Water stress

Water stress occurs when a plant loses more water through transpiration than its roots can absorb. This imbalance is caused either by overly dry soil (underwatering) or by roots suffocating in waterlogged soil (overwatering), which can no longer function properly. If the situation continues, growth stops, leaves fall prematurely, and the plant may die.

Signs to check

• Overall wilting: leaves and stems are limp and drooping.
• Soil is either completely dry to the touch at a depth of 5 cm (about 2 in) or constantly waterlogged.
• Leaves turn yellow, develop brown edges, or become brittle.
• Growth stops, with no new shoots or buds appearing.

What you may see

• Flower bud drop · Unopened flower buds dry out or turn yellow, then fall from the plant before they can bloom.
• Distorted or bumpy fruit · Fruit has an irregular shape, with bumps, hollows, or visibly asymmetric growth on its surface.
• Leggy growth · The whole plant has unusually long, weak stems, with pale foliage and widely spaced leaves.
• Hanging or drooping flowers · Flowers and their stalks lose firmness, drooping and pointing downward instead of standing upright.
• No flowering · The plant develops no flower buds or flowers despite being mature and in its flowering period.
• Corky areas on fruit · Fruit skin develops rough, brown, cork-like areas that spread across its surface in patches or a network.

What to do now

Deep watering

1. Check that the pot has drainage holes. Without an outlet, water will accumulate and cause root rot.
2. Water slowly and evenly over the entire surface of the potting mix, not just at the base of the plant.
3. Continue pouring until water flows freely from the drainage holes. This signals that the entire root ball is soaked.
4. Let the pot drain for 15 to 30 minutes in a sink or saucer.
5. Be sure to empty excess water from the saucer. Roots must never sit in standing water.

Prevention

• Always test soil moisture with your finger before watering.
• Adjust frequency to the season: water less in winter where water use decreases.
• Always use pots with drainage holes.
• Increase frequency if the plant is actively growing or flowering.