how often do you water drought resistant plants?

Answer 1

"Drought resistant" does Not mean the same thing for all plants it gets used on. Generally you water when a plant starts to show signs of water stress.

For example some strains of tall fescue are sold as "drought resistant" yet use much more water than red fescue (Festuca rubra) a smaller more drought tolerant grass. The tall fescues handle drought by sucking up ALL the water available. The red fescue just doesn't need as much and doesn't rob the water needed by other plants around it.
So you need to know how the plant resists drought. Is it succulent? Is it deep rooted? Does it go drought dormant?

Unless the plants are well established they need to be watered regularly and deeply. How often depends on the soil and weather.

I have heavy clayish decomposing granite soil and the summers get over 100F. I have to water my newly planted 'drought resistant' plants about once a week. The established plants only need it maybe once a month. But it is tricky. I have lost some plants from not watering enough. And I've lost some from keeping the soil too moist.

You need to learn the requirerments for each particular plant. Even cultivars of the same species have different needs.

And if the rain is not coming you need to keep the plants watered.

Answer 2

The general rule for water is an inch per week for flower and vegetable gardens. Drought resistant plants are plants which thrive and come from areas where because of the native climate, rain may fall only during a certain season or in a desert climate, hardly at all. They may have improved water storage systems built in or use less water for other reasons.

Your plants will tell you when they need water. All you have to do is look at the leaves and inspect the soil.

If a few of the leaves are starting wilt - that is curl downward or droop, then the plant recognizes that its moisture content is low and the plant is protecting itself by turning off the evaporation process. Water is drawn up through the root system because moisture evaporates through the leaves which creates a vaccume (low pressure) inside the plants structure.

Since water and air flow from high pressure to low pressure, moisture and air enter the roots and are transported through out the plant. Since the moisture content in the soil is low, if evaporation continued, air in the soil would be drawn in causing an air embolism which would effectively stop up the plumbing. So, in addition to looking at the leaves and general plant health (inspect for disease and pests), you should also inspect the soil.

The best method for applying water to gardens is through drip irrigation. It is inexpensive, saves about 50% in water, can either be automated or turned on while you do other things. In addition, since the water drips onto the ground at ground level, evaporation is reduced, moisture gets directly to the plants roots and no water is sprayed onto plants leaves which can promote an environment where disease can grow.

Answer 3

Even drought resistant plants need water. I don't know what your zone is, but try once per week and go from there as to whether or not you need to water more often during the hot summer.

Answer 4

I live in drought California and find that if I water more than once a week my plants do not do well. If I know it will b very hot that day I overhead sprinkle them to fresh up and they seem to like that. the new veggie platns ,as tomatoes and such, I go by how they might 'droop' They generally get water twice a week. .

Answer 5

Even if they are drought resistant, they still require some water.

Answer 6

Here in California, I water mine only when the leaves begin to droop slightly. In the winter, I water even less frequently as these plants do extract moisture from the foggy mornings.
Good luck!

Answer 7

Just a little bit of water once a week, or a few drops once a day.

Answer 8

well i know that if you water them too much they die.and same with if you dont water them enough!!

Answer 9

if the leaves start to wilt.

Answer 10

A little every day,