We’re in the midst of an unprecedented drought but not everything needs watering at the same time. Here are some easy ways to tell if your plant is dying or merely severely ill.
Take a look at the leaves of the plant (tree, bush, etc.) where you have watering concerns. If your plant’s leaves are drooping in the afternoon, you will be able to wait until the following morning. I’m a long-time gardener in Clark County and I find it hard to bypass a plant whose leaves are showing signs of distress so I water immediately.
But if your plant’s leaves are still drooping in the morning after a night of cool temperatures, it needs water immediately. If you choose not to water it, realize that it is in a stage of death. It will die based on many factors — age, length of illness, amount of shade or sun, wind, heat, concomitant diseases. However, you can combat this stage by watering immediately.
There are other indicators, of course (leaf color, leaf drop, drooping branches, flower drop, needle drop), but watching the leaves is foolproof and easiest.
