Best watering practice

Anne Swithinbank’s masterclass on: watering

- Anne Swithinbank

Use soft rainwater for itrus (pictured), orchids and ericaceous plants like rhododendron, pieris and camellia.

For newly potted plants, I water from above using a fine rose, wafting a fine spray away, then over them and then away again.

After feeling the compost surface, I can tell whether plants in my frost-free porch need water. Ideally, water should stand and reach room temperature before use

Q I am very confused by watering. What kit do I need, tap or rain, how do I tell when plants need it, indoors and out, and how can I stop plants from dying either from over or underwatering?

Finola Chapman, Berwick-uponTweed, Northumberland

A I recall during my training at Kew being scolded for walking along a greenhouse pathway looking straight ahead. I was puzzled, but my supervisor explained that I should be glancing at the plants constantly to note whether any needed watering or other attention. This is now a subconscious habit, and I’ll often stop in my tracks to rescue a flagging plant. Relax and use your intuition, safe in the knowledge that at some point everyone has killed a plant through over or underwatering.