to be absorbed by a plant at all, the pH value must be below six and the soil must therefore be acidic. Rusty nails alone do not intensify the colors of the petals.
3. Withered flowers and leaves should be removed immediately
Leaves that have already wilted or turned brown should be removed immediately? That is only partly true. Because only the part of the leaf that has withered should be removed and not everything that bothers the eye – only then can the plant bloom again next year. Because it needs the green leaves for photosynthesis, so that energy and nutrients can be stored in them.
4. Don’t put plants in the bedroom
Plants breathe our air away? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that. Not having plants in your bedroom is a concern for just one reason: allergies. Some people, especially young children, react negatively to plants and their smell in the immediate sleeping environment. In addition, they improve the indoor climate. Plants give off oxygen and clean the air of pollutants. NASA’s “Clean Air Study” proves this. According to this, at least one houseplant should be set up per nine square meters so that the air can really be cleaned.
5. Better to water too much than too little
When watering plants, “more is more”? On the contrary: too much water can mean that the roots are permanently damp and can no longer absorb nutrients. Mold can also form on the surface of the soil and turn the leaves brown. Too much water is more likely to drown the plant.
6. A glass of beer helps against snails
Beer is probably not only popular with us humans. Snails love the hoppy concoction too – this is a chance to keep them from nibbling on the vegetable patch. So the myth that beer can be a pest trap is true. With a beer trap you can lure the pests away from the plants. So simply place a bowl or glass of beer next to the infested plant.
7. Coax the plants
It seems a bit crazy, but talking to plants is actually good for them. When we speak, we emit CO₂, which the plant needs during photosynthesis to produce sugar. Also, when you talk, you emit sound waves, which can also be good for plants. We won’t get a direct answer – but with a little patience, it will thank you with healthy growth.
8. There is no such thing as too much fertilizer
Fertilizer is used to stimulate plant growth. However, it’s similar to “watering too much doesn’t hurt” – it does hurt. It is best to fertilize exactly as much as prescribed, preferably as little as possible. Over-fertilization is at least as dangerous for plants as a lack of nutrients.
9. The morning harvest tastes much better
In fact, it is recommended to harvest fruit and bulb vegetables, cucurbits and herbs in the morning. The reason: the water in the plants evaporates during the day and they become softer in the evening and therefore less durable. Sun and heat can dry out the leaves and they are more likely to lose their aroma – especially herbs are more aromatic in the morning.
On the other hand, it is recommended to wait until the evening to harvest leafy, root vegetables and fruit. This is due to nitrate cultivation. Overnight, nitrate-rich plants absorb this substance from the soil and need the day to break it down again – in the evening they are ready for harvest.
10. The garden pond must be free of algae
This myth cannot be true. They may be visually disturbing, but aquatic plants are of elementary importance for a pond – including algae. Many useful organisms living in the pond feed on them. Therefore, care should only be taken to ensure that growth is controlled, but not completely removed.