Question
Hi Darlene!
I will be on vacation for the next two weeks and have several plants and trees in the house. 3 yucca plants, 1 dracenea, several mother in law tongues and a braided tree (??name). I usually water all these plants myself and take them out of the pots to do so twice a week in the summer since it gets pretty hot in southern california. The last plant service left the plants sitting in water for one week and they all started looking bad. Another plant service did not show up and did not water the plants at all; again they got droopy and started looking bad. I have heard of plant wicks and fabric wicks, yet the yucca trees and two other trees/plants are 6 feet tall and cannot be placed in the bathtub. The plant and spanish moss does not stay wet more than a day and a half either. I will water copiously before I leave, yet any other suggestions?  

Answer
Dear LJ,

You can set up a drip irrigation system on a timer to water them but you need to set that up ahead of time so you have time to work out the bugs before you leave on vacation. When I go on vacation I have a trusted friend that comes over daily and waters my bonsai trees when I am gone during the summer. If you don't have a trusted friend to do it I guess I would try a plant service again but ask for a signed contract stating what they will do and that they will replace any unhealthy plants when you return. For that kind of service try florist shops. Many of them have watering services and are more reliable.  Otherwise water just a bit more than normally then put a plastic bag over the pot and twist tie it on the trunk but not over the plant. That will help somewhat. You do not want your plants sitting in water the entire 2 weeks or the roots will rot. The yuccas and mother in laws will probably be fine if just well watered then left alone for the 2 weeks. They do not like overwatered anyway. Your braided tree is probably ficus and it does need watered regularly during the 2 weeks, also the dracaena does. If you have teenage girls in your area that babysit maybe one of them would make a good plant sitter, tell them you will not pay if the plants are in bad shape when you return. Good luck.

Darlene