Plant Care, while your on Holiday 
 
Plenty of people travel for various lengths of time, with it comes the  problem of house plant care. How can you care for those plants when you're away for various lengths of time, especially for trips lasting several weeks? There's no sense worrying about things back home while you're on vacation, so consider one of these suggestions. 

The Human Touch:

Ask a friend or neighbor to care for your plants while you are away. If you ask someone to come into your house during your absence, he or she may tend to over water the plants. This probably happens because the care-giver worries that the plants may dry out before the next visit. It may therefore be preferable to take your house plants over to a friend's or neighbor's house and leave them there while you are away. 

Self-Watering:

Another approach too, in absentia plant care is the use of a self-watering wick. Wicks for this purpose are available through most plant stores. Once your have established your plants using a self-watering wick, you can go on vacation, leaving a supply of water to last for several weeks. It is wise to experiment to get just the right soil mixture to fit the wick that you are using. Generally the farther, or higher, your plant is from the water source, the finer your soil mixture should be. The finer the soil, the greater the pull on the water. However, if your plant is just above the water, a medium-textured soil will be adequate. Again, make sure your plants are well established with this system before leaving on a holiday.  This procedure will not work on your Orchids as the mix is too coarse! 

Plants in the Tub:

Many people place their plants in the bath tub before leaving for vacation. This is an effective approach. Water the plants well and cover them with a sheet of plastic. They will survive on their own in the tub for 2 weeks or longer. 

If your plants require high moisture, place about 2.5 cm of water in the stoppered tub; the plants can sit above the water on boards or containers. Water the plants well and cover them with plastic. It is important not to let the plants stand in water! 

In the Bag:

A plant can survive for some time without watering if it is placed in a clear plastic bag. Cut a few slits or holes in the bag, then seal it with a twist-tie. Be sure not to leave your bagged plants exposed to direct sunlight. 

Cooling Down:

It is very important to reduce the temperature of the house when you are leaving your plants. A plant at 55 degrees F will require much less water than one at 75 F. The basement may be the coolest place for them. 

As well as reduced temperature, basements generally have reduced light. Plants in dull light require much less water than those in bright sunlight. Therefore, reduce the light and your plants can do without watering for a longer time.