Method for determining hydration requirements of succulent plants

The present invention provides an improved, quantitative, standardized method of hydrating succulent plants by a plant owner. The method includes calculating the amount of water and watering frequency required, depending on environmental conditions, such as substrate used to grow a plant, relative humidity and temperature, and using a demarcated container for watering the plant, all of which maintains and prolongs the health, vitality, beauty and longevity of the succulent plant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the horticultural arts and, in particular, to methods for optimizing the determination of the amount of hydration required by succulent plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Succulents are water-retaining plants from more than sixty families and three-hundred genera adapted to arid climates or soil conditions. Succulents have evolved special water-storage tissues in thickened or swollen leaves, stems or roots. By making the most of scarce available moisture, succulents can survive in the wild in habitats that are far too dry for most other plants.

Succulent plants grown domestically as house plants oftentimes are subjected to environmental conditions that are not beneficial for their survival. Extremes in temperature, humidity and aeration will cause stress on the plant which can lead to plant damage or death. In particular, over- and/or under-watering by plant owners can be especially harmful. Overwatering often results in plant death as constant wetness causes their roots to rot, which leaves the plant without a means for taking up nourishment. This causes their leaves to droop with the plant eventually dying. Because environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity needs to be considered, this makes determining the amount of water and the frequency of watering required by a succulent plant even more difficult for a plant owner.

There exists a need, therefore, for a quantitative, standardized way to determine the amount of water and watering frequency required by a succulent plant in order to maintain and prolong the plant's health, vitality and longevity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills this need by providing a quantitative, standardized method for determining hydration requirements of succulent plants to optimize their health, vitality, beauty and longevity.

The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a succulent plant contained in a pot, said pot having a bottom of a certain diameter and cylindrical sides defining a space therein where the plant is contained; (2) measuring diameter of the pot; (3) multiplying the diameter of the pot by a certain percentage to obtain a number, said number equal to a volume of water; (4) optionally adding or subtracting a quantity of water to the volume of water calculated in step (3) depending on substrate contained in the pot, environmental relative humidity and environmental temperature; (5) providing a container, said container having a bottom and cylindrical sides which define a space therein, wherein the container accompanies the succulent plant upon sale or other disposition of ownership of the plant; (6) filling the space of the container with a volume of water equal to the volume of water calculated in steps (3) or (4); (7) adding the volume of water to the pot; and (8 repeating step (7) at a frequency which is determined by the substrate contained in the pot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the terms “succulent plants” and “succulents” are meant to be interchangeable.

A fuller understanding of the methods of the present invention can be gained from the following detailed description when read in conjunction withFIGS. 1 and 2. The method comprises the following steps. Step 1 includes providing a succulent plant12contained in a pot22. The pot22has a bottom24of a certain diameter28and cylindrical sides26defining a space therein where the plant is contained. Step 2 includes measuring the diameter28of the pot24. Step 3 includes multiplying the diameter28of the pot22by a certain percentage to obtain a number equal to a volume of water. Step 4 includes optionally adding or subtracting a quantity of water to the volume of water obtained in step 3 depending on what type of substrate is contained in the pot22, environmental relative humidity/and environmental temperature. Step 5 includes providing a container14having a bottom16and cylindrical sides18which define a space therein, wherein the container14accompanies the succulent plant12upon sale or other disposition of ownership of the plant12. Step 6 includes filling the space of the container14with a volume of water equal to the volume of water calculated in steps 3 or 4. Step 7 includes adding the volume of water in the container14to the pot22. Step 8 includes repeating step 7 at a frequency which is determined by the substrate contained in the pot22.

In step 3, the percentage to which the diameter of the pot is multiplied ranges from between 40% to 80%. In an embodiment, the diameter of the pot is multiplied by 60%.

Depending on aeration properties of the substrate used to support, nourish and hydrate the succulent plant, a second volume of water may be added or subtracted to the volume of water calculated in step 3. If the substrate is characterized as having good aeration properties, a second volume of water is added; and, if the substrate is characterized as having poor aeration properties, a second volume of water is subtracted, to the volume of water.

The second volume of water can range from between about 10% to about 60% of the volume of water calculated in step 3. In an embodiment, the second volume of water is equal to about 30% of the volume of water calculated in step 3.

Any substrate commonly used for planting succulents is contemplated for use in the methods of the present invention, such as sphagnum moss, also referred to as peat moss, bark, or combinations thereof. In accordance with the methods of the present invention, if the substrate is substantially bark, then a second volume of water is added; and, if the substrate is substantially sphagnum moss or peat moss, then a second volume of water is subtracted.

Depending on the environmental relative humidity, a third volume of water may be added or subtracted to the volume of water calculated in step 3. If the environmental relative humidity is about 40% or lower, a third volume of water is added; and, if the environmental relative humidity is about 80% or higher, a third volume of water is subtracted. The third volume of water can range from between about 5% to about 50%. In an embodiment, the third volume of water is equal to about 25% of the volume of water calculated in step 3.

Depending on the environmental temperature, a fourth volume of water may be added or subtracted to the volume of water calculated in step 3. If the environmental temperature is about 80° F. or higher, a fourth volume of water is added; and, if the environmental temperature is about 50° F. or lower, a fourth volume of water is subtracted. The fourth volume of water can range from between about 10% to about 70%. In an embodiment, the fourth volume of water is equal to about 40%.

The frequency of watering the succulent plant in accordance with the methods of the present invention ranges from between about every 3 days to about every 7 days if the plant is planted in a substrate comprised substantially of bark, and between about every 8 days to about every 14 days if the plant is planted in a substrate comprised substantially of sphagnum moss or peat moss.

It is important that the temperature of the water used to hydrate the succulent plant is neither too cold nor too hot. Such extremes of water temperature can lead to damage or death of the plant. In accordance with the methods of the present invention, the temperature of the water added to the plant may range from between about 50° F. and about 100° F. In an embodiment, the temperature of the water is between about 70° F. and about 80° F.

Any suitable container14may be used to accompany the sale or other disposition of ownership of the plant in order to measure the volume of water added to the succulent plant12, so long as the container14has clear gradations20shown on its surface to allow a person to measure the volume of water calculated in step 3 and step 4 of the method of the present invention (best shown inFIG. 2). The gradations20on the container14may be in units of ounces, grams, cubic centimeters or any other suitable unit that allows a person to measure the calculated volume of water. In an embodiment, the gradations are in ounces and increase by 0.3 increments per gradation starting with 0.3 ounces, for example and without limitation, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, 3.0, 3.3 and 3.6 ounces.

In an embodiment, the succulent plant is an orchid plant.

Succulent plants require sufficient oxygen for root respiration, adequate but not over-hydration, and sunlight to maintain their health, vitality and longevity. Substrates for succulent plants serve several important functions: they hold and provide water and nutrients, maintain aeration of roots, and serve to anchor and support the roots of the plant. Different substrates vary with respect to their water retention capacity and degree of aeration. Coarse particles such as bark and coconut fibers provide more space for aeration. However, water retention is poor. On the other hand, fine substrates, such as sphagnum moss and fiber peat, have good water retention, but poor aeration. Thus, a substrate having a proper balance of good aeration and water retention is desired for health of succulents.

In addition to the substrate used to grow succulent plants, the environment in which the plant grows is important for determining the amount of water required by these plants. In a dry, arid and/or hot environment, more water is required due to more rapid evaporation of water through the leaves of the plant.

The method of the present invention described hereinabove therefore provides a quantitative, standardized method for determining hydration requirements of succulents by a plant owner which takes into account these environmental factors in order to maintain and prolong the health, vitality, beauty and longevity of the plants.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various alterations in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.